Much too many.
The thought of the two of them sends my heart racing, nerves stretching taught on my insides. I brush my hair out of my face, willing my hands to steady themselves so I can get back to work.
I take a deep inhale, savoring the chill that fills my lungs before focusing on the task at hand.
The object I’m looking for is warded using forest witch magick, much like that of Letty and Eviey’s, but there is a small tell hidden amongst the foliage. One that is so subtle, it would be easily missed by anyone not familiar with the forest.
Squinting, I locate what I’m looking for through a small crack in the bed of vines. The gold glistens in the late afternoon light.
Just like I remember.
Stepping forward, I glance back at Amis just once to make sure she’s okay. My heart pinches at the sight of her. The wolves disappeared a few days after we made it to Wickersham, as soon as Ruse was well enough to walk. It broke me losing that piece of Elora, but a small part of me still hopes they’re waiting for her. Doing whatever they can to be ready for when she’s free.
The final thread of my sanity snapped the moment I laid eyes on Amis. Charles brought her with him from Loxley and now she feels like the last tether I have to Elora. Something tangible. A solid reminder that the time spent with Elora was real.
Amis grazes peacefully on the lush forest floor and with her contentment, I return my focus to the gold medallion. It’s cool as I brush my thumb against it, a gentle thrum reverberates from the metal.
I take a step back and the ivy shifts, bends, and parts down the middle revealing a worn golden gate beneath it.
“Clever.” I smirk. Someone will be here to greet me at any moment. I remove my bow from my back and straighten out my tunic, attempting to look put together and not as if I’ve been half awake for the last several weeks.
“What is your purpose?” The guard’s voice is low and gruff, his eyes narrowed as he draws an arrow from his quiver and places it against his bowstring. He wears dark leathers and a peculiar cloth covering the lower half of his face.
I square my shoulders. “I’ve come to speak to Lord Thaddeus.”
“Everyone that comes to the Jade Guild wishes to speak to Lord Thaddeus.” The strings on his bow pull taught. “So, again, I ask you what isyourpurpose?”
Sighing, I run a hand down my face. I knew I’d be met with a bit of reluctance, but I have not the patience for it. The Jade Guild, despite having locked their doors four years ago, is responsible for overseeing all of the Trinity Forest. Just as the Onyx Guild is responsible for the residents in all of the Kirsgaurd Mountain range. The Bloodstone Guild in charge of the dwellers and taboo cities of the Montrock Caves. And of course, The Cerulean Guild, who surveys the coast of all of Teravie.
Not that any of them have done anything to help the towns that reside in their respective Guilds during the blight or during Roman’s reign.
“Mypurpose,” I say, drawing out the word, hoping my irritation shows in my tone, “is to speak to Lord Thaddeus. None of the rest is quite frankly your business. Now, go on.” I gesture him away. “Tell him Sorin Rudhek is here.”
The guard shifts, his leather boots squealing. His blue eyes go wide for a moment before he shakes his head and clears his throat. “I don’t care what your name is.” The tip of his arrow is pointed through the gate, aimed directly at my chest. “Leave, now.”
“Let me be very clear.” I step forward, wrapping my hands around the gate and dipping my head to meet his eyes. Ignoring the slight stab of his arrowhead to my chest, I drop my voice low. “Go tell Lord Thaddeus that Sorin Rudhek from Loxley is here, or I will use your own weapon against you then drag you with me as I search the Guild until I find him.”
I shove my hands in my pockets and take a step backward.
“Rudhek,” he says with a roll of his eyes. “Wait here.”
Minutes tick as I pace back and forth in front of the gate. The stone that makes up most of the Keep is partially covered in green ivy. The single tower looms overhead with an arched window overlooking the forest. The guard stationed theredoesn’t lower his arrow, but his eyes dart between myself and the entry.
Ignoring him, I rub my hand over the back of my neck. My shoulders ache from the constant tension but knowing Sam stayed in Wickersham to wait for the others offers some semblance of peace. The last couple of weeks have been torturous, but Agnes and the others from Loxley should arrive in Wickersham any day now. Together, we’ll pull every ally we have, and together, we’ll get Elora and Galen back.
“He’ll see you.” I flinch at the guard's voice, so lost in my thoughts. “Follow me.”
He guides me through the stone keep, his body rigid, eyes glancing over his shoulders every so often. Likely to ensure I haven’t wandered off. I chuckle and shove my hands in my pockets.
I’m not sure what they expect from me, but having a last name like Rudhek is sure to earn some uncertainty from strangers.
The thick vines from outside continue inside as we weave through a labyrinth of hallways. Bright yellow wildflowers tangle with the greens making for a beautiful, natural tapestry. At the end of the enclosed hallway, a large rectangular window lets in a shock of bright sunlight on this particularly bright Autumn day.
Before we make it to the end, the guard makes an abrupt left turn. Skidding to a stop, I peel my eyes from the sun shining through and turn to the guard. He’s stopped in front of yet another ivy-covered wall. A man in similar garb joins him, and the two whisper back and forth for a moment.
My attention drifts to the Jade Guild. To the stone walls and endless forest that pours around it. The last time I was here with William, my adoptive father, was in my thirteenth year. He had a meeting scheduled with Lord Thaddeus to discuss a slough of crimes happening within the forest, and because Sam was busytraining with Ulric, I got to attend with my father, alone. And I cherished every moment.
My stomach turns thinking of him. Thinking of how disappointed he’d be if he knew the years I let waste by. The people I’ve let down. Shaking myself free of the thought, I run my fingers across a few of the green vines scattered over the walls.
