Atlantis (A Waterfire Saga Fanfiction)

Chapter 10

Alma desperately wanted to run after Thalia, but she realized that it was too late.

"Just stay calm Alma and try not to faint again," she told herself.

The doors opened suddenly and there he stood.

Alma met Orfeo's icy blue eyes and turned as red as a tomato.

She was almost as nervous as the last time that she saw him.

Alma tried to speak, but her mind went blank and she couldn't form any proper words. The young girl simply stood there, and was left floundering.

Why am I here again?   she wondered desperately.

It was then that the answer revealed itself to her when Orfeo noticed the golden necklace that hung around her neck.

Alma could have sworn that, for a split second, there was a hint of recognition in Orfeo's eyes as he stared at her pendant.

"Come in," he said in an attempt to try to hide his sudden nervousness.

Alma slowly followed him and stepped inside curiously.

She had absolutely no idea how to ask him about the guards in the public square.

Maybe he really has no idea.   she tried to convince herself.

Or perhaps Thalia is right.   Maybe he does know what they were possibly doing there.

"I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you Orfeo..." she uttered.

"Nonsense."   he interrupted, "I wasn't doing much anyway. Please, sit."

Hesitantly, Alma grabbed a wooden chair and sat upon it.

The young girl still had no idea how to ask him about the necklace.

"Happy birthday, by the way," Orfeo said with a smile as he pulled a chair and sat down across from her.

"Oh, thank you," she replied, her face feeling warmer by the second.

"It was yesterday, wasn't it?" he asked all of a sudden.

"Yes, it was."

"Oh okay, good," he mumbled to himself as he stared at the floor nervously.

Why was he so desperate to know if he knew what day my birthday was? Alma wondered.

And what was he so nervous about?

Suddenly, there was a huge silence that filled the room.

"How long have you been playing the lyre?" Alma asked him while turning her attention towards the beautiful instrument that was placed in the corner of the room.

"For most of my life," the mage stated simply.

"That is a lovely necklace that you're wearing," he said as his gaze travelled down to her neck.

"Thank you. It was a gift," Alma replied.

"From whom?" Orfeo questioned.

"I honestly don't know. The owner of the jewellery shop told me that someone sent two Atlantean guards to buy it for me. Do you have any idea who it could be?" she asked as casually as possible.