She chuckles. “I guess there was one trial I could conquer.”
“What a cathartic experience!” He settles onto the ground at her side, draping an arm over her shoulders.
They sit silently, each reflecting on how they overcame their worst fear.
However, there is still time for hers to manifest.
“I am proud of you.” He whispers.
She twists her head to look at him.
“You are a damn good warrior-” he starts.
“Come on, Edmund,” she shrugs him away, not in the mood for his empty words.
“Hear me out,” he raises his hands, “You were the first of us to defeat the horror of your mind. Damn, if that’s not some inner strength.” Emotion catches in his throat, and he quiets.
She sighs and rubs his arm. “It’s over.”
He shakes his head and mutters, “My Abyss is never over.”
Argnier appears next, leaning against a tree, clutching his chest. Edmund and Aura rush to his side, guiding him to the gate.
“Briny’s balls!” He leans his head against a tree trunk as Edmund shoves a water skin into his hand, which he guzzles, spilling over his front.
“What did you face?” Edmund kneels beside him with an intensity in his dark gaze.
“My biggest fucking fear. She is as nasty as I remember.”
Aura doesn’t need to pry.
With no desire to share her fears, she bites her tongue and allows the other two to discuss Edmund’s fear, which involves Gullveig’s hold on his life and the revulsive manner in which he must break himself from her.
After the sun shifts above the treetops, she begins pacing before the gate, worried about what will happen to Calder if he fails.
“Go on ahead.” She directs them.
“What about Ice Prick?” Argnier stands with Edmund’s assistance.
“I am going after him.” She hands Edmund her pack but keeps Makt’s heavy axe slung over her back, a constant reminder of the magnitude of their impending confrontation.
She pauses in the forest, unsure of how she might reach him.
“Aura!” Argnier stumbles over. “He must pass this alone to enter the Sanctum.”
“Everyone deserves support.”
He backs off and joins Edmund inside the gate.
Aura closes her eyes and focuses on Calder. An archway crafted of solid, twisting ice appears in the trees. With a deep breath, she steps inside Calder’s greatest fear.
34
CALDER
October 10th, Year 21, 10th Era
Forest of Fear, Skalor
