Isolde flinched Elynor stilled His hand reached for her arm, steadying her as the room seemed to tilt around her.
"That's too high a price," he said, voice rough. "We don't even know if it will work." The old woman sighed, setting the now-empty bundle aside. "And we don't know if it won't." Her eyes were kind but firm as they met Isolde's.
"That's the nature of magic, my dear. Power always demands payment. The question is—" She leaned closer, her breath warm against Isolde's ear. "—are you willing to pay?" Isolde's fingers trembled around the vial.
"That's enough. We won't be taking such a risk but if you could kindly point us in the right direction, I would be eternally grateful." Elynor pulled Isolde back as he waited for her grandmother to speak.
The old woman studied him for a long moment, her eyes glinting with something like approval. She leaned back in her chair, folding her hands in her lap.
