Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“Some were caught,” another woman said, “which is why we can’t linger long. They will search the woods.”
Four more women stumbled into the glade, stragglers who had fallen behind the first group.
An elderly woman weathered with age sank to a fallen log, breathing hard. Elara moved to her side, kneeling beside her.
“You need to rest at least for a moment,” she said softly.
The woman shook her head. “They’ll not be far behind. We need to keep moving.”
They all were aware of how relentless the Hunters were, and Elara shared in their fear and pain.
“Before you go,” Elara said gently, “the Hunters, they search for a healer who can defy death. Have you heard such a tale?”
The old woman’s eyes lifted to hers, pale gray, clouded with sorrow. “Aye. I’ve heard many tell such a tale, but few understand it.”
Elara leaned closer. “Please spare a moment and tell me. It could help to end this torment brought upon the healers, if proven only a tale.”
“A tale… maybe,” the old woman said, “or maybe not. There are different versions, some to entertain, some to frighten. The one I heard says a healer fled her home heavy with child, conceived from forbidden fruit. Some say she gave the bairn away so no one could ever find her—her powers never known.”
“And others?” Elara asked.
“Others believe the healer didn’t hide the child at all. They say she raised the girl in secret, and when her rare powers became known, schooled her as best she could until she surpassed anything ever known. When the time was right, she sent her into the world to take her rightful place.”
“What rightful place?”
“Some believe it is to rule Scotara and heal what the dark had broken.”
Elara’s eyes went wide, the weight of the words settling heavily in her chest. Could that be the ruse she heard the voice speak of in her head? Was the king pretending to search for a healer when he truly was searching for someone who he feared would usurp his reign?
The woman reached out and covered Elara’s hand, her skin cool and papery. “Whichever is true, the healer’s legacy is not gone. You can feel it in the air if you listen long enough. It stirs the Hunters, it stirs the king… and it stirs the land itself.”
“So, you believe it is true,” Elara said.
The woman smiled faintly. “I think every tale holds a seed of truth. How it grows depends on who tends it.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But remember this, if the gift still walks the land, the king won’t rest until it’s his. And power born of love is rare and should be cherished, never taken captive.”
Elara looked away, the words sparking something remembered rather than newly heard, but she couldn’t quite grasp it.
A tall woman with a long dark braid lifted her head and blinked at Elara. Recognition dawned through the grime and exhaustion.
“I know you,” she said. “You were in Birkfell when some of us visited for the midwinter gathering. You are from the village of Cramond, an herb-scribe.”
“Aye, I am Elara,” she acknowledged, though she did not recall meeting the woman.
“You escaped the Hunters? What of Maelis? Did you get her to safety?” she asked anxiously.
“She was taken,” Elara said, guilt and sorrow clear in her voice. “She insisted I warn the other villages, but the Hunters beat me to Thornleigh and now to Rathmor.”
“Not for lack of trying,” Dar said from where he stood off to the side. “Elara’s only thought, only purpose since the Hunters hit Birkfell is to help the healers and find a way to rescue Maelis and all those taken.”
“A hopeless task,” the woman who recognized her said. “Maelis sent you away not just to warn us. Your hair and eye color are vastly different. The Hunters would scoop you up for sure. Maelis sought to protect you. Pay heed and hide.”
Others nodded in agreement.
“Now we need to go and so should you, but first,” the woman who knew her said, “There is something you should know. A healer taken captive at Thornfield escaped and made it to Rathmor. Unfortunately, she was taken captive again when the Hunters hit the village. But she told me she met two captives from Cramond on the march north. Cramond has already been hit by the Hunters.”
Elara paled. Her home. Her family. And even worse… “That could only mean that the Hunters surround most of Leighfeld.”
“Aye,” the woman confirmed with a nod. “They have Leighfeld surrounded.”
The air seemed to grow colder around them. Even the mist hung still, listening.
Elara stared at the woman, her pulse drumming in her ears. “All of Leighfeld…” she whispered, realizing how futile her mission now was. “There’ll be no healer left untouched.”
“Aye,” the woman said again, her eyes glistening. “They’re combing the land like farmers before harvest.”