I sigh in my seat and bring both hands up to my temples.
What a damn Ancients mess this is.
“We won’t let that happen, brother,” Desmond states from my left as all three Knowledge men nod in agreement.
“King Voland can be reasoned with,” King Zander tells his son, “he is a peaceful soul. The Leviathans, however...”
“Would also seek her harm,” Desmond finishes for his father.
“What?” I ask confused, “why?”
Desmond turns to me with cold apprehension, “the being of you threatens the existence of the human young they use for sacrifice.”
Elder Father and Mother, how fucking disturbing.
No more humans in the Old World means no more sacrificing them to sustain their prolonged lives. Perhaps that could be the only good thing to come of this.
I sigh as another thought comes to mind, something that Isham mentioned last night and Keane and I spoke on briefly…
“Prince Isham told me last night that my travels will take me into Livyatan,” I turn to the King in genuine curiosity, hoping that he knows the answer, “and the Ancient has alluded the same as well. Do you have any idea why?”
The King shares a look with Golem beside him, both of their faces tainting with a sadness that creeps on my soul.
“Elena does not believe that the text you found was the full of the prophecy,” he shares, “her sisters reference another object that holds a separate portion to the full.”
No.
I stare at the King in open horror.
“No.”
Zander gives the slightest of nods, “your hands were in their visions as well, Alexis.”
I turn back to Keane. The two of us agreed just last night that we would avoid any travel to Livyatan.Weagreed.
Keane looks back at me with the same sadness as his father, his features mixed with his own anger at hearing the news.
“The Prince offered Lady Alexis an open invite last night,” Desmond tells his father, “he offered his ally. He knows she’ll have to make the travel.”
This is so wrong on so many levels.
Decline!
Decline everything now and go back to your simple life. Forget all this and bury your head in books. Drink your ale and smoke your smoke.Forget all this!
There is no way, my heart,my damn persistent heart,responds, igniting my fire once again. I know it deep down in my very being that I will not be forgetting any of this, that I will not willingly choose to forget everything I have learned today or over the past month.
“What are your thoughts on the Prince?” I turn to the Zander, thinking of the fake friendliness Isham tried to pass off on me only to capture my whim with his snake Rivian.
“He is not who he projects himself to be,” King Zander replies steadily, “and is the most dangerous of the three brothers.”
I nod in agreement, glad that Zander understands that as much as I do.
“Though his brother was no better off,” I grimace.
“Strong and brash in his strength, yes,” King Zander nods before glancing over to Keane, “but brash enemies are emotional enemies, and that emotion can be used to your advantage. Isham deals neither in calm resolve nor brash instinct. He harnesses all actions, all emotions, and uses them to his own advantage.”
Keane looks at his father coolly, the two of them engaging in a silent conversation we’re not privy to, but I get the distinct impression that Zander is warning his son.
