CHAPTER VII #5
I smile at the Discerni and push my shoulder back into his, noticing that Mana’s body stiffens just slightly. A small twinge of guilt pushes against my chest for the brother, still hating to be the reason he’s taken away from Sera and their life in the Palisades.
“And now your travels take you into Woodlands,” Crisjan replies softly, looking over the three of us.
I give him a small nod and spot Desmond out of the corner of my eyes looking at his empty glass.
“Excuse me,” the Master Informer announces.
I give Lord Crisjan an apologetic smile that promises I’ll talk of Woodlands later tonight. Crisjan nods in understanding as I excuse myself behind Desmond and follow the dark Discerni back into the room.
“Alexis,” he turns to me with his sharp features, eyes narrowed in curiosity.
I smile at the three soldiers as they walk past us and catch his gaze.
“I wanted to inquire if you were able to look into the young man from Woodlands,” I ask, my voice low. “Arens.”
Desmond nods, reaching for the decanter of whiskey. “He was gone. Left at first morning light the day after the coronation.”
“Him and the others he was with?” I press.
“Yes.”
I try to hide my frown. “Do you have the means to contact him?”
“Not until his group settles back into Airea or La Cour,” Desmond turns to me. “I’ve asked my men to keep an eye on their return. They’ll alert me when that happens. Should be any day now.”
“Thank you,” I let out a sigh of relief.
Desmond peers at me silently, his features thoughtful. “And what of Chef’s boy? Were you able to make your own inquiries?”
“I was,” I grimace and take a small sip of whiskey. “He remembers nothing, Desmond. Nothing before Bardot. Couldn’t even tell me from where he came.”
The Master Informer’s eyes turn dark, the two of us looking at the rest of the group as they all stand outside.
“It can’t be a coincidence,” I continue softly, watching as Lord Alexander shifts on his feet.
“No,” Desmond replies, turning his full body in my direction before his dark gaze catches mine.
My eyes widen as I feel his stealthing summoning start to wash over us.
“I have two men on my brother…” he continues calmly.
I shake my head hard at the Master Informer, “I don’t think it’s Troy.”
I used to. But not anymore.
“I inquired with Elena,” I explain further, spotting Cal and Alanna walking in. “I don’t know how much Keane told you of my own arrival to Bardot from Etter-”
“-He’s told me everything,” Desmond nods quietly.
“Then you’ll understand when I tell you that I pressed your sister during our last conversation.
I needed to know everything about Troy’s summoning that he used on me.
I needed to know how it worked and if it could make me lose my memories.
She confirmed that he can only channel the emotions of a being, and was steadfast in her belief that he could not erase them completely. I’ve come to share that sentiment.”
“Regardless,” Desmond lifts his brows, “if it is not him that is making those from Woodlands forgetful, then it is someone close to him, and I aim to find out.”
He lowers his stealth just as Cal and Alanna walk in our direction. Both of them startle in surprise, their previous heavy frowns now replaced with wide eyes.
“This is everyone then?” Lord Crisjan’s joyful voice asks as he steps into the room.
“Seems about right,” Keane replies, flicking his eyes off Desmond to catch my gaze with his curious one.
“Excellent,” the older Discerni smiles. “Let’s get some food on the table.”
Dinner would have been a quiet affair had it not been for Lord Crisjan’s bubbly presence.
He inquired into Stormfall, wanting to hear more on the origins of the Bird of Ash and how we came to find eachother, promising to send a full plate of food for him just after dinner.
I told my story openly, noticing Lord Alexander and Canon also listening in with interest. He also asked of the coronation, of the Ancient Heysan’s arrival in the Old World and if the rumors of his existence were true.
It was a good dinner fueled by his questions, one that allowed a few rounds of whiskey to pass over our group as they all eased from their stiffness.
The only two that didn’t loosen up were Cal and Alanna.
Their frowns from earlier remained throughout the whole dinner.
“I’m going to turn in,” Mana announces from the balcony after dinner.
“Me as well,” Alanna adds.
Cal openly grimaces, watching his friend leave with Alanna.
“Are you up for training on this travel, Cal?” I ask in distraction.
Cal brings his hand up to his beard in thought. There’s still a few good few bruises from the fight littering the side of his face, not to mention the cut that split open his cheek.
“Dawn,” he nods, eyes darting away from the door to meet mine.
“Good,” I smile and turn to Holis. “Join us? I don’t recall seeing any archery fields last time we were here, but then again, I wasn’t much looking.”
