I frown at the thought.
A land filled with hobbled huts and villages,slums, as Keane called them. Humans living as lesser beings under a Discerni governance that views them as second class people.
But my parents fought back.
I sit up straight and turn to Keane.
They gave their lives in hopes of a better one. Their fire and courage will not die with them...
Keane stares back at me, his brown gaze holding mine as he notices the many thoughts running through my mind. He presses his fingers into my shoulder softly, his eyes questioning as I smile back at him, feeling the fire build within me.
“Later,” I breath softly, knowing that I will tell him everything of Elena’s conversation once we are alone. Keane nods slowly, understanding the simple reply.
Sera sits up from her chair again and announces dinner, the Discerni woman leaving with Mana at her side as the two of them head back to the kitchen.
“Another round of half whiskeys?” Cal grins, reaching for the decanter. We all smile in response and push our empty glasses towards him, letting our drinking take us further into the night.
Both Sera and Mana bring out two large platters in each of their hands, placing them in the middle of the table in Knowledge fashion. The smell is beyond savory as I look down at the roasted chicken and vegetables, then notice the familiar sized rolls and salty pastries that she usually serves at her café. I beam at her in affection and gratitude, knowing that there’s one thing I wish to bring back to Gaumond with me.This.The comradery of sharing food and passing it amongst friends.
“This is coming to Gaumond,” I tell Keane when our hands meet over a plate. Keane grins openly at my comment and nods in agreement, his brown eyes dancing across my face.
“We can do that,” he replies with a smile, “I’m going to try poach Chef again while I’m here. Wouldn’t hurt if you added your own sway.”
I laugh at the Prince and shake my head, “nothing will make that man leave Bardot, Keane, but I’ll try.”
“Tell me more of the boy, Alexis,” Desmond adds next to us, taking a plate from Cal, “Chef’s boy.”
Alanna shifts besides him as I look to her, then glance to Lord Daniel, both of their eyes greeting mine.
“Same story as mine,” I turn back to the Master Informer, “shuffled off to Castle Bardot after his short life in Woodlands. Doesn’t remember the years spent there but he’s purely content and happy in his life now.”
“When you say he doesn’t remember,” Desmond inquires curiously, “do you mean he can’t or that he chooses not to?”
Alanna hides her frown as I try to remember the conversation I had with Jesse. It’s unfortunate, and I know a bit biased, but I mirror his story to my own while remembering Elena’s words.
“Perhaps a bit of both? I didn’t get too far into it with him but can inquire again.”
Desmond nods at me from across the table, his gesture letting me know that I should indeed question the boy more.
“Brother,” Keane chuckles softly.
“She has a handle on it,brother,” Desmond gives Keane a small smirk in reply, “and I’ve come to trust her judgement.”
“A far cry from Fumagalli,” I mumble quietly to myself.
Both of the Princes grin.
“Whiskeys,” Cal prompts the table again. We all gladly accept his gesture and raise our drinks together before taking them straight, pounding the glasses hard on the table and grinning foolishly.
We continue into our dinner until all of the food is gone, a testament to Sera’s cooking as each of us sits back into our chairs, content and full.Cal opts to help the Discerni woman this time as they both move around and clear the table, my big friend returning back to the group with smoke as Sera returns with a small plate of raw red meat for Storm.
I smile at her gesture and close my eyes, not seeing the Bird of Ash but knowing he’s close by.
We have dinner for you, Storm.
Stormfall’s caw is loud as he glides out of the park below and back to our veranda, his body landing gracefully in front of Mana and Sera as he peers down at the plate food.
“Are you speaking to the Ancient’s creature silently now, Alexis?” Holis asks from beside me.
