chapter Fourteen
Foreign Threats
The young man's eyes darted from Inara to Eramus, widening as they finally landed on Yelene and Aldeth. Yelene leapt from her chair, taking his confusion as the perfect moment to introduce herself.
"Hello," she said, extending her hand towards him. "My name is Yelene, and that"—she pointed to Aldeth, who offered a small, reluctant smile—"is my husband, Aldeth. We're here visiting Eramus. I'm sure you know him."
The man's gaze fixated on Eramus, and his throat bobbed with a large swallow. "Y-yes. I-I know Eramus."
Of course he did. Everyone knew everyone in their tiny village, and after revealing to the world he could use magic, no one would forget him. Eramus could see the poor fellow trembling all the way from his spot at the table. He would probably flee faster than a chicken in a fox den if he knew Yelene and Aldeth could also wield magic.
Eramus stood and gave the man a slight bow. "Cavell, how are you this evening?"
Cavell relaxed a little. "Fine…I think."
Inara planted her hands on her hips and scowled. "A meeting? You said Kieran has called for one. What about?"
Cavell shrugged. "Sorry, Ma'am, but I don't have a clue. He just said I was to round everyone up. Sounded pretty on edge. 'Course, Kieran usually sounds that way."
No one could argue against that. Kieran and Arnan were much alike, both as firm and serious as a stone wall. But one thing was certain, Kieran would not have called a meeting unless it was important. Unlike Arnan, he preferred to keep to himself, not parade around as leader.
"Very well," said Eramus. "Thank you for informing us, Cavell."
Cavell bowed and ducked out of the cottage without so much as a second glance. Eramus’s stomach twisted with guilt at man's nervousness in his presence, but there was little he could do about it.
Inara placed her palm against her chest. "Oh, dear. What do you suppose this is all about? I didn't particularly enjoy the last meeting."
Eramus chuckled. "I can't imagine why."
She chided him with her eyes. "I suppose we should go find out. See what all the fuss is about."
Yelene started for the door, but both Eramus and Aldeth called after her.
—"Wait!"
—"Don't go!"
She tossed them each a scowl and folded her arms. "You don't think I'm going to just stay here?"
Eramus turned to Aldeth, pleading without words. Aldeth grudgingly rose and moved to Yelene's side. "We need to stay here. Eramus is under enough scrutiny as it is. Having strangers accompany him will only make his people more anxious."
The wrinkles on her forehead deepened. "Do hispeoplehave a problem with family visiting him? That's absurd."
Aldeth took her face between his hands and smiled. "And how are we to explain how we came to find him after all these years? You know they will ask questions. What if you have a vision whilst we are there? How do you think they might respond to that?"
Yelene pursed her lips. "You could just tell them I passed out? How are they to know any different?"
"And if you scream or shout, as you often do? They may think you're insane."
"So? You know I'm not."
Aldeth chuckled and pressed his forehead to hers. "Do I?"
Yelene opened her mouth to rebuff, but Aldeth captured her breath with a quick kiss. "We'll wait here, and Eramus can tell us about it when he returns. That way, no one will think you're insane, except perhaps me."
She narrowed her eyes. "You are fortunate my affection for you runs so deep; otherwise I might just use my magic on you."
Aldeth's smile stretched from one side of his face to the other. "You did, long before we had powers, love."
