Chapter 20

They arrived in the city by noon. India still felt shaken from the earlier incident. Her ability to manipulate the water, although not consciously, troubled her as much as it fascinated her. 

The Pillar of Stone was unlike the temple, a community with multiple stone buildings, but apart from that, it was like any bustling city. They arrived at a market, carts were being pulled about, and hawkers were shouting out their wares. The people wore dark clothing, no bright colors. Hilda drew the black cloak she’d put on at the edge of the forest over her shoulders. Stopping by one of the vendors, she picked up a fruit that seemed a cross between a mulberry and an apple. She seemed to be conversing with the vendor, then she paid for a bag of the fruit and took it with a sharp nod.

“The King has not been seen for days, but he is within the castle. There is talk of war; soldiers have been moved to the border town of Lolbridge,” she said, handing them the fruits.

“Where’