“We can make do in the stables,” he grins.
The three of us move to join the rest of the group seated around a small roaring fire.
Keane and Crisjan are next to each other, with Desmond and Lord Alexander at their opposites, all enjoying a small conversation.
I even notice Canon sitting contently with the men.
He’s not drinking or smoking, just sitting relaxed and silent, enjoying the flames and the night sky.
Keane glances my way when we approach, his brown eyes catching mine playfully as he sits back in his chair and looks down at his knee, then back at me.
I give him a small smirk and shake my head in denial, walking back with Cal into the room to grab some extra chairs.
I place mine directly next to Keane’s brother and sit down with a grin.
“Oh, Alexis, you should have known better,” Desmond chuckles.
I look at him curiously and watch as he promptly stands up, switching his seat with his brother.
“Traitor.”
Crisjan watches the three of us with sparkling eyes, catching as Keane sits down and reaches for the bottom of my chair, pulling it towards him.
“When will you all depart tomorrow?”
“Just as the sun rises,” Keane replies.
“Straight for Etter?”
Keane nods to the Lord, moving his arm around the back of my chair so that his fingers dip towards my shoulder.
“Ancients,” Crisjan looks off in thought. “It’s been a long while since I’ve made the travel myself. We’ve had a few of their Discerni pass through Auclair in the past years, though they never stay long…”
“Tell me,” he sits up in his chair excitedly, looking between Keane and Desmond. “Do either of you know if old Maude is still around? She hasn’t written in ages. I have a few books I’d like to return to her but I haven’t been able to get in touch.”
Desmond shifts in his seat, shaking his head quietly. “It is my understanding that she passed a little over a year ago.”
“What terrible news,” Lord Crisjan sits back in his chair, looking at the Master Informer with sad eyes. “Do you know if there’s a next of kin still in the village?”
“I believe her great-niece still resides,” Desmond nods as I accept the pipe from Keane, letting his fingers brush against mine.
“Send my regards and sympathies with the books, yes?” Crisjan ask. “I’ll have them brought to your room tonight.
I look at the Lord quietly, not knowing who this Maude character is but recognizing the deep affection in his words. Whoever the woman was, they were certainly friends at some point.
“And you, Lady Alexis,” Crisjan turns to me with his smile, “will this be the first time you visit Woodlands Court?”
“It will,” I reply, taking a deep inhale.
Lord Crisjan beams, his eyes once more looking out into the night, as if in remembrance.
“The lands there are certainly beautiful, dare I say even more beautiful than those here in Knowledge…”
The lands. Not the people.
“More woods than I care to live under, however. It’s a surprise they even see the sun over there. I look forward to hearing stories of your travels, young Alexis.”
“As I look forward to telling them,” I nod steadily, knowing that I’ll need all the help I can get to spread as much word as possible on this dreaded but beautiful court.
Crisjan looks back in my direction, eyeing my whiskey before he stands up.
“Let’s go grab another round, you and I.”
I smile and walk with the Lord into the room.
“It’s funny,” he looks at me with a softness in his eyes, “but I never once doubted that you would end up where you are now, Alexis.”
I shake my head with a smile. “I certainly didn’t envision my life leading me here, but it does feel right.”
“Very right,” Crisjan’s eyes sparkle as we walk side by side. “Another story that made its way to Auclair, and another that I’ve been able to confirm tonight.”
“And what is that?” I laugh as we reach the far end of the room.
“You and the King, my dear,” he says warmly.
Oh.
Keane’s summoning pushes hard into my abdomen, dripping with his desire as I shift on my feet. I think Crisjan sees my blush, or at least my small look of surprise, because the older man chuckles and turns back to the small counter to let me collect myself as he reaches for the whiskey.
“Tell me of this request you wanted to ask me,” he says quietly.
“Two, actually,” I look behind us, catching Keane’s intense gaze from behind the flames.
Do I care that he hears this next conversation?
No.
Though I don’t know if I want anyone else listening in.
I give Keane a small smile, still feeling his summoning as I turn my shoulder into the Discerni Lord and let my own voice fall to a whisper.
“I wanted to ask if you’ve came across something in your time here in Auclair, something of interest to me. Or if you know of anyone who has…”
Crisjan nods and tips the decanter above my near empty glass.
“Information on how to shield a person’s private thoughts from someone who uses summoning to hear them.”
The older Discerni looks at me, his eyes deeply curious. “That is an interesting request indeed, Alexis, though why would something of the sort interest you?”