Threads of Fate

Chapter 34 ~ To Take a Chance

Their progress was a bit slower than preferred, Tissaia gathered, judging from Azael's apprehensive nature. Either that, or he was still nervous about being around her. But they hadn't discussed anything more about last night or what happened at the pool. Instead, they'd been keeping their eyes peeled for any signs of activity amidst the fog riddled hills.

They hadn't found anything so far, but last night's rain and today's drizzle could've easily washed away any footprints or lingering traces of scents, so they were taking care to inspect anything that looked even slightly out of the ordinary. Azael did so now, reining his mount to a halt and sliding down near a pile of oddly placed rocks.

He passed the reins into Tissaia's outstretched hand and she kept the stallion steady while he crouched to the ground. Tension cornered Azael's lips and his brows wedged together. He lifted one of the rocks, giving it a tentative sniff, and Tissaia spied soot staining his fingers.

"From someone's campfire?" She guessed.

Azael nodded. "The question is if it was travelers, bandits, or warriors. The campsite itself can't be too far from here if this is where they dumped the rocks."

    He returned to his horse and wheeled in the suspected directly. Tissaia hurried after him, squinting against the renewed drizzle that was falling. Before long, she cast a shield about herself and Azael did the same. His calculating gaze remained pointed at the ground while she watched the path ahead. They crested the slope of one hill and a wide stretch of land connected it to the next.

    "There," Tissaia called, pointing to a bare patch of dirt amidst the grass. She and Azael rode to it and dismounted, careful not to disturb the lingering footprints in the rapidly deteriorating mud.

    "They must've been here this morning if the prints haven't washed away yet," Azael guessed. He examined the footprints carefully.

    "Warriors?"

    Azael pursed his lips and shook his head. "Look." He pointed to one of the tracks. "That definitely belongs to a child, and this one to a young female. They must've been travelers. Maybe one of the families relocating from the Vidar, or another Human family."

    Tissaia breathed a small sigh of relief. "Well, at least it's not what we're looking for." She didn't miss the curiosity that flashed through Azael's eyes at her words. "What?"

    "Does Kaius really still have no idea what Drenusha is sending us to find?"

    "If he did, he would've told us. All I know is that Drenusha claims it is very powerful, and he's certain it's in a temple."

    "I've been trying to think if I've heard of any temples in the mountains and none come to mind."

    Tissaia worked her bottom lip between her teeth as she thought. "Neither have I, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. There are many temples that have been forgotten since the Elder Age."

    "Talarion mentioned that he was trained by some of the mountain Fae. Do you think they might know of this temple?"

    Her gaze snapped to him, already blazing at the suggestion. "Even if I knew they did without a doubt, I wouldn't go to them. Not after the things they put my brother through."

    Azael didn't flinch at the fury in her gaze. "I wouldn't ask you to. He told me some of what they did. But if they know something that can help us, we'd be fools to not consider it at the very least."

    Tissaia jerked her gaze away. What had Talarion told him? Did he know about her part in all of that? How they had used her to get results from him?