I’m housed with Alanna again tonight. We’re staying in a larger inn that’s nestled just off the main road and overlooks the lake in the distance, our room and the two beds just as cozy and serene as the city around it. I uncork Golem’s jar when we enter and drop my bags at the end of the bed, hearing his padded footsteps from the corner of the room before I watch him move out of the shadows.
“Ancients,” Alanna spins, eyes narrowing on the creature and holding a small blade in her hand. Golem eyes her without emotion and moves to my side.
“I’m going to bathe tonight,” I announce.
Alanna lowers her blade and falls onto her bed, fiddling with the hilt before she throws it up and catches it without a nick. I roll my eyes and tug at my boots, making sure to leave my own dagger hidden inside the heel. Golem promptly turns around when he sees me loosening my riding pants, while Alanna… well she begins to laugh out loud.
“I should be surprised,” the Discerni shakes her head with another laugh, “why am I not surprised?”
I look down at my body to where Alanna’s gaze is now staring at the black lacy lingerie hugging my hips. I know exactly what she’s referencing and smile in response, then walk away with my hands tugging my shirt over my head to reveal the other set of black that adorns my chest.
Dinner tonight is another separated event between the group, and even though we’re all seated at the same table, our meals and conversations are kept primarily between our two Knowledge and Warrior groups. The only difference from last night is that everyone seems to be more accustomed to Golem’s presence.
We all drink well into the evening until Barnes and Claymore announce they’re going to retire. The rest of the group follows suit and heads to their respective rooms while I find myself leaving the inn entirely and charting a path towards Moonsbay lake.
I slowly make my way through Agnor and take in the storefronts that are so much different than those in the Palisades. Where my home city is warm and sunny and accompanied by bright colors of green and various flowers, Agnor is steeped in deep blue and grey and keeps its greenery clipped so as not to block the view of the lake. The full of the city capitalizes on the waters that surround it, truly remaining a place of calm and relaxation. Everyone I pass by is just content to move about their night in a peaceful manner, and as always, I find myself at the edge of one of my favorite docks to enjoy that simple happiness, too.
“Have you ever met any Pyrenese before, Golem?” I ask as I sit down.
He nods.
“Of course you have,” I shake my head at the stupid question. The King is often seen welcoming their delegations to Castle Bardot.
“Is it true that fire lives within their veins?” I ask of the rumor.
I don’t know if it was the moonslight playing tricks on me from afar, but the last time the Pyrenese were in the capitol I could have sworn I saw red flames moving under one of the men’s arms.
Yes... and no.
“Only within the strongest?”
No.
“Those that are magical?”
Golem nods quietly.
Hmm, perhaps it wasn’t a trick of moonslight after all.
“And Prince McQuoid?” I inquire about the royal we’ll be meeting, “is his skin licked with flames as well?”
Golem nods again, his eyes peering out to the lake in front of us before they dart up to the night sky. I follow his gaze and the meaning.
“Have you seen a tarragon, Golem?”
Tarragons are the rumored beasts that fly above the mountains of Pyre, the creatures that live deep within their cold woods and the tops of every snowy mountain peak. They’re rare creatures, with scales for skin and wingspans longer than a few horses wide. They’re also rumored to breathe a fire so strong that it can melt any metal or stone within a blink.
Golem shakes his head before giving it some thought, then reverts to a nod.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I chuckle, “you haven’t but have seen a tarragon?”
The magical creature remains quiet and unreading as I lay down on my back and stare at the moons. I’m perfectly content to let the gentle water move under me as he thinks on the answer…
The press of a cool hand gently touches my shoulder, rousing me in my sleep. My eyes quickly dart to Golem leaning over me, the moons now halfway on the other side of the lake from where they were before.
“Ancients,” I shake my head, “that sleep came fast. Thanks for waking me, Golem.”
I smile at the magical creature and stand up, straightening my clothes and hair before heading back to the main road. The inn is quiet when we arrive, the barkeep closing down for the night with only a few patrons remaining inside. I walk towards the hall leading to my shared room with Alanna but stop when Golem’s cool hand touches my shoulder again. His eyes capture mine before he shakes his head, beckoning me to follow him in another direction.
