The Path of Giants, B.T. Narro [the speed reading book .TXT] 📗

but she was already squeezed in between Remi and Reuben when I arrived. It wouldn’t have mattered much anyway, I’d soon realized. Because of how our group of nine all sat close to each other, there weren’t really any private conversations between us. When Hadley had finished eating, she left the dining hall with Remi, presumably to walk back to the apartments together. I stayed behind with Michael and Reuben, as we three were waiting for a second serving of tonight’s beef stew. It was that good. I felt bad that Charlie missed it.

Entering my warm room during a cold night was one of the most comforting feelings I had in this beautiful place. It was common for one of the castle workers to start a fire in each of our hearths while we were in the dining hall, and I always appreciated their efforts. The castle staff kept our rooms warm, washed our clothes, made up our beds, prepared our meals, cleaned our dishes, and even saw to repairing our torn clothing. I didn’t miss doing any of these chores on my own, but I did fear that I had become spoiled.

I hoped the workers were happy here and that they were paid well. I would have to make more of an effort to show my gratitude, but it seemed as if the king had told them to avoid us. They kept their heads down and never made conversation.

It made me feel a little guilty, like we were considered a class above them and they had to treat us with deference. I had never seen the royal family be rude toward the help, but I had never seen them show appreciation, either.

I really would make more of an effort. I knew war would soon be upon us, but for now, life was good. I was going to appreciate it and the people who made it possible.

I noticed my curtains moving slightly as I undressed for bed. I felt a pang of fear as I went over to investigate. My window was latched shut, but there was a small opening between the bottom of the window and the windowsill. It seemed unlikely that enough wind could’ve come through to move my heavy curtains. I looked around my room as I held my breath, listening and watching. I had a sneaking suspicion I wasn’t alone.

I started to feel that my mind was playing tricks on me. I closed my slightly open window and went over to my bed. My room was covered in dancing shadows from the fire in my hearth.

I peeled back the heavy covers and was about to blow out my lamp, but a sense of danger stopped me. I carefully looked around my large room again.

I didn’t see anyone. I casted my Identify spell of ordia, but it didn’t pick up anything except the cursed stone on my bedside table. I still wasn’t satisfied, though. I thought about who of my neighbors might hear me if I was to cry for help. Aliana was on the other side of the wall of my bed. Charlie was usually on the other side of the wall of my hearth, but he wasn’t here. However, the ranger was probably the best person to rely on if I had to choose one.

“Aliana?” I called as I tapped on my wall. “Are you awake?”

“Is something wrong?” she asked, fear in her voice.

“Do you sense anyone else in my room?”

It was silent for a moment.

“No, just you.”

“All right, thanks.”

“Good night, Jon.

“Good night, Ali.”

I still wasn’t completely satisfied, though. There were limitations to Aliana’s low-frequency spell of Earth, which allowed her to sense life. When we had first encountered Eslenda in the forest, Aliana told us that her spell didn’t pick up the elf’s presence. Later, Aliana had saved Remi from being killed only because she’d sensed Eden and Remi on our roof, not Valinox.

With my sword now in hand, I walked from corner to corner of my room, listening closely for footsteps besides my own. However, I made it around my room and didn’t hear anything. I was starting to feel that it really was just the wind that had moved my curtains.

Then I thought to look under the bed. It was the only place someone could hide. I did it quickly, falling to my knees with the lamp in hand and looking under the bed for an invisible silhouette.

Nothing was there.

I stood up. My curtains billowed again. My heart stopped.

I know I closed that window.

I felt a chill down my spine as I knew what this meant. Get out! Get out! I was so filled with fear, however, that I couldn’t move.

Then my adrenaline hit. I ran for my door.

Dteria grabbed me. I let out the start of a yelp as it closed around my mouth, muffling me.

I had my sword in hand, but my arms were pinned against my sides by the clear energy.

I felt someone pass around me before I noticed the nearly invisible silhouette. I tried to blow him back with dvinia, but it couldn’t escape the barrier of dteria that completely surrounded me. Valinox was still mostly invisible as he turned the lock of my door, preventing anyone from coming in.

I figured Valinox had brought someone into my room. I didn’t know how long they had been hiding here. They had probably snuck in behind the servant who entered to light my fire.

Facing the closed door, I couldn’t see the rest of the room behind me. I sucked in air through my nose, my mouth muffled. I feared I would be stabbed in the back of my head at any moment.

I waited just a moment longer, then casted from the back of my head, the only opening except over my nose. My spell was not nearly as strong as if I could use my hands, but it still did the trick. I heard a man make a sound of shock as his feet pattered away from me. I imagined