Chapter 4
Rhaine stepped into the dimly lit chamber, her soft leather boots barely making a sound against the polished stone floor. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of old parchment and a faint trace of incense burned lingering. Healer Mirriam stood near the far wall, her gaze fixed on a faded mural of the sect's founding—ancient warriors holding a flame aloft while the wounded lay at their feet. Her fingers traced the edges of the mural absently, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.
As Rhaine entered, the tension in the room shifted like a tightening cord. It was as though the very stones recognized her presence.
"What happened, Healer Mirriam?" Rhaine's voice was calm, measured, but her eyes reflected a flicker of concern.
Healer Mirriam turned, her expression grim and unreadable. The lines on her face seemed deeper than usual, her eyes shadowed by the weight of whatever burden she bore. She studied Rhaine for a moment, as if searching for something, before speaking in a low voice.
"I need you to travel to the kingdom of Eldora."
Rhaine stiffened almost imperceptibly, her fingers tightening around the folds of her cloak. "Eldora? Why?"
Mirriam hesitated, glancing toward the door as if wary of unseen ears. Her voice dropped even lower, barely above a whisper. "The rumors are not mere whispers. The map... l think this time it will resurface in that kingdom. Our elders left ruins in caves near the palace before King Warwick ascended the throne. This time it should show with the blood moon appearing."
The air in the room grew colder, as though the walls themselves recoiled at the mention of the map. Rhaine's expression didn't betray the unease rising within her, but her mind raced. That map had been buried with their elder leaders, lost to time—or so they believed.
"And you're certain?" Rhaine asked, her voice steady despite the dread coiling in her chest.
Mirriam nodded. "Certain enough to send you. You must retrieve it before it falls into the wrong hands. If it does, Rhaine, the wars we've seen so far will pale in comparison to what's coming."
Before Rhaine could respond, a faint scuffling sound came from outside the door.
Outside the Great Hall, Selara crouched by the heavy double doors, her ear pressed against the cold wood. She frowned in frustration, shifting slightly to find a better angle.
"You won't hear anything," the female warrior standing guard said flatly, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. Her tone was laced with boredom, but her sharp eyes never left Selara.
"It doesn't hurt to try," Selara whispered back, narrowing her eyes at the faint dividing line between the doors. She leaned in, squinting as if the gap might magically reveal something.
The doors suddenly creaked open, making Selara yelp and stumble back. Standing in the doorway was Rhaine, arms crossed, an amused expression dancing across her face.
"Did you succeed this time?" Rhaine asked, raising an eyebrow as she stepped into the hall.
Selara grinned sheepishly, brushing herself off. "Not even close," she admitted, falling into step beside Rhaine as they walked down the hall.
Rhaine's amusement softened into something warmer. "What did Healer Mirriam say?" Selara pressed eagerly.
Rhaine hesitated, her mind replaying Mirriam's words. But this wasn't the time or place for explanations. "I'll explain on the way," she said, glancing at Selara. Her lips curved into a small smile. "Do you want to go to the kingdom of Eldora?"
Selara's eyes widened, her face lighting up with excitement. "Eldora? Really? You're taking me to Eldora?"
"If you can pack quickly enough," Rhaine replied, her tone teasing.
Selara nearly tripped over her own feet in her excitement, already running through a list of everything she'd need.
Sometime later…..
The soft glow of lanterns lit the sect's gardens as Rhaine knelt by a patch of rare, star-shaped flowers that shimmered faintly in the moonlight. Her hands moved with practiced care, delicately uprooting the plants and placing them into a small wooden box lined with damp moss.
Selara sat cross-legged nearby, her chin resting on her palm as she watched. "You're really taking that with you?" she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
"I have to," Rhaine replied calmly, her focus never wavering.
Selara scoffed lightly, tilting her head. "The famous Lunarest Essence. You know people think it's some kind of magical beauty potion, right? If only they knew." She leaned back on her hands, her grin mischievous. "So, are you planning on staying emotionless forever?"
Rhaine finally glanced up, her expression as serene as ever. "It's not about being emotionless," she replied. "It's about staying focused. L have a duty as the saintess. Attachment can cloud judgment."
"Attachment can cloud judgment," Selara mimicked dramatically, rolling her eyes. "You sound like the sect elders. Come on, Rhaine. Don't you ever wonder what it's like? To feel something? To... you know..." She waved her hand vaguely, her cheeks reddening.
Rhaine's lips twitched into the faintest of smiles before she returned her attention to the flowers. "Selara, you've been listening to too many romance ballads again."
"Maybe I have," Selara shot back with a grin, leaning forward. "But seriously. Don't you ever think about it? About what it would be like to love someone? To have someone look at you like you're their whole world?"
Rhaine didn't answer immediately, carefully plucking another flower and placing it in the box. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady but quiet. "Feelings like that can lead to weakness. And weakness can be exploited. You know that as well as I do."
Selara sighed, flopping onto her back dramatically. "You're impossible. Here I am dreaming of romance, and you're out here uprooting flowers to make sure you never feel it." She sat up suddenly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What if you meet someone who actually makes you feel something?"
"It's not possible" she shaking her head then stands up and looks at selara, "My elixir will make sure of that" she says before proceeding to walk out of the garden.