Chapter 39

  With each revelation the world was going from bad to worse.

  Snow took all of it in quietly while voices raged in his mind. One told him that his time was up; that it was best to take Sage and leave for somewhere safe, even though he knew she would never leave. Another raged against the very idea of conceding defeat, but Snow knew where that voice led. He crushed that monster back into its corner and shut the door. No, he couldn’t go there.

  He then wondered how Avery and Caine would take the assault in Vernin; would they stay and face it or retreat? Caine would fight for sure. The man was as stubborn as they come, and he would not lose Avery after fighting so hard to get him back. Avery, on the other hand, might see the wisdom in leaving. He would realize that it’s only him and Caine that the saviors are looking to remove. The whole ordeal might happen relatively peacefully if he wasn’t there to fight back.

  But all this was based on old knowledge. The saviors weren’t some loose network of monster hunters anymore. They were becoming a real power in the world once again, and Snow did not know their true goals.

  “Are you still headed there?” Titus asked. Snow finally looked back to find what looked like honest concern on Titus’s face.

  “Likely, but not right away,” Snow looked past Titus to Max and asked, “Are you staying here?”

  Max nodded. “I told the captain I want to stay. I don’t know if they’re going to keep a presence here, but I want to look after Sage and the others.”

  “What about your friend in Vernin?” Titus asked.

  “Avery can take care of himself for now. I need to learn more before rushing anywhere,” Snow replied.

  “How?” Max asked.

  “The stones,” Snow said as he got up.

  It took Titus and Max a few seconds to realize that Snow was leaving with half his lunch still on the counter. They rushed to collect themselves, Titus stuffing as much in his mouth as he could, before following him outside. Snow was already halfway down the street walking at a brisk pace when the two caught up. Titus hadn’t bothered to mount Mooch and pulled him along by his reins – encouraging him with a bright apple as Max sought more answers.

  “The stones? Under the lake? You can’t be serious,” Max said as he tried to keep his voice low.

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  “It’s the only standing temple now,” Snow replied.

  “You’re going to make Sage do it,” Max quickened his pace so he could stand in front of him, bringing Snow to an abrupt halt.

  “I will do it with her,” Snow said with a glare before sidestepping the man and continuing.

  “She could drown,” Max whispered with urgency.

  “I won’t let that happen,” Snow made it sound like a fact.

  “What are the stones?” Titus asked as he came up along Snow’s other side.

  “An ancient ring of standing stones under the lake, hidden from all but the priestesses and likely half the community here.” He eyed Max briefly as he said it. “They’re a power center… a convergence of threads between Ilone and Orthan. And Sage is a seer. They could give her a broader sight. Let her see what’s coming or what’s happening elsewhere.”

  “Or it could drive her mad,” Max scowled. Snow ignored the comment.

  “And why is it under the lake?” Titus asked. Snow wondered if Max knew this tale as well.

  He then replied, “Because the priestesses of old were magicians. They could hold back the water and descend into the depths with ease. But as those with powers dwindled, a temple was built by the water’s edge and dedicated to the goddess.”

  Max didn’t show any surprise at the tale, and instead added more to it, “don’t forget the part where the priestesses that consulted the stones went insane.”

  Snow sighed, “only one went insane.”

  “One’s enough,” Max retorted.

  “Sage has tried the stones before and she’s perfectly sane,” Snow replied.

  “What?” Max lost a step as his brow shot up.

  “The stones are not so deep. She has floated above them on the lake’s surface and even dived briefly to try to tap their power, but from what she tells me, it’s chaotic at best. I can take her safely all the way down.”

  A hand suddenly landed on Snow’s shoulder bringing them all to a stop somewhere in front of a farmstead with the radiant lake dazzling behind it in the noon day sun. He expected to find Max holding him, but he turned and found Titus staring into him with that same concern he saw in the tavern.

  “If this thing is dangerous, then don’t do it. I can go back into the ranks and spy. Don’t risk yourself over strange magic. Don’t risk her life either.”

  “He’s NOT risking her life,” Max was adamant. Now that they were outside the village, he let his voice rise as he stepped in front of Snow again. He crossed his arms over his chest as if to make himself a wall that Snow could not get past without agreeing to his terms.

  Snow felt oddly outnumbered for a brief moment before pulling out of Titus’s grip and stepping back from Max.

  “This matter won’t be decided by either of you. It’s between Sage and me.”