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I love everything you all have written! I sense a conflict coming. This could get really interesting really fast. 😉

Sorry I haven’t been around much, I’ve been super busy! I’ll probably have more time after Christmas.

..

A quiet voice broke through the uncomfortable turmoil in Racleva’s head.

“Thank you.”

The simple words made her glance at Caedon. No one had thanked her for anything in years, especially not for something so small. She turned back to her meal, sipping something golden and fizzly that was the sweetest thing she’d ever tasted.

To her surprise, Caedon continued talking, quietly, confidentially, as if he was both talking to himself and to her.

“I miss my family. I promise you I won’t ever take them for granted again. I won’t try to avoid Miri even though she’s annoying, and I’ll study instead of hiding in the garden or the tower.” His deep eyes flicked up to hers. “Do you want to go back to your home?”

His words had been rushed, as if he needed them to unravel. Now, his face was slightly flushed with uncertainty, a look that was the complete opposite of Racleva’s.

Home. How many times had she dreamed of going home?  Of the sunlight warming her skin instead of scorching it, of sitting in the refreshing shade of lyno trees, of chasing her brother up and down the caramel canyons, of falling asleep to her mother’s lullaby, of hiking through the rainforests on her father’s shoulders, and so much more.

But it wasn’t possible to go back home, thanks to the enemy. Racleva’s face hardened even further. They’d taken everything away from her, everything, and she had vowed years ago to do anything it took to wipe them off the face of the universe.

Racleva gulped down the rest of that fizzly drink. “My home was destroyed a long time ago.”

Caedon’s breath caught. “I’m so sorry.”

Racleva shrugged, forcing her feelings to subside, at least temporarily. “Well, it happens. I’ve gotten used to it. Though I wouldn’t quite consider it home, the orphanage that has taken me in is very kind. ”

There was a quiet lull when Theseus suddenly pushed out his chair. “Wow that meal was good! Now that we have gotten some sustenance, we ought to keep exploring. Maybe we will find a way out of this place!”

Racleva narrowed her eyes. He had been quiet the whole meal, which made his sudden exclamation all the more strange.

Still, she agreed with his suggestion and hoped to find Runawin while they were at it, so she followed suit, discreetly scooping some bread rolls into her outer tunic’s pocket. It could come in handy later.

Suddenly Theseus’ hand lit up in flames as he marched out of the room. A thousand thoughts raced through Racleva’s head, all of them confusing. Theseus, a Lowsla? Impossible. She would have detected that instantly, and besides, his skin was too fair.

Then how could he have the power over fire? Clearly he wasn’t the ruler of any of Quilvanya’s empires. And since he had that power in the first place, he clearly wasn’t from the enemy. Was he an ally, then? Possibly. Racleva had heard stories about an important discovery the emperor of Sharian had made, the ability to warp the power of the elements. If Theseus was from Sharian, he was definitely an ally.

And it would explain why she didn’t trust him. Sharites were known for their deception, possibly more so than Dionians, and even though they were fine allies, Sharites only worked with others if it benefited themselves.

Content with her explanation, at least for the time being, Racleva followed Theseus, determined to have a word with him to confirm her theory. As she left the dining room, she glanced back just in time to see Caedon slip Lucas’ dagger into his boot before trudging after her. She hid a smile as she turned around. Good for him.

…

@ariella-newheart @anne_the_noob14 @christlover @steward-of-the-pen