I release the arrow directly between her cool grey eyes and watch as it moves true down the training field. Alanna grins at me from afar and reaches up to catch the arrow mid-air, her Discerni speed once again too quick.
“Hmm,” Holis mumbles as Alanna walks back to us with a knowing glint in her eyes.
“You thrive under pressure, human,” she says, then turns her glance to Holis, “real life pressure. She’ll find her aim best when seeing something she hates.”
“I don’t hate you, Alanna,” I shake my head, “just find you immensely annoying at times.”
“I know,” she smirks, handing me the arrow before she resumes her stretching.
“Let’s finish the quiver, Alexis,” Holis states quietly, “then head to breakfast.”
I nod and practice until all of the arrows are gone.
“We’ll need to continue the basics of hunting and tracking, too,” Holis notes, the two of us walking towards Cal and Mana, “the Bird of Ash will be able to hunt the small animals now, as you mentioned, but on the occasions he needs heavy red meat while he is younger you’ll need to take down a stag or wolf.”
Stormfall flies above us, cawing in agreement.
“You two ready?” Holis asks our companions.
Both men smile and wipe their brows of sweat, our group setting off back down the road until the smell of cinnamon greets the air. The elder Discerni woman is already setting up a table when we walk into her courtyard, her smile going broad when she sees us.
“I hoped you’d be back,” she chuckles, eyes landing on the Discerni twins, “heard you all got back in town yesterday.”
“You treat us too well,Duhni,” Mana smiles quietly.
“It’s nothing,” she grins, giving us all a small nod before she bows deeply to Golem, “good to see you as well, Golem.”
Golem’s lips quirk up just a tad in a smile, bowing in return.
“Coffee and tea,” she smiles, eyes widening as Stormfall caws loudly in the morning sky.
Her whole body seems to freeze as she watches him glide down to my shoulder, her glance catching mine in visible nervousness. She quietly takes a step back and walks towards her shop, the smile she had fading into a frown.
“Did we do something wrong?” I grimace and take a seat.
The men remain quiet as they sit down with me.
“Guys?”
Holis shifts in his chair, “I anticipate you’ll be met with different reactions going forward, Alexis. She’s Discerni and can feel his magic. He may look like a hawk now, but when Stormfall grows larger there will be no denying the Ancient he belongs to.”
Mana nods as Cal gives me a small shrug, silently telling me not to think too much into it.
“I’m excited for this food, however,” Holis grins, changing the subject, “and ready to go home.”
Both Cal and Mana smile wide in agreement, the two of them relaxing in their seats.
“Speaking of…” I lean forward in my chair, carefully watching their reaction to my next words, “how do you all feel about traveling to Woodlands after we spend some time in Bardot?”
“As long as they have decent ale,” Cal shrugs, bringing his hand up to his beard.
Holis and Mana seem unfazed by my comment as well, still sitting contently at the table. Storm makes his way closer to my neck and moves behind my hair, tucking himself under my ear to fall asleep.
“Have any of you traveled into Woodlands Court?” I prompt again just as Margaret brings out two large pots.
All three men shake their heads with no look of unease gracing their features.
Hmm.
