Chapter 7
AuroraElainya
Nian woke me when we reached the Draska forest. I took in my surroundings. “Almost home,” I smiled.
“You understand, Elainya, that Aurora is not as you left it.”
“I didn’t expect it to be.” The trees were as varied and tall as I remembered, the air fresh with moisture and new growth. In the distance, I could hear water cascading over the rapids as the river flowed down towards the stream that would feed the pond I loved so much.
“Miatra mentioned that there’d been a plague.”
“Yes.” His voice was almost gentle as he continued. “I meant it when I said there are no more Draska, Elainya. Aurora is abandoned.”
“What do you mean?” I’d heard his words, but they made no sense. Aurora was a thriving town, the home of my people.
“Do you know the ancient saying that th
