Golem nods in agreement.
“It’s invasive,” I groan, “why would I want strangers looking into my life?”
Cal watches me quietly before his brown eyes go soft. “It comes with job.”
I huff just as his hand lands on my shoulder.
“Keep your secrets, Alex,” he smiles, “they don’t need to know everything.”
I’ll try, I want to tell him,but I know they’ll also do their best to find them.
Cal and I arrive back at the stables after our morning training. The courtyard of the inn is already alive with early travelers departing for their day, and as we have a bit of the morning left to ourselves before the group takes off, Cal and I decide to grab some breakfast before we leave.
I laugh when he slings his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in the direction of food.
“Ancients, I’m hungry,” he groans.
“Same,” I reach a hand in my bag and uncap Golem’s jar, “hold on. Let me grab Golem.”
Cal pauses and looks around the courtyard, smiling at the magical creature when he appears from around the corner of the inn. Golem nods to us both and follows behind Cal as my big friend opens the door, the three of us quickly walking inside to the far end of the room where an empty table awaits. Golem takes his usual stance in the shadows of the wall once we sit, while Cal flags down the innkeeper with his stomach grumbling over the morning conversations.
“That’s him, then?” his gaze darts to another table at the opposite end of the room, looking like he’s about to size someone up.
I turn in the direction of his gaze and spot Prince Keane with the rest of our Warrior group huddled at their own table. Alanna is sitting next to the Prince but is engaging in a conversation with Barnes and Claymore, while His Highness looks to be in a quiet conversation with his brother.
Keane glances up almost immediately when I look at him, as if feeling both of our gazes from across the room. He gives me silent nod and then looks squarely at Cal by my side, his brown eyes assessing just as my friend’s did.
“I guess I need to introduce myself,” Cal stands from our table, “do you want to come with me?”
“Not particularly.”
“Golem?” Cal looks behind me.
Golem shakes his head.
“Traitors,” he laughs.
I chuckle in answer and feel the Prince’s gaze move back on me. I quickly turn away from that silent stare and rest an elbow on the table, shifting in my seat to talk to the magical companion at my back.
“Is the Prince a good friend of yours, Golem?”
While I’m still curious as to his motives last night, I can’t help but suspect that he’s not on good terms with His Highness. If he was, he wouldn’t have led me to spy on him.
“No?” I feign ignorance, “but he’s the King’s son.”
Golem gives me a quiet nod.
“Are you friendly with him at least?”
He shakes his head, then nods as if to say, ‘sort of’.
“Do you dislike each other?”
No.
“So, you’re merely friendly acquaintances?”
Yes… and no.
