Page 167 of Into the Isle

The ancient witch handed me the bowl, motioning me to take it. “Spread that across your wounds. Let it sit for an hour, then wash yourself in the swamp.”

“Wash myself in the swamp?” I said incredulously. “With all due respect, ma’am, that sounds like an oxymoron.”

She chuckled a raspy sound. “Aye, I suppose it does. Nonetheless, do it. If you want to heal faster, that is.”

I stared down at the sludgy concoction of green and black in the clay bowl. Like a disgusting soup. It looked furry at the top, filled with mold and fungus, and I had to resist retching when I smelled it.

“Thank you, Elayina.” I bowed my head deeply. The roots of the tree were starting to bite into my ass, making sitting cross-legged uncomfortable. “So I suppose . . . that’s it, then?”

“Nonsense, child. As I said, you are here for many reasons.” She sat forward. Once she lifted her gaze to me, I could finally see her dewy white eyes underneath the wrinkled ridge of her brow.

“I feel something inside you, itching to get out,” she said, smiling another toothless smile. “Would you like to get to the crux of why you’re really here?”

I was taken aback. This madwoman didn’t know me whatsoever, yet she assumed I served some greater purpose in coming here?

My first thought: My inherent magic! That’s definitely been itching to get out! And then I thought of the many other secrets I held. There is the family tree discovery I’ve made. The issue of my tainted blood. Everyone hating me. The men I’ve fallen for needing to die to satiate the bloodlust of my family. Perhaps someone this elderly might have some answers to all that?

“Why is it you think I’m really here, Elayina?” I asked. “If not for the healing?”

“Lean forward and I will show you. I am not long for this place. It’s about time someone worthy came searching for answers.”

She spoke in riddles. Somewhat. I couldn’t get a clear understanding of what she was saying, and I had a feeling that wasn’t going to change.

I said, “Very well,” and leaned my head forward, until we were a couple feet apart.

She reached out with her skeletal, leathery palm, inching closer toward my face. “Just know, Ravinica Linmyrr, once the seer’s touch is felt, there is no going back from it. Do you understand?”

No, I certainly didn’t understand.

But I was a brave woman. Stupid, perhaps, but brave.

If she had “answers” for me to questions I hadn’t asked, so be it. I’d bite, whether it was all a farce or not.

“I understand,” I lied.

And then Elayina touched my forehead with her palm, and the world faded around me.

Part Four

Enemies

KING DANNON WALKED down to the deepest cell of the darkest prison beneath his monolithic castle. Tensions between the elves and humans were worse than ever.

Though the Second Taldan War was over, Dannon and his “brother,” Lord Talasin of the elves, rarely spoke. Ever since Talasin’s sister, Lady Amisara, had gone missing, the two warlords had a strained relationship. Amisara was married to Dannon’s sister, Queen Solveig, and the two women formed the crux of their races’ alliance.

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