The Age Of Arma Gedeon

Chapter 52, Set

It takes two days to clear out the silly feeling in the air and three more for Erray to settle into feeling normal, by then everyone has finished moving in.

Mayajap's dorm assignments keep the underage separated from the full grown and boys from girls.

Urshawn's additions provide an toilet and sink washroom by the checkpoint and another in the newly excavated downward tunnel, strategic rooster ramps, and a small toilet in shower room in Erray's room.

Erray teaches in the mornings and forges magic swords in the afternoons, to sell.

Then he bathes and helps his wilds with their assignments and plays with them or his rooster until dinner.

Erray's just sat down with his feet hanging into the vent hole with his cheesy, pork and vegetable pie after a hard day's work with no snacks, when Galmark asks, "May I bother you for a moment, Sage?"

Erray nods and shuffles, "What's on your mind?"

Galmark sits in his baggy pants and collared pullover, facing Erray's on the path, "I want to thank you especially for the best week of my life."

Erray shrugs and pokes his fork into his pie, "Not sure the credit's all mine.
"You've excelled in everything."

"Study is a task like any other, once you know how, you can do well.
"It's not just the schooling that's made it so grand."

Erray forgets and blows on his bite, charring it, "Damn, guess I should have went for a flight before dinner."

Erray eats it anyway, amusing his young student.

Galmark blushes a little as he admits, "You're just the greatest."

Erray doesn't find is tone appropriate, so he sets his pie aside as he clears his bite, "What kind of conversation are you trying to have with me?"

Galmark looks at his newly made soft leather cave shoes and speaks timidly, "Just a conversation.
"Just wanted to talk with you.
"I like being near you."

Erray frowns, "Best you change your posture. You look like bait.
"Not a good look for you."

Galmark gives him a sad look and softly reports, "I'm not bait.
"I just want to matter to you.
"I want to be closer to you."

He has a deep breath, "Guess I'll always be the Ramon kid to you."

Erray gets to his feet and takes up his pie, "I'm not having this conversation with an underage kid of any kind.
"All my wilds matter to me, but I don't touch them inappropriately.
"I find an offer as offensive as an accusation.
"Do not come to me alone again."

Erray fights down his offense all the way to the full kitchen.

He sits on the floor before the fire and broods over every bite.

He's nearly done with his delicious pie, he's not enjoyed, when Taben squats beside him, "You scared everyone out, did you know?"

Erray looks over his shoulder at the empty kitchen and admits, "I didn't, was too busy having a fit in my head."

Taben offers, "If you need someone to talk to, I'm here or I can fetch."

Erray draws out a sigh, "Just got offended.
"I might have been harsh, but I wanted an absolute line."

Taben smirks, "Someone offended you as hungry as you were?
"How many pieces did you leave them in?"

"One whole undamaged body.
"Can't say what I did in Galmark's head."