Contents
3. Three
Overview
Amara escapes as fae descend on Pendril, killing Caden and others before she reaches the guards and shelters with Glenda. By morning, the town reels from one of its worst attacks—striking even without a new moon. As they treat the wounded, scarce vitella pollen forces Amara to plan a dangerous forest harvest.
Summary
Amos drops Amara and flees as fae charge. The creatures tear apart one of Caden’s friends, then a winged fae pins Caden and rips into his chest. More fae appear, fixing their red eyes on the remaining townsfolk.
Shaking off paralysis, Amara sprints through the streets, alerts two town guards, and triggers the alarm. Sent home to secure herself, she returns to the apothecary amid screeches and chaos, where Glenda meets her in tears. Glenda leads Amara to the basement, barricates the door, and they wait out the night with supplies ready.
At dawn, the scale of the raid emerges: over thirty fae attacked from multiple directions, pushing deeper into Pendril than ever. Amara and Glenda work nonstop, Amara gathering and muddling ingredients while Glenda compounds salves and elixirs for healers and customers.
When the rush slows, Glenda notes the attack didn’t occur on a new moon, heightening their fear of the coming one. Short on vitella pollen—crucial for healing—Glenda reveals they have enough for only two more batches. Knowing the flowers grow deep in the dangerous forest and require careful harvesting, Amara decides to collect more in the morning.
Who Appears
- AmaraProtagonist; flees the fae attack, alerts guards, shelters with Glenda, then helps brew remedies and plans to harvest vitella.
- GlendaAmara’s aunt; shelters with Amara in the basement and leads potion-making for the wounded; worries about unusual timing.
- CadenRecent aggressor; tries to escape but is killed by a fae during the attack.
- AmosAccomplice who grabbed Amara; immediately flees when the fae attack begins.
- Town guardsRespond to Amara’s warning, sound the alarm, and direct citizens to secure their homes.
- The faeNightmarish attackers with claws and wings; slaughter townspeople and push deep into Pendril outside a new moon.