Page 29 of Of Blooming Embers
I spit out flecks of gunk, glaring at the ancient woman. “Thank you for this … this stick. I hate to ask the obvious, but would you mind using your ember to get me out?” My words sounded shrill, fear squeezing my windpipe.
Patiently, as if she were dealing with a small child and not a woman about to be gobbled up, she folded her hands in front of her, glancing pointedly at the bough.
My eyebrows rose, forehead creasing as I realized she was insane. I hollered again, my throat aching and voice cracking as the gray goo met my collarbone.
I whimpered, ignoring the female and staring at the branch. Sucking in a lungful of air, I snatched the wood, gripping it at each end for dear life. It wouldn’t reach the bottom and would only get stuck if I tried.
With an exaggerated sigh, I slapped it in front of me in annoyance. It clung a bit to the peat coating, and my brows rose.
I pushed my arms down against the branch, wiggling it against the muck. Painstakingly, I slowly leveraged my weight against its wider surface area until my body inched forward bit by bit.
Twenty minutes was a lifetime when you were struggling to survive.
The sludge tugged at my weary limbs, trying to drag me back down, but I pushed and writhed until I reached the hummock the female stood upon. I clutched the moss and pulled myself onto it.
Dragging in ragged breaths, I feared my limbs were made of mud as they wobbled. Standing wasn’t worth the risk of toppling into the bog, so I plopped onto my back.
“Bleeding muck on a mound. Where’ve you been, Ryn? And who the void is she?” Breena landed near my shoulder as I stared dully at the sky.
Breena propped her fists on her hips as the female ignored her and pressed her mouth into an unamused line.
Pushing damp curls off my temples, I groaned. “I’ve been here, getting eaten alive by the bloody bog.” I flopped my hand in the female’s direction. “Whileshejust watched.”
Breena frowned, glancing at my left hand. “Rhaegar said that trinket on your finger makes you go—” She sliced her hand through the air, a buzzing sound vibrating between her teeth. “Why didn’t ya just use it?”
I held my hand up, glaring at my ring, and then plunked it back down. I groaned, annoyed that I’d been too panicked to think of it.
Layers of wrinkles pushed up into the older woman’s hairline as she studied me. “I hear you’re in need of my guidance.”
“Like I need a dagger to the face,” I muttered weakly.
Her mouth quirking was the only sign that she’d heard me. “And after witnessing your determination, I’m willing to give it.” She placed her bony fingers against her chest. “How can the Augur assist?”
11
AS THE RAVEN FLIES
GAVREL
The hunched female looked as if she had been created from the haze drifting far in the distance, and was about to crumble back into it.
Covered in peat and brown slime, Seryn’s chest rose and fell fitfully as she lay at the woman’s feet, scowling at her. I knew the moment the woman’s words registered and overcame Seryn’s annoyance.
Jerking and then scrambling to her feet, her eyes went wide. Seryn’s gaze snapped to the woman’s and then to mine as she realized my presence. Her brows lifted so high I thought they might disappear into her curls.
I flexed the fingers of my right hand, the burn of my tattoo easing. Rhaegar and I had been nearing the square when my rune lit up, like it had the day Seryn was first attacked by a mare wyrm in Surrelia. The deep bite of fear overtook me when I knew Seryn was in danger, as if her terror were my own.
Rhaegar didn’t question me when I ran to a boat and let my runeguide us away from the city. I was grateful that my second—myfriend—was with me. Not once had I ever had a reason to doubt his loyalty. His steadfast support.
He hopped from our vessel and bowed to the female perched on the mound opposite. “It’s a privilege to meet you. I’ve heard a great many tales of your wisdom over the turns.”
She lifted her chin and one palm, inviting Rhaegar to rise.
“You’re the Augur? Well, color me impressed.” Breena dipped her head respectfully before elbowing Seryn and giving her a pointed look.
Dear Ancients, the woman never knew when to keep her thoughts inside. My hands tensed at my sides, studying the Augur’s response. She looked down her curved nose at Breena with an unreadable expression before turning her attention to Seryn, her light eyes assessing.
On unsteady legs, Seryn brushed her hand down her muddy tunic and then lifted her chin. I knew that look. She was about to get straight to the point. Resolutely, she took another step toward the female, chest expanding with her request. “Pleasure tomeetyou. I … We’re looking for?—”
