Chapter 56: Complex Web
Elder Thorne and Elder Oakley stood at the far end of the castle as they stared at Lyraeus and Aria as they stood at the other end of the field discussing. They exchanged a knowing look as they watched Aria stagger back to the castle. It seemed like whatever discussion she had with Lyraeus didn’t end well.
Elder Oakley and Thorne understood what Lyraeus meant, having witnessed his journey firsthand. They knew the weight of his past, the burden of the curse that he bears, and the loss that shaped him.
As Aria approached them her shoulders were slumped in sadness, as she fought to maintain a composed expression, but the pain was evident in her eyes.
“Aria,” Thorne began gently, breaking the silence, “there are things about Lyraeus that are not easy to understan
