I found out what the fire was. I had only been unconscious for a day and a half, and the Belraingst was to be burned tonight, a giant bonfire. Everyone on Mount Geot was to attend. Including me. When the sun went down, and the sky darkened, I was escorted by Brye to where the Belraingst had fallen. It was lit on fire by King Eathay. It flamed up in a matter if seconds, and before I could adore the glow and warmth there were Elves dancing all around the fire.
“So, it was good for something,” I said.
Brye chuckled, staring at the leaping flames. I saw Conrad out of the corner of my eye, sitting alone, a blank expression on his face. He didn’t seem to be enjoying himself in the least bit. Maybe I could cheer him up.
“I’ll be right back,” I told Brye. I walked on the outside of the dancers, watching them with delight. How come they didn’t appeal to Conrad?
I plopped down beside him. I waited for him to say something, seeing that he was usually eager to talk with me. But when he just kept his eyes in the same spot, I remained silent. Had he not fought the Belraingst? Was that his problem? Or maybe he hadn’t been allowed. But why not? I stared at my feet.
“I’m ready to fight the Colies.”
He startled me, and I looked up. “Oh,” I watched him, wondering. What was that supposed to mean? “Is there anything wrong, Conrad?”
He looked at me, just stared. His eyes were cold, almost mean. “Just tired.”
Had I done something to upset him? Because, obviously, someone had. This was not his normal self. I thought back on the last time I had spoken to him… when was it? I tried to remember, but the most recent time I could remember was when he had saved me from Soea’s flower potion. Was that the last time? Was that his problem? Now that I thought of it, I couldn’t recall even thanking him. I hadn’t even thanked him!
“Conrad,” I looked at him.
With his arms crossed, his face still blank, he looked at me.
“Thanks for taking care of me when I almost died,” I tried to get a reaction out of him.
“Yeah, well someone has to take care of the queen when her king isn’t around.” He was staring into the fire again.
How stubborn he was! I couldn’t help it Brye was the one I cared for, and not him. But, what if when we went into the Forest of Despondency, he did happen to die? And what if it were on purpose, because of me? I had to fix things, even though he shouldn’t be this way towards me.
“I bet you tell him everything.” Conrad’s eyes didn’t shift.
My eyes lit up, as I looked up at him. “Not everything.” I hadn’t told him about Soea.
Conrad’s eyes shot at me, bright for a second, but then faded. “And what’s that?”
I bit my lip for a second. I could tell him, couldn’t I? He would probably think I made it up, but he might not. I was dying to tell someone anyhow. If I made him swear not to tell a soul, if he wouldn’t kill himself on purpose, I could tell him.
“You want to know a real secret?”
So, with a mischievous smile, another soul was told of Soea.