The Seelie Curse

Chapter 70

Careful not to harm the trees, Astrila climbs up into their branches. The forest is starting to come alive with the soft sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves. It's a peaceful sound, fading into the background. Once in the tree, Astrila keeps climbing higher. She could have used her winds to do this, but she needs to be occupied.

She needs to distract herself, just for a moment. The whole world feels tense, like it's on edge. Waiting for something. It isn't right. She's just reached the top of the tree when she hears a cracking sound from the river. Astrila pulls her winds towards her and lifts into the air, letting them carry her towards the water.

Astrila has to hold in a gasp. The river is completely iced over, a jagged line spearing through it. Astrila can see something shimmering beneath, but it isn't water. She touches down to the icy surface and shuffles over to the gash, peering down into it. She wasn't entirely right. There is water down there, but there is a layer of what seems to be magic or its residue over it.

Astrila stretches her fingers down into the crevice, moving to touch the water. Her hand bounces off. It's a barrier, something doesn't want them getting to the river beneath. Could someone not want them to use the passage? Astrila frowns and probes the barrier again. It feels slippery but familiar.

The source of it is gone though, it must be moving quickly. She needs to get the others. Astrila twists around and has her winds lift her up again, speeding her across the sky to the clearing. She manages to get there just as Rowan enters the clearing. The redhaired girl's face is set, her eyes sparkling in determination. Her bag is tied tight across her waist, so tight that it will be quite difficult for her to get it off later. Rowan frowns at Astrila's expression.

"It's already begun, hasn't it?"

"I think so, yes."

Astrila ducks into the living dome and shakes Kyma awake. The girl jerks to awareness quickly, her hand flying to the pouch tied across her waist. Astrila places a comforting hand on her arm.

"Relax. There is no danger here."

Kyma sighs and slumps, dropping her face into her hands. "It's time?"

"We think so."

"Okay then."

Kyma slides out of her bed furs quickly, checking at her waist to make sure the cord is tight. Astrila raises an eyebrow at her. Kyma is far too alert compared to how she normally is in the mornings.

"Did you even sleep last night?"

Kyma flushes and her gate darts towards the ground as she admits, "Not well."

"Worried?"

"Yes."

Astrila nods. "Come on. Ro is waiting."

Outside the dome, Rowan is fiddling with one of her runestones. She looks up as Astrila ducks out, her gaze wary. "So, where did you get a sign of the beginning of the end?"

"The river."

Rowan's eyes widen. "The river? Show me."

Rowan and Kyma follow Astrila back towards the river. She can see them shivering as they get closer, the entire area cooled by the frozen water. Astrila smirks at them, her skin feeling like it's the right temperature for the first time since they reached the Old Land. Rowan grumbles at her, shivering in her light clothing. She's bundled slightly against the autumn chill, but not much.

"You're enjoying this far too much."

Astrila grins. "Your home is too warm. This is nice."

But she looks apologetic when she looks at Kyma, the poor girl is almost blue. Astrila sighs. Then she pulls her pelt from around her shoulders and slings it across Kyma's back.

"Take care of this."

Kyma nods, the blood coming back to her cheeks already. "I-I-I w-will."

Kyma rubs her hands together and tucks them into the sleeves of Astrila's pelt. Astrila frowns. "Put your hands in your armpits. Your body will instinctively pull the heat into the center of your body and so the heat will be centred around your torso." Kyma does as Astrila commands, and from behind her Rowan does the same. Astrila nods. "We're almost to the river."

Rowan smiles. "G-good."

The cold is spreading quickly, the trees on the edge of the river are frosted over. Rowan's face crumples at the sight of them and she darts over, whimpering. She strokes the frozen bark, despite the frost turning the tips of her fingers blueish. Astrila tugs on Rowan's arm.

"We can't help them like this. We need to stop what is happening and I think it's tied to the prophecy."

Rowan nods and runs her fingers over the bark one more time before she lets Astrila pulls her away. She walks over to the crevice in the frozen river and frowns, reaching down to touch the water beneath it. Just as Astrila's hand had done, Rowan's fingers glance off of it.

"The passage is blocked, isn't it?"

Astrila nods.
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What do you think this means? What's going to happen next? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~ Goddess of Fate, signing out