The fire crackled softly in the courtyard of Godrick's Manor, its flames dancing within the circle Vera had drawn upon the ground. The night had grown strangely still. Even the wind seemed to have withdrawn, leaving only the faint rustle of leaves beyond the ruined walls and the occasional hiss of the flames.
Aurelia stood within the circle, her hands held loosely at her sides, while Vera remained several paces away, facing her with the concentration of someone preparing to perform magic that could not afford a single mistake.
Vera slowly raised both hands. "By the blood that carries the essence, by the soul that bears its name, by the bond forged through stolen will, I command what was false to loosen its hold."
Her voice was low at first, almost a whisper. Then it grew stronger.
"Vinculum falsum, audi me. Per essentiam alienam, solve te. Per voluntatem reginae, frangere incipias. Quod non est verum, non manebit."
