Chapter 113 - 114
"A good idea," said Caedmon, eager to change the direction of the conversation. "I was speaking to Bishop Rendel this past Sunday and you wouldn’t believe what he told me..." As Caedmon began talking about a potential visit in the future from high-ranking officials of the church, he cast subtle, concerned glances in Alistar’s direction.
Alistar’s ears had perked up at what he had just heard, and he was now lost in thought. The unexplored areas of Crystellum that Antoine had referred to were undoubtedly the lower tunnels where he had often played as a child, the forbidden sections where cave lizards and other dangerous creatures dwelled in the darkness along with other countless mysteries. Only he and Kaila had ever gone down there, at least in recent decades, since theirs were the only sets of footprints that he had ever seen in those desolate pathways.
Was it really possible that the tunnels beneath Crystellum were connected with the Iron Dungeon? If this were true, then couldn’t Alistar sneak into the mines from the lower levels after finding his way through the labyrinth? The only problem was that the dungeon in question had already claimed countless lives, meaning that it would likely prove even more dangerous than attempting to infiltrate the mines from their front entrance. Such thoughts reminded him of something that put a bitter taste in his mouth, the fact that Team Tempest had yet to return from the expedition that they had set out on earlier in the week.
Considering the strength of that group, Alistar was sure that they would be fine. Even so, he couldn’t help but worry about Vanessa, who had left the strongest impression on him out of the five. Thinking about the quiet young woman, he decided to inspect the energy imprint that she had left on the copper lucet that was currently stored away in his room along with his mother’s locket. Her energy wouldn’t dissipate so long as she remained alive, so examining the coin would be the quickest way to address his worries.
Alistar spoke mostly with Lessa and Mr. Albeck over the course of the meal, Anice keeping to herself throughout the majority of the succulent feast. Lessa and her family went home a short while after dinner, at which point all of Alistar’s uncles left to go discuss matters of state in Caedmon’s office. Antoine had made it a point to exclude Alder from these talks, so the man remained in the dining hall to sip wine with Mr. Albeck, who was equally disgruntled by yet another dinner with guests whom he truly detested.
Unlike in recent days, both of Daniel’s boys didn’t follow after Anice when she left the dining hall, but retreated to their respective rooms without bidding anyone else a good night. With nothing else to do, Alistar decided to head to the kitchens to offer his help in dealing with the night’s dishes. Of the six women that usually prepared their meals, only one had remained at the manor house, and she was currently working with one of the gardeners that had switched positions for the duration of their guests’ stay.
Speaking of Ramsey, where is he?
Alistar could sense that Elly was alone in the kitchens, which made him quicken his pace. There were countless dishes to clean tonight, along with plenty of leftover food that needed to be stored away, which would take the middle-aged woman many hours to do by herself.
Alistar crossed paths with Ramsey in one of the hallways adjacent to his destination, having sensed the man not moving from where he stood. Why is he here?