Chapter 135 Trus (2/2)
”I don't know,” she finally said, voice filled with doubt ”In the Society, I've only ever heard it talked about in whispered ruic, sacrificing lives to gain power But other than that… I have no idea”
”So you don't kno to control it, either,” Arran said, holding back a sigh when he understood she wouldn't be able to help him
”I don't,” Snowcloud said, ”but Stoneheart's uncle ht He's an Elder of the Sixth Valley, with centuries of experience across the border Whatever the creature did to you, he will knohat it is”
”But the Blood Magic…” Arran began ”When he finds out, won't there be repercussions?”
Although he didn't say it outright, he worried that if he was found to be involved in Blood Magic, whether by choice or not, he would be imprisoned — maybe even executed
When the Academy discovered his forbidden Realm, it had set in motion a chain of events that had nearly cost him his life And now, it seeic
Snowcloud resolutely shook her head ”It's not your fault,” she said ”And even if it was… the Dragon values strength above all else If anything, he'll view this as a gift, not a curse Sothen the Society”
Arran frowned at the answer, not entirely convinced Yet for the otten that between them and Stoneheart's uncle lay an entire army of Body Refiners
”Either e'll have to reach him first”
”I have some ideas about that,” Snowcloud said ”But we'll discuss that e reach the cah the forest for the better part of an hour, Snowcloud guiding the way as they slowly advanced through the dense woods Arran now understood that she had been to the camp already, and had returned to the valley only for his sake
After some time, she suddenly stopped in her tracks and raised an arht, he found a well-hidden figure in the brush, about a hundred paces ahead of theed fro place, and Arran could now see that it was a young ave theain
”One of the scouts,” Snowcloud explained ”The caan tobefore Arran could hear muffled voices in the distance It seemed they had reached their destination
When they reached the camp, Arran was relieved to see that this time, Stoneheart — or perhaps Snowcloud — had chosen a better location Although it was not as well-hidden as the clearing in the valley had been, here, there were plenty of routes for escape should the need arise
As they approached, Arran saw Stoneheart rise froroup of recruits ere seated at the center of the caan to walk toward the for the recruits to remain where they were
Stoneheart walked with a visible limp, and as they neared hies on his body Yet for all his wounds, his expression seemed cheerful
”Good to see you both made it back,” he said He turned to Arran, then looked hily ”You seem to be back to your old self”
”I' how he had al happened to me I—”
”Nonsense,” Stoneheart interrupted hihed, then added, ”I just wish I'd recruited you back in Hillfort Perhaps then, the battle against Amaya would've ended differently”
”There are s to discuss,” Snowcloud cut in ”We need to leave, and soon If this Lord of Bones you talked about has an entire arain”
At this, the cheerful look on Stoneheart's face vanished ”I hope you have any ideas,” he said ”With an entire army after us, I don't see hoe can escape”
”I do,” Snowcloud replied curtly ”Now sit down and listen”