CHAPTER III #7
Tarragons are the rumored beasts that fly above the mountains of Pyre, the creatures that live deep within their cold woods and the tops of every snowy mountain peak.
They’re rare creatures, with scales for skin and wingspans longer than a few horses wide.
They’re also rumored to breathe a fire so strong that it can melt any metal or stone within a blink.
Golem shakes his head before giving it some thought, then reverts to a nod.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I chuckle, “you haven’t but have seen a tarragon?”
The magical creature remains quiet and unreading as I lay down on my back and stare at the moons. I’m perfectly content to let the gentle water move under me as he thinks on the answer…
The press of a cool hand gently touches my shoulder, rousing me in my sleep. My eyes quickly dart to Golem leaning over me, the moons now halfway on the other side of the lake from where they were before.
“Ancients,” I shake my head, “that sleep came fast. Thanks for waking me, Golem.”
I smile at the magical creature and stand up, straightening my clothes and hair before heading back to the main road.
The inn is quiet when we arrive, the barkeep closing down for the night with only a few patrons remaining inside.
I walk towards the hall leading to my shared room with Alanna but stop when Golem’s cool hand touches my shoulder again.
His eyes capture mine before he shakes his head, beckoning me to follow him in another direction.
“To the other side of the inn?” I frown.
Golem nods, and despite my need for a proper sleep in an actual bed, my curiosity takes the reins and I let him lead the way.
We walk towards a small staircase in the corner of the common room, the structure so well hidden in the dim lighting that it almost seems like it’s trying not to grab attention.
I follow Golem without question and quietly take the stairs behind him, the two of us landing in another hidden hall the moment we reach the top.
“What’s going on, Golem?” I whisper in confusion.
The magical creature raises a finger to his lips, willing me to be quiet before he starts down the dark hall.
I frown again at the sneaky endeavor but follow nonetheless, quietly taking in the shadowed walls that host no doors or lanterns or what looks to be any vacant rooms. It doesn’t take long to realize he’s leading me through a private wing of the inn, though why he’s chosen to do so is still beyond me.
We both slow in the middle of the hall when a bright light at the end comes into view. It’s shining from a door that’s opened half-way, as if whoever resides in the room beyond thinks this hall alone is privacy enough and couldn’t be bothered to close it.
Golem turns to me with a pensive face, his eyes darting over mine as if wanting to ask a question. I understand the look and nod to let him know I’m game, the sheer deviousness of actually spying on someone spurring both of us onward.
Ancients, what are we doing?
The two of us approach the open door on tiptoes and quiet stealth, though Golem seems to be more calm in the moment than I am.
There’s a hint of determination behind his gaze that makes me wonder why he’s so intent on bringing me here, but I don’t get the chance to question the look because he’s stopping an arm’s length away from the door.
Golem turns to me and tilts his chin towards the crack, urging me to look inside. I nod at the mischievous creature and press my shoulder against his, the two of us craning our necks as we look around the door.
I immediately spot Desmond at the far end of the room.
The Master Informer is standing in front of a well-lit fireplace as he gazes into the flames, the red and orange glow crackling over his dark skin as he looks lost in thought.
The firelight dancing across the walls illuminates a small settee in front of him where Alanna is seated with her back to us.
Her long blonde hair sways behind her as she glances to the right with a smile, her grey eyes landing on another figure who comes into view that’s clad in all black.
The man strides over to Alanna and takes a casual seat next to the Discerni woman, his muscled arm reaching across the back of the settee as he returns her smile with one of his own.
I quickly tear my eyes away from the room and look back at Golem, motioning for us to leave, now.
The magical creature shakes his head fervently, hand coming up to the small of my back as if to keep me in place.
He catches my gaze and looks back to the room pointedly, his indication clear that he’s brought me here for a reason.
Despite my better judgement, I turn back to the group of three who’re all looking towards the fire and focus on the man sitting cozy next to Alanna…
Prince Keane Bardot.
First-born son of King Zander, heir to the Kingdom of Disce, Leading Lord of the Court of Warriors, and First in Command of Disce’s armies.
