291: Misunderstanding

Sitting there in silence with Sylverith, a memory of the night before came to mind. I had to ask.

“What is his real name? Is it Morlin or Morran?”

Sylverith let out a small laugh. “Both, and neither. He was both those people at times in history, and likely others. I doubt either are his real name, though.”

“So you don’t know either,” I asked.

“No, dear, I don’t know, though I have my suspicions. There were not many individuals present when I made my declaration about not speaking to humanoids,” Sylverith said.

I knew I was pushing it by asking, “What changed?”

Sylverith seemed to really consider this for a moment. “In time I hope to show you, but for now it’s something I will keep to myself.”

I let out a sigh. It was expected, but I was hoping Sylverith would tell me.

She just smiled, leaning back in her chair. “We all have our secrets, dear, yourself included.”

I panicked for a moment, remembering not having the fourteen-day timer like the others on the buffs, but I quickly tried to think of something else, remembering that I couldn’t shield Sylverith at all.

“Worry not, dear, this is why I know forces are at play that we have not quite understood yet. Whatever you thought, I can’t read. I doubt you could even say it, yet everything else you’re an open book,” Sylverith said.

It didn’t entirely put me at ease because I had no idea if what she said was true or not, but I had no reason not to trust her at this point.

We were interrupted when the air mana around us vanished, causing Huling to pop to her feet. The dome of ash was still there, but through it, I heard Milo.

“Trev, temple priests are here.”

Crisplet, hearing it as well, dropped the dome immediately as I saw Lital and some older man I had not seen yet, both standing close to the door.

They both had looks of shock on their faces, though I didn’t know exactly why.

Looking around, I saw that now everyone was there, with Jen, Liane, and Luis having all shown up during the conversation.

Hari looked to be asleep on the table, while Gilain was still drinking as Jamal was now walking around serving again.

“Your friend has woken up, Trev,” Milo said.

Looking over at Lital, he seemed to have gained some composure, while the new man was just staring at Sylverith and Huling.

“Sorry, Lord Ashmoon, we’ve just come to inform you as requested that your friend has awoken this morning. He’s, well, he’s not well, but you’re welcome to visit him for a short time if you’d like,” Lital said.

I jumped to my feet, ready to go immediately, but it seemed Lital wasn’t done.

“I have brought Elder Joseph with me today because I think it’s important you understand what to expect, as a lot of the time people in your friend’s position may lash out, or struggle to cope,” Lital explained.

This seemed to snap the older man to attention and he stopped staring at Sylverith and Huling.

“Uh, oh yes, I specialise in helping individuals return to society essentially, after undergoing mental trauma. I’ll be personally assisting with Lukas’s recovery,” Joseph said.

I felt Liane’s hand on my shoulder as Joseph continued,

“Can we visit now?” I asked.

“Absolutely, but uh, I don’t mean this to cause offence but we likely can’t bring everyone. The strength of the aura in this room is a struggle, and I doubt he’d be able to handle that,” Joseph said carefully.

“I’ll come with you,” Liane said next to me.

Crisplet let off some sparks and Clacks let out a chirp, while I noticed Lily had already vanished.

Joseph hesitated at Crisplet and Clacks, but I knew in this case, Crisplet wouldn’t accept a no regardless.

From the side, Huling spoke up, “I’ll take Clacks for a little bit if you’d like.”

Clacks let out two small chirps and fluttered her wings. Crisplet confirmed my suspicions with a small burst of sparks.

“I’ll be right back, you be good for Aunty Huling,” I said to Clacks, who gave me a chirp.

Sylverith snorted with laughter from the side, “That might be the first time in over a thousand years someone has called Huling aunt.”

I couldn’t help but notice that Joseph mouthed ‘Huling’ to himself but didn’t say it out loud.

“Right, shall we go then?” Liane asked.

Jen stood up, “I’m coming too, you might stab the poor lad if he says something wrong.”

Liane had a look of shock, “I wouldn’t! Trev would heal that instantly.”

“Poison then.” Jen laughed, grabbing her bag.

Leaving the inn, we walked in near silence until we were close to the tree itself.

“The individual you called Huling, is that the Huling?” Joseph asked.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Jen quickly answered, “Yes it was, and before you say it, no she won’t cause trouble, no she’s not dangerous towards us at least, but I’d suggest people keep their distance.”

Joseph looked taken aback and I was surprised that Lital said nothing and had no reaction at all, just kept a steady pace walking.

“Could I ask why Huling the trickster spirit is with you in an inn?” Joseph asked.

“She’s my friend,” I said simply.

Joseph had a look of being stunned, “Friend... with that being, how?”

“She was a friend of a friend, she’s nice,” I said simply.

“You have some terrifying friends, Lord Ashmoon,” Lital said simply.

Jen laughed at that, “You don’t even know the half of it.”

As we arrived at the entrance of the tree I was surprised to see a line leading from the temple itself all the way back to the entrance of the tree.

“Is this normal?” I asked.

Lital laughed, “Not at all, but word of the events last night has already spread, though most of the rumours are quite outlandish.”

“What are the rumours?” Jen asked.

Lital let out a laugh, “That the god of life arrived at the temple itself and blessed a child, though no one knows who the child was.”

He quickly added the last part, which was a relief.

“How’d the rumour spread so fast?” I asked.

