We stop once in the late afternoon to give the horses a break, the seven of us circling around the bank and sharing our food. I drop a hand to my bag and reach for Golem’s jar, smiling once again as the vibrations of his hello tickle my fingers.
Stormfall flies above our group for the remainder of the evening until we reach Brierman, the Bird of Ash welcoming the drunken ale town with a caw before landing on my shoulder. We ride our horses into the stables of The Drunken Stump for the night and pass our reins to the inn’s boys who run out to greet us.
“Dinner and drinks tonight,” Desmond nods to the group, “Alanna and Alexis, you’ll room together.”
I glance at the short Discerni with a smile and watch her roll her eyes.
“I need a bath,” Alanna says when we walk into our shared room, throwing her travel packs on the bed at the right.
“Same,” I reply, uncorking Golem and placing my packs on the left. Alanna looks back at me, her brows arched in a semi-sensual sarcastic question.
“No, Alanna,” I laugh.
Golem’s padded feet greet us from behind the arch leading to the bath, making Alanna startle.
“You’d think with those Discerni ears you’d be better at hearing him,” I laugh again.
“You’re always creeping up,” Alanna scowls at the magical creature in greeting. Golem’s lips curve in slight amusement before he takes his regular stance at the foot of my bed.
“I’ll be quick,” Alanna huffs, pulling at her shirt as I nod in response. I reach for the oak slab in my travel bag and pull it out when she walks away, envisioning Keane’s likeness in my mind.
We’ve reached Brierman.
I stare at the wood for a while but receive no response. I sigh and tuck the slab and pen back under the cloth before hiding both in my bag.
“Alanna!” I yell across the room.
“Alexis,” she replies coolly.
“I’m coming in.”
“Why?” she moves in the water, grey eyes meeting mine as I enter.
I grin and walk around the tub, “because I’ve decided to take up your offer, of course.”
Alanna chuckles as I grab a small stool next to the tub and sit down.
“I need more on Woodlands,” I tell her, “what we can expect.”
Alanna pauses before she grabs the bar of soap next to her. I watch her lift her toned arm out of the water and begin to rub all of the grime of the day off, the rest of her body flexing with the simple movements.
She’s beautiful,sharp and cold, but beautiful. I understand the desire behind Cal. Behind Keane...
“I can only give you what I remember from years ago,” she replies, running the soap down her legs.
“Your sister hesitated when you told her where we were headed,” I watch her face closely, “and the Prince alludes to little things here and there but won’t give me a straight answer.”
“Tell me again how the Woodlands Discerni present themselves in Knowledge,” she asks, “what is the general impression of them in your Court?”
I shrug in consideration, “indifferent. They just keep to themselves. They’ve never been unfriendly or hostile, just quiet and stick with their own company.”
Alanna nods in thought before she dips under the water, rinsing away all the soap.
“I understand it,” I continue, “we’re constantly reminded in Knowledge of your lifespans, so it makes sense that the Woodlands Discerni or any Discerni would be indifferent when greeting us. It was never a bother. It just was.”
Alanna scowls and wrings out her hair, “and do you agree with that sentiment?”
“I used to,” I admit with a nod, “but this past travel has me questioning my own beliefs.”
