I walk down the path in resignation, knowing that we could debate the argument all day. I still suspect Troy, but opt to keep that to myself for now.
“We plan to visit,” I tell the Princess quietly, “we will travel to Woodlands soon.”
Elena nods but doesn’t reply.
“Thank you,” I turn to her, not liking or caring for the situation but grateful for her honesty throughout it all, “thank you for sharing with me. Thank you for helping me that night.”
“It was the Ancients’ will,” Elena smiles to herself, “we should thank them.”
I scowl and keep quiet once again. Of course, to Elena, the silent Ancients are the ones to thank. Everything that she saw in her visions and every action that she took leading up to that night was justified by the mystics of the Ancient Sianoa she so greatly reveres.
“Hirovale as well,” she smiles to wind.
“I’m sorry?” I turn to her.
“ThetwoI so greatly revere…”
“They’re friends then?” I ask the Princess, “Hiro and Sianoa?”
Elena stops in her walk and turns to me, her eyes darting to mine in curiosity.
“You use the Ancient’s name so casually.”
“Hirovale?” I ask.
“Yes,” she grins, eyes sparkling, “him.”
I roll my own eyes, “if you know the Ancient as I have come to know him over the past month, then you’ll agree that he’s been just as casual with me.”
Too casual.
Elena eyes me curiously before continuing with a nod. “The two Ancients respect eachother immensely and have been known to side with the other in the past. I get the distinct feeling that they are very good friends.”
“Hirovale mentioned that you’re helping to wake Sianoa?”
“Yes,” she smiles airily, turning her gaze back to the Bell Grove.
“How will you do it? Howareyou doing it?”
“With careful summoning,” she nods, “a section of rebirth magic that deals with waking a sleeping being.”
“I read a book in Red Falls on medicinal reborn. It stated that the Aireals used to command that summoning in the past, to wake a person who had fallen into a coma.”
“It is similar,” Elena smiles softly, “though Sianoa is much stronger and has been asleep for far longer. My sisters and I have been using our collective summoning together to wake her. It has been hard work but I’m hopeful she will rise soon.”
Ancients, another of the Ten is going to be gracing the Old World. Will she be as forceful in her agenda as Hirovale?
“Did you enjoy the role you played in waking your Ancient?” Elena asks beside me.
Stormfall grips my shoulder as I hold back a laugh. “Hirovale is hardly my Ancient.”
“But he is, Alexis,” she replies, turning my way, “he chose you. Just as Sianoa chooses me. It is a great honor for us to serve them.”
Serve them?
I scoff.
Perhaps she feels that honor, but all I feel are the demands that dictate every one of my steps down his path.
