I leave before she says anything else.
As I cross the bridge that leads back to The Court, one of the Warriors steps forward.
“Your father has requested you speak with him.”
“My father? I have nothing to say to him.”
“I can escort you if you’d prefer.” He makes a small step forward, his hand gliding down to the hilt of his weapon. It’s not always clear what abilities Warriors possess, and I’m not dumb enough to pick a fight with more experienced officers.
“No. That won’t be necessary. I’ll go to him,” I confirm.
But as I approach the gate, I see Orion, my father himself, walking towards me. Seems his impatience won out.
“Can we speak? In private.”
“I gathered that. I’m not sure what I have to say to you,” I tack on.
“You can play the petulant child who didn’t get what he wanted all you like, but things are different now. So, let’s put our differences aside and talk.”
“Differences?” My anger rises, my mind racing.
“Aten, please.”
My father didn’t often ask, certainly not with pleasantries attached.
Taking a deep breath, I nod, and he leads the way back to his office within The Tower, in silence.
I’ve not been in here for weeks.
The map of Kirrasia still lives on his desk, an intricate detail of our country, including the mainland of Sunatora and Nehandun, which make up the rest of the continents. My eyes scrutinise the border to Estereah. I’ve never really given it much thought, but now, I’m drawn to it, questions forming in my mind about our defensive position against the small land, the other possible threats to us, and the strategy behind identifying any others with gifts outside of our protection.
It’s like my mind is open, running over scenes and scenarios I’d have never considered before, pulling together the histories we’ve been taught about, the battles fought in the past, and for what reason. Like the knowledge is knitting together in my head, and the map is the catalyst, spinning something new and clearer.
“Have you spoken with her? The girl?”
His question interrupts my thoughts, and I take a second to consider how to answer. Flashes of the memories I’ve had with Ever all intertwine, lingering on the fear that gripped me at seeing her fall to the floor the other night. “Ever? Yes. Briefly.She seems to have been kept from us at training. Contact is being limited.” I skip the details, considering the time we spent together as ours and not for sharing.
“On our command. She is raw. Uncontrolled. A danger.” Now I know where Rowan got the order from.
“Really? That’s lofty praise from the Head of the Warrior Order towards a random girl,” I jest, but realise that if he’s cautious of her from only their first confrontation, then he’d be locking her up if he knew what I knew.
The fear returns as I imagine her being questioned. Tested. There’s no fucking way I’ll betray her confidence.
“Don’t mock me, Aten. Not now.”
“Why the sudden worry about Ever?” I shift the direction back to what I want to know.
“What do you know about her? What’s she said?”
“Very little. As I said,” I repeat. And lie.
“It’s important, Aten.” He stands next to me as if imploring me to understand. “For you to find out what you can. Listen to her. Take notice of her.”
Oh, there’s no worry there.
“Okay. Why? We’re all getting sick of being kept in the dark about her, and it’s only been a day.”
He takes a step back, reverting to form. “Need I remind you of the precarious peace that we have here? That there are those who wish to end that?”
