However, I have left this realm to embark on a new adventure, one that we will someday have the pleasure of experiencing together. But I can honestly say that my greatest honor is leaving this world trying to help those in need. Briar Blackbyrne and Silas Nastronde need our help. Even in peril, Briar promised me things: a better life, opportunities to grow, and more. They, too, are facing an impossible task, and please know I died helping them because I believe in them and a better future.
If I can ask you for anything, please help them.
Please convince Andorwood to assist them. She is good.Theyare good, and they are trying to rid this world of the evil that haunts us all.
All my love,
Yara.”
The woman wipes the tears from her eyes while the crowd remains silent, watching in shock. I can only stare at her, feeling a growing hole in my heart that can never be healed.
With a weak voice, the woman speaks again. “I’m not asking you to trust them, but I am asking you to listen and give them the time Silas Nastronde requests. They aren’t speaking to us today to waste our time. Our time is limited, and without us—without our help—it’s even shorter than we think.”
A tear falls from my eyes, and I face the crowd, stepping forward.
“A ship sails toward us. I know that most of you have heard the rumors, and I regret to inform you that they are true,” I warn. “Our time is as limited as this woman indicates. Calia Thornfield and Nolan Harte have resurrected the dead, transforming them into horrifying creatures, and they travel toward Andorwood to uncover forgotten information to aid in Carobon’s quest to rule over all the lands once more.”
The crowd erupts in hushed chatter, their eyes wide, and they begin to fidget at the news.
“We are asking for help.” Silas steps beside me. “We arebeggingfor help.”
I look toward him and reach for his hand as he continues.
“We seek your strength, power, resilience, and ability to come together as the forgotten—as the rebels of Andorwood. Andorwood will be known as a kingdom that unites through fighting, just as the rumors have echoed across this realm for centuries.”
The crowd stills, and a growing sense of pride explodes in my chest.
“This is a kingdom that will send a message: ‘never fucking mess with us.’ We will lead you.” Silas glances at me and back to the crowd. “We will guide you, and I swear to the Gods that I will protect you.”
I look to the crowd—their faces hard as stone, but the chatter has faded and the pulsing tension begins to ease.
Silas pauses, taking a breath. “But, I will not force you. This is your decision alone. In a few days, the ship will arrive, and we will be there, ready to fight. I hope you all will choose to do the same.”
Slight nods of approval begin to appear among the crowd of rebels in front of us, and no one speaks, rejects, or tries to argue. Concerned expressions flash across the faces of the civilians, and the silence is deafening. Without waiting to hear anything further, I leap down from the platform, leaving Silas to speak with his family, and stand before the woman who changed everything for us—just like Yara.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“That was for my daughter,” the woman replies. “She asked that of me, and as her mother, I would do anything for her.”
“Just like Yara, you’ve changed everything.” I smile.
The woman extends her hand. Her dark eyes sparkle like black diamonds, and her face is beautiful, yet harbors a sadness I have unfortunately known many times before. The woman’s skin is smooth, yet shows signs of graceful aging.
“I’m Pia Herst, Yara’s mother. I helped heal your friend, Maines.”
My mouth falls open, and my stomach flips.
The woman in the room refused to turn fully to me. She knew who we were and what had happened to us. Even in the midst of her own grief and hurt, she helped save Maines.
Without thinking, I wrap both arms around the woman, and I feel her shock from my touch, but she returns the embrace.
“Thank you,” I say, pulling back. “I see now where Yara got her heart. You have done more than I can ever repay.”
Two men walk up behind me and remove their hoods. Larkin and Warrick stand around us while Pia glances at both of them.
Warrick speaks, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Herst.”
“Hello, boys,” Pia says. “It’s nice to see you, Warrick.”
