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“You must find having to go to school very boring,” Andrew said. “Now you have your memories, at least.”

Darlrydan chuckled and shook his head. “Not at all. I enjoy learning new things and scientific knowledge has moved on a lot. If circumstances allow, I’m going to go to University and study physics.” He gave a sigh. “But I have a feeling I might have to keep my attention on Caredale and whatever Xantaria is up to.”

“That would be a pity,” Sarah tutted to herself. “I’m sure that we can figure out some way for you to do both.”

Darlrydan tilted his head at her. “That would be nice, but I’m surprised you trust me.”

To Andrew’s surprise Sarah just laughed at that. “Oh, I can probably throw you further than I trust you, but I don’t think you’re malicious and I know I’d rather have you as an ally than an enemy.”

“Ah, I see.” Darlrydan looked amused. “That’s wise of you. I hope one day you’ll find me worthy of trusting as well.”

“Maybe,” Sarah said. “Why don’t most of your peers trust you?”

“That’s a fair question,” he said. “I think it’s a combination of my interest in Earth and the last time I went into descent.” He gave a sudden shudder. “I wouldn’t blame them if it was that. Such a pathetic thing to go overboard about.”

Sarah shuddered too. “Overenthusiastic experiments?”

“That’s one way of putting it,” he said. “And with much less reason than what you did at Caerdu. I was just frustrated by a puzzling shift in the mabain flows that I couldn’t pin down the reason for. Fortunately it didn’t last long because Ind came to visit and smashed me around until I snapped out of it. It’s an agreement we have.” He shuddered again. “It’s a miracle no one died.”

“Oh, is that how you managed to drop half your territory and a chunk of Alaryia’s into the undersea?” They all turned to see Takilyan standing in the doorway. “Though I concur; it was a miracle no one died.”

“It wasn’t half my territory and I reformed it all,” Darlrydan said defensively. “I paid compensation to Alaryia as well.”

“Yes but when most of us go into descent we might kill some people. You managed to disintegrate an entire geographical region.” There was no venom in Takilyan’s voice. “That doesn’t speak to your reliability.”

“Did you ever find out what causing the mabain shifts?” Sarah asked curiously.

He shook his head. “Not really. I have a working theory but no way to test it safely.” He looked at Takilyan. “You’ve come about my message?”

“Yes,” Takilyan said. “You’re right; there were ways to deal with situations like the one with Huldre but none of them really apply directly, since they’ll need Likadrian to agree to them.”

“Which would mean waiting sixteen years and hoping he’s reformed?” Sarah sighed.

“Yes,” Takilyan said. “The best and kindest thing to do might be to keep Huldre in suspension until that happens and then decide what to do. How close is the egg to hatching?”

“Close, I think,” Sarah said. “I know the egg won’t hatch here but I have a feeling he’s close.”

“Let me see?” Takilyan said. Sarah frowned for a moment then handed over the bag. He took the egg out and looked at it. “Yes,” he said finally. “The next day or so by the looks of it. That’s quick.”

“Ugh! I wasn’t thinking it would be so soon,” Sarah said. “I’ll have to get some baby things, then.” She looked over at the others. “We should go back soon. I need to check on Kayleigh anyway.”

 

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A/N: If you didn’t see I’ve started posting Haventon book 2. It will update sporadically on Thursdays as I complete chapters.

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