Renewal

Chapter 5

Darius arrives exactly on time for supper, bringing with him a pie he and Hunter baked for the occasion. It is still steaming when Alador opens the door and warmly welcomes him to the house.

"Come on in, Darius—I don't think you've been to my house, have you?"

"Only the manor, and I hear that Odalia has that to herself these days," Darius says.

He shrugs, "I offered it to the kids first, but they said they wanted to start fresh, so after I cleared out my workshop and they took out what they wanted, we did." It is a tidy two-story house between Latissa and Bonesborough, with bedrooms upstairs and common areas on the lower level, and tower that provides views above the surrounding forest out as far as the water. Alador shows him the house and they retreat back to the kitchen.

"It's a lovely place. Do all three kids still live here?"

"When they want to," Alador replies. "Amity spends so much time out exploring that sometimes I don't see her for weeks, between being there and spending time with Luz. She does always make her way home, though. Ed and Em are here more often. But all of the kids are staying late at the university tonight, and then they're heading to the Owl House with some of their friends. Eda's having a bonfire in the yard."

"Last time she had one, didn't someone end up doing something with fire bees?" Darius asks.

"That was Ed," Alador says, "And no, I never did hear the full story, just that he ended up nearly being eaten by Hooty before he managed to harvest enough honey for whatever scheme he'd planned. I swear, I will be surprised if that boy makes it to thirty." He picks up a serving tray, "Would you mind taking this to the table? I promise, no bees."

Darius laughs, "Happily. I've heard from Amity that you've become quite the cook since you settled in."

"I've been learning more from my kids than I ever thought I would," Alador replies, "I feel like every day is something new, and thanks to none of them ever having coven sigils, I get to see what magic could have been like for us right up close."

"And what it can be for us," Darius says as he takes the tray, "I was playing with so many different sorts of magic today. I built a column, a tree, I shoved a tree through a column, and apparently I tried to mix illusions, abominations, and...some glyph combination...all together at once. You'll have to ask Amity about it. I don't remember much. I wouldn't doubt there are pictures somewhere, though."

Alador follows him to the dining room with another tray and they set them down on the table, their tableware already neatly arranged and a pitcher waiting. They settle in before continuing their conversation.

"I hope you like it—Amity taught me how to make pasta, from the human realm, and it's become quite a family favourite," Alador explains.

"Hunter's fond of it, too, though he rarely offers to make anything with it. I swear, that boy might have had a taste for adventure once, but now he's got his familiar comforts and he sticks to them, unless Camila encourages him to try something different. She's the only one he'll take a chance for these days."

"Well, her and Willow," Alador says, "From what I've seen of those two, he'd probably walk into the Boiling Sea for her."

Darius smiles and softly laughs, "You're probably right. It's a good thing she's a gentle influence then. But that girl has a protective and vengeful streak that rivals me , Alador, and you know that means she's a little frightening at times."

Alador laughs and serves their supper, "That would be something to see. I know those kids are capable of incredible things—I was with them on the way to the head during the Day of Unity. They were so worried when they learned that Belos knew about the rebellion. There was no force in this realm or any other that would have stopped them." He sighs, "I still regret that I didn't stop and listen to them sooner. I let Odalia's ambition become mine and I was oblivious to some very obvious truths...."