Series: The Mountain: Book 1: The Awakening

No Rest For The Weary

The door swung open slightly revealing the faces of Alice and Samuel peaking over the shoulders of the beautiful, mature councilor as she herself peered into the room. Noticing Liam's readied posture, she pushed it open fully, stepping elegantly over the threshold. Replicating her actions, Samuel and Alice also entered, ensuring to remain behind their noble-like leader as she crossed over to Liam's bedside. As she neared him, a fragrant scent of ripened grapes filled the air soothing his tense body, causing him to relax a tad. Although minimal, his change in disposition did not go unnoticed by the woman as she stopped just short of Liam. Raising an eyebrow, her silvery grey eyes widened for a brief moment before regaining its composure. Her reaction was so subtle that Liam almost thought he'd imagined it, however, the underlying interest hidden within her gaze betrayed the temporary surprise she'd tried to conceal. 

Realizing she'd been found out, the woman flashed a disarming smile as she spoke, "It seems a really good seedling has appeared."

Seeing Liam's confused expression, she dismissed her own words with a wave of her hand before continuing, "I see you've awoken. Does this mean that you've fully recovered?"

Flexing his fingers whilst giving his body a quick inspection, Liam replied, "I'm certainly better than earlier." 

"Perfect," she replied almost instantly, "I take it you're ready to continue the trial, or do you require further rest?"

As she spoke, Alice visibly pantomimed the action of sleeping behind the elegant councilor as if encouraging him to choose the latter option. To her dismay, Liam completely disregarded her advice. 

Eager to test out the new abilities swirling around inside of him, he replied with a grin, "I'm ready. Just tell me what to do!"

Satisfied with his response, she did half a turn before saying, "The let us quickly depart."

Climbing out of bed, a sudden thought played on his mind as he hastily pulled shoes over his bare feet.

Standing after squeezing into his footwear, he turned to face her as he asked, "What should I call you?"

The moment he voiced his question aloud, Liam heard a sharp intake of air from Alice. Sending a sideways glance in her direction, she, like Samuel, stood with her mouth agape displaying shocked expressions on their faces. 

"Where are my manners?" the woman replied with a tight smile already standing in the doorway, "My name is Isabelle Solaris, but you will soon come to know me as the First of the Outer Elders."

Wasting no more time with words, Isabelle turned her back, walking leisurely up the sloping path. No longer stunned by his outburst, both Samuel and Alice stared silently at him. No words were exchanged between them nor were any explanations required. Although unaware of what it actually meant to be the First of the Outer Elders, the mere fact that she possessed and was referred to by her title, screamed her level of importance to him. 

'Let's not casually approach the important lady in the future,' Liam suggested inwardly. 

"We should really get going," Alice advised, breaking the silence, "It wouldn't be wise to keep Elder Isabelle waiting." 

Nodding his agreement, Samuel quickly hurried out of the room leaving Liam and Alice alone with each other. 

"What were you thinking?" she asked, as soon as Samuel had moved out of earshot, "You could've gotten yourself killed. Have you any idea how close you came to death?"

"I didn't mean any disrespect," Liam countered, inwardly wondering if Isabelle would even last against Shadow's might.

"Maybe that's why she let you off," Alice surmised, wringing her hands in the air, "otherwise, you'd be dead right now!"