Hierarchy (Book Four of the Torrent Skies Saga)

Chapter Forty-Nine: Like Normal People

Early Lumynos, (spring) 872 P.C

Katerin sat in her office, reading over letters she had received from various places. Hearth-Home was recovering well. Though, they had chosen not to rebuild the Tower. Instead, they were erecting a new building to showcase the growth that could be brought from ashes. There would be no Tower on the hill, but Katerin had seen the designs Kieneltra had imagined, and she liked them. Moving those sketches aside, she sighed. She had still heard nothing from Alkyrindaun, despite that she had sent messages of her own to Kul Galysa, concerning her idea of the treaty. So far, she had interested parties, but making them committed to the idea was a different subject. She had letters upon letters from Risage, Dagir, and even Beymor, with questions, concerns, and other ideas. It was almost enough to overwhelm her until she remembered what accomplishing it could do for the world.

Fykes poked his head in the door, a big smile on his face. "Hows my lady, this fine afternoon?"

"Look!" She snapped her fingers, and the candle on her desk extinguished. With another snap, the flames came back. It had been a grueling process, and taken her the rest of the winter to regain her energy, but it was returning. She grinned, and he returned it as he came in.

"I thought you were busy today?" Katerin asked.

"I was, but, It's all taken care of. Except for one last thing." His grin turned mischievous, yet nervous.

A combination she rarely saw, unless he had done something he was reticent to tell her, like how he and Brazen accidentally lit one of the rugs on fire.

She raised her eyebrows.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Go?" She asked, her stomach turning at the thought of having forgotten something.

"Mmm. I know I told you I've been busy, but it wasn't for the manor. It's... for you. I want you to take a trip with me."

She blinked. "Where?"

"My home," he said, softly.

Her mouth hung open in stunned silence. Fykes rarely spoke of his home. It was always fondly when he did, but he had never mentioned too much about it. He spoke often of his time in Rastridge, and traveling with Jon, but he said very little of his father.

"How long are we staying? I'll need to pack and speak with Telemir and..."

"Actually, I was hoping we could forget about teleportation.... I arranged for us to travel like normal people. It's been a long time, since I've seen the place. It doesn't feel right to just breeze by the journey, because we can." Fykes saw the look of worry in Katerin's eyes. "I've spoken to Zino, and if you agree to come with me, he said he would handle any business, and the treaty progress, and he promised to contact you if anything pressing arises."

Katerin closed her mouth, curious. She had never heard Fykes so enthusiastic about something, in all the time she had known him, and there was something deeper in his tone, too. Something hopeful.

"So, will you go with me?" He gave her a soft, hopeful look, and leaned forward.

She could think of no way to refuse him. "I'd love to," she said. "I've just got to grab my things."

He grinned. "I packed for you. And yes—" he waved a hand, "—Your current books, and your favorite shirt are in there."

"Dresses?" she asked, inquisitively.

"A few." He smirked and held out a hand.

Feeling an equal mix of surprise and worry, she took his hand. He led her out of the manor, to a waiting carriage, two white horses steading it. Katerin blinked, feeling giddy. I'm glad I didn't refuse, she thought, looking at all the efforts he had made. Before she stepped up, she looked around. "Shouldn't I say goodbye?"