Dreich Cheerless's Arc

Chapter 2 of 10

Dreich needed to understand her enemies before she could hide from them forever. She'd spent years running, but running wasn't enough anymore. The oak was dying, and soon the mirth spell would need a new home. She had to learn who was hunting her and why they feared laughter so much. Knowledge was the first step. Without it, she'd always be one mistake away from discovery. The blighted ruins stood half-buried in moss and shadow. Most people avoided the place, but Dreich saw what others missed. Inside the crumbling walls, shelves still lined the stone. Old books sat stacked in corners, their covers thick with dust. She pulled one down and opened it carefully. The pages showed symbols she recognized—tracking spells, binding magic, ways to find what was hidden. This was a library once, before whatever darkness had touched it. Now it could teach her how her enemies hunted. She worked through the afternoon, reading by the strange blue-green glow that pulsed from the walls. Some books described laughter as dangerous energy that needed control. Others called it chaos that threatened order. Her enemies weren't just cruel—they were scared. They believed joy could unravel their power. Understanding this changed everything. She could use their fear against them. As night fell, Dreich strung glowing lights between the dead trees outside. The small pixie flames flickered with the same blue-green hue as the ruins. They marked the path and warned her if anyone approached. Behind a fallen column, she found a hollow space perfect for storing supplies. She stacked dried food, water skins, and blank journals inside. The ruins were becoming hers now—a place to study, to plan, to prepare. When she moved the mirth spell here, she would know exactly how to keep it safe.