The Dark Side of Things
As the group went down the mountain in silence, everyone was feeling heavy from what had happened. Elara clenched the second piece of the heirloom in her hand. The cold surface of it hummed softly. With each step toward Moonveil, her steps got heavy.
Kieran walked next to her, looking to the sky with his sharp eyes. "What are you not telling me, Elara?"
She paused and tightened her grip on the object. "Not here."
Rael, who was following behind, laughed. “Secrets already? We’re off to a great start.”
Aeron shot him a warning look. “Not this time, Rael.”
“Is there ever a good time?” Rael replied, but he quieted under Kieran’s sharp glance.
As Moonveil came into view, the stress in the group increased. Smoke curled into the sky from scattered fires, and voices c
