Read Those Who Fear the Darkness (BloodRunes: Book 2) for Free Online

decided that they
should make it so that nothing at all could get through because of
all the rumors of invasion?”
    Gryffon looked uncomfortable and he shifted
his weight before answering, “We don't really know how to do
anything with the border spell anymore, the mages who set it up
didn't leave instructions or anything and after it went up a lot of
the stronger talents moved away saying that it was too disruptive
to their own magics.”
    Layna raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on
this interesting new piece of information. “So how would it have
changed?” Gryffon simply shrugged. “Alright, back to my original
question then: What do we do now?”
    “We could always be askin’ for help,” Charles
chimed in softly.
    As Layna looked back at him, she followed his
gaze and let out a gasp as part of the forest detached itself to
shimmer into the shape of a woman.
    “Hello, child,” the old woman said crinkling
her wrinkled face into a smile.
    “Mila?” Layna asked incredulously. She looked
closer at the woman, but as the woman's features sharpened, they
turned into someone Layna didn't know, despite the initial
resemblance.
    “Mila?” the woman repeated slowly. She looked
off into space a moment, and Layna could have sworn that the
withered lips formed a small smile. “No, no not Mila. My name is
Aileen. Come.”
    She turned back towards the woods and started
down a path Layna had not noticed earlier. She stopped a few paces
in and looked back at them expectantly. “Come,” she repeated
nodding and she held out her hand to beckon them.
    Layna looked from Charles to Gryffon who both
shrugged and started after the woman so Layna followed. Despite her
age, the woman was quite spry and she led them briskly through the
woods. She eventually pushed aside a curtain of vines to reveal a
beautiful clearing which held a small cottage. Flowers of every
color filled the clearing, with the stone walkway that led to the
front door the only section of ground without vegetation. A
wonderful smell filled Layna's senses as they made their way
towards the house.
    The woman opened the door and led them in,
indicating that they take seats around the table. They sat and
watched her curiously while she hummed and bustled around, setting
bowls in front of them which she proceeded to fill with a delicious
smelling soup. When they were all served, she took her own seat and
started eating. After a few spoonfuls she looked up at them,
seeming surprised to suddenly find people at the table with
her.
    “Oh my, where was I?” She bit her lip and
tapped her spoon on the table in concentration. “Well, don't let
your dinners get cold, I'll sort myself out presently.”
    They all picked up their spoons and Layna saw
Gryffon whisper something inaudible over the soup, nodding to her
and lifting the spoon to his mouth, letting Layna know that it was
safe to eat. She lifted her spoon as well.
    “Ah,” Aileen said. “Now I've got it. You are
trying to get across the border to escape from the King and warn
Treymayne of the growing threat.”
    Three spoons simultaneously stopped short
their motion and the people holding them sat tensely, waiting for
her to go on. She paused again. “You must excuse me, this is all
very new and it's hard to keep it all organized.” She narrowed her
eyes as if listening to something hard to make out and then said,
“Let's start at the beginning. My name is Aileen, I am part of a
very old group who we call the Hyrdraeden. We’ve been watching the
game unfold and have decided that it is time that we play a more
direct role in the proceedings. Since the beginning of your time
there has been an evil slumbering at our feet which we - the
Hyrdraeden - are sworn to prevent from rising forth. Once already
it has come perilously close, and we are afraid that this time it
has gotten too far already to simply put back to sleep.”
    “What kind of evil?”
    “The one you call the Sleeping God.”
    Layna almost spit out