We’re close. Riding past Loughty Lake now.
I’ll be waiting for you.
And I will.
I will wait forever for that man and take whatever he can give me.
The three of us show Alanna around the Palisades more, weaving between the different shops and vendors atop the mountain and stopping at pubs in between. The Discerni and humans around us interact just as I remember, with their conversations polite and business-friendly though never delving into anything more. The lack of open comradery between them has my appreciation for Gaumond only growing, and I find myself falling that much more for Keane and the standard he’s set for his Court.
Eventually Alanna and I both have to get back to the castle and start getting ready. We all agree to meet under the Great Oak before heading into court together, then say our goodbyes before we each part our separate ways. Alanna and I stop to pick up my dress before we head back down the mountain, our slight tipsiness giving us more courage than is safe as we start leaping across the stones. Golem grimaces at the two of us the whole way down, his hands coming out from under his robes on more than one occasion as he shakes his head.
Storm wakes up when we reach the bottom of the stairs. He pushes off my shoulder and flies into the dark mountain, leaving Alanna and I behind with a caw at our foolish grins. We walk through the cave and into the main castle, both of us peeking into the room used for court for a second time. It’s fully decorated now and covered from top to bottom in bottled moonslight, the sparkling rays flicking against the hundreds of gold fixtures along the walls and the white roses that line every table. I think I even spot a few fountains outside on the veranda, the sound of their running waters lending a soothing tone within.
My heart surges at the room.
Thisis a big part of Knowledge, finding beauty in every detail and living under it in simple pleasure.
I drop Alanna off at her door and let her know that I’ll grab her again on my way out. Stormfall pushes off my shoulders the moment Golem and I enter my room and flies under the arch to my main bedroom, aiming to leave through the balcony.
I head into my bathing room and grin at the steaming water already waiting for me when I enter. There’s a decanter of drinking water that’s always refilled next to the mirror, so I grab it and pour a glass for Storm, then change into my familiar green robe. I’m just leaving the glass outside on the balcony when my door vibrates with a knock.
“Who is it?” I tighten my robe and walk back inside.
“Desmond.”
Curiosity grips me as I open the door half way, meeting the Master
Informer’s dark gaze.
“Can I come in?”
I nod with a small frown, unable to think of a reason that would bring him here. I did as he said last night and occupied myself with our traveling crew, staying outside the reach of Troy and Castle Bardot.
I take a step back and point him towards one of the chairs in my reading room.
“Can you call for Storm?” he asks, not taking a seat in the chair but standing next to it.
I nod again, noticing the stoic features taking over his face, and turn to head outside. Golem passes me under the arch and walks towards Desmond after hearing his voice, the magical creature bowing at my back as I yell to Storm.
“Stormfall!” I look out towards the Bell Grove.
A small black mass bounds towards me instantly, the Bird of Ash’s yellow eyes greeting mine steadily in his flight. I hold out my hand and smile at his talons gripping my wrist, then lean down to grab the glass of water I left. Storm laps at the water as I walk back inside and then glances at Desmond, the two of us looking at him and Golem in curiosity as both sets of eyes greet mine.
“I hate saying this,” the Master Informer starts, “but given the nature of the Leviathans’ first meeting with you, we have to ask that Stormfall stays behind tonight.”
Storm tilts his head directly at Desmond, his stance telling me that he disagrees with this as much as I do.
“The group you met along the road was either looking for you or for him, or maybe you both,” Desmond continues, “and we can’t take any chances tonight. Especially when we do not know their motives yet.”
“There was only one man who saw Storm that night,” I cross my arms over my chest, “and he’s currently ash in the wind. What chance would I be taking in bringing Storm tonight?”
“Lord Daniel has confirmed that he rides with a man from their delegation… A man that was a part of the company that confronted yours.”
I still at his words.
There was only one Leviathan who followed us and survived our assaults that night, the one whose summoning gripped Lord Daniel’s neck in an attempt to finish what his counterpart started.
I look at Desmond in horror.
