I began to walk from the room, around the pathway. I brushed my hand against the banister beside me, my legs still weak from the days of disuse.
I reached out my hearing, still not used to how sensitive the world became. I heard the scurry of small feet and rustling of chewed leaves, like it was happening within my own mind.
It took me a moment to pinpoint Hadrian’s location. When I did, I recognized the familiar beat of his heart, something I’d listened to the past nights to help me sleep.
I walked the winding walkway down to the ground, regretting my choice to leave boots back in my room. The mossy floor was wet and covered in sharp leaves and twigs.
The closer I got to him, the louder the beat of his heart became. I found the closed door to his room and paused. What, if after all this, he doesn’t want to see me?
I pushed that worry to the back of mind with the rest and opened the door.
He was asleep when I walked in. I padded across the floor to his bed and sat beside him. He looked so peaceful, his face relaxed, not a line of worry etched into it.
“Can I join?” I whispered, wanting nothing more than to curl up beside him.
He opened one eye, dark lashes pulling apart from one another. His stretch was colossal and his arms reached for me and pulled me close to him.
“I hope this is not a dream.” His voice was raspy.
Hadrian stroked my head. His breath had a twang to it, but I didn’t mind. I was happy to be in this embrace.
“Where is Gallion or Nyah?” he asked.
“Nyah is asleep and Gallion is scouting with Browlin. News is King Dalior has ships out looking for us.”
“Sounds like something he would do,” Hadrian replied.
“What happens when they find us?” I shivered at the thought. Nyah had promised me he wouldn’t, but the worry of what he’d do to me if he found me made me sick. Maybe I deserved the punishment.
“He won’t, not here. This island is not on any map in Thessolina and I have studied them all. Gallion is just being cautious before he decides our next move.” Hadrian squeezed me tighter.
“This is all my fault.” I rolled onto my back, and stared at the ceiling. The guilt was becoming a constant friend, always waiting in the back of my mind to spring on me.
“He lied. There is still a lot for Gallion to tell you regarding my father. Don’t blame his actions on yourself.”
“If what Gallion had said is true and neither the Morthi and Alorian elves have played a part in this, why would he do it?”
Hadrian sat over the side of the bed, his back to me. I flushed hot when he stood and I noticed his lack of clothes.
“Browlin is leaving for Eldnol today. Gallion has suggested she asks permission for us to take shelter there.”
“Do you think they will let us?” I asked.
“I hope so. We have only enough supplies to last us a few more days, and Gallion has something that may entice the Queen Kathine to accept our request.”
“Is this another secret? Something else that is being kept from me?” I was frustrated. I saw the way everyone looked at each other.
“You know enough. For now. And I would like to catch Browlin before she leaves, I have an important message I need to be passed along.”
***
“IF YOU’RE HERE for my sister you’ve just missed her. The old bat is more impatient than me, and that is saying something,” Gallion called, turning my attention from the never-ending view of the sea back to him. He was topless, and covered in muscles from his large chest to his defined stomach. We found him on the beach, the orange sun glowing in the open, blue sky above him. He was holding a pose on the sandy shore, his legs lunged before him and both his hands held high above his head.
“You can read minds too?” Hadrian said.
“I can do a lot of things,” Gallion replied.
“I wanted her to pass along a message for me.”
Gallion stood tall from his position and shook his arms beside him. “If we are given permission to go there, you will soon be able to pass as many messages as you want to. Zacriah, I must say I am glad to see you up and about. It will do you good to get some exercise in.”
“I do feel much better today,” I replied, kicking the sand from my toes.
“Well since you came all this way, stay. I’m meditating, it helps still my emotions and has incredible results on one’s endurance. You both might benefit from it.”
“Should we be preparing for the possibility of my father finding us?” Hadrian pointed out toward the horizon.
“Unless you are really a spy and you’re feeding your father our location, then we have nothing to worry about. Spread out and copy me.”
Gallion guided us through numerous stretches, moving from one to the next. Arms raised, legs apart, making us hold positions that pulled on every muscle.
“How are you so sure King Dalior won’t find us here?” I asked, my eyes trained to the sea as I moved from one position to the next.
“A shield surrounds this island, think of it as a barrier between ourselves and the world beyond. No one can see in and we cannot see out,” Gallion said, gesturing wide with his arms. “Do you forget the magick the Alorian elves possess?”
My stomach grumbled in response.
Gallion turned to face Hadrian who was stretching on the sand. “Hadrian, be a good boy and fetch us some food.”
“I’d rather stay with him.” Hadrian gestured my way.
“He’ll be fine...”
“I will only go if Zacriah says so.”
“Just go, I’ll be fine.”
“See! Now run along.” Gallion pushed Hadrian back in the direction of the tree line. We didn’t talk until Hadrian was out of view.
Gallion questioned me first. Sitting down on the sand and patting the space next to him.
“Have you worked out where you remember me from?” he asked.
“I have my suspicions.”
He smiled, “Tell me.”
“During the first visit to Olderim with Fa, we stayed with an empath. You are originally from Olderim so I could only guess that it must have been you.”
“Ah, Stevun. It’s been a while since I have last heard from him. How is he?”
“So, it was you…” Not many knew Fa’s birth name. Not even I used it.
He nodded, “And do you remember why you came?”
“I think you know the answer to that. Why is it I can’t remember you?”
“When Stevun brought you to see me, it was because he and Marina were very worried about you. Your powers scared them. I’ve known Stevun for years and he decided it best to see me for answers…” Hearing Gallion speak of my parents was unbearable. I missed them. “And answers are what I gave them, even if it was not what they wanted to hear.”
Gallion leaned over to me and poked my chest. “It is funny how both you and Hadrian had such a similar experience. The only difference is his mother didn’t beg for me to suppress his abilities. She understood what it meant, whereas Stevun couldn’t grasp that.”
My mind raced to catch up with what he was saying.
Gallion reached a hand to mine. “I know you’ve been learning about Dragori history thanks to Hadrian but there is a lot that the book will not explain.”
“I’m just confused as to what this all means…”