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But now, he seemed different, more serious, more… protective.
The day was beautiful with the landscape shimmering under the light of the sun.
Despite the ominous start, I couldn’t help but lose myself in the sheer beauty of the strange world.
A part of me was still haunted by the implication of the morning’s conversation.
But the majority of me was immersed in the moment — in the beauty of Enchor’s Heart, the monstrous fog a distant memory, in the comfort of Lorik’s company, and in the possibility of a future that was yet to unfold.
Aznai had procured an extra two Hiikas — one for me and an extra one for carrying more supplies.
I tried not to think about where he might have got them.
The rhythmic strideof the Hiikas beneath us was soothing, the subtle jostle in each step a reminder of our journey ahead.
The sun was warming up the day, wrapping the unfamiliar landscape in its gentle embrace.
The scent of alien flowers, a rich, sweet, intoxicating aroma, floated on the morning breeze.
The light refracted off the morning dew on the leaves, creating a brilliant spectacle of colors that was nothing short of magical.
As we journeyed, Lorik and I began to talk about his business — the mine and the Anto’skar that he was hoping to buy.
“I didn’t take you for a businessman, Lorik,” I confessed, the curiosity burning bright in my voice.
He shot me a surprised look. “Why do you say that?”
“Well, you never really talked about your job. People in businessalwaysgo on about their work.”
He couldn’t stifle his smile. “There’s no fooling you, is there? No, I’m not a businessman. But for now, it’s best for you to think of me as one.”
Intrigued, I nodded.
If I thought it was something bad or dangerous, I might have turned my Hiika around already… but it came down to whether or not I trusted him, and I did.
“I heard about the Anto’skar mines on the news,” I replied.
A frown tugged at his brows, his expression unreadable. “I’m surprised. The females I usually associate with aren’t interested in such things.”
“Well, I’m not likeanyother women,” I shot back, a playful smirk teasing at my lips.
We both laughed, the tension diffusing into the morning air.
Yet, as our laughter died down, a sense of dread washed over me. “Isn’t it harmful though? Ripping holes inspace, I mean. Doesn’t that damage the fabric of the universe?”
Lorik nodded, his eyes meeting mine. “You’re not wrong. But progress isn’t always kind to nature. As it stands, this is where we’re heading. I can’t change the direction of the future, but I can work with it.”
His honesty caught me off guard.
His acknowledgement of the potential harm felt strangely comforting, a shared concern in a world that seemed to value progress over preservation.
“But why do you need me?” I asked, confusion etching lines on my forehead. “Why do you need my help in determining if your business partner is reliable?”
He shot me a sideways glance, his lips curling into a small smile. “Because, Madison, you see things differently. You see the world and the people in it as they truly are. I can’t explain it, but I trust your judgment.”
I blinked, taken aback.
His words echoed in my mind, a poignant reminder of the strange bond that was forming between us.
