It’s a simple statement of our Old World history, one that is taught to both humans and Discerni alike when we’re young, but it uses a word that contradicts everything we’ve been taught…
“Did the Elders imprison the two Ancients who bargained with Aireal?” I glance up from my seat on the bench.
“What?” Alanna huffs, aiming for a target much farther down the field.
“The Ancient of Power and Vigor and the Ancient of Tranquility and Peace. Were theyimprisonedby the Elder Father and Mother after their failed deal?” I ask again, feeling Golem shift behind me.
“That’s a stupid question, human,” Alanna glances back, dropping her bow.
“You know they were slaughtered, Alexis,” Holis replies calmly, looking down to the book in my hands.
“I do know,” I nod, “it’s what we’ve been taught, that the Elders killed them. But this book says the two were imprisoned.”
Both Discerni look curiously at eachother and then walk towards me.
“Let me see,” Holis holds out his hand.
I fold the page and pass him the book. He reads the paragraph and shakes his head, “it’s a mistake of text. The two Ancients were slaughtered. That brutal killing is what caused the Great Rift between the rest of the Ancients and the Elder Father and Mother- the catalyst that forced the Elders to flee the Old World.”
He passes the book to Alanna.
“They were slaughtered,” she nods after reading the paragraph, “the book’s author misspoke.”
“Yes,” I sigh, “I’m sure it was just a mis-print in the text. It just confused me for a moment.”
Both Alanna and Holis nod and look at the book quietly before walking back to their targets.
After training, our Knowledge group shared a late lunch at the pub before making our way back to the inn. Alanna joined us for the meal, though I did notice that the cool Discerni was much quieter than usual. On our way back I decided to stop by the stables and greet Millie with a sugar cube that I snagged from the pub. She was grateful for the treat and the full brushing that followed. A relaxed horse in a relaxing town.
I say goodbye to the girl and head back to the inn, letting my thoughts roam again to the village around us. This place is so quiet and serene that I truly can’t envision having to stay here for another day. There’s really not much to do, and the fact that we’ll be spending the same length of time here as we did in Gaumond is mind-boggling. Why not just stay in the capitol longer? What brings the Prince and two of his strongest Lords here? I know they’re meant to be a part of the delegation we present to Pyre, but why tag them along inmeetingsthat last a full day and apparently in the middle of the night?
My thoughts are interrupted when I greet the woman behind the small pub in the inn, asking her for hot water to be brought to my room for a bath. She lets me know it’ll be ready soon, and as I begin walking away, another thought forms in my mind.
I turn around and take a seat at the small counter with a friendly smile.
“Toddy, please.”
The older woman reaches for a glass and turns to a barrel behind her. She’s quiet as she pours but not surly, placing the glass in front of me.
“Have you been here long?” I pick up the drink in small talk, “ in Fumagalli?”
“I have, Lady,” she takes a cloth and begins dusting around the pub.
“Is it always this quiet? This peaceful?”
She gives me a small smile and continues her work. “It is, Lady.”
Barely-there answers.
I hide my sigh and take another sip.
“The townhomes and cottages in the village are all so cute,” I continue as her eyes flick back to mine, “but where is everyone? Are they traveling?”
“Out working, my lady,” she replies easily.
Hmm.
“And what is the general working economy here?”
