Chapter 15
Night passed and most of the next day, as Castien and Theirn moved deeper into the interior of the island. The terrain along the pass became rougher the farther into the mountains they went. Even though it was early summer there was an unnatural chill dampness to the air. The moisture made the going hazardous when the rocky path beneath their feet became slippery.
Theirn stopped at one point, scowling at a particularly barren area along one side of the pass. “It should be warmer than this, and there,” he pointed, “that should be green and flourishing, not brown and sere. He has done something to the land, something evil.”
“Drawing power from it,” Castien suggested.
“I will kill him for that alone,” Theirn growled.
“I do not fault your feelings, my lad, but that is not why w
