Page 56 of Of Blood & Stone

“They’re holy.”

“Oh come on,” he whispered as they walked through the hallway, bare feet slapping against the marble floor, “You really think it isn’t a little overdone?”

Nostrils flaring, she picked up her pace. He followed her in stride.

“Let’s work together on this,” he said, “You made a bargain of some kind because you wanted a cure, so let’s not waste it.”

“I’ve no need for a cure as I have one on the way.” She avoided his gaze. “I’m just here to give you a tour of the temple, as per your request.”

“And to convince me to give up on finding the compass.”

“If you want to tear into one of the willows, be my guest.”

“You just want to see me chained up after I used my rope on you,” he said with a wide grin.

“A criminal, a prince, and now a child.” She jeered, “Man of many trades, indeed.”

“Very funny.”

She glanced at him sidelong. “Your words, not mine.”

He scoffed as he continued to follow her through the temple. He’d hoped her confession would ignite something in her, a desire to find the willow that she seemed to previously have had. But he couldn’t match whatever hold the High One had over her.

He’d have to find the compass alone.

Maybe the Estean warrior had some insight… if he could find a way to contact Kharis.

“And this is the healing pool,” Sylzenya announced, breaking the silence.

Steam filled his lungs as they entered the large circular room. Warm water slapped against his feet; a tingle sent up into his skin.

“When Kreenas and acolytes have finished their work for the day, they come here to heal their backs.” Sylzenya continued,“It’s also the only room without a living willow in it, the steam an unpleasant environment for it.”

Elnok stepped forward. A pool filled the center of the room—glittering tiles on the bottom glowing in the shape of a tree.

“How’s it doing that?” he asked.

“One of Aretta’s last gifts to us was a pool of water with healing capabilities. It can’t heal anything marred by steel or human tools, only power; power opens our skin, and so power heals us.”

“So it’s your power that does… that?” He motioned to her back. “That cut and the bleeding?”

She raised a brow. “To create life means we must give life. Aretta’s blood lives in the soil; we use it to create plants and vegetation, so our life must be given in exchange. Life for life. Blood for blood.”

“Seems taxing. And painful.”

“The burdens we bear usually are.”

Yellow stained-glass windows shaped like willow trees bathed the massive room in a warm glow, shining light on the pool and the wall’s carvings. Elnok approached one of the walls, hands behind his back as he tried to decipher the meaning behind its images.

“This is the story of the Origin, the birth of the continent,” Sylzenya said, joining him.

“Let me guess, a god bled all over the earth and life was born?”

“That’s a part of it,” she replied.

“And what’s the rest of it?” Elnok asked, the drawings depicted trees, humans, and unusually shaped creatures. Perhaps the drawings could provide a clue to the compass’ location.

Imbecile.

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