Chapter 31

                                    

                                          
My head throbbed with a dull ache as I climbed the stairs two at a time to the fifth level. Even my leathers felt exceptionally tight. I should not have gone out so late last night or carried that bottle of alcohol back to my room with me. I'm glad you're safe. Those four words had been haunting me all night, causing me to toss and turn until I eventually fell asleep. He said it with such sincerity and softness. Had he forgiven me for keeping my power secret? Or simply glad to see his asset was still alive? And now I have to train with them; I haven't even had the chance to congratulate Keya or Sam on their mating. I'll make time to see them soon. 
The sound of wood striking on wood filled the fifth-floor landing, emanating from the enormous gym just down the hallway. At the very least, I'll finally meet the mysterious fifth member. I forced my legs to carry me through the double glass doors and toward the sound of training. I'd never gone to the gym before, but I remember looking through the doors on my first night here. I was trying to familiarize myself with as much of the estate as possible, but the room appeared different with the early sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It projected serenity and concentration, with bright orange and yellow trees swinging in the fall breeze just outside the room. If this is a punishment, at least I'll have a decent view to be satisfied with.
"Look who finally made it." River murmured from the center of the room, using a wooden staff as a crutch. Damon greeted me with his usual gentle smile before hitting River on the back with his own staff, causing his brother to grunt loudly. 
"I win." Damon exclaimed as he stepped off the large blue mat. Another similar mat sat at the far corner of the room, with another adjacent to it. The right wall featured a big window that overlooked the woodland and gardens beyond the estate, while the wall beside the door was lined with numerous wooden racks stocked to the brim with weaponry. Some carried swords made of steel and wood, while others carried bows ranging in length from long to short, and a few carried the same wooden staffs they were practicing with. I pretend not to see the single rack against the farthest corner, filled with special weapons. There were one or two morning stars, a pair of throwing axes, a sizable war axe, and a variety of sized maces. It was odd why Xander would have things hidden away in his gym, but they could have been just decorative. 
"Where's Megan?" I inquired, walking further into the room to where Xander was busy flipping through an old, worn leather book. He only lifted his gaze briefly to notice me before returning to his reading. He shifted slightly on the seat he was sitting on before finally closing the book and placing it beside him. The book had no title or hint of what it could be about, but his smile attracted my attention before I could ask another question. 
"She went to Nahin." Xander responded before heading for the weapons. He said nothing else as he grabbed two wooden staffs. 
"Why?" I pushed, but River was the one who responded.
"She's trying to get an audience with King Elduin to find out why Lucia Casey is in Aurux." River said, stepping from the blue mat and only dropping down onto the bench. I suppose that's as good an answer as any, so I nodded and turned my gaze to the room. It's just the four of us. 
"Where is the mysterious fifth member? They aren't training with you?" I dared to ask.
"No," Xander stated, offering me my own staff. 
"So, how come they have a choice and I don't?" I murmured, balancing the rod in my hand. It was perfectly balanced, with delicate ribbing running the length of it for added grip. It was made of hickory wood, which had a light brown tint to it. 
"Because I didn't give you one." Xander mused, sporting his usual frustrating grin. So this is a punishment. I had to fight every urge not to sneer at him, instead swung the staff a few times to get acclimated to the weight in my hands. "River, you are with Sylvia. Damon, you are with me." Xander instructed, already walking toward the middle mat. I carefully removed my necklace and placed it on one of the benches. I didn't want to risk breaking it.