"I promise I'll get us home, ok? It'll be ok. I just... I-" Quincy's words caught in his throat, trying to keep his emotions in check. His brother's small body was before him, twisted oddly, his limbs entwined in edelwood branches. The leaves were even growing inside him.
This was all his fault, Quincy realized. He had blamed Thomas but it was really he who'd gotten them lost in the Unknown. And he'd failed to get them back home. How long had it been? The brothers would probably be assumed to be dead by now. Quincy was a hopeless older brother. And Thomas had lost all faith in him. Adelaide had warned them this would happen.

Adelaide

Maybe... maybe there was a way to reverse this and save his brother. Maybe Adelaide could help.

"Ok, ok, I'm just going to get some help. Don't worry I promise I'll come back," Quincy gave his brother a feeble smile that he hoped would be reassuring.

"Just... don't be gone... too long.." Thomas managed to choke out the words. Tears formed at the corners of Quincy's eyes and he turned away. His brother wasn't going to see him cry.

"I'll just... leave the lantern here in case I don't make it back before nightfall, ok?"

Thomas's expression looked troubled, but Quincy didn't know what to do. Adelaide was his only hope now.