All Chapters of The Mark Of Orathyn : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The tremor passed through the chamber just as suddenly as it had begun, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake. For a few seconds no one spoke. They simply waited, listening for another sound from somewhere deep beneath the mountain. When nothing followed, Astrid let out a slow breath and lowered her sword."I'd just like everyone to know," she said, looking around the room, "that this time I didn't touch anything."Rosalie smiled. "You're becoming very responsible.""I'm serious.""So am I."Lucien glanced up from the carved map with an expression that suggested he was only half listening. "Whatever caused that wasn't in this room."Rowan closed his journal and looked toward the hidden doorway. "Which means we've learned enough for today. We have the map, we've found another section of the city, and we're all still alive. I'd like to keep it that way."Lucien sighed in disappointment. "You always know how to ruin a perfectly good discovery.""I prefer the phrase prevent a perfectly av

The three of them returned to camp faster than they had intended.Astrid spent most of the walk insisting she wasn't frightened, which only convinced Pearl and Evren that she absolutely was."I'm not scared," Astrid said for what felt like the tenth time.Pearl smiled. "No one asked.""I know."Evren looked over."Then why do you keep saying it?"Astrid sighed dramatically."Because if I don't say it out loud, one of you will."Pearl laughed."You're impossible.""I've been spending too much time around all of you."By the time they reached the camp, Rowan was already waiting outside the library with Lucien and Rosalie. One look at their faces was enough for Rowan to realize something had happened."What did you find?"Astrid answered before anyone else could."A footprint."Lucien straightened immediately."Where?""The eastern district."Rosalie looked between them."The same kind?"Pearl nodded."It matched the ones underground."The easy atmosphere around the camp disappeared.Row

The wolf remained beside the doorway, watching them with the same quiet patience it had shown since appearing at the northern gate.No one hurried forward.Rowan studied the small stone house from where they stood, taking in the weathered walls and the ivy climbing around the entrance. Unlike many of the buildings in Orathyn, this one had survived almost untouched. Even the wooden door remained in place, though time had faded it to a pale grey."It doesn't look important," Astrid said.Lucien smiled faintly."Those are usually the important ones.""I was afraid you'd say that."Rosalie looked from the house to the wolf."So... what now?""We find out why it brought us here," Rowan answered.He started toward the doorway, and the rest of the group followed. As they drew closer, the wolf quietly stepped aside without a sound. It neither entered the house nor moved away. It simply sat beside the stone wall, as though its task had ended.Pearl slowed her steps."It's staying outside."Evr

For several moments, no one spoke.The tiny gap beneath the lid was barely visible, yet it held everyone's attention. After everything they had uncovered inside Orathyn, even the smallest change felt significant. The chest hadn't opened completely, but it had done enough to prove that whatever protected it was no longer entirely sealed.Astrid finally broke the silence."So... are we celebrating the fact that we almost opened it?"Lucien didn't look away from the chest."I think 'encouraged' is the better word.""You look ready to throw a party.""I've considered it."Rosalie smiled."I believe you."The quiet laughter eased the tension lingering in the room, but Rowan remained focused on the chest. After studying it for another moment, he slowly stood and dusted off his hands."We're not forcing it open."Lucien sighed, though there was no real disappointment in his expression."I knew that was coming.""You also know why.""I do."He glanced back at the chest one last time before st

When Pearl and Evren returned to camp, they found the rest of the expedition exactly where they had left them. Lucien was still buried beneath an impressive mountain of notes, though now Rowan had joined him, patiently copying translated passages into a fresh journal. Rosalie had somehow convinced Astrid to help organize the papers, a decision she appeared to be regretting almost immediately.Astrid held up two nearly identical sheets."Lucien.""Hm?""Why do you have three copies of the same page?""They're different."She compared them again."They're absolutely not.""They are to me."Rosalie leaned over for a look before laughing."I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think Astrid's right."Lucien looked personally offended."Neither of you appreciates proper documentation.""No," Astrid replied. "We appreciate being able to find the table underneath it."Pearl slipped quietly into her chair, smiling as she watched them. The easy bickering had become so natural that it was diffi