“It turns out the seeds spread further than we expected and they were having a festival for a local chief’s birthday in a village close to here, where they experienced the grain growing. When the entire village arrived at the temple today, along with others who witnessed the events, it got attention,” Lital said.

“And it grew from there,” Jen concluded, getting a nod in return.

I had to ask, “So what are they here for? Surely they don’t expect the god to visit them and bless them?”

“That’s exactly what they expect,” Joseph said.

Crisplet drew a lot of attention, but as we were being escorted by two priests it seemed people let us be without too much comment.

“Will this cause any trouble skipping the line like this?” I asked.

Lital shook his head, “Perhaps if you went to the statue to make an offering, even then I doubt anyone would say anything, but when they see you head into the medical wing there won’t be any issues. Caring for the sick is our life’s work, locals understand that.”

Entering the temple I was surprised how calm and silent it was. There were at least a dozen priests, guiding people from the line to the statue which was piled high already with grain, fruit, plants, leaves. I even noticed a few bread loaves, though I suspect that was just by chance.

We were led to the side, going through the doors that led to the medical wing. I saw several acolytes moving between rooms.

“Our young acolyte Amanda has been assisting the elders; we’ve also sent out individuals to source the magical attachment as soon as possible,” Lital started to explain as we walked down the hall.

“While I remember I was instructed to return these pots to you and want to thank you for the food,” Lital added, pulling out Geo’s pot along with the regular one that held the two versions of the soup.

Standing outside Lukas’s door I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I wanted my friend to get better, but not knowing what I was about to walk into had me feeling off.

Then there was the whole issue about snubbing me at the inn.

Did I bring that up?

Do I pretend it didn’t happen?

My choice was made for me as Joseph stepped forward, opening the door where he led the way inside.

Again I felt Liane’s hand on my shoulder.

“I’ll wait out here, just call if you need me, Trev,” Jen said.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside.

The room was quiet. I half expected to see Amanda sitting there, but she was nowhere to be seen. I heard Joseph ahead of us.

“Lukas, you have some visitors if you’re ready to see them?” Joseph said.

The voice of Lukas came, but it sounded weak, gravelly, “My party?”

“Unfortunately not, but it is someone you know,” Joseph said.

I stepped forward, coming into view.

There was an awkward silence as Lukas stared at me, his eyes red and swollen. This lasted until Crisplet came in behind me.

Lukas’s eyes went wide, staring at Crisplet now.

“Hello Lukas, I should introduce you. This is Crisplet, and this is Liane.” I gestured to them.

“What? Why? Why are you here?” Lukas sputtered out finally.

I didn’t really know what to say. “Uh, well, the temple told me you were here when I arrived in the city.”

“But you’ve ignored me this whole time, saving everyone else,” Lukas said, clearly growing angry.

“Ignored you?” I asked, confused.

“Yes!” He tried to say, but the shout just turned to coughs.

“I’ve not seen you since you ignored me at the inn, what do you mean?” I asked.

I wasn’t angry, I was really confused right now. Had I seen him at some point? I tried desperately to remember, but I was certain I had not run into him at any stage.

“I saw you collecting everyone, but you left me behind. Now I’m crippled,” Lukas said, glaring now.

Joseph, who had been quiet until now, cleared his throat and started to talk, “Well, actually...”

He was interrupted by Liane, and never finished his sentence.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I haven’t been collecting anyone?” I said.

“I saw you at the inn with George, Darren, and Gemma!” Lukas accused me.

I stood there stunned. When did I do anything with Gemma? She attended the get-together and that’s the last time I saw her. Did Lukas see that?

“Gemma is still in Dunhearth at the medical pavilion. As for George and Darren, we rescued them from an army march that had them both on death’s door. George was hours away from death; Brandon died,” I said simply, remembering the events vividly.

Lukas stared at me, but didn’t say anything.

“I didn’t collect people. I’ve had my own troubles to deal with. The only time I saw you, you flat out ignored me,” I said.

“Bet you’ve not nearly died like I have,” Lukas spat.

I actually laughed at that, which seemed to catch him off guard.

“Clearly, you have a very wrong impression about my journey, because yes, yes, I have nearly died. Several times. I nearly got killed by an adult Galvonson. I’ve had two assassination attempts against me, I had the dragon in Boltron try to strike me down with lightning, I was shot by an arrow!” I said, listing off all the events that came to mind.

“He’s not kidding, and that’s not even including all the political houses that want him dead or tried to kill him,” Liane added from the back.

Lukas again just stared at me. I wish I had Sylverith’s ability to read his mind, because I felt like he didn’t believe me at all.

In the end, I continued, “I came here because you’re my friend, when I heard you were in trouble, I came to help.”

Lukas found his voice again, “What have you done for me?”

This time Joseph did speak up and wasn’t silenced, “Young Lukas, you’re awake today due to the medical soup that your friend provided. He’s also paid for the best medical treatment we can offer, and to cover all costs related to a magical attachment to replace your leg.”

Internally, I groaned. I would have been happier if he didn’t know it was me; I didn’t want him to feel indebted to me.

“Why now, why not before?” Lukas said, his voice notably softer now.

There was sadness in his eyes now.

“Because I didn’t know anything was wrong before? You had the class we both dreamed of, doing the job we both dreamed of. Why would I ever take you away from that?” I said, defending myself.

“It wasn’t what they told us, Trevor,” Lukas said simply.