Something Immortal

40: Allegiance

"See? She's friendly."

Som cheerfully brought the twins Jiniel and Elunia along with their older sister Irin to show them his friend, the nightmare steed Tara. The three druids had their mouths wide open as they were left in disbelief that someone like Som could tame a nightmare steed.

"How did you even know it's a she?" Irin was still shocked at what she had witnessed.

"We told him," Mica said. The strigoi were all dressed in black armored robes with their sling bags over their shoulders preparing to leave. "Sorry, Tara has this crazy crush on him."

The steed neigh, something its kind rarely does because nightmare steeds were known to growl. But Tara knew how to act cute and sophisticated when it comes to the druid even the strigoi brothers were fascinated by this.

Som smiled and patted the steed's face before noticing the group of harpy race. Saanvi was there and she looked upset, arguing with a tall woman with light brown skin. "Who's she?" he asked.

Marko walked over and turned to see what Som was looking at. "That's the current Rai of the harpy race."

"Her mother?"

"Yes. This is your first time to see her?"

"Is it surprising?"

"Well, you always seem to know everyone."

Before Som could defend this, Saanvi came in wearing her own battle armor and boots made from the skin of a beast. She had her hair ponytailed on top of her head and feathers sticking out on the side that appeared like a crown.

"So, this is goodbye?" she said, but Som noticed how her eyes darted to the side where Malee was standing beside her brother, the Shaman Niran. "I guess, I'll see you when I see you."

"Wait," Som called and she halted. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to her?"

Saanvi looked at Malee again who was standing there, seemingly waiting. "It doesn't matter," she said.

"Wait!"

"What?!"

"We should get in touch."

The strigoi brothers looked at each other, Saanvi frowned and even Irin and the twins were puzzled at what Som wanted to happen. Instead of explaining, she signaled for Malee to come closer and the erinyes did follow.

"Let's do it. The blood ritual. So we can exchange messages."

Saanvi, "What for? We won't see each other again."

"Yes, we will."

✧༺♥༻∞

They must do this as quickly as possible and the nearest room they could find was the guest room that Irin and the twins occupied. It was neat and a little smaller than his room but Malee was able to draw an array perfectly on the floor with the help of Irin.

"Are you sure about what you're doing, Som?" Irin asked, clapping the dirt off her palms.

"Yes, I'm sure. I have a vision."

"Whoa, so you do have a vision!" Mica was very impressed.

"Please," Saanvi put her hands on her hips. "If you have a vision, how come you couldn't even guess that Kali tricked up at the Sage Lake Crossing?"

Before Som could answer, Irin was already defending him. "Druid's vision doesn't work that way. We don't always see things straightforwardly. It will come as a symbol, like a reflection in a pond. Some are certain and some will remain as shadows."