1380

The Herald broke the silence.

"Elder Goman is just through here," The Herald said indicating an ornate wooden door.

"Let's go." he said without meeting her gaze. The guilt rolling over their bond was so strong it was almost palpable, and it had that dark edge to it that just didn't feel natural.

Come to think of it, she'd felt this darkness from him several times over the last week or two. It clung to his thoughts like ugly to a troll, but it was a subtle thing too; insidious, pernicious. There was no denying the darkness behind it though...

Then the thought slipped from her mind.

* * *

Beth followed Ethan and Alana as they followed the herald to meet this Elder Goman person. Ever since the fight, the dark halo around Ethan's head had grown larger, thicker, and darker. It looked even more evil, if that was even possible.

The creeping roots from the dark halo - which before had originally struggled to find purchase on his head - were now securely fastened and had started winding their