Chapter 95: At the Gates
The tree's clearing still hummed behind them as they made their way back toward the shrine. The sound of the tokens brushing one another faded with each step, replaced by the softer murmur of people at prayer. Lanterns lined the path, their runes glowing faintly under the weak midday sun.
Sophia cast one last glance over her shoulder. The massive oak stood serene against the white-dusted field, its boughs swaying gently. The ribbons shimmered like threads of water, their ends catching on the wind. Her token spun once more, and she wondered if the Moon Goddess was already reading her words.
When they reached the shrine, the crowd was thicker than how it was when they first passed by. People moved in and out with quiet purpose, some kneeling on the stone steps before ascending, some standing in clusters murmuring together. Snow had been cleared from the front, leaving damp stone underfoot.
