"Raldrest is five spans away", he explained. I sat beside him on top of a hill overlooking the town."eh like your earth, it is only two spans away. Closer to Willow"

I didn't understand but nodded.

He rubbed his palms together. Golden dust fell."you must visit Raldrest before going back"

Could I even?

"You know why there are gates?", he asked."There are still worlds that have not been discovered but are in danger because some travellers misuse their...their-..what do you call this-"

I couldn't guess.

"Power",he nodded to himself."yes, you call it power. These gates tell the Keepers about all the journeys. They know that I'm here with you and where I'll go next. They help the Keepers protect us"

Like magic then.

"Willows is only for Keepers",he continued."a visitor can only stay for a short while. But you look like you've been here for more than a short while"

I couldn't say. There was no sun to set here. The sky was a strange blue, and the soft wind smelled like nostalgia. August had pointed it out that there was no time here. I didn't understand, but I got the idea.

He got up and stretched."tiring to be your size"

I smiled."Can you take me to Raldrest?"

He sat down again. I noticed his curious eyes scan my face."I cannot do that"

Because he's not a Keeper?

"You already have a guardian",he stated it like it was an obvious thing. I didn't understand what he meant.

He pointed at my wrist. That's when i noticed a thin silver line tattooed around my wrist. "I cannot cross the Kingmaker's line"

My head hurt. I didn't understand.

He rolled his eyes, and lifted his finger slowly as if to demonstrate and slightly touched the tattoo on my wrist. To my surprise, my hand suddenly turned pale and I felt my body temperature drop. I noticed him take a step back as if to wait for something more to happen.

Then he pulled back his hood, revealing his luscious black hair, and knelt on one knee and looked down.

What was he doing?

The silver tattoo glowed for a second and died down. The colour of my skin returned and i felt my body calm down.

"Ryzo",my body stiffened at the familiar voice. He was standing right next to me.

He put his hood back on and stood up, his eyes still glued to the ground."My Lord"

Gable sighed and turned to look at me."What is it?"

I stared at him. What was i supposed to say?




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