mother, but it wasn’t their character that he was worried about. After all, he still viewed his adopted parents as his own. As he asked the question he saw a look of confusion on Sara and Keither’s faces. Sasha was firmly connected with him and she knew what he was looking for.
She was feeling uncomfortable at the moment, having just found out her place in all of this. She had disconnected the weak network she had established with all but him. He sent soothing thoughts to her, reached over and held her hand gently. She in turn gripped his hand harder and he was aware of just how soft her skin was. He felt all of the muscles in her hand contracting and relaxing as she adjusted her grip. There was a steady pulse coming from her. He had never felt someone’s pulse from their hand before, but he did now. He also felt the moisture building from their hands being together, all odd sensations to be having for the first time.
He remembered what Arkin had said about Elf senses and he concentrated on background noise seeing just how diverse it was. He focused on his immediate area, breathing in Sasha’s and his scent. Hers was soft and almost sweet; his was that of the dirt and the horses. He listened to their hearts beating. Arkin was bringing them up to speed about how rare Elf-human children were. He knew this but he waited so the others would understand.
“Now Legon, you wanted to know more about your father. He was an Elf, obviously, and he held a high place in society. He was a good man.”
This wasn’t what Legon was looking for. He put the question to Arkin, knowing the response that it would cause. “Was he ascended?”
Arkin spluttered for a moment. “Why would you ask?”
“If I am to be the destroyer of power, I must have come from good stock, right?”
“You are more than what you were born with.”
“I am aware of that, but there are things that we are born with. So tell me, was he ascended?”
“Yes.”
There was a collective gasp that ran through them. Legon felt oddly saddened by this news. Up to this point he hadn’t been sure what he thought of this prophecy. It seemed to him that if his dad was just a regular Venefica then maybe that’s all he would be after all. But his father was ascended, and that might mean someday Legon would be as well.
No. His mother was human, and surely that would prevent him from that change. Sasha gently ran her thumb over the top of his hand as she held it. She didn’t need the connection to feel his reaction to this news, no matter how expected it was. The others were silent, waiting for Legon to talk. The sun was peeking over the horizon, softening the air. The sky was turning to warm oranges and reds.
“And what class was he?” Legon asked
“Seven,” Arkin responded.
“And how was he killed?” Legon asked in a calm voice.
Arkin shifted as he sat. Legon knew that, as he had earlier, Arkin was attempting to draw strength from the litany.
“His party was ambushed by two dragons and a small ground force. He was in his Elven form when it happened, and even though he transformed it was too late.” Arkin hung his head low, looking at the ground. Sasha and Legon both had the realization at the same time.
Legon asked another question “You were one of his, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“And that is why you have taken this matter to heart, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Un Prosa. I am fulfilling my orders that I was left with, but also those of my heart.”
Arkin was much more than a carpenter after all. They were sad for him. He had dedicated his life to a master that was long dead and he had served with such faith and diligence. What was the carpenter going to do now?
Legon wanted to know more. “And when we reach safety and your duties are fulfilled, what will become of you?”
Arkin looked up at him with determination in his face and a fanatic fervor that, in their combined memories, they had never seen before.
“Your father was my Lord. And as I belonged to him, so too shall I belong to you. I am under orders for now, but once those are fulfilled and you are recognized, I will be under your command.”
“You are willing to continue giving your life for us?” Legon asked, for