CHAPTER XIV #7
But it was often noted that Tomo lacked empathy, causing his judgements to be too harsh.
While he could understand the reasoning for why people did what they did, he could not fully understand the feelings that led people to make those same choices.
Many feared his rulings on disputes, but none could argue that they were made with biases.
He heard both sides and gave the most rational judgement, never deviating into emotions.
Sianoa, the Ancient of the Mystics and Unknown, was heralded for all things mystical and cryptic, most often dealing with prophecies and visions.
She was a large supporter of finding and expanding all of the mysteries of the magic of the Old World, and advocated for new and different ways for summoning to be used.
Her and her followers were relatively quiet and secretive until they had something to share, understanding that any new magic, unfamiliar magic, made people feel uncomfortable.
Not surprisingly, she stood at odds with her Ancient brother, Tomo, as rational intelligence and the unknown mystics rarely ever mixed well together.
Golem’s hand pauses me in my reaching, landing gently on my back. I look up at him and then follow his glance to the door of the pub, watching it close as someone enters.
The cloaked blonde Discerni…
The one from the Palisades.
The one who we passed on our way out of Marybeth’s Tavern in Gaumond.
He’s here, in Fumagalli, his hood drawn as he takes a seat at the pub counter at the opposite end of the room.
I glance back at Golem and wave my hand in a gesture towards the room around us, bringing my finger to my lips with questioning eyes. The magical creature closes his eyes briefly in understanding before nodding in affirmation.
“Will he hear us?” I whisper.
He shakes his head.
“This can’t be a coincidence, right? He was also in the Palisades the day before I left Bardot.”
Golem shakes his head slowly, eyes narrowing on the man’s back.
“Should I reach out to the Prince?”
He nods.
I push at the tug in my stomach and envision Keane in my mind from this morning. He’s laying in my bed without a shirt on, his hands casually folded behind his head as he watches me change. I smile at the vision and feel the genuine want and need that pushes out of me.
Keane’s curiosity immediately hits me back, his summoning filling my lungs hard as I rub my chest at the discomfort.
I let my eyes land on the man at the far end of the pub and then turn to Golem with his gaze still narrowed on the man as well.
Keane quickly releases his hold, either seeing or feeling the look behind Golem’s eyes as I try to steady my breath.
“He’s coming,” I whisper, reaching for the second mug in front of me. I take a swift drink and push my finished soup to the end of the table, pretending to read my book as Stormfall stirs against my neck.
The door to the pub opens again, revealing the Prince. His brown eyes instantly find mine to check that I’m okay before he turns to look at the man seated at the counter. He takes the stool next to the blonde Discerni and nods to the pub owner.
“Your Highness.”
“Toddy, please, Vickam.”
Vickam turns to grab a glass just as the blonde promptly places a cinerin in front of his half-filled drink. The stranger pushes back from his chair with a small nod to Keane and walks out the door. Keane watches him as the older Discerni places a glass in front of him with a curios look.
“Thank you, Vickam,” Keane nods to the barkeep, “has that man visited before today?”
Vickam grimaces at the Prince before nodding, “he came into the village about three days after you all departed. He’s been here since.”
I take a deep breath.
Definitely not a coincidence.
“His business?” Keane asks, lifting the toddy to his lips.
“Haven’t got much,” Vickam replies, “quiet fellow. Mentioned once he was a merchant. That he was taking a slow travel to A’aberg.”
A’aberg… it doesn’t sound familiar.
I glance up to Golem and see him frowning.
“Has he asked around?”
“No, Highness. Eats and drinks, oftentimes pulls out a book to read. Real quiet fellow.”
“Do we know where he sleeps?” Keane inquires, “he’s not at Dnes’ inn.”
Vickam shakes his head, pulling the Discerni’s full mug of ale back off the counter, “I’m unsure, Your Highness.”
Keane nods and stands up from his chair, then turns around to Golem and I with his toddy in hand.
“You let him go?” I whisper when he walks our way.
The Prince takes a seat next to me at the small table, eyes glancing up to Golem.
“Golem quieted our area so I could talk to him.”
Keane nods to our magical friend and then looks at me in answer, “Desmond was with me. He remained outside. He’ll follow the man.”
I sit back in my chair in relief, reaching for my own mug to take a long drink.
“What’s going on, Alexis?”.
