I remained there, my sobs wracking my body as I buried my face in Fae Aurora's embrace. "But what about the knowledge he was supposed to impart, Mom? Everything could unravel like this."
"Barbara," Fae Aurora's voice was a soothing murmur, her hand gentle against my head. "We'll find a way out of this together." Yet, my tears persisted, a torrent of fear and uncertainty.
Footsteps echoed, a thunderous intrusion. "What's happening?" Timothee's voice swept through the pavilion, urgency etched into every syllable. I lifted my head from Mom's shoulder, shaking it in response.
"Barbara, mate, what's going on?" Timothee pressed, his blue eyes narrowing. I couldn't find words, but his gaze shifted to Dwarf Altair, unmoving, blood staining his clothes. Timothee checked Altair's pulse, his jaw c
