Chapter Twenty-Two

Taiya frowned as she walked across the grounds of the Citadel. She had caught a hint of movement in the woods beyond, and her Elven senses raised a feeling of unease. She couldn’t say why.

Things had been proceeding with relative smoothness following the death of the Maajira. A group of thirty experienced Sorceresses had been sent off to join in the defense of Chulakh two days prior, and those remaining at the Citadel continued their own preparations for the coming conflict. Taiya had been tempted to accompany them, for she was eager to aid in the battle, but she had promised to remain and aid Ciara in her research.

Ciara had yet to find a viable antidote to the small creatures’ venom, even with Taiya’s assistance. However, she believed she would find the solution before long. She spent virtually every waking minute in her laborium poring over the problem.

Taiya had been assisting her, but had decided that she wished to take a walk. The Jivanaar preferred open spaces to confinement