“Until next time,” she nods against my shoulder.
Golem and I walk out the door and head back down the hall, back towards the entry of the castle. Cal and Alanna are at the stables when wearrive, both of them readying their horses with a surprised look on their faces when they spot me. Cal immediately releases his saddle and walks over with his hands outstretched, wrapping them tightly around my waist as his rough beard and shaggy hair tickles the side of my face.
“I should have been with you.”
“No,” I shake my head, inhaling his smokey scent with a deep breath, “there was nothing for you to do. He acted on his own.”
I step back and hold his gaze, “but because of you, Cal, because of you and the trainings that you have given me over the past two years, I was able to defend myself. Because ofyou.”
I spot Alanna give a cool smile behind my big friend and then nod to me in quiet agreement. Cal brings his hand up to his beard with a look of concern that still fills his eyes.
“You’re alright then? We always knew the risk of handling green agate and took it in the hopes of never having to use it, but after hearing the Lord demand repercussions last night,” he shakes his head, “that was the first time I have ever doubted the decision.”
“Don’t,” I look at him sternly, “don’t ever doubt it, Cal. I don’t want to think of where I would have been last night had I not threatened his life.”
Cal nods silently, still stroking his beard.
“We’re heading down to the Tavern before we meet the group at the entry gate. I need to speak with my sister and Cal is going to stock up on her shisha,” Alanna rolls her eyes with a smile, “join us, human?”
“I would enjoy that,” I nod, “let me ready Millie.”
Golem and I make our way down the stalls as Cal and Alanna both finish with their own horses.
“Will you walk with us, Golem?” I ask, throwing my packs over Millie’s back.
He nods.
“Good.”
I smile and continue situating my brown mare for the ride back to Bardot. It took us nearly four days from the morning we left the castle to reach Gaumond in the late evening, and I find myself wondering if we’ll take the same casual speed as before.
I hop on Millie and secure my travel bag across my shoulder and hip, then nod to Golem as the two of us walk out of the stables with Storm still sleeping quietly on my shoulder. My eyes roam to the little niche at the top of the stairs that Tadeo pulled me into last night. It’s nestled perfectly between the double entry doors and the top stair, illuminated now in the morning light. I scowl at the sight, seeing how that area can be used as a quick trounce once darkness hits, and remind myself to ask Keane to place a very large torch above the wall there.
The four of us take the ride out of the upper rise of the castle and into the town below, the early sun bouncing off the black granite shops and the homes surrounding us. The now familiar smell of burning wood and pepper greets me with the cool morning air, and it’s late enough that thetown has started its day with the usual hustle and bustle. The sight of the many Discerni and humans walking around together brings a grin to my lips. I’ll miss Gaumond and the fire that lives in every piece of this city’s heart.
We leave our horses in the small stables under Marybeth’s townhome and walk down the short alley and back to the front of her tavern. Marybeth greets Alanna with a smile when she pushes through the door, her grin widening when she sees Cal, Golem and I following closely behind. She’s already getting her tavern ready, moving a chair from atop one of the tables back to the floor. Her long black hair is swaying gently behind her in Discerni tradition, her hand coming behind her ears to brush it away as Cal and I offer our help.
“Thank you,” she smiles, reminding me so much of a softer version of her sister.
Alanna passes by Marybeth with a grin, walking straight to the barrels behind her counter.
“It’s not even late morning yet, Alanna,” her sister laughs.
Alanna shrugs and gets to pouring two toddies and two ales. “When has that ever stopped me.”
“Too true,” Marybeth chuckles.
Alanna continues her pouring as the three of us work on the tables, then turns from behind the counter to look at Marybeth with a serious gaze.
“Mary…”
“Hmm?”
“We ride for Woodlands after we visit Castle Bardot,” she says without any preamble.
Marybeth’s hands still on the chair in front of her. I take a look at Cal, the two of us remaining quiet as a deep grimace washes over Marybeth’s face. She slowly brings the chair towards her chest and then places it under the table, turning to her sister with a hard stare.
“Why?”
