Shadow Slave

It seemed that the conversation was not going to happen until after the meal, which suited Sunny fine. Not only did he get to enjoy a simple, but delicious food provided by the White Feather clan, but he also received a bit more time to think about what he was going to say, and how.

Sunny focused his attention on the plate in front of him, and after a few moments, a delighted smile found its way onto his face.

'That's really good!'

Noticing it, Master Roan chuckled:

"You like it? Well… I am not going to say that I cooked it myself, because that would be a lie, but I did hunt the beast with my own two hands. I also watched and gave very wise advice when Tyris was planting the vegetables!"

Sunny choked.

'Tyris planted… what? Sky Tide grew these vegetables herself?!'

The image of the stern Saint doing gardening did not fit into his mind at all. He threw a furtive glance at the unnaturally beautiful woman, and swallowed.

'Yeah… can't imagine it.'

Saint Tyris was calmly eating, not a single emotion appearing on her face. At the mention of her name, she looked at her husband for a second, and then returned to her meal without reacting in any way. Sunny didn't know if she was simply like that around strangers, or always aloof… in any case, it was hard to picture Sky Tide doing mundane things like gardening.

Not knowing what to think of it, he lingered for a few moments, then said awkwardly:

"...Yes. Thank you, it's very tasty."

It was too good, in fact. The food was disappearing from his plate at a concerning speed, which meant that he had to sort out his thoughts fast.

Basically, there were three things about his recent adventure that were better kept secret.

The first one was the miraculous coins and their connection to the Sanctuary of Noctis.

The second was Mordret… despite the fact that Effie and Kai had easily believed him, telling total strangers that there were voices in his head was not the best of decisions. Besides that, Sunny got the feeling that the lost prince might have been in not so friendly relationship with the emissaries of the Valor clan that resided on the Chained Isle.

Sky Tide did not serve Valor directly, but her clan was still allied to the rulers of Bastion, to the point that one might have gone so far as to call them a vassal clan.

And lastly, there was the whole thing about the Ebony and Ivory Towers, the connection between them, and the Seed of Nightmare. If it threatened to create a Gate at any moment, he would have felt obligated to inform the White Feather clan, so that someone else could destroy it before that happened. But since the Seed was far from blooming, he wanted it all for himself.

suspected that he will have to sacrifice one of these secrets to keep the

question was...

gone from their plates, and the young woman in white poured

to appear impolite, sir, but to

'Here it comes…'

He hesitated, then added:

unusually long expedition? You weren't too

a confirmation, but instead, a surprised expression appeared

for you? Uh… why

was confused, he remained silent for a moment,

a misunderstanding. Nightingale and Raised by Wolves did, indeed, bring your disappearance to the attention of our clan. I was going to explore the places where you had been seen last to investigate, but luckily, Lady Cassia arrived at the Sanctuary just in time. She informed us that you

smile froze on Sunny's

did? Well… I'm glad

it! Damned Cassie and her damned visions! How much

hide his

avoid the scrutiny of having to explain his absence to the

herself. The timing of her visit to the Sanctuary of Noctis and this strange action of

was he being too paranoid, looking for a meaning where there was none? Cassie was not some machiavellian mastermind, after all... unlike Sunny and Nephis both.

the cup, Sunny

then… why did you

and produced a folded piece of paper from his

hand you this. Lady Cassia left you a message before leaving on an expedition

tried to seem calm and nonchalant as he took the piece of paper and unfolded it. Inside, two words were written in

"Desecrated Grove"

doubt, left by Cassie. After becoming blind, writing was hard for her. That's why the penmanship

hell is that

from it by a stretch of long chains. The Grove itself

want to speak to her, and

cohort to that remote place, which was situated as far from the

'Strange…'

note, put it under the

"Thank you."