Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
His jaw tightened. The king would hunt them and how many innocent people would die because of it? The question lingered unspoken.
Yet Lord Oaken seemed to hear it all the same. “The king need never learn the whole truth.”
Kaelan’s gaze sharpened. “You would keep the news from the king that Tharne of Drogath seeks the remarkable healer as well.”
The room went still and even Fiora stopped moving.
Marek’s expression darkened. “Are you certain?”
“Aye.”
Lord Oaken exchanged a troubled look with Wynn and Tavian. “Neither of you felt an intrusion?”
Both shook their heads.
“A man called Dreth works with Ogga to find the healer and told her that Tharne put a spell on him, so he need not worry while in Driochmor,” Kealan said.
Bria frowned. “Who exactly is this healer?”
The council fell silent until at last Lord Oaken sighed. “A question that has plagued Driochmor for many years.”
“No one knows what is truth and what is tale anymore,” Wynn said.
“We know she exists,” Rowan added.
“Or existed,” Seren corrected.
“We know her mother hid her well,” Lord Oaken said. “So, well that even Driochmor lost sight of them.”
“And that frightened many of us,” Wynn admitted.
Bria looked from one face to another. “Why?”
“Because hidden power is often dangerous power,” Marek said.
A thoughtful silence followed and Bria wished she knew what everyone was thinking.
Then Lord Oaken rose. “Enough.”
Several heads turned his way.
The elder smiled. “For one evening at least, let us set aside talk of war, kings, and danger.”
Lord Oaken looked at Bria. “You have just discovered your great-grandmother is alive.”
A warm smile touched Wynn’s lips.
“I would say that warrants a small celebration,” Lord Oaken announced.
“And food,” Fiora proclaimed. “People always think better when fed.”
“You think everything can be solved with food,” Tavian said.
The fairy folded her arms across her chest from where she sat perched on the edge of the table. “I’m right. I’m always right, so I say we eat.”
Before long, everyone settled around one of the tables.
Bria found herself seated beside Wynn while Kaelan remained on her other side, staying close enough that his shoulder brushed hers.
Platters were passed around. Fresh bread. Stew rich with vegetables and herbs. Apples, pears, and honey cakes.
The simple meal tasted better than anything Bria could remember. Perhaps because for the first time in many days she was able to truly relax, or perhaps it was because she sat beside family.
She listened as Wynn shared stories of her parents. Small stories. The kind that mattered. How her mother had loved gathering wildflowers when she was young. How her father often collected a bunch for her when they first began seeing each other. How neither of them could pass a stray animal without attempting to help it.
Bria laughed through tears more than once, her parents living once again through her great-grandmother’s words.
“They spoke of me?” she asked softly.
“You were everything to them,” Wynn said, “and me as well. My heart broke when they left for Leighfeld. You were barely six months. The Wise live long lives. I am heartbroken and surprised to learn that your mom and da have passed, not that your da was part of the Wise, but your mum should have had many years left.”
“An accident took Da, and Mum struggled with his passing. I think she missed him or perhaps living so long without her magic took its toll.” Emotion clogged Bria’s throat, recalling that time.
She cleared her throat and spoke then of Willowmere, it being too painful to talk anymore about her parents.
She talked about Old Brenn. Leya and Arella, of wreaths, seashells, and village celebrations.
Wynn listened intently, every word mattering to her.
Eventually Bria asked the question she had been carrying since arriving.
“My gift.”
Wynn reached across the table and covered Bria’s hand with her own. “Tomorrow.”
The single word held both promise and certainty.
“There will be time enough for questions then.”
Bria wanted to protest, eager to talk now but instead, a yawn escaped her. Another followed moments later.
“I believe your body agrees with me,” Wynn said.
Kaelan’s arm slipped around her. He had been watching her for some time, the way her eyelids drooped, and how she fought to stay awake.
“You had enough for one day.” His tone left little room for disagreement.
Bria was too tired to argue.
Lord Oaken looked to the fairy. “Fiora, would you be so kind as to show them to the visitor’s cottage?”
Fiora zipped off where she sat on the edge of an empty plate and flitted in front of Kaelan’s face. “Let’s go before she face-plants on the table.”
“Fiora, manners,” Lord Oaken admonished.
“I know, do you believe she keeps yawning in front of us?” Fiora said and circled Kaelan’s head before stopping in front of his face. “No dallying, let’s go.”
Kaelan rose, his eyes on the fairy, smiling slightly. “Are you sure you can fly straight? You’ve spent a lot of time in the one tankard.”