Page 94 of Shattered Crown

“There is no beyond,” Thorne argued. “Sebastian's influence will spread everywhere eventually. Our only hope is to stand together.”

“Your hope. Your alliance. Your failure.” Ironbark's voice held centuries of bitterness. “We choose survival over your grand experiments.”

The departure was mass exodus. Nearly half the remaining guardians followed Ironbark, their leaving creating more gaps in failing defenses. Thorne watched them go, each step away another crack in his heart.

Briar remained at his side, small hand gripping his larger one. “We'll find a way,” the sprite insisted, though their voice shook.

But Thorne felt the truth in his bones. They were losing. His transformation hadn't united the guardians but divided them beyond healing. The alliance teetered on collapse. His bond with Silas strained near breaking.

Sebastian's voice echoed through twisted magic, carrying ultimatum.

“Surrender the Eldergrove's heart or watch it all burn.”

To demonstrate his power, Sebastian corrupted an ancient spring thought incorruptible. The pure waters turned black as oil, their magic reversed into something that poisoned rather than healed. Even loyal guardians wavered at the display.

“He's too strong,” Moss-Walker whispered. “Perhaps... perhaps we should consider...”

“No,” Thorne cut off the suggestion, though part of him wondered if surrender might spare some portion of what remained. “We fight.”

But with what? And for how long?

* * *

The soundof footsteps drew his attention. Not the silent movement of guardians, but the deliberate tread of someone who wanted to be heard. Agnes emerged from the shadows, her traveling cloak torn and stained with what looked like blood.

“You're late,” Thorne said, anger flaring unexpectedly hot. “Where were you when Elder Willow needed you? When the forest burned?”

Agnes met his fury with calm that only infuriated him more. “Defending what remained of Thornhaven. Saving the few magical artifacts that weren't already corrupted.”

“Artifacts?” Thorne's laugh held no humor. “We needed allies, not relics.”

“Those 'relics' might be our only hope now.” Agnes set down her pack, pulling out objects that pulsed with old magic. “Sebastian's forces hit Thornhaven hard. I barely escaped with these.”

“You should have been here.” The words came out raw, accusatory. “You knew Elder Willow was failing. You knew what was coming.”

“And what would my presence have changed?” Agnes challenged. “Would it have stopped Ironbark's rebellion? Prevented the council from fracturing?”

“You could have helped convince them!”

“No one could have convinced them, Thorne. Not even Elder Willow herself.” Agnes's voice softened. “They were set on their path long before today.”

Briar moved between them, small hands raised. “Please don't fight. We've lost too much already.”

The sprite's words cut through Thorne's anger, leaving exhaustion in its wake. He slumped against Elder Willow's empty tree, feeling the absence like a physical wound.

“I've failed them all,” he whispered. “Elder Willow chose wrong.”

“She chose exactly right,” Agnes insisted. “But change is never easy, especially for those who've lived millennia in one pattern.”

“What pattern? Survival? Unity?” Thorne gestured at the damaged grove. “I've brought them nothing but division and death.”

Agnes approached carefully, as if approaching a wounded animal. “You've brought them possibility. The old ways were already failing, Thorne. Elder Willow knew that. Why do you think she prepared you for this?”

“Prepared me?” He laughed bitterly. “She never told me what it would cost. Never warned me that accepting her power would drive away half the guardians I'm supposed to lead.”

“Because she knew you'd refuse if you understood the price.” Agnes pulled out a crystal that glowed with inner light. “But she also knew you were the only one who could pay it and survive.”

The crystal pulsed, responding to Thorne's transformed energy. Despite himself, he leaned closer, drawn by its familiar resonance.

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