Aldric's gaze lingered on the stone for a moment longer before he spoke again.
"That also means," he said, "there are many who would want it for themselves."
Lyra looked at him as her fingers instinctively tightened around the locket.
"Not all desire comes with patience," Aldric continued. "Some will take what they cannot earn."
A faint unease settled in her chest.
"You must protect it," he said. "Not because it is rare but because in the wrong hands, it becomes something else entirely."
Lyra swallowed, her grip firm now.
"I will," she said softly.
Aldric held her gaze for a brief moment, as though weighing the certainty of her words, before giving a small, almost approving nod.
"See that you do."
….
[Outside]
The sanctuary stretched quietly around them as they walked along the narrow stone path, the canopy of ancient trees filtering the sunlight into soft, shifting patterns on the ground.
