Sapphire Falls (The Lost Realm #2)

52. Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Savine

S avine had run out of time, and yet he still hadn’t sent Selene with word on his decision. Today, he’d have to let Nephel know if help was on the way or not. There was no other option. Before he made his decision, he needed to hear an updated report from the trees. He’d been in the forest, seeking information from the trees more than he had in years. Not since the early years of the civil war. Even now, he didn’t know what the right decision was. Either way, his folk could be hurt.

“What more information can they provide?” Garnel asked. “We know the Goldoth warriors are marching swiftly. We’ve already lost the opportunity to cut them off at the Wastewaters. In a few short days, they will be at the Towers.”

“I need to know if there’s any evidence that they will attack us this winter. If war is to come, perhaps more preparations are necessary. Alternatively, if there is a reason to believe they are seeking Avery then I will stop at nothing to keep them from our borders, and will do all that I can to keep her safe in Orofine.”

Savine turned from Garnel and rested his gloved hand against a giant cedar.

“ I am seeking updates on the Goldoth military. What rumors circulate on their location? Do they pose a certain threat to Latiah?”

The tree shook its boughs down, one brushed against the gilded bough of his crown. A clear move to put Savine in his place. He knew the trees were growing weary of his many daily requests. But he was desperate for clarity. Nearly twenty-six years ago, Savine had no choice but to put his nation on the path to war.

The thousands of folk affected by that decision still haunted him. He could never make the same rushed choices again.

After he requested information, he turned from the tree and walked to find Garnel. By now he knew the information he requested would take hours to reach him. His friend was already splayed out in the hot springs water, eyes closed, yet he must have sensed Savine’s presence as he said, “Do you remember when we were boys and would sneak from the Residence to swim?”

Savine glanced toward the clearing with the agate headstone, not far from the pool. “Of course I do.”

“I long for those simpler days.”

Savine nodded and joined Garnel in the water. This was as good of a place as any to wait for the tree's response, and he would see the rustling of the branches. Garnel’s soul had been heavy lately, and he needed to give his closest friend time. Even with the burden of war weighing down on him, he’d make time for Garnel. It was something he regretted never doing during the last war. Changing his habits was hard. Opening up, sharing when he needed support didn’t come naturally to him. If he was being honest, neither was listening to his friend’s worries.

He splashed into the water, skin stinging at the heat of it.

“Savine, I don’t know if this pool is made for two grown Latian warriors.”

“Then move over, brother. My bones are chilled and my heart is heavy.”

Garnel sat up, moving to the opposite side of the pool from Savine. “Neither of us should have heavy hearts now. We ended the war. We stopped our enemy, and yet, I’ve never felt so empty.”

“You still can’t shift?” Savine asked, already knowing his answer. He’d avoided asking all these weeks, knowing that if Garnel could shift he or Kyla would tell him.

Garnel tugged on his red beard. “The feeling of my other half is fading slowly. It may be too late.”

Savine noticed how Garnel’s essence had faded to fine, dusky lines. If his essence was depleted, he would not be able to survive for long.

“We now know of three relics. We’ll find the remaining two and Althea will restore your essence.”

Garnel’s face looked like it would crack, anguish cut through his voice. “What if we don’t? What if my essence drains from me and I never meet my child? All because of one foolish mistake.”

“Brother, I’ll pull you from the goddess-damned Abyss myself before I let that happen,” Savine muttered.

They sat in silence, the steaming water boiling their skin as dusk swept across the steep mountainous canyon walls.

The spiny branches of the nearest coniferous tree began to shake, and the forest came alive with movement, stirrings in the branches.

“The trees have an answer,” Savine said, sliding out of the water. He walked barefoot through the snow to his clothing, letting his heated skin melt the snow underfoot. As he tugged on his furs over his slick skin, he heard the trees calling for him.

“ Prince of Chaos .”

“ What is the news? ” Savine asked.

“The armies are at the southern reaches of the Towers. They call for revenge against what was stolen. They want the witches of the north.”

Savine cursed under his breath as dread built in his chest. “Avery as well as Morgan?”

The tree shook in the icy wind. “ They will stop at nothing to claim the witches marked by the Premier Goddess. They come north with a darkness that will overpower and destroy.”

A chill ran through Savine as Garnel came over to Savine’s side, dressed in his furs. “What was their reply?”

“We must prepare the warriors. We march for war.”