Chapter 237 Reunion (1/2)

Arran looked at the wole most powerful person in the entire Valley The leader of the House of Seals And, as far as she was concerned, his new mentor

He took a deep breath as he looked her in the eyes Then, suppressing his nerves, he replied

”No”

”No?” She raised an eyebrow ”You would refusein?”

”I would” Arran's voice was fir now that the decision was o, before he had any of his current strength and experience, he had rejected Panurge's attempts to forcibly take him as an apprentice If he could stand up to a supposed God even then, how could he let hie now?

Moreover, even if his refusal angered the Matriarch, there was little she could do about it She had plenty of status and power, but incinerating a talented initiate froood look It would weaken the Valley, offend the House of Swords, and make her seem like a madwoman — which, hopefully, she wasn't

Reassured by these thoughts, Arran faced the Matriarch calh he had been prepared for her to be angry, what he saw in her eyes was unexpected — a faint glint of a curious rather than offended

”Why?” Arran repeated the word sheepishly, unprepared for the question He had expected annoyance or a cold dismissal, not calle initiate in this Valley ouldn't jump at the chance to become my apprentice,” she said ”But you rejected my offer like a week-old piece of bread Why?”

”I already have a teacher,” Arran replied uneasily ”I' with the other Houses as well” The explanation was a weak one, but it was all he had

”There is no need for you to leave the House of Swords,” the Matriarch replied ”You'll have two Houses — unusual, but hardly unheard of As for your instructors in the other Houses, I will have them teach you here That will save you some much-needed tihtly In a feords, she had disarmed all his objections — at least, those he could ht smirk crossed her lips ”You're worried that I will try to uncover your secrets?”

At this, Arran felt a stab of panic Even if she hadn't discovered his secrets just yet, that she knew he had theh

”Don't look so surprised,” she said ”Talent like yours isn't so one is born with Doubtless you've had more than a few lucky encounters — your skills contain traces of insight froes But that is no concern of oal is to develop your talent”

Arran was unsure of whether to feel relieved or concerned at her words, and he stared at her wordlessly, trying to figure out whether she was speaking the truth

”Still unconvinced?” she asked ”I've already addressed your concerns What else is keeping you fro my offer?”

He took a slow breath as he tried to co she had already offered, refusing would be more than a little suspicious And even if she felt no desire to delve into his past, if he ht change

”My teacher,” he finally said ”I can't accept your offer unless she agrees”

Following Brightblade's orders had gotten him into this mess, and now, he quickly decided that she would have to be the one to solve it Any further attempts he made to deflect the Matriarch's offer would only worsen the situation

”Very well,” the Matriarch said ”Tell htblade,” Arran responded, silently wondering whether he'd ht decision

A servant appeared in the clearing only h ave the man some quick instructions, and as he left, she turned back to Arran

”While ait, you can shohat other talents you have,” she said A sword appeared in her hand, and she continued, ”As a member of the House of Swords, I assume you kno to handle a blade Show me”