Heartstone - Chapter 28: Chapter 28
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The air thickened with smoke and pine as Marah, Avera, Denak, and their company rode through a narrow pass. The sound of hooves echoed against steep cliffs until the trees opened up to reveal a valley below—a stone-walled village nestled beside a frozen lake.
Torches lined the main path, flickering like sentinels in the morning haze.
Villagers paused their work and stared as the company approached—some with curiosity, others with unease. Tensions were still high across the region. Strangers often brought trouble.
At the village gates, guards stepped forward with spears raised. But before they could speak, Denak rode ahead and called out, “Peace! We bring news. Let us speak to your elder.”
Moments later, the gates creaked open.
They were led to the village center where the elder, Maelrin, waited—an aged man with white braids and eyes sharp as river ice. Beside him stood several clan leaders, warriors, and women wrapped in thick fur cloaks.
Marah stepped forward.
“Maelrin. Old friend.”
“Marah.” He nodded slowly. “You only come when the wind turns dangerous.”
“It has,” she replied. “More than you know.”
Marah turned and gestured toward Avera. “This is Avera. Daughter of the fallen. Child of the . The blood of the ancients runs through her.”
Avera stepped forward, removing her glove. The symbol on her palm pulsed softly with a light not of this world.
A hush fell over the gathering.
Maelrin took a slow breath. “So the flame lives again.”
Denak stepped beside Marah. “We’ve come to gather the tribes. The machines of the sky are coming. The earth will burn if we stand alone. But united—”
“—we will not fall,” Maelrin finished, eyes narrowing with renewed purpose.
He turned to the watching crowd and raised his voice. “Prepare the warriors. Light the hornfires on the eastern cliff. Let the valley know—we ride with the Daughter of Light!”
The crowd erupted into movement. Bells rang. Messengers sprinted through snow. Women carried water and weapons. The village was awakening.
Avera stood still, feeling the weight of it. The stories, the legacy… all now alive around her.
Marah turned to her quietly.
“One down. Five to go.”
Torches lined the main path, flickering like sentinels in the morning haze.
Villagers paused their work and stared as the company approached—some with curiosity, others with unease. Tensions were still high across the region. Strangers often brought trouble.
At the village gates, guards stepped forward with spears raised. But before they could speak, Denak rode ahead and called out, “Peace! We bring news. Let us speak to your elder.”
Moments later, the gates creaked open.
They were led to the village center where the elder, Maelrin, waited—an aged man with white braids and eyes sharp as river ice. Beside him stood several clan leaders, warriors, and women wrapped in thick fur cloaks.
Marah stepped forward.
“Maelrin. Old friend.”
“Marah.” He nodded slowly. “You only come when the wind turns dangerous.”
“It has,” she replied. “More than you know.”
Marah turned and gestured toward Avera. “This is Avera. Daughter of the fallen. Child of the . The blood of the ancients runs through her.”
Avera stepped forward, removing her glove. The symbol on her palm pulsed softly with a light not of this world.
A hush fell over the gathering.
Maelrin took a slow breath. “So the flame lives again.”
Denak stepped beside Marah. “We’ve come to gather the tribes. The machines of the sky are coming. The earth will burn if we stand alone. But united—”
“—we will not fall,” Maelrin finished, eyes narrowing with renewed purpose.
He turned to the watching crowd and raised his voice. “Prepare the warriors. Light the hornfires on the eastern cliff. Let the valley know—we ride with the Daughter of Light!”
The crowd erupted into movement. Bells rang. Messengers sprinted through snow. Women carried water and weapons. The village was awakening.
Avera stood still, feeling the weight of it. The stories, the legacy… all now alive around her.
Marah turned to her quietly.
“One down. Five to go.”
End of Heartstone Chapter 28. Continue reading Chapter 29 or return to Heartstone book page.