They rode in silence up the old roadway that led to the back side of campus, past the barrow where they\u2019d buried the dead, then up the hill toward the battered, snow-shrouded Shakespeare Garden. Seamus reined up his mount just shy of the battered hedge around that garden, staring bleakly at the ruin from his saddle.<\/p>\n
\u201cD\u00e9ithe agus arrachtaigh<\/em>,\u201d he breathed, gaze drifting across the remains of the garden\u2019s former glory. \u201cWhat tore this apart?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe camazotzi<\/em>,\u201d Thom said wearily, shifting slightly in his saddle. \u201cIt was a while ago now. It\u2019s why the fairies stick near us now. They used to live here until all of this.\u201d<\/p>\n Seamus closed his eyes, looking pained. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no reason you should have,\u201d J.T. said, his voice tight. \u201cCameron and I are going to ride ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, don\u2019t,\u201d Seamus said, tearing his gaze away from the garden. \u201cI\u2019m coming. Forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Cameron said. \u201cA few minutes isn\u2019t going to make a difference one way or another.\u201d He glanced toward Thom for confirmation.<\/p>\n Thom shook his head slowly. \u201cI don\u2019t think so, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do,\u201d J.T. grumbled. \u201cCome on.\u201d<\/p>\n Thom snorted humorlessly and nudged his horse back into motion in stride with J.T. and Cameron\u2019s, leaving Seamus to bring up the rear a few strides behind. It felt quiet, too quiet, like the calm before a storm.<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t like it.<\/p>\n I hope everything\u2019s okay. Everything\u2019s okay, right? It has to be.<\/em><\/p>\n The bridge came into view, silent and empty. A chill crept down his spine. He could just barely feel his wife\u2019s wardings beyond it, still standing, still strong. It was a comfort, a relief, to feel them at this distance, as their horses began to cross the bridge.<\/p>\n But it still felt too quiet, and that worried him more than anything had in any of the moments before.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" They rode in silence up the old roadway that led to the back side of campus, past the barrow where they\u2019d buried the dead, then up the hill toward the battered, snow-shrouded Shakespeare Garden. Seamus reined up his mount just … Continue reading