The Path of Giants by B.T. Narro (year 7 reading list .TXT) 📗

“I’m glad to hear that,” she said. “Having said that, it is really good to see you.”

That brought a smile to my lips. “You as well.”

We shared a quick embrace.

“You’re going to enjoy your time here,” she said.

“Oh? And how do you know that?”

“Because we have plenty of food that will soon be prepared for you.”

“You know me so well.”

We started toward her mansion at the end of the road.

A question came to mind that was difficult to ask without sounding jealous, but I figured I could rattle it off smoothly enough. “Does Trevor live here?”

“No, he lives elsewhere.” She looked into my eyes, as if contemplating telling me something, but she seemed to choose not to.

“You have a lovely hometown,” I commented.

“Thank you. I’m very glad you’re here and can see it! No one else, of our friends, is probably going to see Livea for a long time, maybe ever.” She paused as her enthusiasm drained from her face. “I do hope they are faring well in Koluk.”

“I’m sure Leon is keeping them safe.”

“You know…” She looked at me quizzically. “You’re the only one who’s really seen him at his full strength, unless something has happened in Koluk that made Leon have to use his most powerful spells. But I don’t imagine members of the Thieves’ Guild putting up a fight in the streets.”

“What do you think is happening there?”

“Well, knowing the Thieves’ Guild’s history, I would say they are reverting to more clandestine measures to keep power over the city.”

“What exactly is their history?”

“They controlled Koluk before Cason started recruiting dark mages and made his home there. They despised Cason and his followers, who sent them into hiding. I’m sure after we took care of him, they’ve been wanting to regain control. But they aren’t known for serious crimes like murdering and raping. They’ve only wanted coin and control, almost boasting of this as if they thought themselves to be good people, protectors of the city, and what they stole was just payment for their service. The last king before Nykal couldn’t get rid of them, either, even with his large army. They are too good at hiding or possibly keeping their identities a secret.”

I had been wondering about my peers in Koluk. I had figured they were spending most of their time acting almost like city guards, catching criminals in the act and arresting them. After what Kataleya just said about the Thieves’ Guild, however, I was starting to believe I had the wrong idea.

“So what is Leon actually hoping to do there?”

“It’s Jennava who’s able to do the most. Remember that she lived in Koluk for quite some time, posing as a loyal sorcerer to Cason.”

That’s right. I had met Jennava in Koluk. It was she who first told us that a small army from Rohaer was coming through the forest to meet Cason in Koluk. She and I had decided together that they must be stopped.

I hadn’t gotten to know Jennava very well. She had spent most of her time with Charlie and Eden, but I trusted her wholeheartedly after seeing her fight against our enemies.

“Jennava knows Koluk,” Kataleya continued. “She knows the people there, and she probably even knows some of the identities of the Thieves’ Guild members. I don’t know what she is doing exactly, but I’m sure whatever it is is making life very difficult for any criminal in Koluk right now. And with our ranger’s ability to sense movement, I can’t imagine many people hiding.”

She was speaking of Aliana Forrester, the other girl who I had grown close enough with to call a friend. Of the two others, Remi clearly admired me for helping to save her life with my healing ability, but we didn’t speak very much in general. And of course Eden had betrayed us all. I had no idea where she was right now.

“Have you heard any news of Valinox or Eden?” I asked Kataleya, as we were soon approaching the gate surrounding her home.

“Nothing of either,” she replied. “But I have heard news about Remi’s witch. She’s been traveling around here, probably looking for a new home. I assume you have heard the same as well?”

“Yes, I even have some of her things with me that the sheriff of Granlo confiscated from her. I was going to speak to you about that. You probably know what to make of them more than I do.”

“I doubt that,” she said. “None of my lessons before coming to the castle had anything to do with witches or their possessions.”

“Still, I think you should take a look at one thing in particular.”

“Is it urgent?”

“It can wait.”

“Good, because we’re going to relax and eat. My father is preparing a feast in your honor.”

“That’s kind of him.”

“It is. Make sure you thank him.”

“Should I bow?”

“Yes, please,” she replied with a cute toothy smile.

I chuckled. I had missed Kataleya, but I hadn’t realized just how much. I assumed it would be the same when I saw Michael again.

There were armed guards at the gate. They let us through, and soon Kataleya was opening the front door to her mansion.

I stopped, shocked at the sight of a shaggy dog barreling toward us.

“Oh yes, I’ve brought Jon!” Kataleya spoke as if talking to a child. “I think he likes you.”

The dog sniffed around my hands in the midst of running in circles. He bumped against my leg several times, almost knocking me over.

“Go ahead and pet him. Barkley von Wiggletail loves belly rubs especially!”

“The only dog I’ve been around was a hunting dog someone had in Bhode,” I said as I ran my hand down the canine’s back. “He was pretty vicious.”

“Not Barkley.”

As if on cue, the dog plopped down and rolled over, showing me his stomach. I gave his belly a good rub.

Kataleya knelt down and took the dog’s face in her hands. “Yes, Barkley missed me while I was away, didn’t he? And I missed him, too. It’s just too bad