Chapter 8
Three days travel on the road neared the end. Steigan and Tyana topped the last hill on Travelers' Road and were about to drop down into the valley where New Lilinar sat. Like a blue jewel, the lake glistened in the late morning sunlight and the Temple seemed to rise out of the center like a fortress guarding the gem. The sprawling town of New Lilinar stretched out from the lake. To the left of the city and in stark contrast to the beauty of New Lilinar were the ghostly remains of a once great town, the gray ruins of Lilinar.
“Almost there,” Steigan said, reaching down to pat Tyana's neck. “I'm sure you're as ready as ah--”
Pain exploded through Steigan at the same time he realized he'd been knocked off Tyana. A dark weight tumbled with him as leaves, twigs, and vines crunched
