Taboo Online

The remaining Rootkeepers stayed where they were after Aelira ordered the final evacuation. Some watched the green passage, while others kept their attention on their Queen. No one openly refused her command, but reluctance showed in the way they held their ground.

Another recovery pulse traveled through the Heartroot. Silver light moved along the terrace and gathered around the passage as a system message appeared.

[Destination recovery cycle complete.]

[Stable controlled transfer available.]

The living wood beneath Aelira’s hand carried the same confirmation to her. She straightened as much as the Thornmender supporting her allowed, then looked toward the final wounded defenders.

"The wounded cross first. Move them now."

That finally broke the hesitation. Four Rootkeepers went to the stretchers while the remaining Thornmender checked the bindings around one defender’s abdomen.

The elf was conscious, though barely. When they lifted him, his eyes opened and wandered across the nearly empty sanctuary.

"My Queen?"

Aelira stepped close enough for him to see her. "I’m still here. Go with them."

His breathing eased.

Two wounded defenders, the passage marshal, and three Rootkeepers formed the next group. Aelira waited until they reached the opening before giving the final instruction.

"Wait on the other side until Lauren confirms the roots have settled. Do not send anyone back for us."

The passage marshal bowed. "Yes, my Queen."

They crossed one after another, and once they were gone, the sanctuary seemed much larger.

Luke had spent most of the evacuation surrounded by voices, hurried footsteps, frightened families, and wounded elves being carried between terraces. Now he could see across entire levels without anyone blocking his view.

Abandoned blankets remained beside empty resting places. Shallow bowls sat where the Thornmenders had treated injuries, and a child had left a small wooden cup near one of the living rails. Around all of it, the Heartroot continued drawing unused rooms and pathways back into itself.

No one approached the passage again until the tension in the silver paths eased and Lauren’s confirmation traveled back through the bridge. Only then did Aelira order the next group forward.

The last wounded defenders crossed with Rootkeepers supporting them. Once the final stretcher disappeared into the green light, the sanctuary settled into another enforced pause.

Luke could feel the bridge recovering through the core beneath his palm. The difference was subtle now, little more than a slight easing of pressure in his arm, but everyone had learned to respect it.

When Lauren finally confirmed that the destination roots had settled again, only Aelira, the Thornmender, four Rootkeepers, and the awakened visitors remained.

One of the Rootkeepers looked around the nearly empty sanctuary before turning to his Queen.

"My Queen, let us take you through now. There are enough of us left to carry you if your legs fail."

Aelira shook her head.

His jaw tightened. "There is no one else left here for us to protect."

She rested more of her weight against the Thornmender. There was no point pretending she could still stand unaided, but nothing about her voice weakened.

"Our people are on the other side."

The Rootkeeper remained in place.

"They crossed into a world they have never seen," Aelira continued. "Some are wounded. Some still do not know whether the people they love survived. Every human face around them belongs to the same race that destroyed their home."

Her gaze moved across the four Rootkeepers.

"That is where I need you."

"We are sworn to you."

Aelira looked past him toward the empty terraces. "You are sworn to Lethariel."

The words settled over them, and several Rootkeepers followed her gaze. Places that had once held families were empty now, while entire sections of the sanctuary had already disappeared into the central trunk. Their footsteps were among the only sounds left.

Aelira gave them time to take that in.

When she finally spoke again, her voice had softened. "Lethariel is no longer the ground beneath our feet. Go to the people who carried it with them."

The oldest Rootkeeper bowed his head. After a moment, he drew his white-wood blade, laid it flat against his chest, and lowered himself onto one knee. The others followed.

"We will protect what remains," he said.

Something tightened in Aelira’s expression.

"Protect what comes next."

The Rootkeeper looked up at her. The grief in his eyes was no longer hidden behind discipline.

"Yes, my Queen."

The four Rootkeepers rose and entered the passage together. Green light closed behind them, but no one followed.

The Heartroot’s silver paths brightened and dimmed with each recovery pulse while Lauren and Luke held the two ends of the bridge steady. The Thornmender used the delay instead of standing idle.

She guided Aelira toward the nearest living support and carefully checked the blood-darkened armor around her ribs.

"You’re bleeding through the dressing again."

"I know."

The Thornmender slipped two fingers beneath the damaged edge of Aelira’s armor. Iris’s golden lifeline tightened around the Queen’s ribs when the pressure made her breathing catch.

"Your mana is almost gone, and your pulse drops whenever the lifeline weakens. The Heartroot is doing half the work of keeping you standing."

Aelira kept her gaze on the passage. "My people need their last Thornmender."

"They also need their Queen to survive long enough to lead them."

Aelira looked at her, and the Thornmender held her gaze. Neither woman spoke for several seconds.

Then the healer turned toward Luke.

"Luke."

He lifted his head from where the Heartroot held him against its core.

"You reached the corruption when I could not."

Aelira’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing.

The Thornmender continued. "When I leave, she will finish whatever the Heartroot still requires. I know that much. What concerns me is what happens afterward."

Luke looked toward Aelira. "She’ll cross."

The Thornmender did not seem convinced. "She has spent the entire night finding one more reason to stay where she is needed."

Aelira’s mouth tightened. "I intend to leave when the rite is finished."

The healer simply looked at her.

Aelira held the stare for several seconds before turning away.

Luke might have laughed under different circumstances. He no longer had the energy, and the sight of both women barely standing took any humor out of the moment.

The Thornmender returned her attention to him. "Do not let her remain here until there is nothing left to save."