eyes and held her face to the sky. She inhaled, enjoying the scent of moist fallen leaves and the flowers in the garden. When the Pramacretine opened her eyes, she was startled to find the elder Callfah standing very close to her.
Ziodin smiled and spoke, “it is a lovely day. This is the perfect weather for an adventure.”
Melody chiseled a smile onto her stony face before responding, “Yes, it is quite agreeable.” The Pramacretine turned her face to find where everyone would be. When she turned back, Callfah was closer than before. His eyes smoldered at her, burning her with their intensity. To her horror, Melody heard herself gasp and took a step back. Ziodin chuckled and walked away. Melody stared after him, her blood boiling with anger and fear.
“He is unpleasant, to be certain,” a woman said behind her. The Pramacretine turned on her heel and found Jennifer had witnessed the entire scene.
“Indeed,” Melody replied, already exhausted.
“Pramacretine, if I may,” Jennifer said, “I came here for a reason other than this journey. It must be handled sensitively.”
“Very well,” Melody said, nodding, “We will discuss it at our earliest ability. Upon our return I am sure we can find a private place.” Jennifer smiled and inclined her head.
Jennifer leaned in conspiratorially to say, “Stay away from that old Conjurer.”
“Oh, were it as easy as that!” Melody exclaimed to the sky whose company she had only moments ago been so thoroughly enjoying. The Pramacretine forged a path through the crowd to ready her horse. She was disinclined to take Willow, to keep their profile low. She knew her dear Pegasus would be disappointed so she had arranged with the stable workers he be taken into the hills from whence he came for a nice frolic. When Melody found her father, to her dismay, he embellished their party with a band of guards.
“Father,” Melody said. “May I speak with you?”
“Of course,” Andover said amicably, offering his daughter his arm. They walked away from the crowd very slowly. Once they were relatively alone, Melody spoke.
“Why are you sending guards?” Melody asked, keeping her tone as level as she could. “We are only looking for Haroah's sister, if we find her we intended to send for help. All we currently know is that we must go and find his mother that we can send her off in a proper way. Haroah's sister could be anywhere. She may not even be kidnapped, but only run away from her home and her slain mother.”
“I understand,” Andover replied. He smiled down at his headstrong daughter, “I will not patronize you, my love. You must be aware that as it always has been, your safety is imperative. You may be recognized, and that can be dangerous. Many will want to hurt you and many more will bring about danger in their attempts to assist you. Please, do not misconstrue my worry for this particular event, but instead understand it to be my attempt to keep you safe as the Divine.” Andover completed his sentiment and Melody sighed heavily. “Plus, Kensman Wood is not a safe place for anyone. The eldest Fae play in there.”
“It is true; I know the great Ethereal spirits are quite the bother. I suppose it is only fair I grow accustomed to this title, the Divine,” the Pramacretine said mournfully, “I am not sure I can, but I should try. I would ask you to send a few to keep our numbers tolerable. If we ride into villages as twenty and ten we will surely gather more attention than with only six.” Melody's response caused Andover to laugh aloud.
“You are wise beyond your years, my
Ziodin smiled and spoke, “it is a lovely day. This is the perfect weather for an adventure.”
Melody chiseled a smile onto her stony face before responding, “Yes, it is quite agreeable.” The Pramacretine turned her face to find where everyone would be. When she turned back, Callfah was closer than before. His eyes smoldered at her, burning her with their intensity. To her horror, Melody heard herself gasp and took a step back. Ziodin chuckled and walked away. Melody stared after him, her blood boiling with anger and fear.
“He is unpleasant, to be certain,” a woman said behind her. The Pramacretine turned on her heel and found Jennifer had witnessed the entire scene.
“Indeed,” Melody replied, already exhausted.
“Pramacretine, if I may,” Jennifer said, “I came here for a reason other than this journey. It must be handled sensitively.”
“Very well,” Melody said, nodding, “We will discuss it at our earliest ability. Upon our return I am sure we can find a private place.” Jennifer smiled and inclined her head.
Jennifer leaned in conspiratorially to say, “Stay away from that old Conjurer.”
“Oh, were it as easy as that!” Melody exclaimed to the sky whose company she had only moments ago been so thoroughly enjoying. The Pramacretine forged a path through the crowd to ready her horse. She was disinclined to take Willow, to keep their profile low. She knew her dear Pegasus would be disappointed so she had arranged with the stable workers he be taken into the hills from whence he came for a nice frolic. When Melody found her father, to her dismay, he embellished their party with a band of guards.
“Father,” Melody said. “May I speak with you?”
“Of course,” Andover said amicably, offering his daughter his arm. They walked away from the crowd very slowly. Once they were relatively alone, Melody spoke.
“Why are you sending guards?” Melody asked, keeping her tone as level as she could. “We are only looking for Haroah's sister, if we find her we intended to send for help. All we currently know is that we must go and find his mother that we can send her off in a proper way. Haroah's sister could be anywhere. She may not even be kidnapped, but only run away from her home and her slain mother.”
“I understand,” Andover replied. He smiled down at his headstrong daughter, “I will not patronize you, my love. You must be aware that as it always has been, your safety is imperative. You may be recognized, and that can be dangerous. Many will want to hurt you and many more will bring about danger in their attempts to assist you. Please, do not misconstrue my worry for this particular event, but instead understand it to be my attempt to keep you safe as the Divine.” Andover completed his sentiment and Melody sighed heavily. “Plus, Kensman Wood is not a safe place for anyone. The eldest Fae play in there.”
“It is true; I know the great Ethereal spirits are quite the bother. I suppose it is only fair I grow accustomed to this title, the Divine,” the Pramacretine said mournfully, “I am not sure I can, but I should try. I would ask you to send a few to keep our numbers tolerable. If we ride into villages as twenty and ten we will surely gather more attention than with only six.” Melody's response caused Andover to laugh aloud.
“You are wise beyond your years, my
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