Chapter 402: Name
The moment I left Elinore’s tent, I was caught up in a whirl of noise and activity. The transition was sharp, but it fled my mind as I nearly stumbled over Fable, who was draped in front of the tent’s entrance.
Of course, it wasn’t exactly like I could ’trip’ over something the size of a heavy war horse. Instead, I just took a step back and glared at him. He raised his great head and licked my hand, slathering my fingers in saliva.
"Hey!" I protested, wiping my hand back on his fur. "And where do you think you’ve been?"
When I awoke the day before, he was strangely absent from the camp. I’d spent the entire night alone and the morning until this point worrying about him. I could feel his presence, and the others assured me he had been fine, but they also didn’t know where he disappeared to.
Fable yawned wide and ambled to his feet. He moved slowly but still faster than I could react, encircling me with his silver tail and nuzzling me with his cheek. My frown slipped away, and I held his head in my hands, hugging him to my chest. His familiar scent and warmth washed over me, and I closed my eyes, lost in the moment.
"I see you’ve reunited," a deep, metallic voice said.
I jumped, startled by the sound of Kahlen’s voice. I quickly pushed Fable away and hid my twitching tail behind me, though I could do little about the slight blush warming my cheeks. Why did everyone always have to sneak up on me whenever I lowered my guard like that?
The blade demon’s core resonated with amusement, and he crossed two of his bladed appendages behind him. "I trust you have resolved the matter with your Life Mage?"
I nodded, grateful he chose not to bring up my earlier vulnerability. "Yes. I’m heading to inform Commander Bethiv of my decision now."
"Decision? So then, you’re really going through with it?" Jenna’s voice came from behind us, and I turned to see the rest of the Star Guard just a few paces away. When had they gotten there? Was everyone trying to startle me today?
It took me a second to realize they were still waiting for an answer, and I quickly nodded. "I have to. I have to get stronger so no one else ever has to die."