Another cursed.
A third swayed in his saddle.
Then all four toppled off their horses.
Fiora rested herself on a nearby tree branch, dusting off her hands. “All done. Now we can go.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The Council Hall
And an Unexpected Discovery
By the time Fiora announced they had arrived, the sun had begun its slow descent toward the horizon.
Bria expected something hidden and mysterious. Instead, she stopped short in astonishment.
A wide valley opened before them, tucked between gentle hills and sheltered by ancient trees whose leaves blazed gold, crimson, and copper in the late afternoon light. Stone paths wound through gardens bursting with flowers and herbs. Fruit trees stood heavy with the last offerings of the season, and a narrow stream meandered lazily through the grounds, its water catching the sunlight like scattered jewels.
Small stone cottages sat nestled among the gardens, smoke curling from chimneys and lending the place a feeling of warmth and life. It was beautiful, peaceful, and nothing at all like she imagined the heart of Driochmor would be.
For some reason she had expected power. Instead, she found tranquility.
“It is lovely,” she whispered.
Fiora flew backward in front of them, grinning proudly. “I know. So much nicer than Ogga’s dreadful fortress. Too much stone. Not enough flowers.”
The fairy darted toward a bed of late-blooming flowers and promptly buried herself among them.
Bria smiled despite herself.
The farther they traveled into the settlement, the more alive it seemed. People worked amongst the gardens. Children played near the stream. Elderly men and women sat outside cottages enjoying the mild autumn afternoon.
No one appeared fearful or seemed surprised by their arrival. It was as if visitors appeared from the forest every day.
The feeling settled warmly around Bria and for the first time since entering Driochmor, she felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders.
Beside her, Kaelan remained unimpressed. His gaze swept constantly over the grounds, watching and assessing. He paid little attention to the flowers or cottages.
He wanted answers and judging by the tightness that had returned to his jaw, he had no intention of waiting much longer for them.
A woman emerged from one of the nearby cottages and approached them with a welcoming smile.
“You’ve had a long journey.”
Bria suspected that was an understatement.
“The council has been informed of your arrival,” the woman said. “If you would like time to freshen yourselves, arrangements have been made.”
Bria glanced down at her travel-worn garments and dusty boots. The offer was tempting. Very tempting.
Before she could answer, Kaelan’s hand closed around hers firmly.
“That can wait. We will see the council now,” he said as if he had waited long enough and he would not wait another moment.
Bria was not surprised. She was eager as well to see this done, but a fresh-up had sounded enticing.
Fiora popped out of the flowers and shot into the air. “Finally.” She clapped her tiny hands together. “Someone is thinking sensibly.”
