Page 19 of Of Blood & Stone

Tosh lifted a piece of parchment. “Vutror receives food and water from Estea while Vutror trades our weapons. We’re in the middle of revising the negotiations, and I’m unfit for the journey to Estea to finish them.”

Elnok straightened his back. “Sothat’swhat this is about. You’re asking me to go be your placeholder for political machinations?”

“The High One will not accept negotiations from anyone who isn’t in the Vutrorian royal line,” Kharis countered. “And as a neighboring ally, you would be granted access to parts of the temple I’m not allowed to enter, parts where there could be historical information about the tree.”

“I have no interest in playing as a political pawn, especially with a leader who refers to himself asthe High One.”

“Do you not harbor any compassion for your brother’s current state? For the affairs of the Vutrorian people?”

“My own affairs are enough to handle at the present moment.”

The Dynami shook his head. “If we do not try to find this tree, then your friend will die.”

Elnok’s fingers slipped from his sword’s hilt. That was the point of this whole endeavor—to save Orym. But, to play politics in order to gain information about a legendary tree sounded like madness.

He spun the golden signet ring on his finger. There were no other options.

And Orym only had a week left.

“Well then,” Elnok said as he leveled his gaze with the warrior’s, ignoring Tosh whose gaze fell to his spilled wine. “You’ve won me over with your fool-proof plan. Now, how soon before we depart?”

Chapter 5

Desperate Times

Yellow stained-glass ceilings covered the temple’s dining room in a warm glow, casting long shadows on the looping vines draped along the sandstone walls. The long oak table was simple in its natural cut, decorated with white candles in intricate gold casings and all sorts of fruits and vegetation from the temple’s vast gardens. Greenery weaved in and out of the display, flowers still blooming as Sylzenya’s fingers curled tight around the stem of her wine glass. It was made of the same crystal as the temple’s stained glass, causing the red wine to appear black as she gently swirled it.

“Something amiss with the wine, Sylzenya?” the High One asked as his yellow gaze drifted to her glass.

His voice echoed in the vast hall. He’d requested her presence alone before the banquet began, and if she knew anything, it was to wait for him to explain why when he deemed it right.

Sylzenya feigned a smile. Ever since she woke a few hours earlier, the vision hadn’t ceased playing in her mind. Aretta’s healing willow. A compass with a piece of its bark. The bird with white and gray feathers. A gold ring turning to blood, filling an orodyte.

The knowledge had come with a price, a price she didn’t understand.

She picked up her glass. “This is an event for the newly ordained Kreenas.”

The High One smiled. “That’s why you must drink.”

“Your Grace,” she replied, keeping her voice steady, “I’m not a Kreena.”

He gripped her hand. “You will be.”

Tears welled behind her eyes. The greenery on the table didn’t respond to her fingertips brushing against its soft leaves. The faint sound of her goddess’ heartbeat had faded after the vision, and she hadn’t heard it since. Life around her felt cold and silent. And despite the vision, she still didn’t know where to find the compass. If it truly resided in a willow, it could take months to find it. Years, even. But more importantly, she didn’t know if the vision was even true.

“It’s orodyte serum,” Sylzenya said, “There’s no cure, no herbs, no way of getting back my connection with Aretta.”

“Sylzenya, you must trust me,” the High One pressed, squeezing her hand, “I’ve invited you here because I’m going to announce to all the Kreenas and guests there’s nothing to fear.”

Her eyes widened. “Is the famine no longer a threat?”

He furrowed his brow, “Quite the opposite, I’m afraid. But only you and I will know this.”

“What do you mean?”

The High One straightened, his posture mirroring his long nose. “I’m currently working on a cure for the orodyte serum, and the results are more than promising. Because of this, I’m going to announce tonight that you’re on the mend.”

The bird’s voice echoed through her mind.If you are to restore your power and protect your people, then Aretta’s Willow is the only way.

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