Chapter 118 - 119
Looking from her cousins to her uncles, Anice hesitated. When given an encouraging look from her father, she excused herself and then hurried out of the dining hall to catch up with Lessa, though not before sending Alistar a worried glance.
You don’t have to look so guilty, he thought, feeling a sudden rush of adrenaline as he anticipated the reason for his uncle’s words. Noticing that his breathing was beginning to pick up, he quelled his mind with silent meditations and sat quietly as the servants began to clear the table.
Antoine had yet to return to his seat, his left hand resting on the pommel of his sword in what was clearly a habitual manner. "Caedmon, let’s retire to your study for a time. There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk about."
Caedmon nodded, his expression reserved. As he and Daniel stood up in preparation to leave the dining hall, their elder brother cast a cursory glance down the table.
"Alistar, was it? You come along as well."
"Yes, sir."
Alder and Mr. Albeck both gave him reassuring looks as he stood up from his seat and made to follow after his uncles. He didn’t miss that the former ran a nervous finger through his thick black hair, which was currently slicked back with grease in its usual fashion.
"Why does he get to go?" grumbled Calum, who seemed to view the invitation as unfair.
"Since when have I needed to explain myself to you?"
The boy crumbled beneath his uncle’s stare, which was as sharp as the blade that hung from his hip.
As Alistar followed his uncles to the manor’s third floor, he could only wonder after his inclusion in the coming discussion. Perhaps Calum and Edmun had gone back on their word and told their father what had happened at the collegia? Daniel hadn’t seemed surprised in the least that Antoine had called out to Alistar, so it was a possibility.