Chapter 676: Ash, Roots, and What Was Remembered

Chapter 675: Ash, Roots, and What Was Remembered

Orion picked up his cloak and fastened it properly before moving toward the door.

He opened it just in time to see Ronan’s hand still hanging in the air, as if he had been about to knock again.

Ronan grinned immediately.

"Well," he said, "I was beginning to think perhaps you had forgotten the meeting, or that you were taking your time dressing like some noble lady."

Orion didn’t even bother answering him.

He stepped past him instead, heading straight toward where Sophia was waiting.

Behind him, Ronan let out an offended sound.

"Oh no, no, no," he said, quickly falling into step beside him. "You don’t get to ignore me like that. This is a group walk. Me, you, and Sophia."

Orion exhaled through his nose.

"Since when did that become a rule?" he muttered.

"Since I decided it," Ronan replied immediately. "Just now."

Orion shot him a look, making his friend’s smile widen.

"And before you even think about it," Ronan added, "I am not being the third wheel today. I refuse."

Orion stopped walking briefly.

"You will always be the third wheel when it’s me and Sophia," he said flatly.

Ronan gasped at that.

"I wish I could say I hate you, brother."

"It’s too bad you can’t. And besides, if you don’t want to be the third wheel then go and find Annabeth."

Ronan clicked his tongue.

"Brother, why would I bring that lovely woman with me when we are going to the council hall? She’s not part of the council of elders and... um... I still haven’t really convinced her to give me a chance, so..."

Orion chuckled at that.

Then, without warning, Ronan turned toward Sophia.

"Hey, sis," he said brightly, already reaching for her hand. "Let’s go."

Sophia blinked, slightly startled, but before she could respond, Ronan had already taken her hand and started walking.

Orion growled lowly.

"Ronan," he said sharply, "let go of her."

Ronan didn’t even look back.

"Relax," he said casually. "We are walking. Together. Like a happy little group."

Orion stepped forward immediately.

"I swear to you—"

"Orion," Sophia said gently, cutting him off.

He stopped immediately and exhaled slowly.

Then he muttered, "You are lucky she likes you."

Ronan smiled brightly over his shoulder.

"I know."

They continued walking in silence then, but it didn’t last long when some children saw them and threw a snowball at the three of them, who in turn threw it back at the children, playing with them briefly.

They pushed the door to the council hall open, and most of the elders were already seated, well except for the three of them. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The room was arranged in its usual structure, a long table stretching through the centre.

Mary sat in her usual place beside Tobias.

Lysander was seated near Brynhild.

Caspian, Madam Tyler, Daniel, and Eldric were already present, their attention turning toward the newcomers as they entered.

Orion didn’t hesitate.

He walked forward and took his seat at the head of the table.

Sophia moved to his right, Ronan to his left.

No one spoke for a brief moment.

Then Madam Tyler’s gaze softened slightly as it landed on Sophia.

"Child," she said gently. "Are you alright now?"

Sophia nodded.

"Yes," she replied softly. "I am fine."

Madam Tyler studied her for a moment longer.

Then, even more quietly, she asked, "Do you remember everything now?"

A small silence passed through the table.

Sophia hesitated only briefly.

Then she nodded again.

"Yes," she said.

That single word seemed to settle something in the room, though whether it was comfort or concern, Orion couldn’t tell.

Before anyone else could speak, Ronan leaned back in his chair and raised a hand slightly.

"Before anyone starts interrogating her about her memories," he said, "there is something that should be known."

Orion glanced at him.

Ronan continued.

"Kairen has started cultivation of the corpse plant."

That made a few heads shift slightly.

Ronan nodded once.

"And according to him, a month should be enough for it to fully develop under controlled conditions."

Mary frowned immediately.

"I still do not understand why we are cultivating it at all," she said. "We already know what it does."

Lysander turned slightly toward her.

"That is exactly why," he replied calmly. "We know what it does in its natural state. Cultivation allows us to study variations, structure, and possible hidden properties."

Mary gave him a long look.

"And if there are none?" she asked.

Lysander shrugged slightly.

"Then we confirm that too."

Mary leaned back in her seat.

"That sounds like a very long way of saying we are curious."

Lysander didn’t deny it.

Caspian let out a small breath.

"Curiosity is not a crime," he said quietly.

Mary muttered something under her breath but said nothing further.

Eldric adjusted his glasses slightly as he leaned forward, his earrings swaying with the movement.

"The issue with the Trine of Ash and Vein," he began, "remains unresolved. We are just calling it that but the main issue is the rocks Ronan described."

Madam Tyler nodded once.

"And we have still not been able to get the full meaning of what was written on those rocks."

A brief silence followed that.

Orion’s fingers tapped lightly against the table once, then stopped.

Sophia, however, spoke next.

"I will assist you," she said calmly.

All eyes shifted toward her.

She didn’t flinch.

"I will also bring the translations from the altar," she added.

That alone made the room go still for a moment longer.

Then Tobias, who had been quiet until now, slowly raised his hand.

"Um..." he said carefully.

Every head turned toward him.

"I may know more about the Trine of Ash and Vein," he added. "I think I can help."

Silence dropped over the hall instantly, even heavier than before, and Tobias swallowed as he brought his hand down.

"Perhaps I should not have said anything?" he asked them in a soft voice.

Ronan leaned forward, a fake smile on his face.

"Tell me, brother," he said. "I told you about everything two days ago, right?"

Tobias swallowed.

"Do tell," Ronan continued. "Why didn’t you say anything then?"