If Stratagor Ziras doesn't kill me, my training program will!
Every day I wake up and go through the motions, but they've figured out that I'm not a Knight. I can't ride, I can't fight, I can't do magic, and worst of all, I can't see whatever it is...
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I sit on my bed and contemplate what to do now. I probably won't get to keep Lenox, although he may have a say in that. I need to talk to Jonah, but he's still with the council. I'm surprised they haven't arrested me yet.
Albína comes in carrying a large bag that she throws on the bed next to me. Then without a word, she hugs me. "I've grown quite fond of you," she says. "I've been told to tell you that Lenox and Stryder are yours and you may take them with you. I've been asked to assist you with packing and to make sure you have everything you need."
I don't know why it hurts my feelings when they make no attempt to keep me. They're giving me what I want and they don't even want to try to convince me to stay. I've solved the problem for them. They know I'm not a Knight.
"The council has asked me to ask you to wait until Sir Jonah arrives."
I nod. Jonah's going to take me back to New York. I doubt I get to keep the Orb. Will Auntie let me stay with her if I don't have the Orb, or if I'm not the Lost Knight? No, she wouldn't. My heart sinks. I guess I'm going to find out if Jonah meant it when he said he would hide me.
"When will he be here?" I ask with a surprisingly strong voice.
She pauses to think about her answer; she's terrible with time. "After you eat your second meal tomorrow," she says with a smile.
I smile back because she's proud of herself for figuring it out. "I've grown fond of you, too."
"Then don't go!" she blurts out. She puts her hands up like she's going to push me away from her and shakes her head. "No. I promised I wouldn't say anything. Sir Jonah asked that he be the one to speak with you." She looks at me with pleading eyes. Then she runs out of the room.
Relief makes my entire body relax and I flop on the bed. They are going to try to talk me into staying and they're going to use their best weapon. I'm still a failure as a Knight, but it's nice to know they'd like me to continue to try.
The next day I realize I was wrong. They're not using their best weapon, they're using everything they've got.
I swing my door open and let both Jonah and Dathid enter. Jonah gives me the hug I've been needing. I'm so happy he's not mad. I'm shocked when Dathid smiles and hugs me too.
When he lets me go he says, "I want to thank you for dragging me back here." He's being sarcastic, but he's not mad. In fact, this is the happiest I've ever seen him. He seems to find the entire thing funny.
I flop on the couch and lean against Jonah while Dathid sits across from us on the opposite couch. "How much trouble am I in?" I ask.
Jonah shakes his head. "None. They've been told your training schedule is too rigorous. They chose to ignore it. Are you truly interested in leaving?"
"Yes. I can't do this. I never thought I could. But I tried. And now I know I can't. Are you mad?"
