Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 35

Elenora had tried to mentally prepare for Charlotte leaving without her being right there with her but there was no way to truly prepare herself for it. The worst scenarios are all she can think about. Everything that might go wrong. There is no possible way to communicate with Charlotte in the kingdom. She could send a letter but unless something goes wrong a reply would take a few days as they are constantly moving.

Elenora had skipped the usual training with Jasiel because she cannot possibly focus on anything else, much less learning to work with her fire abilities. It is Jasiel that finds her first. He does not insist that she should be training. He merely sits beside her and crosses one leg over the other, the robes he wears flooding out around him. If it were anybody else she might laugh at the look of him but Jasiel could wear a jester suit and she still could not find herself to laugh or even smile at the humorous wear. Something about his face, strict and worn by age and the life he had been given, "I do not think it necessary to continue our lessons, Princess Muriel." Elenora does not make the mistake of assuming it is because he thinks she is ready. It is most likely the opposite. She is not ready to learn anything else.

"You do not think I am ready." Elenora states, not at all offended.

Jasiel nods, eyes still on the land before them. Elenora had gone to the garden made just for the royal family. Queen Stavros built it herself in hopes of giving them some semblance of privacy and a quiet place to go. Elenora was told only a few people are given access to the garden and it is nice to know Jasiel is one of those few. "Your main focus should be on healing Princess Muriel. That pain you put off because you do not have time to deal with it, take the time. Whatever reason you have for hating your wolf, try to forgive it. Let go and in doing so you will find not only peace but that weight you carry will become significantly lighter. Find me when you have done so." Jasiel Flint is gone long before Elenora realizes just how easy she must be to read. That or Jasiel is good at reading people.

Also how dare he? How dare he act as if it were that easy? How dare he act as if he knows her and what she carries? How dare that no good arrogant wise-ass piece of crap come up to her and tell her to forgive. He knows nothing! "Jasiel tends to have that effect on people." It is the king that joins her. Great, she really is easy to read. Elenora works to straighten the scowl on her face and tries to appear as if she does not care. The king merely laughs before shaking his head and sitting down beside her. He rolls up his sleeves to reveal black ink trailing up both arms. Elenora has heard of people marking their skin but she has never really seen it done. It is for the rich anyways. Something expensive. Usually a lot less is done though. "He means well I think but I still wish I would have gotten a different teacher myself."

"A different teacher? How old is he?" Elenora blurts out. It earns another easy laugh.

"Only my father really knows. I believe over a hundred. My personal guess is around his late hundred-twenties but I am probably off by a decade or two. Either way he looks much younger than he is." Elenora was thinking late sixties at most. Jasiel is old. "It is probably best that he does not need to train you at this very moment with the whole Stonebridge issue he has to deal with." The king must have seen her confusion because once again he smiles. It is not mocking but curious instead "I thought you might have put it together. Does the name Flint sound-"

"Benjamin Flint? They are related." Elenora states, only slightly surprised. It is normally something she would have caught but her main focus has been Charlotte. Not the family lines.

"Great grandson I think. Or is it a great great grandson? Jasiel tends to keep his family away from court. Something about wanting them to make something of themselves without the help of his position and money. I think they are more than happy to oblige personally. He is harder on his family than he is on the people he trains or so I hear." All of the information circles through her head before Elenora turns to face him completely.