Page 55 of Shattered Crown

“We all were,” Lyra said. “But we continued your work.”

They separated eventually, though Nathaniel kept his hand on Lyra's shoulder, as if afraid she might disappear again. He turned to Silas, his scholarly demeanor reasserting itself.

“Come,” he said. “Let me show you what we've discovered.”

They gathered in the circle's center as Nathaniel explained the full history. The stones seemed to lean inward, listening.

“The Ashworth line wasn't corrupted by chance but by design,” Nathaniel began. “We were meant to be bridges between worlds, mediators who understood both human ambition and guardian wisdom. The first Ashworth was chosen specifically for this purpose.”

He gestured to carvings on the nearest stone. “See here? This tells of the selection process. They sought someone who could love deeply enough to sacrifice, yet remain grounded enough to lead.”

“What went wrong?” Silas asked.

“Power,” Nathaniel replied simply. “The ability to channel guardian magic proved too tempting. Instead of remaining mediators, some Ashworths tried to become masters. They experimented with binding spells, tried to harness rather than harmonize.”

Lyra had been examining other stones. “These markings,” she called out. “They're warnings, aren't they?”

Nathaniel nodded. “Each stone records a lesson learned through pain. This one warns against trying to possess what should be freely given. That one speaks of trust broken and the cost of rebuilding it.”

“And the shadow entity?” Silas pressed.

“Is not what you thought it was,” Nathaniel said gravely. “What you faced before was merely a fragment, a manifestation. The true nature of it is deeper, older—it's the accumulated weight of our failures to connect authentically. Every broken oath, every shattered trust, every betrayal throughout history has fed this entity.”

“We thought we defeated it,” Silas said, the realization settling heavily. “In the battle at Thornhaven...”

“You weakened a portion of it,” Nathaniel acknowledged. “But the entity has evolved beyond our original understanding. Sebastian's bond with it has allowed it to grow in ways none of us anticipated. It can only truly be defeated by healing the original wound between our peoples.”

“Which requires Thorne,” Silas said, understanding dawning.

“Indeed.” Nathaniel studied him carefully. “You understand what that means?”

Silas did. They could attempt the ritual incomplete and risk catastrophic failure, or he could return to the Eldergrove, knowing Sebastian's forces waited in ambush. Through their bond, he felt Thorne weakening, the forest's defenses crumbling.

“I have to go back for him,” Silas decided.

“Alone?” Lyra asked, concern evident in her voice.

“If I must,” Silas replied, though the thought terrified him.

“The journey will be dangerous,” Nathaniel warned. “Sebastian's forces are concentrated around the Eldergrove. And Thorne's condition...”

“I know.” Silas touched the bracelet again. “But I won't abandon him. Not for any ritual, any cause, any grand purpose.”

Nathaniel's approval was evident. “That's why you're the one who can do this. The ritual doesn't require perfection, just genuine connection.” He produced a crystal that pulsed with inner light. “This contains essence from the original pact. It might strengthen Thorne enough for the journey.”

The crystal felt warm in Silas's hand, resonating with the bracelet Thorne had given him. For a moment, he sensed an echo of ancient love, the first guardian and human who had dared to trust each other completely.

“There's something else you should know,” Nathaniel added. “The ritual won't just heal the rift. It will fundamentally change you. Are you prepared for that?”

Silas thought of Thorne, of quiet mornings in the forest, of love that asked nothing but truth. “I've been preparing for it since the moment we met,” he replied.

“Take these,” Lyra handed him tokens marked with combined guardian-human symbols. “They should grant you passage through allied territories, though war makes all promises uncertain.”

“What about Sebastian's binding mages?” Silas asked. “The ones who can trap guardian spirits?”

Nathaniel's expression darkened. “They're using corrupted versions of the original binding ceremonies. Instead of willing partnership, they force submission.” He handed Silas a small pouch. “This contains herbs that can disrupt their spells. Use them sparingly—the supply is limited.”

* * *

---