Chapter 94 – The Watcher’s Gaze (1)

Standing on the city walls, he savoured the wind carrying the scent of wet earth and flowers. It wasn’t the roses in Bareon he smelled, but the many different flowers growing on the upper branches of the Old growth.

“We’re ready.” Cait’s voice startled him. When he shot a glance over his shoulder, he saw her climbing the last step leading to the wall. “It won’t be as strong as the barrier you created using that altar, but at least it’s not maintained by an apparatus of the Old Faith.”

They didn’t trust the altar – naturally. He wouldn’t have trusted it either if he hadn’t been the one to use the power it held.

Cait walked past him, standing at the edge of the wall. Her gaze fixed far away for a split second before she pulled out a sword from her holding gem. She held its hilt with both hands, its tip facing down as she lifted her arms as high as she could. With a cry of effort, she struck the ground with it, breaking the stone below and pushing the sword down, into the ground.

As soon as the sword struck the ground, a clear, bell-like sound echoed in the silence, and the gem embedded into the sword’s guard shone brightly. “It’s done.” Cait sighed a breath of relief. “The Castor brothers will maintain the defensive formation.” Her gaze turned to Midhir. “Lord Aulorn has spoken with her majesty the empress – we ride tomorrow, to the monument you saw in that vision.”

A shiver ran down his spine. “Just the two of you?” They were very strong, and few could stand their ground against them, but he couldn’t help but feel like this was a bad idea.

“No, she demanded you join us, and Young Lord Alistair and your classmate, Arwen Maloid, will also be joining us.” She narrowed her eyes. “She demanded she come with, despite all our warnings. In fact, she went as far as to contact your headmistress to receive approval.”

He could imagine Arwen standing up both to Moira and Lord Aulorn – and her sheer determination would certainly win against their caution. “What about Willow?”

Cait’s jaw tightened as she was quick to avert her gaze. “I don’t think Lady Aulorn wishes to speak to the Lord Enforcer at the moment. She was adamantly against accepting his visit shortly after we came back to the surface.” She fiddled with her cloak awkwardly. “He was rather distraught about that.”

Midhir pressed his lips together. “Understandably,” he muttered silently. “When do we leave?”

“Dawn.”

“No.” Willow tried to shut the door to his face, but he was quick to catch it.

Stolen story; please report.

“I understand that you’re angry at him for not telling you – it’s a breach of trust.” He pushed back against the door, opening it fully, but didn’t step inside. “Besides, you didn’t even hear me out. I didn’t come here to ask you to join us.”

Willow’s brows furrowed with doubt. “Then why are you here?” She narrowed her eyes with distrust.

“I wanted to make sure you were alright.” Midhir shrugged. “We’ll be leaving at dawn, so only the Castor brothers will be here in Bareon While I trust the enforcers fully, I still worry about more human threats, so if you’re staying behind, please make sure Lonan is safe.”

Willow’s expression softened. “I was sure you were here to try and convince me to come along tomorrow.”

Midhir shook his head. “I’d rather none of us had to go – it’s not a threat students are supposed to deal with.” He broadly gestured towards the hallway. “It safer for you – for all of us – to remain here.” He turned to leave, but something stopped him. “Lord Aulorn is powerful – but the identity of Enforcers are usually kept hidden from the public for a reason. They tend to make many enemies throughout their service, and even someone as powerful as him can’t always protect you.”

Willow’s jaw tightened. “I know-“

“I understand your anger and hurt.” He sighed. “I also understand his fear.” He had already spoken too much on something that didn’t concern him. “We leave at dawn – we’ll see you again before dusk. Keep Lonan from doing something stupid.”

“Thanks, Midhir. I will.” Willow smiled. “Be careful tomorrow.”

As the group of five left the city gates, dark clouds loomed over Bareon and the area around the city. Despite the sun beginning to rise, its light hardly illuminated the road leading away from the city.

A frigid wind blew against them, tugging their cloaks and pulling their hair as they rode. It wasn’t long before they arrived where Lonan’s carriage was first attacked several days ago. The remains of the carriage were still there, albeit now covered in dirt and partially buried by the ever-spreading roots of the new growth.

“This is the spot closest to the monument Midhir saw.” Alistair’s voice was cold and formal. He avoided meeting Lord Aulorn’s gaze, instead staring directly to the forest.

“Let us not waste any time.” Lord Aulorn dismounted the black stallion he was riding, and everyone else quickly followed.

While the horses galloped back to Bareon as they were trained to do, the group entered the forest following Lord Aulorn. The air grew heavy, and the already barely visible sunlight vanished entirely, unable to penetrate the thick forest canopy.

The ground was uneven, covered in roots. They could hardly see more than a few steps ahead, yet Alistair led them through the forest with little hesitation, only pausing occasionally to check the barks of certain trees.

They soon passed from the new growth to the old growth where a serene blue light illuminated the mist laden forest. Birds and small critters watched them pass by from the branches above with caution. Ignoring the gazes on them, they continued to march on in wary silence.

“Stop!” Cait’s sharp whisper stopped them in their tracks. They looked behind them, as she was guarding the rear, only to see her point at the ground.

Under the layer of intertwined roots covered in dead leaves and dirt, a dark crimson colour was faintly visible. Midhir crouched, pushed the leaves and dirt aside, and pulled the smaller roots away from it. He knew what it was before he even touched it. As his fingers brushed against it, a pain struck his left eye.

“It’s spread so far already,” he whispered, raising his gaze to meet Alistair’s. “We must hurry.”