CHAPTER XIV #7
Cal chuckles and takes a heavy step forward, raising his fists. I plant my feet firmly into the ground and nod again, squaring my shoulders the moment he lunges forward.
Ancients, it really has been too long.
We’re both sweating by the time we finally take a small break, the two of us sitting side by side under a tree as we pass Cal’s canteen of water.
“Daggers next,” Cal breathes, “though from what I’ve seen recently, it doesn’t look like you need any extra practice.”
“Perhaps my use is natural,” I consider, reaching for my boot. “It definitely seems natural now. Oh, I bought another blade. The larger finally feels good in my hand so I opted for a second small one.”
My friend takes the dagger, analyzing its weight. “The same man in the Palisades?”
“Yes. He does good work.”
“He does. Profits will be booming for him soon.”
Cal flips the handle and extends it back to me as I look at my friend curiously.
“What do you make of Keane’s Decree?”
“Long overdue, Alex,” Cal nods and takes a heavy swig of water. “You know how I feel. I’m glad we’ll no longer have to hide our use.”
“Same…” I reply quietly, still eyeing him.
Cal stretches his legs and looks out to the woods, watching Alanna and Holis from afar.
“And my use of summoning?” my voice is a near whisper.
My big friend turns back to me and shrugs his shoulder. “Not surprising. Do what you have to do, Alex. And use whatever aid you can to help yourself.”
“You must not have heard what I did in these woods then,” I look at the ground.
“I heard,” Cal’s voice is soft. “I also heard from the brothers that the power was unlike anything they had ever experienced before. That with the right training you’ll rival the strongest of any magical being…”
His hand reaches for mine, drawing me back to his gaze. “They’re also steadfast in their belief that you’ll get that training. Everything is going to work itself out.”
I give him a small smile.
“And you? Has everything worked itself out between you and Alanna?”
“For the most part,” he grins.
“And you and the Ancient?” I ask quietly, feeling his hand still in mine.
Do I tell him I know? Do we have this conversation now?
I hold my breath as Cal pulls his hand away, fingers running through his hair.
“That’s actually something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about, Alex…”
My smile is lopsided, shaking my head softly. “I know of the terms of the wager, Cal.”
He takes a deep breath, eyes soft on mine in their surprise.
“Why?” I whisper, still needing an explanation of my own.
Cal extends his canteen to me and places his hands behind his back, leaning on them in thought.
“Would you believe me if I told you that I agreed because of you?” he asks genuinely.
I bring a knee up to my chest and frown at my big friend. “For me?”
“For you, Alex. Your protection has always been our priority. You didn’t know it then, when we started out on our travels with just the four of us, but we did.
We always suspected something larger was going on in your pursuit for Zander.
That there was something more meaningful behind our employment. ”
“The same still holds true now,” his smile turns strong.
“You are our friend, my friend. I thank the Ancients for the day that Zander brought us all together. So when Heysan approached me at the coronation and told me that his own desires aligned with your Ancient’s, that him and I would work together with the two of you, how could I say no?
Especially if it meant that I was to remain at your side. ”
I reach for Cal’s hand, grabbing it hard as I hold his brown eyes that look at me with deep affection.
How can I fault him? Wouldn’t I do the same for him if the roles were reversed?
This is exactly what friends are for, what years of traveling with each other has done for us.
Him and Mana and Holis were the first men to look after me, before I even knew that I needed any looking after.
They were the first knot in a tie of friendship that grew stronger with every passing moment, and I knew now, looking back at Cal, that I would defend him just as severely as he is me.
“We’re in this for the long haul, aren’t we?” I whisper with a smile.
“Yes,” he squeezes my hand, “it would seem so.”
“Are you expected to summon?” I ask him genuinely. “Is that something you want now?”
Cal sighs in consideration. “I don’t think it’s expected, but Heysan did mention a few tricks that he could teach me if I was willing. I’ve yet to explore that road yet…”
“If anyone knows of that battle, it’s me.”
“Yes,” he whispers, eyes darting back to Alanna.
“But the wager still runs, no?” I look at him curiously. “You’re both still trying to drink each other under the table?”
Cal chuckles. “At this rate he’ll get me as his champion when I become a grandfa- Dear Ancients!”
My big friend lifts himself swiftly off the ground and takes a knee, lowering his head as I swivel around quickly from my seat, dagger in hand. Hirovale stands tall before us, his own knees right in my line of sight as I turn up to see him grinning at my friend.