Ancients, what is he doing here in Agnor? Aren’t we supposed to be meeting with him in Dalloway tomorrow?
The eldest Prince shifts on the settee, his broad shoulders and muscular back rippling under a rich, black shirt that emphasizes his authority. The mood in the room turns quiet and contemplative at that single movement, as if his presence alone is enough to command the space.
I’ve never met the Prince personally, but I have seen him and that commanding presence a few times at court from afar.
The back of his brown hair is clipped short at the nape of his neck in the same way I remember, while the top of it rests a bit longer and styled with ease.
There’s no mistaking His Highness now or anywhere else, and even though I can’t see his gaze from my spot behind the door, I do know that his brown eyes are both demanding and intuitive, as if he’s always analyzing whatever’s in front of him.
Those eyes are complimented by a set of dark brown brows that make his gaze even stronger, and I distinctly remember his face having a sharp look to it, like he’s assessing every person and every room with a level of masculine pride that can never be deterred.
That sharpness is then contrasted by a set of full red lips, the corners of them always seeming to tip up in a silent amusement that only he’s privy too.
His jawline is immaculate and cut strong and angled, the smooth plains leading purposely to his leaf-shaped ear.
His hair is the perfect shade of natural brown that compliments his tanned skin, quite easily making him the most handsome Discerni I’ve ever seen.
Every woman at the capitol is always unable to keep their eyes off him when he visits… myself included.
In human years, Prince Keane would be around the age of twenty-eight, three years my senior, but as a Discerni, he’s lived over a century.
The Prince’s arm draped over the back of the settee reaches towards Alanna’s pale hair, his fingers absently playing with the ends as he runs them through her curls.
He shifts in his seat again and looks up at his brother standing before the fire, his masculine voice cutting through the room around him as he signals the beginning of their conversation.
“Tell me about her,” he commands, “this girl that travels with my father’s Golem.”
I bite down on my lip and remain quiet, watching as he turns to Alanna first for an answer.
“Different,” the blonde Warrior shrugs, “unexpected. Annoying.”
I scowl at the back of her head.
“You think everyone outside of the Court of Warriors is annoying,” the Prince chuckles.
“True,” she smirks.
“But why different? Why unexpected?”
Alanna sighs and turns to Desmond.
“She’s Knowledge, through and through,” she nods, “she wears her colors with pride. She reads on her free time and has an air about her that is just casually content. She seemed a bit simple when I first conversed with her, but now I can’t completely say there isn’t some depth there.
She’s not like the rest of those I’ve met from Knowledge. Very similar, but still different…”
“Hmm,” the Prince tugs on her hair with a small grin, “it seems like you want to say more.”
Alanna opens her mouth and then closes it with a frown, her brows furrowing in annoyance as she looks into the fire.
“I don’t think she knows what to make of the girl,” Desmond’s hard voice chimes in, “nor do I.”
The Prince sits back in his seat with a look of quiet astonishment.
“Well now I’m properly intrigued. She’s even silenced you, brother?”
“Somewhat,” Desmond nods, “she’s polite enough but doesn’t give much away, which makes her hard to gauge.
I agree with Alanna’s assessment that the girl is a bit simple when you first meet her, but there’s something else there, something that’s captured father’s interest. That’s what has me confused because I’m trying to figure it out. ”
“What’s her surname?”
“Deveren,” the Master Informer frowns just as Alanna shifts in her seat.
The Prince grimaces, “a common surname in Woodlands. What about the men who travel with her? Are they from Woodlands too?”
“No,” Desmond shakes his head, “they’re all from Knowledge.
The Discerni twins are quiet and mostly keep to themselves, but they’re always aware of where the girl is.
I know they’re both loyal to our father, though I don’t know the nature of that relationship or how they met him.
One is skilled with a kedge and I have half a mind to challenge him to a duel when we reach Gaumond.
If he’s as good as he looks, that only adds more confusion as to why our father would put a severely skilled Discerni in her presence.
He obviously thinks she needs protection… ”
“And the other twin?”
“The second hangs around her more often. The two of them seem comfortable with eachother.”
“Comfortable how?” the Prince asks with narrowed eyes.