“Penance for making me go to sleep last night, Your Highness.”
Keane’s laugh is deep as I walk out the door. I spot Golem farther down the hall and walk towards him with a sad smile, greeting his purely stoic features as he looks back at me.
“I’m sorry for last night, Golem. I let my emotions get the better of me in the moment. Please forgive me.”
The magical creature nods silently, hopefully in acceptance of my apology.
“I’m going to train with Cal. Will you join us?”
Golem nods again. I let out a deep breath and give him another smile, turning down the hall to knock on Cal’s door with another apology ready at my lips.
Cal opens his door almost instantly, his eyes holding mine with deep concern. I immediately reach out and draw him into a hug, Stormfall chirping from my shoulder at the sudden clashing of body parts.
“I swear I was going to tell you everything once we got back to Bardot. I didn’t know they were going to bring it up last night. I’m only a few days into learning all this information as well.”
“I know, Alex,” he nods against me, arms wrapping me into his large body, “the Prince explained everything after you left. I’m sorry I overreacted.”
“No,” I shake my head against his beard, “you were hurt. I would be too. You do not need to apologize, not ever.”
Cal takes a step back and brings his hands to the sides of my shoulders, “and you? How are you doing with all of this information?”
“I’ll let you know when I figure that out,” I give a half laugh, “I really just want to sit down with Zander and hear what he has to say. I feel like there’s so much more to this than we know. Information that only he can give us.”
“Then we’ll make sure you get that meeting,” Cal’s eyes flick to Golem behind me who nods earnestly.
I smile at my friend, “do you know what room Holis is in?”
Cal steps through his door and closes it behind him, leading us into the common room of the inn and towards the hall on the other end. He stops to knock on the first door before both Holis and Mana greet us, their angular faces graced with an apology in the same way mine was. No words are needed between the four of us as we all walk out of the inn together in understanding. We’re still the same traveling companions that we were when we first set off on this journey two years ago, and right now, I know nothing will change that.
The four of us move onto the main road and follow Cal as he leads us to the village’s small training fields. There truly is no reason to hide in the seclusion of the woods any longer. Everyone in our traveling group now knows of the green agate weapon I handle.
“I met him last night,” I tell the group quietly, “the Ancient, Hirovale. I met him last night. He is awake.”
Holis and Mana stop dead in their tracks at the words.
The twins look at eachother with wide eyes as Cal stares at me in disbelief. “You met anAncient?”
“Yes,” I nod at my big friend and then frown, “but I don’t think I like him all that much.”
Holis and Mana look at eachother in small conversation before the two of them start laughing. The sound is light and airy and causes Cal and I to stop in our walk as well, the two of us turning to them in bewilderment.Holis slaps his brother on the shoulder and grins, while Mana dabs his eyes a little as he looks at me in amusement.
“That’s too bad, Alexis,” he shakes his head with a smile, “because the Ancient certainly likes you.”
“Thatis precisely why I don’t care for him,” I point out, “I don’t want his attention.”
The twins continue to look at me, grinning from ear to ear.
“And now I don’t think I care for both of you that much either,” I roll my eyes at their amusement and continue my walk.
“Did he explain more to you?” Holis darts up from behind.
“Not really,” I sigh, thinking of the Ancient from last night, “he was very vague but demanding in the same breath. He said he was off to awaken a few more of his brothers and sisters. Hopefully that will keep him out of my hair for a while.”
Holis turns to his brother in thought, “Sianoa, certainly… Heysan without a doubt. Hopefully first.”
Mana nods to both names, “Nolan?”
“Maybe. He’s worked with him in the past. Perhaps even Tomo…”
