going back ( a kotlc story )

chapter 3 Atlantis

Bronte wanted Quinlin to read Sophie's mind so they were heading to atlantis. Alden opened a secret compartment in the side of a rock. He grabbed a bottle from the compartment and walked over to the ledge.
"Step back" Alden uncorked the top and flung the bottle into the ocean, creating a whirlpool. "Ladies first" Alden shouted, pointing to the ledge.
Sophie stepped close to the ledge. She never truly for used to it. She jumped and immediately started screaming until she landed on the sponge. Alden was right behind her. "Now, this is Atlantis" Alden gestured to the gleaming city ahead.

                                  At Quinlin's place

A tall, dark skinned elf with chin length black hair jumped from his seat and gave an elegant bow.

"There's no need for ceremony, my friend." Alden said with a wink. "Of course." Quinlin's gaze settled on Sophie. "Brown eyes?" "Definitely unique" Alden agreed. "That's an understatement." Quinlin kept his gaze on Sophie. "You really found, after all this time?" "You tell me, do you have the file?" "Right here." Quinlin handed Sophie small silver square. Sophie licked it without thinking.

"Nobody told you you had to lick it, how'd you know?" Fitz asked. "I saw someone do it so i thought that would work." "Oh that kind of makes some, but you should go around licking things, it could get you sick."

"So this is why Prentice sacrificed everything." Quinlin  said. Quinlin reached for Sophie. " I'll be done in less than a minute." Quinlin said as he pressed his fingers against her temples. Two hundred seventy-eight seconds passed before he pulled away with his mouth wide open. "That's what i thought." Alden murmured, almost to himself. He began to pace.

"What does that mean?" Quinlin asked quietly.
"It means she'll be the greatest keeper when she's older." Alden said through a sigh.
Quinlin snorted "If she isn't already."
"Perhaps we should talk upstairs." Alden gestured to the receptionist who was clearly eavesdropping.
They climbed to am empty oval room with live footage of brush fires across the walls. "This is where i live." Sophie said.
"Why didn't you tell me there were fires" Alden asked Fitz. "I didn't know it was important" "i didn't ask you to tell me what's important, i told you to tell me everything." Alden turned to Quinlin. "Why were you watching the wild fires." "The fires are burning white hot against the wind. Like they were set by someone who knew what they were doing. Plus... Doesn't it look like the sign?"

"I suppose this is how you found the newspaper you sent me." Alden murmured. "I'd wondered why you were looking here. We ruled that area out long ago."

"What article?" Quinlin asked. "The one about the child prodigy in San Diego. Led me right to Sophie." "I didn't send you any articles. Did it have a note from me?"
Alden frowned. "No. But you're the only one who knew what i was doing. "
"Not the only one." Quinlin said. "Send me everything you have on the wild fires. I have to take Sophie home." Alden said. "They'll be waiting for you there." Quinlin replied.

When they left Quinlon's, Alden brought them into a bubble and they floated above the sea. They sat in silence until Alden took out his pathfinder and kept them away.

When they arrived at Everglen there was another flash of light and then Tiergan arrived. "You've got some nerve summoning me." He yells in Alden's personal space. "I'd sooner be exiled than mentor someone in your family." "Yes Tiergan, I'm well aware of your opinion of me. i can assure you I wouldn't have summoned you if i wasn't convinced that it is what Prentice would've wanted." "Since when are you the expert on Prentice?" "Since she came along."
Tiergan turned around and locked eyes with Sophie. "She's the one isn't she? The one Prentice was hiding.

"Yes" Alden answered. "She's been living with humans. Sophie has already broken through Bronte's mind without training. She needs the best mentor we can provide. I know you're retired, but I thought-given the circumstance- you might be persuaded to come back."
Tiergan nodded. "You'll do it?" Alden asked. "Yes, but only for this year. That will be more than enough time to hone her abilities. Then you leave me alone and never ask for my assistance again." "That's more than reasonable." Alden agreed. Tiergan looked at Sophie. "I'll see you Tuesday."then he lept away.