🔥 The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) 🔥

Chapter 8.2: The Legend of Brother Sabin

The deeper they went into the castle, the more pronounced the wealth of the royal family. Gold and silver began to become a staple, lining everything inside. There were so many staircases and rooms that she would have gotten lost without a guide.

Alaina tried to memorize the details for later. The wall molding had an intricate braided design. There were several maps of Acadian territorial holdings throughout history. Most wondrous were the artwork, plants of the like that Alaina had studied but never seen.

She was afraid if she pulled out her notebook, it would get snatched away like Kianna's bow or Sabin's sword. But Alaina was sorely tempted.

Kianna let her hand linger on Sabin's shoulder. "Don't worry. You can do this without Wade."

Sabin gently, but firmly removed Kianna's hand and smiled. Alaina was unable to get a clear read his aura's reaction.

Did he like her too?

Sabin floated back to Alaina, placing his hand to the side of his mouth and whispering. "Is she always like this?"

"I heard that," Kianna said.

"Always," Alaina said.

"That too," Kianna said.

"She is very goal-oriented," Alaina said. "It is one of her better qualities as a sister."

"We're there," interrupted the guard swirling with focus and duty.

The entrance held none of the castle frippery. It was solid wood with the Acadian hawk curved into the panel. Only one guard stood outside, his cloak had an inverted color scheme as the others. It was gold and slashed with green.

He must be more important.

The man nodded to each of them in turn and they dispersed.

The soldier held up his hand. "The king is currently inside, so you will have to wait. Feel free to explore the castle until then. Stealing, of course, is not allowed. You will be searched before leaving."

Alaina took a moment to observe the incredible detail of this hawk. Each feather had a unique pattern, which spoke volumes of the artist who carved this pattern. It was beautiful.

She went for her notebook, but stopped just short of removing it as she heard shouts.

"Thief! Somebody stop him! Thief!"

The screams pierced Alaina's focus. She turned to the sounds, to see a man hurtling down the hallway. He had a good ten steps on the men chasing him. All it would take is a well placed gust of wind and...

Sabin waved Kianna and Alaina towards the door. "I'll take care of this."

Alaina moved to the side, watching Sabin as he flashed red.

He's about to do something heroic.

Sabin's movement spoke the opposed. He eased towards the wall with Kianna.

Yet before Alaina could register her disappointment, Sabin pounced.

Sabin stepped into the man's path and sweep-kicked him. A golden, jewel-inlaid serving bowl skipped across the floor and the man fell. The twangs of its escape echoed in the hallway.

The thief rose to his feet. He was scrawny and much shorter than Sabin, with cropped black hair and a dirty face. "Lick my balls, punk. This had nothing to do with you."

Perhaps it was the adrenaline, or he knew he failed and wanted to take it out on Sabin. Either way, Alaina did not need a grasp of the martial arts to know what would happen next.