When they exited the palace and headed towards the north gate of the city, they met others on their path. Demos, Siban, Balthazar, Caemorn, Fiona, Seeyr, and all of the Weryn Bloodline that had returned to him. There were so many. Legion drew close to him.
“Master?” Legion sounded both afraid and hopeful that something negative would happen.
“They are seeing us off on our hunt,” Ryder said.
He had reached out to Balthazar mentally before he’d reached the cell, who had already understood what he had intended to do before he did, had arranged this.
“Oh?” Legion asked.
Demos and Siban stepped out from the side of the path. The feathers in Demos’ hair fluttered in the cool breeze. Siban looked elegant and serious.
“Master is takingmeon a hunt, Siban,” Legion said proudly.
“Yes, Legion. You are very lucky,” Siban said.
“I am the Childe of his Heart,” Legion told them, glancing over at him to see if he’d really meant it.
Ryder did not deny it, but instead simply nodded solemnly.
“It’ll be a good hunt,” Demos said, his eyes fixed on Ryder’s face.
He knew his Blood Brother was hurting for him. Demos would have done anything to take this burden from his shoulders. But that couldn’t be done. Only Ryder could put it down. Put Legion down.
Demos and Siban stepped back into the crowd. Balthazar and Caemorn were the next to approach them. Balthazar was wearing a dark blue suit with a sunny yellow shirt and tie. It should not have worked, but it did. Caemorn was in his sleek all-black. Caemorn flipped the soul gem with Roan in it between his fingers almost absently. Legion moved closer to Ryder’s side. He was genuinely afraid of the two of them.
“Master?” Legion whined.
“It’s all right. We’re together now. They won’t hurt you,” Ryder promised.
“Master is strong and wise,” Legion muttered. “Better than them.”
Ryder didn’t agree, but he merely smiled his greeting at the other Immortals.
“Nice night for a hunt,” Balthazar said. “Though I cannot imagine going out in that muck.” He picked an invisible piece of lint from his suit coat. “I’m more of a city hunter myself.”
“We mustn’t let you muss that outfit,” Ryder responded dryly.
“It is quite nice, isn’t it?” Balthazar modeled it for him.
“Lovely. Only you could pull it off,” Ryder admitted.
“I don’t know, Ryder. I can see you in some animal prints.” Balthazar flashed him a rakish smile.
In his mind, Balthazar sent,If you need anything, Ryder, anything at all–
It’s all right. I truly am at peace with this. It’s for the best.
Yes, Seery told me what you intended.
She did? Then she knew before I did.
She always does,Balthazar laughed.
Ryder met Caemorn’s steady gaze. Of all of them, he knew Ryder’s pain. It was a connection between them that had not been there before when they were Weryn and Kaly. But it was there now. Something that bound them together as tight as blood. He nodded at Caemorn. Caemorn nodded back. There was nothing that needed to be said.
As Balthazar and Caemorn stepped back, Fiona came out to them. Sana remained in the crowd behind her, but she tracked Legion. Ryder knew that Fiona would have her own decision to make about Shaela. And he would be there for her when it was time. Fiona reached out and took Ryder’s hands in hers.
“Brother,” she said softly.
