Page 84 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“What does that mean?” Quinn inquired.

“I’m uncertain.” He turned to look at Raine. “What’s your take on this?”

They had seers in their world, ancient beings who could see the past and parts of the future. While Raine wasn’t a seer, he could often sense things others could not and had proven an asset in making decisions within the kingdom. His intuition was invaluable.

Thorne watched closely, appearing to hang on Raine’s every word. “I can’t feel much regarding this situation. Regarding Ava,” said Raine.

“It’s probably a coincidence,” said Quinn. “What reason would there be for you to be dreaming of a human?”

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence.” Raine shook his head. “Perhaps you were trying to stop her from opening the portal?”

“But what’s the connection?” Thorne replied.

“This is supposed to happen. She’s supposed to be here. As much as it terrifies me to know Deidamia and Andras are back in Eorhan, it feels like this is fate. We need to figure out where to go from here,” Raine continued. “Besides, I like Ava.”

“I do too,” said Jorrar.

Casimir and Quinn remained silent as Thorne looked at both of them.

“She’s okay,” Quinn muttered as she crossed her arms. “I don’t trust her yet though. What if she means us harm? Meansyouharm?” She looked at Thorne, concerned.

Thorne and Quinn had a long history. Their on again, offagain relationship had caused them to be protective over each other, almost to a fault.

“Cas?” Thorne raised a brow.

“She’s hiding things from us,” he answered. “Until we learn what she knows, I won’t trust her.”

“I don’t think she’ll hurt us,” interjected Raine.

“Says the one she stabbed,” Quinn replied.

“She thought we were Deidamia’s soldiers taking her back to camp,” said Raine. “You would have fought back too. You and Cas have sticks so far up your asses, you think everyone is a threat. Even a weak dainty human.”

Jorrar interrupted, “Thorne… I think we should bring her to Nelida.”

Nelida was their kingdom’s greatest seer. She was a terrifying wood nymph who lived deep in the Whispering Bog. The creatures that lived in those woods weren’t always friendly and it was not an easy trip, winding through treacherous mists that tried to trick travelers into getting lost.

“That’s one way to scare the shit out of her,” Raine remarked.

“He’s right,” Thorne said. “We risk the trip and take her there. This is too big to sit and do nothing.”

“I agree,” said Quinn.

Casimir stroked his beard. “How are we making this journey with her in tow? There are foul things in that swamp I imagine will want to taste human flesh for the first time.”

“There are five of us. I think we can manage. I’ll make sure to have Skye on stand-by should something truly terrible happen. She can fly us out if needed,” Thorne answered.

Casimir nodded. Skye was Thorne’s companion. A giant golden eagle with the ability to carry several of them at a time, who often came in handy if they had to make a quick escape.

“Great,” Raine mumbled. “Am I the only one that doesn’t want to see that creepy wood nymph ever again?”

“Yes,” the rest of them said in unison.

“You don’t have to come if you’re scared,” Quinn purred at Raine.

“Of course I’m coming,” Raine retorted. “You’d be bored out of your minds without me to entertain you all.”

“Then it’s decided,” Thorne stated. “After the three days of rest I promised her is up, we’ll meet and prepare for our venture to the bog.”

---