Her grey eyes narrow on mine before she gives a small nod. I chuckle and walk next to her, pushing my shoulder into hers.
“Plus, if any little ones come out of this arrangement, I’ll happily watch over those Discerni babes with auburn hair. Or blonde? Will they betall or short?Ancients, your children will have a damn battle over which one of you they’ll take after.”
Alanna pushes back against my shoulder, “you take it too far, human.”
“Perhaps,” I laugh as we walk back to the rest of the group, “but the offer will always stand.”
The small curve of her lips only affirms my suspicion.
“Will you show me your summoning when we reach Fumagalli? Or Gaumond?”
“Either works,” she nods.
“And if I asked you to accompany me on my trip to Woodlands, would you consider it?”
Alanna’s step falters as she furrows her brows.
“Consider it,” I continue, not wanting to press too hard right now, “it’s next on my travel list after I return to Bardot.”
“I will,” she says quietly, her features unreadable.
“Lady Alexis,” Prince Keane calls from across the small camp. I nod goodbye to Alanna and walk to him in question.
“Lord Daniel, Cal,” he continues, beckoning the two men from their resting spots. Desmond comes to stand beside his brother with a hard look in his eyes.
“There are a number of Leviathans on the road ahead…” Keane speaks directly to Lord Daniel and Cal when they arrive. Both men nod to the Prince in solemn understanding.
“We will ride hard for this next portion through the Plains and make our camp earlier than usual. We’ll rest two turns before sundown. I don’t want any fire beckoning the riders to our location during the night.”
Both men nod again, clearly understanding something I don’t.
“We’ll let the group sleep into sundown and then ride hard through the night until dawn. Should any interaction come, I want you two to take Lady Alexis and escort her back to Fumagalli.”
What?
Lord Daniel and Cal nod their heads as I turn to the Prince.
“Is this serious?”
He can’t be serious. I know there’s worry about the Leviathans, but why would we break away from the group? Wouldn’t we be better off in full numbers?
Keane looks back at me with that face Alanna told me I didn’t want see again, his features cool and calm.
“You will listen and follow anything Lord Daniel asks of you, Lady Alexis. Do you understand?”
“Is it really going to come to that?”
I look at the men and their hard stares.
“Do you understand?” Keane asks again.
“Yes,” I huff, meeting his cool brown eyes.
“Then I will let the rest of our group know of our riding plan for the day,” he walks away without another word.
Keane’s announcement is met with small surprise that quickly turns into hard resolute. Everyone understands the weight of his words and is now quietly preparing for a potential altercation. The three human soldiers each discard their coats to gain easy access to the broadswords at their sides. Alanna and Holis both attach their bows to their backs, with the blonde Discerni reaching over to Holis’ small quiver and multiplying the arrows by half. Holis gives her a smile in thanks as Barnes, Claymore and Desmond all adjust the broadswords at their hips. The Master Informer also unsheathes a small sword that was hidden beneath his cloak, while Cal adjusts his daggers all along his body. Mana just remains quiet, angling his kedge behind his back with a small frown.
Prince Keane and Lord Daniel are the only two who remain the same, both men sitting proud atop their horses without a hint of a weapon. It’s apparent now more than ever that the Prince’s summoning is his defense, though what all he can do still remains a mystery.
