The Untold Forest by Elisa Menz (web ebook reader txt) 📗

sat on the floor, legs crossed, surrounded by dozens of ancient-looking books and scrolls floating around him. He seemed to control their movements with both hands, idly roaming through their pages, lifting and setting down one after the other. His eyes fluttered at an amazing speed, while his head snapped from book to book so fast they couldn’t follow the movement.

“What is he doing?” Maeve asked, amazed by the sight.

“Didn’t I tell you your brother had a special technique to learn and study?” Ystävä smiled at her. “You are watching him in action.”

Before anyone could say a word, the elf hugged her. “It’s such a relief to see you’re safe, Maeve. Kniv told us about your kidnapping. Finn was beside himself.”

“Does he know I’m here?”

“No, probably not. His focus is absolute when he is studying, and the current situation didn’t allow us to leave the cabin and help with your search. We were desperately needed here. I’m sorry, Maeve.”

She patted his arm. “Please, don’t apologize. We brought something you two need to see. And someone you need to meet.”

She summed up the latest events, and by the end, Ystävä was practically bouncing. “This is a wonderful opportunity! We need to study this dust and talk with Flyg. I need your brother to snap out of it. Give me one moment.” The elf started rummaging through another pile of books.

Regn whispered. “Do you think he needs some kind of spell to wake him of his trance?”

Ystävä grabbed the largest book from the pile and turned to Finn, frowning in concentration. He took a deep breath, and with a swift move, he threw the bulky tome, hitting Finn right in the face and sending him sprawling on his back.

“Ah, for fuck’s sake!” Every flying object plunged to the floor while Finn held a hand to his bloody nose, hollering and thrashing with outrage. Regn bit his fist, hiding behind Maeve while trying to stiff a laugh.

“Couldn’t you throw a pillow, you half-baked elf?”

“This only works if I hit you with something hard.”

“You broke my nose!”

“Oh, stop your whining!” Ystävä made a flair in his direction, and his nose snapped back to its place with a loud crack, making everyone flinch.

After brushing the blood and tears from his face, Finn blinked and discovered Maeve standing in front of him. He jumped to his feet and ran to hug her. “Maeve!  Oh, my little mushroom, I’m so relieved to see you safe! Could you please, pretty please stop being reckless while there is a potential mass murder at hand?”

“Hey! It wasn’t my fault!” she protested.

“Actually, it kind of was...” Regn smirked, and she couldn’t help sending a guilty glance his way. He was right; she should have been more careful.

“Anyway, if not for the kidnapping, I wouldn’t have this.” She showed them the small vial. “I had a lot of interesting help, but I got us a sample.”

Finn took it and glanced at Ystävä. “Do you think you can control it if it’s still active?”

The elf nodded. “Absolutely. You two should stand back.”

Both Warlocks cleared a table and set a white bowl in the middle. Regn stood in front of Maeve, as far from them as the room allowed it. Everyone held their breaths while Finn uncorked the vial, pouring its contents in the bowl. The fine red dust piled up harmlessly in the middle; not one speck behaving any differently than regular dust. For a moment, no one moved. Whatever power controlled the dust was now gone.

Finn drew near it, spreading it apart with a tiny spoon, frowning and mumbling to himself. They watched him smell the dust, crunch it, mix it with a liquid solution.  All while humming off tune. His face lit up soon after.

“Aha! I knew reading Akmen’s Compendium of Soil and Terrain would come in handy!” He twirled to offer his audience the brightest of smiles. “I know where this dust comes from.”

“Are you certain?” Regn didn’t seem convinced. “You barely looked at it.”

“Ugh... you non-believers.” Finn lifted the bowl for everyone to see. “The distinct reddish coloration comes from the iron-rich slopes of the mountain range in which the half-breed mountain tribe is located. Also! See the black dust specks here and there? These are volcanic in nature. Not one active volcano near the same area, which means this comes directly from deep within the mountain.”

“How deep?” Regn looked skeptical.

“Deep. Like magma rivers flowing beneath the mountain deep.” Finn’s enthusiasm faded out as he once more was lost in thought. “At least forty other details prove I’m right, but we have no time for those. I’m certain. If someone is orchestrating this attack... they should be down there.” He looked at Ystävä with worry.

The elf shook his head. “I can only think of one powerful enough to survive in the deeps, and I hope, for all our sakes, I’m wrong.”

A loud knock on the door startled Maeve, interrupting them. Ystävä moved to open, revealing a most concerned Kniv. “You should come and speak to them. Things are getting out of hand.”

Ystävä garbed himself as the Warlock and joined Maeve, Regn, and Kniv to meet the crowd. The loud cacophony of voices stilled as soon as they approached, and Tyst and the elder bowed to Ystävä. “Thank you for hearing us, venerable Eternal. We realize there is no straightforward solution to this plight, so we have decided to act swiftly to prevent further death.”

“I understand your concern, but I’d advise against it. Acting rashly might cause immeasurable damage.” Ystävä’s voice was now the voice of the Warlock, deep and calming.

The elder shook his head. “If we allow this malady to continue spreading, our chances of success will diminish. We need to join forces and slay everyone infected with this dust.”

“But you will kill innocents!” Regn exclaimed, furious.

“We understand! And we are prepared to bear the shame of sacrificing our people.” Tyst face hardened with grief. “There is no cure, so we have no other solution.”

“There is a cure!” They all turned to Maeve, who