“It changes nothing. You will wed and all will be settled.”
When the story of the druid’s success in the trial spread, the people would be amazed. Skyre had never done anything great. He had never won any wars, nor performed any miracles. How could he compare?
“You told me I was special. You promised I was the only one.” Her eyes had been many things to him in life. Harbors… captors… now, mirrors. Her words had been law, had been oaths, and once more, pushed into his mind. He wanted an answer. He wanted her to do what she’d always done…
Make it alright.
“And you are,” she said. “There are forces in this world that work against you. This is but a test, and you shall not falter.”
“He says he has received visions.”
“And it is alie.” Her voice lowered. “All your life, I have taught you what to trust and what to fear. Have you forgotten?”
“No… You said the Moon is ever veiled in shadow.”
“Her servants work by cover of night, and all their words are darkness.” She glanced in the direction of his tent, where the druid lay sleeping. “He has become their tool, and they mean to wield him against you. He will whisper their poison into your ears. It is power they seek. Youcannotgive it to them.”
He looked at her skeptically.
“Trust in me, Skyre. I would never lead you astray.” She guided him near, and he could do nothing but lay his head against her, as his eyes drew back to the fire.
It was no longer a matter of trust.
The druid drifted in and out of a lucid sleep. Before the mist and fog gathered on the field of his mind, he was stirred. He awoke startled, but was silenced by a finger pressed to his lips. His eyes questioned, but the Vaich shook his head.
Not here.
Grasping his wrist, the Vaich tugged him from beneath the pelts and through the flap of their tent. They went out into the silent wood, their feet careful over the brush, so as not to wake the camp.
Once they were far enough away, the Vaich gestured him through the trees. “Go.” The druid’s brows furrowed. When he did not move, the king said it again. “Go! What are you waiting for?”
Still, the druid did not move.
“This is what you wanted,” said the Vaich.
“I don’t understand.”
“Go, and be swift! If they catch you, I cannae stop them from bringing you back. I can only divert their attention temporarily.”
The druid’s gaze shifted through the trees, out towards the wild world. The world he had been born to… the world that still called to him.
“You are… letting me free?”
“Yes!” the Vaich hissed. “So go!”
For a moment, he thought it another trap, but that look in the Vaich’s eyes… it wasn’t malice, but a plea. The fear he had seen there that night in the feast hall had become most clear.
What had happened at the lake… it terrified him.
And maybe he had every right to be afraid. Maybe they should have shared it. The druid desired to go… to run. He wanted to be free, yet he would not let himself move.
“I… cannot.”
“What?” the Vaich growled. “What do you mean? You begged me to leave! I’m giving you your only chance!”
“That was then… and this is now. I cannot turn from what I’ve seen.”
The Vaich snarled, loosing his dagger and in a moment had crossed the space between them. He held the golden blade to the druid’s throat.
