Hounds Rising

Inside the Archmage’s Tower, Ana glanced around with wide eyes. She seemed stunned by the larger size of the interior compared to the outside dimensions. Lyla watched as everyone made their way inside, then lightly pulled at Leaf’s robe. He turned towards her quizzically.

“Hey, umm… Can we talk for a moment? Privately?”

“Of course. Let’s go upstairs.”

Lyla walked with Leaf towards the staircase. He set the bag down near the chair he seemed to favor on this floor, then walked up the stairs. She followed him, listening to her friends and Ana talk amongst each other. As they ascended, their voices became quieter the higher they went until she couldn’t hear them anymore.

Leaf pulled a small key out of his pocket and turned it, unlocking the silver door that led to his room and office. Inside, the fireplace was already lit, and the warmth of it thawed the chill that had sat with Lyla throughout the cold night. Leaf gestured to the chair across from his desk, then sat down himself and waited for her to talk. Lyla sat down, took a few deep breaths to get her thoughts in order, then looked up at him and spoke.

“I owe you an apology, Leaf. I was the one who took your necklace.”

“Oh,” Leaf’s eyes grew wide for a second, then his reaction faded to calm.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was that important. I justified my actions at first, but at the end of the day, I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”

Leaf sat quietly while looking down at the small, open box on his desk that carried the amulet.

“Thank you for telling me the truth. I know I blew it out of proportion, but this is the only thing I have left of the life I had left behind. It’s important to me.”

“I understand that,” Lyla replied. “I feel like I dragged you into this. The first attack from the undead form of Sir Ulric brought us together, and from there, you’ve been with us.”

Lyla took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled before speaking again.

“You have become someone that I can trust, and very quickly. We just don’t know that much about each other, though. Taking the amulet opened that door, allowing us to talk and learn more about one another. I know it wasn’t the best move, but it was the one I had. We had lost so much so quickly by trusting someone we shouldn’t have. It fucked us hard. All I ask is that you forgive me and that we work harder on being more open and communicating with each other.”

Leaf stared at Lyla for a moment, but it felt like an eternity had passed in her mind. She wasn’t sure what he would say or how he would react.

“Sure, Lyla. I’d like that,” He answered back with a smile.

“Speaking of plans and living here for the time. What are your plans?” She asked him.

“I’m waiting for Darion. I have to learn more and harness more arcane abilities, but I don’t have a specific direction. Once he’s here, I think that’s the time for making that decision.”

“That makes sense.”

They sat in silence for a minute, then two. Three minutes passed before Leaf broke the quiet.

“Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?”

“No. I think that was it.”

Lyla sighed, relief washing over her face and a calm she hadn’t felt since everything started just weeks ago. She sat upright quickly, looking straight back at Leaf.

“I need a drink. Do you want a drink? Let’s get everyone and have some drinks.”