fog that morning, as if the heavens the

fingers. The central square, usually quiet at this hour, was full-elders, merchants, hunters, and healers

. Her boots were muddied from the walk through the frost-tipped grass, and her long brown hair had

a ceremonial robe of midnight blue, decorated with sun sigils stitched

and calm like still water. "Healer of the outer fields.

a replied, v

You were seen wandering nea

pled throug

s," Liora said. "I cr

soften. "And did you encount

for a heartbeat. But

e of the trees. Cloaked in black and hidden beneath the shadow of a

ad c

at the High Priest

mur. Skepti

t of this world. The scouts speak of scorched air. A faint mark u

the edge of her cloak. "I do

. That alone

fess to somethi

I will ask you plainly, child

le

teely hue over the square. Crows croaked from t

d not invite him. I did not su

wen raised her han

mit it,

not harm me," she s

ong moment. "And did you f

But I didn't fee

His hands were clenched beneath his cloak,

intention or ignorance, you have crossed into the realm of darkness and

owed but sa

village needs." Elowen stepped c

met he

to return to the Veil. You will close your heart to whatever darkness

d stared

e of the trees,

ed slightly. "I choo

ce cracked

-

on hung low, Liora stood outside her cottag

tight around her shoul

hispered into the night. "Bu

shadow stepped

ave spoken my na

slowly. "

feel like I'v

is eyes held something el

me," sh

me when you'

e stre

im. "They fear you. Bu

wise to

don

softly. "That's wh