Chapter 23 The Power Of The Orb

• The fire crackled softly in the hearth, the warmth wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. Lyra lay in her makeshift bed, her mind racing. The pleasant meal had provided temporary relief, but her instincts screamed that they were not safe yet. The flickering shadows in the room danced eerily, mirroring the turmoil inside her.
• Sleep came in fits and starts, her dreams plagued by visions of the Eldertree and the dark choice that awaited her. When dawn broke, it arrived with an unsettling stillness. Lyra rose early, quietly moving through the cottage as her companions still slept. She found herself in the small kitchen, where remnants of last night’s stew lingered.
• “Couldn’t sleep?” Davin’s quiet voice startled her. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and gaze steady.