I stepped closer to the heavy-set, wooden door, and forced my shoulders to relax, before crossing into the dimly lit corridor.
Hanoch was in the same room where we had spent so much time talking in my dream, but this time, he had his three year old son balanced on his knee, and an open book on the table beside him. When he saw me, his face hardened. He closed the book and whispered something to his boy as he looked over to the group of guardsmen. One of the guards approached, picked up the child and took him, kicking and screaming, from the room.
“Hanoch.” I nodded.
“Tynan. Why are you here?”
“We came to ask for shelter.”
“You forfeited your rights when you left, defying the orders of your clan leader.” He narrowed his eyes.
“Where’s Grace?” I asked.
“Grace?”
“I am sure she would want to help.”
“She suffered a stroke. She’s not out most days. You would know if you ever visited,” he said.
“You just said I’m not welcome here. How was I supposed to visit?” I was trying hard to stay calm.
“You would have found a way if you wanted to.” Hanoch crossed his arms on his chest.
“That’s right. I never wanted to. Not after everything.”
It was going much worse than I ever anticipated.
“Alright.” Hanoch said.
“Alright?”
“You can stay in the castle.” Hanoch said.
“Just like that?” I squinted, scrutinizing his face.
“What? Is that not good enough for your group?” Hanoch gave me a hard look.
“Of course not. Thank you.”
Hanoch nodded and gave a signal to his men.
As the servants walked us through the long, dark corridors, illuminated by the lights of the torches, I turned to Alina. “I don’t understand,” I said quietly in her ear.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“It was easy. Too easy.”
We were led further from the main rooms, almost to the side of the building, where a set of unoccupied rooms had been converted into bedrooms. When I lived in the castle, I stayed in the main section. Apparently, I was no longer considered part of the family. Still, it was far more generous than I had expected. Each of us got a room that was moderate in size, with one or two windows and sturdy, simple furniture.
“Get some sleep.” I kissed Alina on top of her head before opening her door.
“I'm so tired I feel like I'm already dead!” Frid yawned.
“I’m off to bed.” Sol raised his hand and disappeared behind his door.
I walked into my room and approached the window. The sunrise gently brushed the sharp angles of the ancient peaks.
Only one thought consumed my overly tired mind.