I sigh and shake my head, “I wasn’t sure until now, but I’m quite certain that man has been following me since I left Bardot.”
Keane’s eyes narrow on mine as Golem gives a small nod of confirmation.
“What gives you the impression?”
“He was in the Palisades the day before we departed, shortly after I met with your farther. I was shopping for our travel and noticed him on two separate occasions that day. He kept his distance but still followed my movements throughout the city. I didn’t think much of it until I saw him again in Gaumond.
He was at Marybeth’s Tavern on our second day.
Golem pointed him out to me when we were taking lunch. And today... well, he’s here now.”
“Do you know him, Golem?” Keane asks with a cool voice.
Golem nods and then shakes his head.
“Then you know of him?”
Yes.
“Is he a merchant?”
Golem shifts on his feet. No.
Keane stands swiftly from his chair, “go back to the inn and stay with Golem. Do not leave your room, Alexis. Do you understand me?”
“Keane…”
The Prince looks down at me with hard features, “do you understand me?”
“Yes,” I breath, “but…”
Keane turns and walks away, stopping just before the door to turn around. “Back to the inn, Alexis. Now.”
He walks out of the pub with cold and commanding features just as Golem’s hand falls on my shoulder. I don’t like seeing that face on him, the one that hides his anger over cool and calculating thoughts.
I place two cinerins on the table for Vickam and hastily put my book back in my bag, grabbing my cloak from behind my chair and pulling up the hood.
We walk out of the pub and straight for the inn, the small village quiet and peaceful in its afternoon activity.
I don’t spot Keane or his brother anywhere and continue walking with Golem in silence.
We push through the door of the inn and into the common room as Dnes gives a small smile from behind the counter.
I walk directly for her and order a toddy and amber ale, pulling out a few more cinerin from my bag before placing them on the counter.
Dnes places both glasses in front of me and raises her brows when I drink the toddy straight.
I pick up the ale and nod to her in thanks as Golem and I promptly make our way to my room.
Golem closes the door behind us, his hand flicking to the wood as I hear the lock turn into the wall.
I walk towards the bed and gently lift Storm out from under my hood, placing the Bird of Ash on the bedpost. He sleepily opens one of his eyes to look at our surroundings and then curls back into himself without a bother.
Golem and I stay in the room until sundown with no visit or word from Keane or his brother.
I pace, I read, I nap. I take a bath. I do anything to still the anxiety that has routed itself firmly inside me.
Eventually Cal knocks on my door for dinner and I open it quickly, welcoming the presence of someone, anyone, to quell my nerves.
I look back at Golem to ask if it’s okay for me to leave and nearly sag in relief when the magical creatures gives a small nod.
We follow Cal to the common room where only Alanna, Holis and Mana are seated, our group small.
Alanna’s cool grey eyes narrow on mine when we walk in. I lift my hand to Stormfall and place him on the table between the twins, ignoring Alanna’s gaze, and walk with Cal to the barrels behind Dnes.
“Another toddy, Lady?” she smiles in amusement.
“And two of the amber ales,” I nod.
“Two toddies,” Cal replies with a grin, “I can’t let you outdrink me, Alex.”
My smile is small as I nod to my friend. I subtly glance at the door to the inn while we’re waiting, hoping that Keane or Desmond walks in.
“Cheers,” Cal offers me one of the small glasses.
I take the toddy from his hand and down it quickly.
“Whoa, easy there, Alex,” Cal laughs but downs his toddy all the same.
We walk back to the group as Cal takes a seat next to Alanna, his big form making her look much smaller than she really is. I take a seat next to Holis and watch him stroke Stormfall’s chest, looking at the door again in expectation.
Was Desmond able to follow the man? Are they with him now? If they are, what are they doing?
My mind clouds with thoughts as Dnes brings out dinner for our small group of five after another round of drinks.
No one comments on the lack of faces around the table and goes about their meal as normal, with everyone eating and drinking and conversing about the travel home.
I can’t count how my times I’ve looked at the door to the inn since sitting down, my mind elsewhere and not paying much attention to what everyone else is saying.
Eventually we all finish our dinner and Cal heads back to his room for his pipe and a set of die. We continue into the night as we would any other, drinking and enjoying each other’s company in contentment.
Except I’m not content.
I’m filled with anxiety and hundreds of different questions.