Moon Raelia's Arc

Chapter 2 of 3

Moon Raelia left the hall with the elders' words still warm in his ears. A page caught him on the steps and pressed a sealed scroll into his hand. The wax bore a four-element mark. He broke it and read. The prince wanted to see him before dawn. Refusing would be an insult the circle could not shield him from. He followed the page through narrow streets to a carved stone door set into a hillside. It looked like a crypt entrance. Inside, lamps burned low. Prince Drake waited without guards, his cloak thrown over a plain chair. "You came," Drake said. "Good. I won't keep you long." Moon stayed standing. "You summoned me the night before my test." He kept his voice even. "That has a cost." "I know," Drake said. "I need a druid who finishes things when they go wrong. Not one who waits to be old. Pass your test. Then ride with me after. There is a spirit in the western wilds that has killed two of my men." He met Moon's eyes. "I will tell the elders this meeting was mine, not yours. The blame is on the crown." Moon bowed once and walked back into the cold street. The decree was folded inside his coat now, heavy as a stone. He had kept the circle safe and bought himself a debt to a prince. Dawn was three hours away, and his hands would not stop shaking.