The fog in the north did not move like ordinary fog.
It did not drift with the wind. It did not thin when it rained. Instead, the fog stood like a great wall that blocked out the world behind it.
Aurelia could feel it even before she drew near.
The energy emanating from the fog was cold.
Not cold because of the air.
But cold that seeped down to the bone.
Ahead of her, the three guards walked without hesitation.
The man with gray eyes led the way.
His steps were light, as if he had traveled this path a hundred times over.
"You've been quiet since the fight," he said without looking back.
Aurelia kept walking behind him.
"So have you."
The man let out a small laugh.
"True."
They continued along the forest path that grew increasingly narrow.
The great trees began to thin out.
The ground turned to stone and ancient roots that jutted out from the surface.
In the distance, the sound of wind from the mountains began to be heard.
