Chapter 231 The House of Shadows (2/2)
The city was pleasant, beautiful even It lacked the dense masses of the capital and the utilitarian appearance of the House of Swords, instead researdens, and many small shops Except, of course, that it was the size of a city, and not a particularly small one
They eventually arrived at a sarden, filled with nunized none of these, but he suspected that Snowcloud would have been filled with excitement had she been there
”Here we are,” Leandros said ”You'll find your teacher inside Her nah she's only a novice, you would do well not to underesties in the House, if not the entire Valley”
He bade Arran goodbye, then quickly turned around and headed back in the direction of the gate, doubtless to guide solance at the garden, then stepped inside, following the narrow path that led to the front door of the sarden had been given a great deal of attention — so it to perfection
When he knocked on the door, there was no i for a irl's voice sounded from inside
Another twopatiently, but then, the door swung open, revealing as easily the most beautiful wo — several years younger than Arran — with long, brown hair, delicate features, and large, dark eyes Her sht tan, and as she looked at Arran, there was a small but impossibly perfect smile on her face
”You must be Ghostblade,” she said ”You're earlier than I expected — I hadn't finished dressing yet”
”I am,” Arran said ”Ghostblade, I ?” He stumbled over his words as he looked at the woman in front of hi a robe but a short, for dress that emphasized her ample curves
”Come in,” she said As Arran did so, she continued, ”From what I've heard, you est adept in the House of Swords last year, didn't you?”
”I… eh…” Arran hadn't expected her to know anything about him, and briefly, he found himself at a loss for words ”I did,” he finally said
”No surprise, with those broad shoulders of yours I bet you ” She flashed him a wink, then asked, ”Would you like some tea?”
Arran felt his cheeks flush at the compliment, but he tried to keep his co uard who led es in the House of Shadows”
She frowned briefly, but her serated,” she said ”I'm just a novice, with just a sh to be of use to you”
”I' to hurt her feelings ”I don't knowyou can teach me”
”Then I'll do lass of tea ”But you already have an outstanding teacher, right? I've heard shean adept herself, and if the stories from the House of Creation are true, her other student is almost as impressive as you are”
At this, Arran frowned Despite his surprise at Oraia's beauty, he could not fail to notice that she seemed to know entirely too much about him and his companions ”It sounds like you know a lot about us”
”I've just heard soet many outsiders in the Ninth Valley, so rumors spread quickly — especially when they're about handsoain, Arran frowned Unwilling though he was to adirl's friendliness was an act — and a clu,” he said, a hint of coldness in his voice
Oraia looked at him with a trace of disappointment in her eyes ”Very well,” she said, the forced cheeriness suddenly gone from her voice ”Let's find out if you have any talent”