"Liraeth once told me… Oracles can glimpse into fate," Lumberling said, his voice calm as his spear whistled past her cheek. "Is that why you protect Kairo? Is there something about him?"
Agathis met his gaze even as she twisted aside, his weapon biting into the earth. "That nosy girl… I told her to keep her mouth shut."
"And now here you are, pulling it out of me." Her voice was even, but her eyes flickered strangely, as if caught between pride and despair. A small smile tugged at her lips, trembling. "Things really are… spiraling out of control."
She gave a short laugh, dry and humorless, then another, louder this time, until it carried a sharp edge. "Good. Yes… good. Surprise me more, Lord Lumberling."
Her laugh grew fuller, almost too loud for the frail body it came from, and her hands shook as faint light gathered in her palms.