“You cannot outdrink my brother, Cal,” Hirovale’s laugh is casual, “but you are the first to give him a run for his coin.”
I roll my eyes at the Ancient and push up from the ground.
“Ignore him, Cal. He probably placed his own bet on his brother and wants it to pay out. My coin’s still on you.”
I reach a hand down to my friend as Cal looks up at Hirovale with wide eyes.
“It’s good to finally meet you as well,” Hiro nods with a grin, turning his head just slightly to greet Stormfall as the Bird of Ash flies to his shoulder.
“Holis and Mana,” Cal lifts a thumb behind his shoulder timidly, still in shock.
“They’re next on my list,” Hirovale smiles, “but I wanted to meet with you first, to thank you for taking care of Alex for me.”
“Of… of course.”
“I am in your debt for protecting her these past years while I slept,” Hiro continues. “Your presence has not gone unnoticed, nor will it be without reward.”
Cal’s eyes grow even larger still, unable to fully process the Ancient or his words.
What are you doing here? I turn to Hirovale with narrowed eyes.
Come to take you away for training, my Human Reborn, he replies, features turning cool, and to finish our chat.
I hold his gaze and watch as his golden eyes move slowly over my sweating face and the glare I now greet him with. He’s taking in my windblown hair and disheveled clothing, a small grin barely reaching the tips of his lips when his eyes find mine again.
I shake my head at the Ancient and step towards Cal, placing my hand on his shoulder as I push him towards the rest of the crew.
“Come on, Cal. Let’s go introduce the others.”
Both Holis and Mana have the same shocked reaction as Cal, dropping instantly to their knees with wide eyes of disbelief.
I have never seen them go so silent in my life, and that’s saying something as Mana is perhaps one of the quietest Discerni I have ever known.
But when Hirovale approaches them, dropping a hand on both of their shoulders in deep affection and respect, they relax heavily, smiling at the Ancient as the followers and believers they have always been.
The twins stand next to me when Hirovale makes his way to Alanna and Cannon, introducing himself with a steady shake of their hands.
The brothers grin silently at my side, fully analyzing Hiro for the first time and nearly chuckling to themselves, both now understanding my initial reaction to the statue that rested outside Alston.
Hirovale is confident in his tall being, standing in the woods.
He’s dressed in his rich, deep grey tunic without sleeves, pairing it with thick black riding pants and boots.
His black hair falls casually to his shoulders with his full face alight and friendly, his golden eyes secretively analyzing everyone in return.
The ink on his left wrist shines a vibrant black against his lightly tanned skin, the four rings moving up his forearm and etched into his skin so perfectly.
His arms seem to be larger than I remember, no longer lean and toned but cut and muscular, giving him a broader look then before. And is that…?
I swear it is…
Even the power pushing out of him is stronger, surrounding the full woods in an authoritative embrace.
The Ancient quickly turns his head to me, eyes and lips grinning as he nods.
Much stronger, Alex.
I have a door now, Hiro, I glare back at him. Shutting it.
“That will not help you,” he chuckles.
I swiftly put my mind in the middle of Rivian’s foreboding white temple, watching as the black snake rears its head large against the wooden door. The entry door tightens shut in front of me, securing itself with Hiro standing firmly on the other side.
Hmm, the Ancient’s voice drips with calm amusement, interesting choice of guard.
I’m heading back to Sianoa once this is done, I narrow my eyes on him.
Make sure you bring your King. She’ll enjoy that.
I lift my hand to the Ancient in a very unkind gesture but pause midway, vaguely remembering the crew around us. Everyone with the exception of the King is staring at me with their jaws dropped, the lot of them unable to comprehend the conversation or relationship between the two of us.
I roll my eyes at the Ancient instead and turn towards Keane, catching his fiery gaze on me as he smirks.
Of course.
“Well, let’s get on with this,” I smile sweetly at Hirovale.
Hiro nods and looks straight at Keane.
“You too, King,” he tells him. “It is the three of us, after all.”
My heart pounds against my chest, watching both men look at eachother with such deep respect that my own gaze turns curious. Hirovale is inviting Keane? I thought our trainings would be just me and him.
That was not our agreement in the Palisades, Alex.
The Palisades…
Still another conversation to discuss.