Revealed Volume 01 of An Unwanted Destiny

Twenty-Five

The next few hours were spent being shown around Calari. It seemed as if Master Griffonhowl wanted to prolong heading to his sister's home. I understood completely why he wanted to stay away as I would have done the same if in his place. When the sun started to set he had no choice.

His sister's house happened to be on the southeastern side of Calari, located in a large gated neighborhood. We started to slow down, but the guard on duty moved quickly to open the gate. He said he knew we were coming and that he hoped that we punished whoever was plaguing the city. Master Griffonhowl gave a reassuring nod. Finding her house proved to be easy amongst all of the near-duplicate homes. We just had to look for the dozen guards patrolling around.

"She makes sure there is ample protection," Master Griffonhowl laughed. She always overdid things when we were kids. Looks like things never change."

We stood in the street for a few minutes. "Are we going in Master?"

"Yes," he answered taking a deep breath. "I'm just taking a some time to prepare myself."

I starred at my Master, shocked to see him so flustered. He usually relayed calm and order, but I saw a slight tremor in his hand. I reached up and placed a hand on his shoulder, and it seemed to calm him as the tremor stopped. He smiled down at me and led me up to the door. The door opened as we were a couple feet away. I saw an older woman who looked like Aleci if she were a few decades older, nearly every strand of her curly hair gray. Lines streaked out from the corner of her eyes which started to fill with tears when they fell on Master Griffonhowl.

"My boy," she cried rushing in Master Griffonhowl, wrapping her arms around him. She started sobbing into his chest, and I thought I saw my Master start to tear up. "It has been too long my baby boy."

"I know mother," he said squeezing tightly. After a couple minutes, she let go and stepped back, wiping her eyes on the apron she wore. "I would like to introduce to you my apprentice, Trez Knockaert. Trez, this is my mother."

"Hello ma'am," I said bowing. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Why what manners." She smiled down at me. "Your parents have raised you right. You must be something special for Zam here to have taken you on."

"He is very talented as a fighter, with the heart to be a true Aeon."

"Well come on in," she said pulling Master Griffonhowl inside. "Dinner should be just about ready."

I followed right behind, taking in the beauty of the house. Everything had the feeling of being simple despite the way the house looked from the outside. The floor was the same soft emerald carpet that felt softer beneath than back at Aleci's office. The walls were mostly bare, but every so often I spotted a family portrait on the wall. I saw one that showed Master Griffonhowl as a teenager, wearing the training attire from the Temple.

The dining hall sat near the back of the house, four large windows showed the Dekari Tree in the distance. The setting sun formed an outline around the tree that gave it a holy like appearance. I turned my eyes to the rest of the room and saw a long rectangular table already covered in food. My mouth drooled at seeing so much food. I had never seen so much in my life, and my stomach rumbled bringing forth a laugh from Master Griffonhowl's mother.