Page 31 of Beyond the Treaty
Darius inclined his head. “Then let us begin. There is much to uncover, and little time to do so.”
The hours blurred as we delved into the troves of knowledge concealed within the chamber. Darius guided us amid the shelves, highlighting key texts and maps while providing insights into their significance. The histories painted a picture of a realm that once thrived on balance and unity, before the Council’s thirst for power corrupted everything. Elara studied the maps intensely, her sharp mind swiftly identifying patterns and connections that I could scarcely comprehend. I concentrated on the records of battles and uprisings, looking for strategies that could potentially be effective against the Council’s forces. But the deeper we delved, the more questions arose. Who had constructed this place? What other secrets lie hidden, and at what cost? And most pressing of all: Could we truly utilise what we discovered here to dismantle the Council’s empire?
Darius’s voice shattered the silence. “We shall need to examine the ley lines. There is a nexus not far from here, a spot where the power is at its strongest. If the Council has fortified it, we shall know they are aware of this place’s significance. If not, it could provide us with the advantage we require.”
Elara stood tall, her eyes sparkling with determination. “When are we leaving?”
“At first light,” Darius said. “The journey will be perilous, but if we exercise caution, we might just reach there without drawing attention.”
I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, its familiar weight anchoring me. “Then we’ll be prepared.”
As the torchlight flickered, casting the chamber in shadows once more, I felt the weight of what lay ahead. The knowledge we had uncovered was both a gift and a curse, a beacon of hope and a rallying cry. And as I looked at Elara and Darius, I knew one thing with certainty: whatever happened next, there was no turning back.
CHAPTER 19
The forest felt alive as we moved through it, each step accom- panied by the rustle of leaves and the occasional snap of a twig beneath our boots. The memory crystal rested securely in Darius’ pack, its faint glow visible even through the worn leather. Elara walked beside me, her expression inscrutable, though her fingers occasionally brushed against the crimson tome she carried, as if to remind herself it was still there.
The trading post had been a gamble, but it had paid off. Now, as we pressed on towards the ruins Darius had mentioned, the weight of what we carried settled deeper into my chest. Knowledge and power were dangerous things, and we held both in fragile hands.
“Do you reckon they know?” Elara asked suddenly, her voice slicing through the stillness.
I look over at her. “The Council?”
She nodded, her gaze sweeping across the trees ahead. “Do you reckon they know we’ve discovered this? That we’re attempting to expose them?”
Darius, walking a few paces ahead, replied before I had the chance. “They know something. The Council doesn’t tolerateloose ends, and we’re unravelling their web more quickly than they anticipated. They’ll be moving against us, if they aren’t already.”
Elara’s lips pressed into a thin line, her grip tightening on
the tome. “Then we don’t have long.”
“No,” I concurred, my gaze shifting to Darius. “How far is it
to the nexus?”
“Half a day’s journey, if we maintain this pace,” he said, not
turning. “But we’ll need to exercise caution. The closer we approach, the more probable it is that we’ll encounter patrols, or worse.”
“Worse?” Elara inquired, her tone dry. “What could possibly be worse?”
Darius didn’t respond, yet the tension in his shoulders was sufficient to twist my stomach.
As we walked, the forest started to transform. The trees became denser, their branches twisting into intricate, un- natural shapes that obscured much of the sunlight. The air turned cooler and heavier, and an eerie stillness enveloped the landscape. Even the birds appeared hesitant to disrupt the silence.
“This doesn’t feel right, and how could I have not known about this area of Lunairis?” Elara muttered, her voice scarcely above a whisper.
I nodded, my hand instinctively moving to the hilt of my sword. “Keep your eyes peeled, there seems to be a lot we don’t know about anything.”
Darius slowed his pace, his weapon already drawn. “We’re close,” he remarked. “The nexus should be just ahead.”
The forest suddenly gave way to a clearing, and there, cloaked in shadow, stood the ruins. They were extensive and ancient, their stone walls weathered yet still imposing. Vines and moss clung to every surface, while the faint glow of runes carved into the stone suggested the magic that still lingered. “It’s beautiful,” Elara said softly, although a hint of unease
lingered in her voice.
“It’s also a trap,” Darius said grimly, his eyes surveying the
perimeter. “The Council won’t have left this place unprotected. If they’re aware of what’s hidden here, they’ll have safeguards in place.”
