Never had Ruth been more grateful to be among fellow Godshards than right now.

  Jolene was able to put Aunt Kathy back together. She had never worked on a Benelim before, but she took it all in stride. By afternoon, Aunt Kathy had finally stopped bleeding, and she was given the room in the inner chambers, deep within the skeletal framework that was to be the temple sanctum. By this point, the sun was waning in the sky and most of the workers had left for the shore. Ruth insisted they give Aunt Kathy her space, and save the questions and discussions for the morning.

  Ruth needed her space, too.

  She went to the farest side of the island. The last time she was here was when she struggled to cast spells. It stung that she was back here, again. Both literally and proverbially. For all the deeds she had done, it seemed like it ended up with her in this place once again.

  If something happened to Mother, she’d never forgive herself. She never properly said goodbye, she’d never told her she loved her. Ruth never told her how grateful she was to her. She saved Ruth’s life, she trusted her and brought her to the island. She was always supportive of her.

  All the issues, all the problems they had felt so insignificant now. Mother was a skilled huntress and while she never flaunted it, she was a good fighter, too. But so was Aunt Kathy, and she barely survived. Ruth wanted to believe that Mother got to safety, that she got to the capital okay, but doubt and fear crept in. Ruth shook her head, and she collapsed onto the ground, her knees digging into the sand.

  The last conversation she had with them repeated over and over in her head. Ruth looked over every word. If she had said something different, would they have understood, would things have ended better? The pangs of regret and sadness reverberated like waves in the sea.

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  A gentle hand caressed Ruth’s shoulder, and she didn’t need to turn to know it was Sheba.

  Sheba sat down next to her and drew her close. Ruth heard Sheba’s voice in her head. It’s okay, my love. You can fall apart, I have you. Ruth let the tears come down. There was much to do, and Ruth knew she needed strength and courage. But for now though, all she wanted to do was cry.

  It could wait til morning.

  …………………

  Ruth was at Aunt Kathy’s side as she told the others what happened. It warmed Ruth’s heart to see the sympathy in their faces. Not just the Godshards, that was to be expected, but the other locals, the volunteers, the regular old humans who Mother and Aunt Kathy were usually so dismissive of. Ruth cringed and pushed that thought away, it didn’t matter anymore.

  Then again, Aunt Kathy was taken aback from their kindness and willingness to help. Maybe the seeds she planted all those years ago were growing after all. Ruth stood up once Aunt Kathy was finished.

  “We have to do something!” Ruth signed, never had her gestures been so bold and firm. “We need to help the Golden Wood. It is as much a home to me as this island is. However, I will not force anyone to come with me. Who will volunteer?” Ruth’s jaw dropped when everyone raised their hands. Well, Megan didn’t, and she quietly put down the children’s hands. But that’s beside the point.

  “We’ll need more than a few Godshards, Ruth,” signed Aunt Kathy.

  “Or a hundred men and women from the town,” signed Lea, gently pushing to the front of the crowd. “You’ll need a legion to take on a Maelim army that strong.”

  “Maybe more than one,” signed Sheba in agreement.

  Aunt Kathy frowned before signing. “What are you guys talking about? Humans don’t have such armies.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” signed Lea. “The Republic of Primus has quite the capable army.”

  “Even if that’s the case, would they be willing to help us?”

  Everyone turned to Ruth, and she felt the weight from their collective stare.

  As if predicting the apprehension, Sheba signed, “I’ll translate your signs like always, love.”

  “Clodius is currently in Submersio,” signed Lea. “You have the perfect opportunity to get his ear.”

  Ruth nodded. She turned to Aunt Kathy and upon seeing her stubborn skepticism, Ruth signed, “What do we have to lose?”