Page 119 of A Baron of Bonds
“Moira, there’s even more reason to do this. Pompeii is sick. And it’s from the Blight that grows in Viridis. We need to access those books to look for a way to make a cure. That’s how Heimlen made his cure for the Black Fever. The answer’s in there.”
“Pompeii is sick?” She scratched at the vines growing from her head like long strands of hair. “I kind of don’t mind him sometimes.”
I held back a laugh. “When can we meet with the Growers?”
“They’ve asked to meet tonight. Under the full moon. I’ll be there to interpret, but it will take some time. They’re slow talkers.”
Nodding quickly, I was already thinking about what Rev would say. “Thank you, Moira, my dear friend.”
She beamed, lifting her pointed chin, her sharp teeth startling to everyone but me. “Lia! Tell me that dough is for cinnamon buns!” She flew off the table, hovering over the cook’s shoulder and sniffing the air as Lia tried to swat her away.
Grabbing the plate of food for Revich, I headed to Pompeii’s room to deliver the news. He met me in the hall, taking an apple and my hand.
“How is he?” I asked, rushing to match his swift stride.
“The same. Still sleeping.”
We passed through the kitchens and I eyed Moira now sitting at the bread basket, chewing on another roll. Seemed Lia had given in.
We entered the dining hall and Revich asked, “What was Moira’s news?”
“The Growers want to help us attempt to take back Viridis.”
“The Growers?” He stopped, pulling my hand to stop, too.
“Yes. They want to attempt to push the Blight back further in Felgren and grow new life where it stands, but they want to try it on Viridis first. They’re worried it could permanently sterilize the soil if they grow back what was recently diseased so quickly.”
“So Viridis is the experiment? What if its soil becomes sterile?”
I shook my head. “That’s all I know. They want to meet with us tonight. Moira will interpret.”
“Great,” he mumbled, heading to meet the channelers.
“We’ll at least listen. Their magic is powerful in Felgren. And Moira said there’s more of them this spring than there ever have been on record.”
A tug on our line. Revich watched me as I slowly realized why.
The winter I had been lost to myself, no memory of who I was or had been, was the worst winter in the history of Felgren. The longest, too. It had killed many of the trees, destroying whole rows of them. No wonder the Growers were en masse. They had work to do.
He resumed his fast pace through the foyer. “We’ll go tonight, but I don’t want to risk Viridis.”
“WeneedViridis, Rev. Regardless if we accept their plan, we have to try to destroy the Blight there. And soon.”
He sighed and kissed my fingers clasped in his. “I know we do. Pompeii needs us. We’re running out of time.”
I loved the moon.
Silvery paths before us, she lit our way through the forest, a guiding light as we traversed the world she shone upon.
I followed Revich with Moira in front, her eyes reflecting in shades of blue, purple, and pink in the night. Revich gripped my hand tightly as if he’d lose me to the night if he ever let go.
We’d dressed in warm cloaks, but my cheeks still burned with the sharp chill of spring.
“We’re almost there,” Moira assured, flying backward in her tulip skirt and woven grass top, the cold having no effect on her skin. Her wings in the moonlight were glorious, sparkling things that caught my eye continuously as all the colors reflected in the soft glow.
Revich glanced back at me again, grinning. “Are you remembering, too?”
“What? The first time you led me out here and kissed me under the full moon?”
