(Isla)
I stared at the name carved beneath the divided circle. Islalienne was written deep enough into the tree that years hadn't erased it. My mother had known this road would matter if I ever followed her. Vaela remained close as I touched the letters.
'She left it for us.'
'How can you know?'
'Because I feel her here.'
I kept my hand against the tree and looked toward the two roads ahead. One followed the river while the other turned toward the mountain. Tavian's map showed both routes, but only one eventually reached Frostvale. I looked back when Caius approached.
"Which road?" he asked.
"The one toward the mountain."
Caius took the map from the vehicle and opened it. Frostvale was marked beyond the mountain, exactly where Tavian had shown us. The longer road followed the river
