Chapter 15

It didn't take long for them to eat their makeshift breakfast. As soon as they'd gathered their few possessions they set off at pace on towards the Lake, pushing hard despite the protests of their aching legs. While Aaron's sight had been rather worryingly hampered by the recent turn of events, knowing where Phae was headed made things somewhat easier.

They continued on for much of the morning until their path brought them to the edge of the forest that marked the Lake's surrounds. As they drew nearer, they saw the first of the withered trees.

Lena gasped. "Oh my goodness!"

"What is it?" Aaron asked.

"That tree: it's dead!"

"It's worse than dead," Callum added. "It's like it's had every last ounce of life sucked out of it."

"And there's another one behind it look," Lena pointed, "And another. It's a trail!" She gasped and turned to face Callum. "You don't think Phae's responsible for this do you?"

Callum struggled to keep a neutral expression. "I don't know," he said. The cold