Chapter 21
Iellieth and Marcon stopped in a small clearing off the road for the night shortly before dusk. She gathered stones to create a circle for their campfire while Marcon searched for logs and kindling. With each rock, she set aside others’ objections to her joining the druid conclave.
She was an outsider and didn’t know the ways of the forest.
Her privileged upbringing hadn’t prepared her to contribute meaningfully to the community.
A great enemy threatened her, and her proximity endangered them all.
She’d failed to protect the forest from loggers.
Beneath each of these, a single fear pulsed. She didn’t belong. She didn’t belong. She didn’t belong.
“Did you find enough stones, lady?” Marcon’s voice startled her. She hadn’t heard him return.
“I did. It’s all ready.”
Ielliet
