Chapter 169 - Chapter 169: The Test

"They're like ghosts," Elara said. "Whispers in the wind, emotions carried in the very air around us. They move between the trees like phantoms, and sometimes they come close, as if they're trying to understand us. Sometimes, they pull away, as if afraid. They are not like anything I've ever felt before." She paused, her gaze darting towards something to her left, her eyes widening slightly as if she saw something that startled her. "Some are wary of you, Aric. They sense your desire for power, your—ambition. They're judging you, watching your every move. It's as though they're deciding if they should reveal more or keep you at a distance."