Page 79 of Of Blood & Stone

Elnok took a deep breath, motioning for Kharis to lean in.

“We found Aretta’s Willow,” Elnok whispered.

Kharis’s eyes widened as a sharp wind rushed by, a crackling sound flooding the room. The two Dynameis had begun their fight, their veins glowing a bright yellow, matching the orodyte strapped to their chests.

“Never mind them. It’s just a duel, and these two imbeciles do it far too often,” Kharis replied, grabbing Elnok’s shoulder. “Where is it?”

Elnok turned to Sylzenya. Carefully, she motioned for Kharis to observe the compass underneath the table. They all looked, the golden case gleaming with the bright yellow glow.

“A compass?”

“The tree is always moving,” Sylzenya whispered, “Its needle is a part of the tree’s bark, and so it always points towards its home.”

Bright light and crackles of magic filled the air, providing the perfect distraction from potential prying eyes.

“I’ll be damned,” Kharis said, leaning back and staring at Sylzenya. “Does the High One know of this?”

Her nostrils flared as she shook her head.

“Why not?” Kharis questioned.

Sylzenya took in a deep breath, “We wish to find it first and then present it to him.”

“That won’t do. You need to tell him immediately,” Kharis replied.

Kharis’ words caught Elnok off guard.

“You were the one who told me to be cautious of him,” Elnok interjected.

“Kharisis the reason you don’t trust the High One?” Sylzenya leaned forward, turning to the warrior. “But you’re his closest of warriors. The greatest Dynami we’ve had in centuries.”

“Both of you, stop,” Kharis replied, “Elnok, I fear I’ve misguided you.”

Elnok straightened his back, confusion tugging at his muscles. “Misguided me?” He lowered his voice further. “Do we need to move this conversation… elsewhere?”

Another crack of power, a wind sweeping Elnok’s hair in his face.

“Elnok, the tree can’t heal your friend or brother.”

He stared at the warrior, gauging for any false pretenses, a signal perhaps that this was code for something else, ithadto be. Kharis was the one who told him about the tree in the first place.

“Now you choose to humor me?” Elnok replied, “Look, now that we can locate Aretta’s Willow, we need to go into Lhaal Forest as soon as possible. Sylzenya and I agree that going in tonight would be best.”

Kharis’ eyes turned to Elnok’s full wine glass, his fingers tapping the wood table. He said nothing.

“I’m going to get a different glass of wine. I’m not too keen on this one.” Sylzenya left them, walking around the fighting Dynameis and finding a seat at the wooden bar.

“You’ve been here three days and still refuse the wine?” Kharis questioned.

“What does that have to do with any of this? Kharis, we found the godsdamn tree. We’re going to heal Orym and my brother.”

“They’re gone, Elnok.”

Air rushed out of his lungs, like he’d been hit in the gut.

“No,” Elnok stammered, shifting his gaze to Sylzenya, her eyes wide in worry as she sipped on her new glass of wine. “Orym has a few more days left. And as far as my brother goes?—”

“None of it matters anymore,” Kharis pressed, pushing the wine glass towards Elnok’s hand. “The only reason I had any faith in the damn thing was because of a wayward dream I had when I was a child, nothing more. Even if it exists, we’ll nevermake it in time. Besides, who’s to say the tree can still heal? It’s been centuries. Best we move on with our lives than linger on that which is already gone.”

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