Page 128 of A World of Ruins

‘I know,’ he whispers.

Enemyis what I wanted to say.

But as the Rümen’s sudden shriek pierces the forest, it disappears in a flurry, sprinting off and leaving bloody leaves in its wake.

‘Wait!’ I tumble out of Darius’s grip, wanting it to come back, but someone steps out from the trees and I skid to a stop. It’s a woman, and her dress is a blend of forest materials that resembles the ones I’d seen Elves wear in Olcar. As she takes another step into the clearing, I notice her eyes are a vivid blue, contrasting with the deep mahogany of her skin. The slightest light catches the contours of her face, highlighting her cheekbones as she takes in everyone’s defensive stance as well as the lingering traces of the Rümen.

When her gaze finally rests on Darius, her eyes are alight with surprise. ‘Darius?’

Baffled, I look at Darius, but he doesn’t seem to know her. He narrows his eyes, moving towards her with cautious curiosity. ‘I’m sorry.’ His chuckle is low. ‘Have we met before?’

‘Oh, yes.’ She slowly smiles. ‘Many years ago. I am the one who assisted the witches that took those markings off your hands.’

The seer.

It’s her.

‘I was never able to forget those golden eyes of yours.’ She chuckles. ‘Darius Rivernorth.’

CHAPTERFIFTY-FIVE

‘Apologies for the mess.’ Silaria, the seer, takes off her shawl and places it on a hook beside the door, revealing long, glossy dark hair. The inside of her hut is small, with just enough room to fit about ten of us in here, though we can hardly move an inch.

‘I haven’t had any visitors in years,’ she laughs lightly.

‘Looks like it,’ Rydan mutters with a snort, and Link elbows him.

‘Are you all right?’ Freya whispers from the doorway, and I peer over my shoulder as she stares at Idris with a hint of worry in her eyes.

Idris is leaning against the wall, breathing harshly, his eyes half closed.

I’m already walking over to him with immense concern, but Silaria’s high-pitched whistle makes me jump.

‘Pips!’ she sings, searching the hut, until she stops and claps with glee as she stares down at the rocky floorboards. ‘Ah, there you all are.’

What sounds like a thousand chirping birds turns out to be the excitable commotion as a flurry of Tibithians crowd around her.

I gasp out my surprise at all their different sizes, some bigger than Tibith, and others so small, they could fit in the palm of my hand.

Silaria bends down to stroke one. They purr and wiggle their noses. ‘I took them all in years ago after my friends perished.’ She looks at us. ‘They keep me company.’

The Tibithians spot Tibith by my side and surround him, sniffing his fur with curiosity.

‘Hello!’ Tibith’s ears flap as he waves at them. ‘My name is Tibith. What is yours?’

Darius chuckles, and Silaria stands, watching their interaction.

A shadow of humour crosses her bright eyes. ‘This might be the first time I have heard a Tibithian speak,’ she says. ‘It’s rare that anyone is ever willing to try to teach a creature to talk.’

‘Well, Tibith was always keen to learn.’ Darius stares at Tibith, a smile lingering on his lips.

Silaria chuckles. ‘And have you thought about letting him go with his own kind?’

‘Tibith is family,’ I say. ‘If he were ever to decide to leave and go on with his kind, we wouldn’t stop him. But for now, he is happy here with us.’

She hums in thought before turning her back to us as she rearranges some flowerpots on her table. ‘So, what is it that brings you here?’

Darius and I glance at each other. He nods for me to go on, so I step forward and say, ‘I am sure you have seen the chaos that has unfolded lately.’

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