The Veil of Elaria

e hearts of the villagers. Long ago, it was said, such calm preceded calamity-a time when the gods stopped speaking, and the veil between worl

head as he skidded to a halt outside the healer's hut. Inside, his younger sister, Elira, lay pale and motionless, a sheen of sweat glist

ved. His weathered face, half-hidden beneath a hood, turned slightly as Ka

n replied, his tone edged with

nd to silence him. "The vei

What does that me

a clay bowl and carried it to Elira. Kaelen watched as the healer's fingers traced an anc

his sickness is no accident." He turned to Kaelen, his gaze pier

s. They'd stumbled upon an ancient stone circle, its weathered monoliths looming like sentinels. In the center, a faintly glow

dmitted reluctantly. "In the woo

oolish child! The Stone of Elaria

f Elaria?" K

keeping the realms of mortals and immortals apart. By touching it, y

sted. "What do we do

said, "There may be a way, but it will not be easy. The St

n whispered, his v

her essence. A shadow from beyond the veil.

uld he possibly face such a task? But one look at Elira'

said firmly. "Tel

moment, then sighed. "Gather

were being watched. The shadows seemed to stretch too long, the silence too o

th winding ever closer to the ancient stone circle. Along the way, Haldwyn spoke of the Old

owed but pulsed faintly, as if alive. Haldwyn began to chant in a language Kaelen didn't

otherworldly hue, and Kaelen found himself standing at the edge of a vast, eerie expanse. Ha

id. Somewhere within this realm lay his sister