Before setting off the following morning, Asphodel walked over to Mabryl, followed closely by Carthinal. As soon as she knelt beside the travois, she knew something was wrong. She passed her hands over the mage, as she had done before, but felt nothing. She tried again, praying to Sylissa for aid. Maybe she had done something wrong, and Sylissa could not respond.
Nothing.
She placed her hand over his heart, feeling for a heartbeat.
Still nothing.
She leaned her head onto his chest and listened.
Silence.
She looked up at Carthinal, tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I did as much as I could, but it wasn’t enough.”
The young man frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Kalhera has taken him, Carthinal. He died in the night.”
Carthinal turned away and brushed his hand across his eyes. He turned bac
