54 Reunited (1/2)

It took me a moment to collect myself, ”What are you doing here Valerian? When did you get back?”

Valerian slowly replied, ”After receiving the message you left at Black Claw Inn, I arrived in the garden and discovered this tied up human.”

That's right. Originally, I left a note telling Valerian I would meet him at the Inn, but Matilda had the garden built so quickly that I sent someone to change it. The new note told Valerian where the Captain's Manor is and how to access it through a hidden entrance designed just for him. I was so consumed with the task at hand that I didn't pay attention to my surroundings. That, combined with a G'eth's ability to blend in with nature made him practically invisible to me. That explains how I missed him, but that doesn't explain why he stayed hidden.

”Is something wrong Valerian? Why didn't you say anything when you saw me?”

”I wanted to understand.”

The way he said those words sounded eerily similar to how a young child might sound after his dog died. I began to feel concerned. Just what had happened with Valerian over the past day and a half?

”Understand what?”

”At first I wanted to know why that human girl was tied up. Then, when I saw you, I wanted to know what you would do.”

I couldn't help noticing a weird atmosphere around Valerian, ”And?”

Valerian slowly exhaled, his rigid body relaxed a bit, ”I... I'm just glad I wasn't wrong about you.”

”Wrong about what?”

Valerian seemed to decide something as he locked eyes with me, the doubt and anguish that engulfed them scattered as they sharpened into focus.

”It's nothing to worry about, what's done is done.”

Valerian sounded cryptic, and I wasn't sure what he was thinking. I could tell that something had happened, but it seemed like he didn't want to talk about it.

Valerian suddenly reached out and grabbed my arm, ”More importantly, your life is in danger. We need to leave this place right now!”

Valerian began to pull me, but I stood firm, ”Hold on Valerian! You can't just show up and drag me away saying my life is in danger. I need an explanation.”

Valerian continued to try to pull my arm, ”We don't have time, that shifty looking human Ward knows about your relationship with the G'eth.”

”What!?”

In my shock, Valerian dragged me a couple meters forward. I quickly got my feet underneath me and braced myself stopping us both.

”Hold on!”

I pulled Valerian's arm off me, ”How long has he known?”

Valerian looked back at me frustrated, ”At the latest early this morning, but he's probably known since yesterday. That's why we need to leave now!”

I shook my head, ”No. If he's known that long we don't need to do anything right now. If he wanted to do something he would have already done it. A lot of things have happened here that you don't know about.”

I sat Valerian down and explained everything that occured while he was gone.

”Wow! No wonder you didn't want to leave. Everything worked out better than you had planned. Although, that doesn't explain why Ward didn't tell Morrow about you”