It was standing right beside him. At first glance they seemed separate, yet the more I stared, the more wrong it looked. The creature's form wavered—like a shadow trying to tear itself free from his body, stretching away only to be pulled back by a thin, dark thread that hanged between them. They weren't fully apart… And they weren't fully one either.
Asvran himself didn't look well. Sweat clung to his forehead, his under-eyes were flushed red, and even through the dim candlelight I could tell his skin was pale, too pale, like he had been drained.
I squinted, unsure if my eyes were lying.
Asvran followed my gaze and finally turned towards the entity beside him.
"You can see it?" he asked, staring at the thing. Then he turned to me.
I blinked.
"Yes," I said. "It called me here."
He looked at the creature again, almost startled, like he genuinely had no idea what it had been up to.
So… I guess he wasn't the one who summoned me here after all.
Just my luck, answering a call from some demon-thing that apparently doesn't even speak. Fantastic.
"Well then," I sighed, clasping my hands dramatically. "I'm not needed here, I suppose."
Then, muttering just loud enough for him to hear, "Probably wasn't needed in the first place." I said.
Mean while,
He didn't say anything, or react in any way, he just stared at me in silence, utterly unbothered, as though waiting for me to take the hint and walk myself right out.
I turned to leave, but before I could take a full step, voices echoed from the door. One voice I didn't recognize,
But the other...
I frowned, listening carefully.
I've heard that voice before.
"He is in there," a voice said, and the next thing I heard was footsteps heading straight for the door.
What? My eyes widened. I thought everyone had been warned to stay away from this place, I thought no one came near this place and avoided it, why...
Panic surged through me as my gaze darted around, searching desperately for a place to run... or hide… but of course this cursed room had no such mercy. Not even a tapestry big enough to squeeze behind.
And as the footsteps grew closer, my body acted before my brain, I dashed straight toward Asvran. The nearer I got, the more he looked like he was about to charge at me, but fear had already taken full control. I slipped behind him, practically plastering myself to his back.
Asvran turned sharply, his whole frame tense, his eyes pitch-black again. With a terrified gasp, I grabbed his arm, his very solid, very strong arm.
The moment I touched him, a surge of energy left my body. His darkness flickered… then vanished. His eyes returned to normal, and the shadow beside him recoiled, sliding further away.
The link that held them together, seemed to have... Broken.
My eyes widened. What did I just do?
I slowly looked up at him, he had the exact same question etched across his face, though far less pleased about it. I couldn't read his thoughts, But whatever he was thinking… it certainly wouldn't anything gentle.
If anything, I feared that at any moment he would... I don't know... toss me out the nearest window like a sack of grain,
That seemed fully within his abilities… and his mood.
I gulped and tore my eyes away, planting myself firmly behind him just as the door cracked open.
Before anyone could enter, I adjusted my stance, pressing myself behind Asvran like a cowardly shield seeker.
He looked like he wanted to be no where near me, but didn't comment, he marely shifted, just Simply turning toward the intruder with that calm, stillness of his.
"Asvran," the man called. Hearing the voice clearly now, something tugged at my memory, but I couldn't quite place it. I had the strongest urge to peek, but I knew I'd be caught instantly.
"Brother," Asvran replied.
They addressed each other so familiarly… yet I didn't recall Berevreth mentioning Asvran having any other family left.
Then a thought struck me 'The young Acolyte.'
Of course. That must be him.
For a ridiculous moment I felt as though a legend was unfolding right in front of me__the Lone Saint and the heroic young Acolyte who had taken him under his brotherly wing. I suddenly wanted to look, even more, desperately, but I held myself back.
I couldn't blow my cover now.
"Have you been well?" the man asked again.
There was care in his voice, warmth even… and a familiarity I knew I'd heard before
"Indeed, brother," Asvran said as he walked
... Wait.
He just… walked away.
Casually.
Leaving me standing behind him like a complete scarecrow someone forgot to collect from the field.
Did he not realise I was using him as a shield? Or did he do it on purpose?
What if my life had depended on him staying put?
I stared at his back in utter disbelief, too stunned to even glare.
Meanwhile he simply opened a window, letting a stream of windlight shine directly on me, putting me in the spotlight as though the heavens themselves wanted to announce my presence.
"Princess Elowen?" the brother said.
Instinctively, I frowned.
Now I recognised the voice.
Not just familiar__annoyingly familiar.
"Brother Kaius," I replied stiffly.
You were the young Acolyte? I thought, arching a brow. Brother Kaius stood abruptly, a frown on his face.
There was anger in his expression… or should i say worry. Hard to tell but both looked equally annoying on him.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded. His eyes flicked to Asvran.
However Asvran, of course, stood silently off to the side, not even looking at us, as if he had drifted into some distant realm and left us to bicker in this one.
Then Brother Kaius gaze snapped back to me.
"Why are you not at the Benevolence Feast? You should not be here."
"Why shouldn't I be here? No one told me not to," I replied firmly
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Asvran's very short glance.
I winced internally.
That made two lies spoken in his presence.
Two lies now Elowen, patron saint of dishonesty well done. I cussed at myself internally.
But how does he catch my lies so quickly?
Does he... Hear taught? I wondered
Brother Kaius let out a long, frustrated sigh.
"Princess Elowen, you were sent here to heal and prepare for the next Rite of Dawn, not to wander about the Knight Campus... "
"I beg your pardon," I snapped, talking over him. "Last I checked, I am free to walk this land however I choose. Who are you to tell me other wise... "
He cut me off too, but his tone was maddeningly calm.
"You believe you are free to walk into the Sanctum Knights' restricted wing as well? Look around, Princess. Does this look like a place you are permitted to be in?" He furrowed his brow, his eyes narrowed
"Did the knight at the gate truly allow you to pass?" he asked, almost quite confused himself, how exactly i got here
I swallowed hard.
Now this... this is one of the biggest reasons I dislike Brother Kaius.
He always catches me in whatever mischief I am attempting, as though he was specifically born to ruin my freedom, never letting me breathe.
And even though I wasn't the type with inflated royal ego, he had a way of making me painfully aware that I, the princess, couldn't even inflict authority on him.
After all, the Church and the Royal House stand in a delicate balance—not equal in power, ofcourse the crown still weighs heavier, but close enough that I cannot simply snap my fingers and have him thrown into a dungeon.
How disappointing.
If things were different, I would have long ago sentenced him to scrubbing every step of the eastern tower with nothing but a bucket of cold water and a very tiny brush, barefoot during the rainy season.
I glared silently.
He cast one last assessing glance at Asvran, then abruptly turned and strode out through the exit.
That wasn't a goodbye walk.
No, he was coming back. I could feel it.
"What is he going to do?" I asked Asvran, approaching him.
He stepped back immediately and dipped into a slight bow.
But the cold stare on his face completely contradicted the polite gesture.
He looked like he'd gladly drag me outside himself, if the knight's vow to respect women didn't forbid launching princesses out of windows.
Just then, Brother Kaius returned.
I jolted upright, fully alert.
"Go outside," he said. "Two guards are waiting. Follow them quietly back to the cathedral."
"You called... "
"Yes," he said. "Including the priest."
My eyes widened.
He knew I hated involving priests whenever I… bent the rules a little.
"I've made sure they keep a close eye on you," he continued, stepping between Asvran and me like a barrier. "So you won't find your way here again."
He clasped his hands behind his back and added,
"This is not the time to play stubborn brat, Princess Elowen. If I were you, I'd focus on mastering your gift, you May not know it but, Someone needs it now more than ever." He said
Then he stepped aside.
"Come in." He called as two guards entered immediately and gently escorted me out.