Between the Veil and Crown

Kylin 42

Shaelren prepared a small group to go with him to Kylin's suggested place: The place where evil was sealed.

Bryval and Fame were not part of the group, as Kylin found out that Bryval had been poisoned and Fame had suffered severe injuries after a burning wall collapsed on him. However, Morganne had reassured Shaelren that she expected a full recovery from both of them.

Kylin did not share with Shaelren why he felt it necessary for them to go there. He knew if they did go, he could convince Shaelren to investigate the area around, including the spot where Songly had died.

He didn't know what kind of answer he would get, if any. After five years, anything of that horrifying, terrible evening would have well been washed away. But maybe returning of his own accord and refusing to turn away this time would bring closure. A sense of acceptance.

Just . . . anything, really.

They headed out that evening, when they were certain the lack of their presence would not hinder anyone. Taileia was working with the commander of the soldiers there to figure out housing for all the families who now had nowhere to go, and had nothing to their name. Ideally, the village would just be rebuilt, but how quickly and efficiently could that happen with the sky threatening snow every day, and the ground getting colder?

The group used the forest path to get to the sealed tree. Shaelren had Kylin lead in order to catch any noises. Or lack of noise. Whatever predator that was lurking in the forest still hadn't been caught, and now with two villages attacked, the pressure to find it or even identify it was increasing.

Shaelren halted travel as soon as it got dark. Kylin took the first shift, too restless in his thoughts to actually get to sleep. When he tried to focus on the things around him, he was all too hyperaware of every little noise, and if he tried to reel it in, he got stuck in his own thoughts. He was relieved when his replacement woke up and told him to rest. But even then, rest did not come.

He ate little the next day, causing Shaelren to ask if he was alright. He shrugged off the concern, giving him an excuse that he himself couldn't remember. Realizing that he was probably making Shaelren question if he really was fit to be back out, Kylin took extra care to make sure he was as alert and focused as possible.

They had made really good progress on the second day of travel. They made only brief stops and kept up a quick pace in order to get there as quickly as possible. By the time evening fell, Kylin was certain they would make it to the sealed tree by the time evening fell. If not, they would be close by.

It was a calculation that Shaelren had done himself. He got the crew up earlier than the previous day and picked up the pace, assuring them they could slow it down once they reached there.

As Kylin had predicted, darkness fell by the time they reached the sealed tree.

"Greetings," Xane called out when he saw them. He furrowed his brow in concern, recognizing Shaelren. "Did something else escape in the forest?"

"Corpse flowers just took out one of the villages," Shaelren answered grimly.

"Oh?" Xane didn't look as though he really believed that. He looked at the others, who gave him serious looks. "Oh. Oh my. That's- that's- wow." He took a step back, looking away as he took deep breaths. "I'm- I'm afraid I haven't seen anything."

"The corpse flower has been wandering around for a while," Shaelren said. "But we're coming back here because there seems to be something going on."