The Legacy of Our Love

Chapter 33

ASRA

 I chose to remain at the school for the winter holidays. I didn't exactly find myself eager to return to the manor, not with everything that still needed to be done here. Without the distraction of classes, I found myself with ample time to further my investigation of Ranrok and the Ashwinders.

Today however, tensions were high as Ominis had prepared for his trip to Feldcroft to visit Anne. With Sebastian forbidden from visiting, and Solomon being less than tolerant of my supposed 'enabling' of his behavior, Ominis was the only one who would be making the trip. Sebastian was a wreck from the moment he woke this morning—if he had slept at all. Before I could even suggest we go down to the Great Hall for an early breakfast, he was dressed and bolting out the door under the pretense of needing to reference something in the library.

Gods, I wish he would just talk to us.

I sat with my nose in a book as Ominis dressed, attempting to convince myself I was successfully distracting my racing thoughts as my eyes skimmed across the words. The attempt proved fleeting as my nerves spiked, and I retained none of the information my eyes took in.

Closing the cover with a sigh, I then nearly leapt from my skin when a loud pop sounded from behind me, and I turned with wide eyes to see Deek standing behind me holding what appeared to be a letter.

"Oh, hello Deek." I attempted to reply casually despite my thundering heart.

"Hello Miss! Deek has some urgent mail for you, and it's been requested you open it at once." Deek hummed in greeting, gesturing to the letter in his hands before passing it to me.

"Thank you Deek, I will." I nodded, and the elf disappeared with a snap of his fingers.

I unfolded the parchment quickly, my eyes rapidly scanning the letter's contents to learn what could be so urgent that needed my attention during the holidays.

I found one of Ranrok's drills in a coastal mine along the shore. I intend to destroy it. I'm tired of trying to reason with him.

You are welcome to join me, but if I don't see you there, I will reach out when I return. I have something to give you.

—Lodgok

I shot to my feet, fleeing to the bedroom to hurriedly prepare myself for infiltrating a mine. What was Lodgok thinking? Going by himself to destroy a drill? My mind raced as I pulled on my boots, flicking my wrist and watching the laces tie themselves as I pulled on my jacket.

"Is everything alright?" Ominis questioned as I hurried back into the room while wrapping my scarf.

"I'm not sure. Lodgok is going off to the coast to destroy one of Ranrok's drills. I can't let him do that alone. Without a wand—"

"Go, we'll be fine." Ominis interrupted gently with a knowing look, and I watched as his hand subconsciously drifted towards the pendant around his neck. "And come back safe."

"I will, I promise." I nodded, placing a swift kiss to his cheek before scrambling from the room.

The wind nearly knocked me from my feet when I reappeared through the floo flame, the biting chill instantly setting my teeth chattering as all the warmth was ripped from my body. Muttering a quick warming charm provided some relief as I marched across the frozen sand and towards the entrance of the mine.

With the aid of the Disillusionment charm, I was able to slip past the large collection of Loyalists with ease, making a mental note of the two trolls that also guarded the perimeter for when it came time for my escape.