Chapter 9Rohene
I awoke to the sounds of a trickling stream and fluting, morning birdsong. The relief at being in the natural world and away from the poisoned town was immense. My instincts insisted I was far from Leafgreen.
Eyes closed, I mentally replayed the events of the day before. On recalling the cloaked magician urging the troops into the coaches, bile, and acid rose in my throat. Part of me wished I’d acted—fired arrows into the evil figure—doing anything rather than nothing. But the bigger part guessed Marwa had been right to stop me. Whatever spell had been cast over Leafgreen was stronger than any skill I possessed.
Marwa. At the reminder of my nemesis, a different kind of trembling erupted across my skin. A vulnerable, gentler tremor, more of a caress than a reaction. My bo
