Keeper's Oath

Chapter 13: Hollow

Few days had passed from when the shadow creatures had attacked the Shadowlight Court. Hope and Livius had spent their time with Ritter who had explained the world more to them. They had been visited by Knowledge a few times but they were brief. He had only checked on Hope to see that everything was fine. After that, he would return back to the hut.

Seeing Ritter use magic, it made Hope more curious about the Shadowlights. He showed them different kinds of magic. There were incantations ranging from self defense to healing along with attacking ones. Ritter confessed he didn't know many offensive spells as he didn't need to use them that much if at all. Hope was surprised to find out there were a few which could be used for regular daily tasks.

More people came back from the holidays to Shadowlight Court. Hope was surprised to see so many people when she was used to there being only a few. Ritter had let most of them know that Hope and Livius were guests there. None of them seemed to mind, which Hope was thankful for. They all kept to themselves and Hope was fine with that. She preferred it that way as well.

Hope and Livius were walking around the grounds of the Shadowlight Court. The sun was shining a tiny bit through the clouds. There was a fresh blanket of snow on the ground that had covered up the burnt spot that Ritter made the other day.

The wind was mild, Hope had a black jacket on which kept her warm. Livius had received a coat from Ritter. Most of the day, Ritter had been busy with other stuff which left the two to wander around by themselves. Though with everyone else back at work, it seemed that Ritter was getting more sleep than during the holidays.

Hope wondered if Knowledge was in the hut currently. She wished to know more about her powers. Her curiosity was shared by Livius as well. If there would be another attack on the Court, both of them wished to know how to defend themselves and to protect. Hope didn't want to be helpless again. She wanted to become something else than what she had been previously.

The two were right by the gate. The young woman glanced at the metallic gate. It had been restored back to normal. Though it still was rusted with age. Hope wasn't even able to tell the difference from the other day when it had been crumbled up like a piece of paper. Magic was something completely different, Hope thought in awe.

The sound of a door opening in the distance made Hope turn to see Knowledge exiting the hut. He held his head high while taking in the air. The guardian closed his eyes, his white ears with the crescent markings twitched. He stood still for a moment, relishing the fresh air. As if sensing he was being watched, Knowledge turned over towards them. Once seeing Hope and Livius, he began to walk over to them. He was taking careful steps as if questioning himself to approach them or not.

"Hello Knowledge." Livius greeted him with his usual smile. The werewolf bowed his head as a greeting. Now he was walking with more confidence in his strides towards them. The snow crunched underneath his paws, there weren't any other sounds than them. It was calming quiet.

"Greetings, young ones." Knowledge said looking away scratching his head. His ears twitched. "The weather is nice today."

"It is, isn't it?" Livius smiled, looking up at the sky. "It's not supposed to snow for a few more days, thankfully. We all need to enjoy the weather while it's nice. In a few days we are bound to get a blizzard or two. Ritter was talking about heavy snow."

"Long as we'll be able to stay inside, it won't be that bad." Hope said looking at Knowledge. She hoped that the shadow creatures wouldn't come around again. If it would snow, maybe then they would stay away. Though, she recalled that it was snowy that one evening. It could have been just random, Hope finally told herself. She noticed that Knowledge was hanging around them longer than usually when he would come and check on her. He often did quick small talk and started to edge away after a few words. It wouldn't hurt to ask him to join them for some company. "Would you like to join us for a small walk?"