“I would have said that was impossible”—Erlandral crouched at the base of a tree and started digging with his hands—“but now, I'm not so sure.”
“What are you doing?” Nial got down beside the mage.
“I want to see the roots.”
“Well, there's a faster way to do that.” Nial held out a flat hand, palm facing the ground, but Erlandral grabbed his wrist urgently.
“No, Your Highness! We don't know what caused this and so I can't say what magic might do when applied here.”
“I understand but there are still better ways to dig.” Nial pulled a dagger from his belt and started using it as a shovel.
They didn't need to dig for long. In less than a minute, Erlandral lifted a hand to stop Nial, and the Prince of the North drew back his blade.
“Your Highness, would you please cut a piece of that root off?” Erlandral waved into the hole.
Uncle Nial reached into the hole and sliced off a root. “What in all of Danu!” he declared and lurched back, dropping the root but retaining his knife. His free hand was coated in black sludge.
Erlandral pulled a handkerchief out of his robe and gave it to the Prince. “Does it sting or otherwise hurt?” he asked anxiously.
“No.” Nial looked up from his frantic wiping. “Should it?”
“I don't know. I'm just being cautious.”
“What is it?”
“I believe its simply the remnants of magic.”
“Magical decomposition,” I said as I gingerly retrieved the root. I held it out for all of us to inspect. “But other than the black fluid, this root seems healthy.”
“I believe that the magic was pulled into the ground.” Erlandral peered at the root, then up at me. “The greatest damage was done to the upper portion of the trees while the roots collected the decayed matter left behind.”
“So, Danu is draining the trees,” I concluded.
The men behind me muttered among themselves.
“I believe it's too soon to make such conclusions but it looks possible,” Erlandral said. “Likely even.”
“Let's get to the cave,” Everan suggested. “Maybe it will give us more answers.”
Chapter Eight
It was a small hike from the road to the entrance of the cave. The Vicanesse Mountains soared above us, their snowy peaks collecting clouds—so peaceful now. The stone peaks above us had seemed indigo and gray from afar but up close, it appeared almost lavender. The mineral deposits within it caught the sunlight and added a slight glimmer.
“Purple mountain majesties,” I murmured as our group gathered at the mouth of the cave.
“What's that, Your Majesty?” Commander Fabin asked.
“Just a song from Earth.” I shook my head.
“I assume that you mean the planet and not the element.”
“Do elements have songs?” I shot back with a wry twist of my lips.
“Not that I'm aware.” He cleared his throat. “Some of my knights and I shall go in first and clear the cave.” He didn't wait for my consent but headed straight in, a few knights falling into position behind him.
“He's charming,” I said sarcastically to my husband.
Everan chuckled. “He's a soldier, they don't come equipped with charm.”
