Page 7 of Forsaken Secrets

A large, white, scaled head emerged from the water, then three others, their horns protruding in a crown-like shape above their large, faceted eyes.

The vrytra were here …

The smaller horned sea serpents dove for the fish scraps while the leader opened its jaws wide enough to show the rows of sharp teeth inside, and let out a bone-rattling roar.

Its sinuous body slashed through the water as it sighted the gremlyns and took off after them. They were way more tempting than rotten fish scraps.

The pain in my legs ebbed as terrified screams echoed across the cove and the gremlyns dropped what they were doing and fled, scrambling over each other to get into the caves.

Unwilling to be the vrytra's next meal, I resumed my climb. It was so much easier when I wasn't pulling up the weight of a few gremlyns with me.

Finally, I cleared the top and collapsed onto the grass, chest heaving.

I survived. I'd actually survived!

Staring up at the heavy grey clouds, I thought back to that tree in the ruins. I'd heard of relics going wild before, but this was the first time I'd actually seen one. It was so beautiful and free!

Is that what all relics were like when they weren't tempered?

On one hand, I was happy that it had found freedom — but on the other, I was bitterly disappointed. It might not have been one of the Druid's relics, but it had obviously been powerful. Before reverting, it would have been worth a fortune!

Instead, I was at the same place I'd started.

I'd need to sell my gear.

Letting out a deep breath, I sat up. Lying around moping wasn't going to fix anything.

I needed to gather my gear and take it to the Harlsteds to sell. Aunt Grace had orders coming in and she needed those supplies.

I removed my torn and stained trousers, careful to avoid the open scratches, then slipped them in my pack and traded them for my skirts. They still weren't fancy, but at least they were proper.

Properly attired, I pulled a folded up paper out of my sack and unfolded it. The map of Gleyma with all its ancient ruins was covered in small x's. I filled in the last blank section with one more.

That was it.

The Druid's relics would not be found by me.

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