Echoes Of The Heather Wind

he twilight sky. Eryn MacLean stood at the edge of the smugglers' path, her boots caked with mud, the knife still warm from the crystal's destruction clutched in her hand. The vill

her belt, a reminder of the ritual that had

breathing was still ragged from the chapel's collapse. Isobel stood beside him, her dark hair tangled with twigs, the satchel of stolen papers clutched tightly. The siblings shared a silent exchange,

ly resolve, making her a distinct presence-fragile yet fierce. "The Order will regroup. Lachlan's pride

to flesh out this new threat. "Eadric? Who is he?" she asked, stepping closer to the siblings.

essed with power, using the grimoire's rituals to control entire bloodlines. I thought he'd stay in Edin

, an old castle north of here. It's their fallback. Eadric's likely there, planning his next move." The map's edges

d. I told them it was a landslide-bought us time. But we need to decide-run or fight?" Her resource

nt us forever. We take Duncreag, destroy their base, and expose E

we need a strategy," she said. "Mairi, can you scout the keep? Isobel, prepare the papers. Callum and I will plan the approach.

llum moved to a sheltered nook, the ravine's walls muffling the wind. The tome lay between them, its warmth a constant presence. "You're

der. It's my family-my past. I need you with me, Eryn." The vulnerability in his voice, the wa

ps, or a signal. Isobel tensed, looking up. "They're close," she whispered. Eryn grabbed her k

maze. Hours passed, the sky darkening to a velvet black punctuated by stars. They reached a vantage point overlooking Duncreag Kee

k point. But Eadric's there-I saw him. Tall, gray-haired, commanding. He's got Lachlan wi

ayout. There's a crypt beneath-where they store the g

en that's our target. We go at mi

Eryn and Callum sat close, their shoulders touching, the tome between

ys. But he wanted more-power over bloodlines, not just protection. Isobel and I rebelled w

romantic bond deepened, a quiet strength amidst the chaos. He squeezed her han

ned the gate approach, her voice a steady rhythm. As they moved, a figure emerged from the keep-Eadric, his gray h

nd, and the air thickened-a ritual beginning. The tome pulsed, and Callum gasped, c

rowled. The ritual faltered, and Eadric's shout echoed, but the distance saved them. They c

relics with oil from Mairi's flask, and lit a fuse. As flames erupted, they fled, the keep

the night. Eryn turned to Callum, their hands clasped. "W