The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Unraveling Read Online Free Page B

minutes to show
you to lunch.” He nodded to them and left.
    Erin pushed open her door and stood in the
opening, taking in the beauty of the room. There was a balcony.
Currently the doors were open so Keir and Nuit could come and go as
they wished. She was sure they could tap on the panes if the
weather was cold and the windows shut. There was a lovely area rug
in the middle of the room done in burgundy, rust, a deep forest
green and touches of the palest of pink. The bed looked very
comfortable and had a green comforter that matched the shade in the
rug. A desk and chair were near the balcony doors. There was a
bathing room off of the bedroom and just to the other side of the
central heating panel. She didn’t know how long she had been
absorbing the beauty but she needed to wash up.
    She strode into the bathing room and was
surprised to find clothing choices laid out. Erin stripped off her
soiled clothes. She quickly bathed then turned to the new clean
clothes. She chose a pair of soft grey trousers, a deep plum
colored silk shirt with a high collar and a fitted vest in a
lighter plum shade. Making sure she had her small pouch of stones
tucked into the shirt and the mementos and bloodstone into a
pocket, she turned again to the mirror. When she saw her
reflection, she was pleased to see her hair was growing out, though
it was still awfully short. The bracelet Ree had given her was the
only bit of ornamentation she wore and it was subtle. Erin smiled.
She felt like a young woman again.
    Sterling returned for them five minutes
later. As they left their rooms Erin saw that Drune had new clothes
also. She grinned at him and gave him a wink of approval. He
laughed. “We’re looking mighty fine, Erin. I think we can go have a
meal with Gyan now.” He looked down at Tempo, who Erin had quickly
brushed, and Keir, sitting on her shoulder. “Sterling, lead the
way.”
    They walked down the corridor and down one
staircase. Erin started paying attention to the small carving on
the lintels and door moldings. There was a door down the way that
had a sheaf of wheat and a bushel basket with something in it. Erin
was guessing that Sterling would lead them there. She smiled to
herself when he stopped and opening the portal gestured them
inside.
    There were two men quietly talking by a
window. One of them was the one that she had seen in her vision
with Bure. They turned to greet the two young sages and the two
companions. Erin stepped forward and faced the tall man with the
streaked hair. She held out her hand. “Gyan, I presume. I am Erin
and this is Keir on my shoulder, and Tempo.” she gestured to the
little skunk.
    The man seemed surprised. He glanced at Drune
who shook his head. “Erin, I am glad to meet you.” He nodded to
Keir, who bobbed his head back. “I understand that you knew Erin’s
parents well and also know my friend Ree.” The falcon made a low
sound deep in his throat. Keir was understanding Gyan’s speech
through Erin’s mind. The merlin nodded to Gyan again. The Great One
then knelt down and looked into Tempo’s face. “It is good to meet
you, Tempo. I know that there has been concern about the number of
skunks in the realm. I have also heard that as Erin’s companion you
have been a real asset on this journey and have helped with the
drawing poultice. Ree speaks highly of you!” He stood again and
turned his hand toward the strong looking man with the very short
haircut standing beside him. “This is Bact. He assists me
occasionally with security related tasks. I wanted him to meet all
of you. He has just returned from a job I had asked him to do.”
Gyan again addressed the wild companions. “You are free to come and
go in the Aerie. Bact will alert the staff that you are welcome
guests. I understand that there is one more companion, a Great
Horned Owl, called Nuit. I would like to make her acquaintance when
that is possible.”
    “I am curious, Erin, How did you know which
of us was Gyan?”
    “I