CHAPTER XVI #8
We took dinner that night with the Lord and Lady Tove, ending our time in Dankworth with our small and intimate group of four.
It was a good night, though one that ended taking a heavy turn the moment Keane began speaking to the two of Hirovale and his prophecy.
They were curious, naturally, after the Ancient greeted their city, and asked questions on how we were so familiar with him and what more they could expect from the changes that were coming.
The King had taken to indulging that curiosity, disclosing more into our travels to Livyatan, on the true reason for why we needed to cross its borders and the Ancient’s plans for the Old World.
Both Woodlands Discerni sat shocked in their chairs, eyes wide in disbelief as they listened to his words.
But I wasn’t sure that I agreed with sharing that information.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Sandam and Tove, we had all become quick friends over the past few days, but I was more worried about what that information would bring forth and why anyone outside the Kingdoms Council even needed to know about it.
“Any word you spread on Hirovale and Livyatan will only elevate my own involvement,” I frown at Keane from the foot of the bed.
“You are the Ancient’s champion, Alexis,” he narrows his eyes on me from his seat at the table, “your involvement will be known sooner or later.”
I pull my night slip over my body slowly, brows furrowing in small confusion.
“And you’re okay with Disce knowing that? Okay with more eyes on me then there already are?”
Keane looks at me curiously from across the room. “What are you suggesting?”
“That there’s already people here that want me, Keane!
” I turn to him in small disbelief. “That there’s already people who aim to take me due to the knowledge they’ve gained of my relationship with Hiro and what I represent for him.
But now you give that information freely, and we both know it will spread, fast. What happens when the Kingdom begins talking?
When all of Disce finds out of my involvement? ”
“Then they will continue to look upon you in awe and fear,” Keane replies, brown eyes narrowing again, “and we will continue on as we have.”
“I don’t think I agree with that,” I sigh.
Keane watches me silently for a long moment, his voice calm. “We know of the threats, Alexis. They will continue, regardless if your involvement with the Ancient is known now or down the road.”
“But you announcing my involvement with the Ancient will only bring about more threats,” I turn to him with troubled eyes, “so why not put a halt to them? Let’s move into Livyatan on our own.
Let’s continue Hiro’s quest in silent pursuit and let him deal with the announcement to the Old World. It’s his plan anyways.”
Stormfall spreads his wings wide above the bed post, pushing into the air to soar to the table at Keane’s side.
No more hiding, Alexis.
“Hirovale,” I turn my gaze on the Bird of Ash in correction, “no more hiding for Hirovale.”
“For us all,” Keane sighs and drops his pen on the table.
“A Kingdom’s Council is imminent now, Alexis, and we need all the support we can get.
Disce needs to stand united in our agreement with the Ancient and the humans of the Old World.
The quicker the news travels of what is planned, the faster it will be to flush out those who seek to fight against it. ”
“Those people that wish to fight the change are here,” I walk towards him, “in Woodlands. And now word will be traveling throughout this court that I-”
“That you are the Human Reborn,” Keane eyes me quietly, “that you are the Ancient of Death and Exploration’s champion and that you ride the Old World with his right hand.
That you are the Queen to Be who can summon the elemental air and wield green agate.
Everyone will know. Just as everyone will come to know of the Ancient’s plans. ”
“But there are other ways to promote those plans without openly mentioning me,” I press, hands falling on the table, “or are we now just going to tell the Old World of the Kingdoms Council and everything that came from it?”
“I have half a mind to,” Keane nods in seriousness.
“What?” my eyes go round.
Keane pushes his back against his chair, reaching a hand to Stormfall on the table as he eyes me thoughtfully. “When you spoke to the woman Ari in Rivian’s temple, was that not to bring her to a new understanding? To bring her the truth of the Ancient she revered so highly?”
“Yes,” my eyes narrow, “of course.”
“The same can be said of the people of Disce, of the people of the Old World. They will value the truth. They will appreciate the trust we put in them to come to their own conclusions about the Ancients now awake. When I spoke to Sandam and Tove tonight it wasn’t only with the desire to spread the word.
They were shocked, yes, but I know you saw as well as I did the strong resolve that took over their features.
They want to stand for our cause. But I will not ask them to stand with us without fully understanding what it is they stand for. Disce is no different.”
Elder Father and Mother, this man.
He’s right, of course. And perhaps it’s my own small fear and unease that has me so anxious. Everything is just moving along so fast. But I know Disce deserves truth, as do the humans that will be affected by it.
My smile is small to my King, bowing my head to his words before I push off the table. Keane eyes me in my walk, arms reaching for my waist to drop me into his lap.
“The Ancient and I are prepared for more eyes on you, Alexis,” he holds me steady, “you don’t see it now, but your involvement with Hiro is actually revered by many.
We’ve been in Woodlands for too long and have only seen the eyes that wish to do you harm.
That is not the sentiment that resides in Warrior, nor in Knowledge. ”
I sigh into his chest and close my own eyes, snuggling into his embrace and the words I need to hear.