The Seeds of Doubt
Isla wandered the ancient temple grounds in restless contemplation, her thoughts tangled in Kaelen’s revelations. The carved stone paths and moss-covered pillars spoke of a forgotten age, yet they offered no answers to the questions gnawing at her heart. She spent hours pacing the secluded halls, trying to reconcile the father she barely knew with the life she had lived without him.
Kaelen approached her often, attempting to bridge the gap between them. One evening, they sat near the flickering light of a brazier, the flames casting shifting shadows across their faces.
“Your mother believed in destiny,” Kaelen said, his voice low and steady. “She saw something in you, something powerful and rare. She wanted to prepare you for the future she knew was coming.”
Isla’s silver eyes burned as she turned to him. “Then why didn’t she stay?” she demanded, her voice sharp with anger. “Why didn’t she guide me instead of leaving me to survive alone?”
Kaelen’s shoulders sagged, and his blue eyes filled with regret. “She thought her absence would protect you. She believed it was the only way to keep you alive.”
The words left Isla feeling hollow. She wanted to believe him, but doubt had taken root too deeply in her heart.
Meanwhile, Eira’s presence lingered like a shadow. She appeared often during Isla’s moments of solitude, her words weaving a web of subtle influence. One morning, as Isla stood on a rocky outcrop overlooking the mist-covered mountains, Eira approached quietly, her silver robes flowing like water.
“You’ve carried anger for so long,” Eira said, her voice soft yet penetrating. “Perhaps it’s time to let it go.”
“How can I?” Isla snapped, her frustration boiling over. “When the people who were supposed to protect me left me behind?”
Eira’s expression softened, a faint sadness flickering in her gaze. “Sometimes, those who leave do so out of love,” she replied, her tone almost wistful.
The words hung in the air, but they offered Isla no solace.
