Chapter 76 Leaving the City (1/2)
After Arran and Darkfire left the Governor's office, a servant escorted theuest quarters, which turned out to be an otherwise e roo room, and several bathrooht the the two of the room
For so theirthe Governor's fine wines
Finally, Darkfire spoke
”You can use ic,” he said, a complicated expression on his face
”I can,” Arran replied
”You didn't tell ry, Arran could hear some disappointment in his voice, and he knew Darkfire's trust had been hurt by Arran's failure to tell him earlier
”I would have told you,” Arran said, ”but we only just met, and with the Academy after me, I try not to show it too much”
”No ht grin, he added, ”That fight of yours was truly so That Shadowblood idiot didn't knohat hit hie the subject ”I hadn't expected it to go that far I never thought he would actually try to kill me”
”I' uncoet to h Arran wanted to deny it, he kneas true Even if he didn't blame Darkfire for what happened, the Shadowblood novices' true target had almost certainly been Darkfire
After a ot what they deserved”
”And then so ”When you stomped on his knee, I think people could hear him scream even beyond the city walls”
Arran winced at this Although it had been the best decision in the heat of battle, he had not intended to be that ruthless
”You've seen a lot of battle, I take it?” Darkfire asked
”I have,” Arran answered honestly ”Ever since the Academy came after me, it's been one battle after another What about you?”
”I've been in a few fights,” Darkfire said, ”though ainst real opponents Not in real fights, at least”
The answer surprised Arran He had expected Darkfire to be a seasoned fighter, given the youngArran's confounded look, Darkfire laughed
”It's not that I've avoided battle, I just never had ,” he said ”I spent my youth in the Shadowflaood fighters I've met were Society members”
”What about the Shadowbloods?” Arran asked
”Loathsoh they are, they'd never attack a Society member,” Darkfire replied ”Not inside the borders, at least”
”What about outside the borders?” Joining the Shadowflame Society would require Arran to travel beyond the Empire's borders, and he felt sohtful look appeared on Darkfire's face ”I suppose things will be different there Many initiates and novices disappear beyond the borders every year, and there's little anyone can do to find out who's responsible”
The answer did little to ease Arran's worries, but the wine proved to be , until they had all but forgotten about the day's events