I expected Fionuir to be defeated quickly. Fighting two Kobolds was a good way to commit suicide for most people. But she kept up her end. I could hear grunts from all three. It made me glad I couldn’t see what was actually happening. Although it left me plenty of time to worry about that obligation.
Lionel slid down to sit beside me. “Quinn, I don’t know what to do, they are not getting anywhere, and I think she’s enhanced her ability. Can you cast a spell?”
“It would be dangerous for me to cast, I don’t know who I would hit.” I really wanted to throw a net spell but I knew Fionuir would just keep fighting. I wasn’t going to sacrifice my friends for this battle.
“She’s going to kill them then come and get us. I can’t fight her.” Lionel sounded more angry than afraid.
I tried to think. Lionel was better than I expected him to be with magic, but this was under a stressful situation. What could I give him that wouldn’t be a disaster for everyone?
“I don’t think we have much time,” Lionel stuttered. “Can you give me a kill spell?”
“Absolutely not.” I came out of my internal spell inventory. “How do you know you won’t kill everything in hearing range?”
“We have to do something.”
“But not killing. I can’t cause direct harm. This blindness is probably part of that. I gave my word I wouldn’t do direct harm.”
“Great, Quinn, could you have mentioned that before we were in the middle of a battle?” Olan chirped as he landed on my shoulder.
“Even if I didn’t have this obligation, I wouldn’t kill. Do you forget I’m a spirit wizard?”
“Fine,” Olan said. “You think about what you can do and I’ll be getting in her way was much as I can.”
I tried to ignore the sarcasm in his voice. It wasn’t helping me find a solution.
Fionuir screamed, “Get out of here you damn bird.” And there was a pause in the clashing of swords.
I had an idea. “Lionel, have you mastered the preservation spell?”
“Yes, I preserved three oak leaves last month. They are still green.”
It occurred to me that he might be bragging but I pushed the thought away, I had to trust him or there wasn’t any point in trying to stop the fight. “Okay, I have an idea. Do you think you can cast this only on Fionuir?”
“Yes, Olan is keeping her far enough away from Clarence and Edrinda. If we are quick, she won’t be able to get close to them again.”
“If you twist the spell to include ice and air, you can crystallize the air around her. She’ll be held in a shell of ice until we release her. She’ll be alive and aware, but not able to do anything.”
“Okay so instead of saying, rot and entropy leave, I say what?” He was smart enough to figure out the way each part of the spell contributed to the whole.
“Movement and heat.”
“I’ll get as close as I can.” I felt him rise. “Wish me luck.”
“Luck”
The clash of swords started again then stopped. “Bird, I will slice you open if you don’t get out of the way.”
I sent my thoughts to Lionel, now, do it now! He must have heard me. Murmurs of a spell carried across the room. Then suddenly the room went cold and silent.
Then I heard breathing, then gasps of breath and a thud.
“Lionel, what is going on, damn it.” I pushed myself up. If this didn’t work, I was going to blunder into the battle. If everyone was frozen I would have to fix it.
“It’s done,” Olan said. “The boy did fine.”
“What was the thud? Is someone hurt?” No one answered. “Someone talk to me.”
“Fionuir fell over,” Edrinda gasped. “We’re fine. It’s over.”