Douce Dépendouce

Chapter 12

- Warning -

• This chapter contains mature language that some may be uncomfortable with. Read at your own choice •

The next morning I woke up early and immediately headed to the Secret Stone Circle. Avalon and Evergray had been there and had told me the plan. Avalon seemed upset and almost annoyed about it, and told me that he truly wished there was a better option. I almost wished that having the realms would give me time off for a bit. Instead, I was handed with more work and now the anticipation of the responses from the others. I was worried for all of them, but mainly how Linda had worded it. I hadn't gotten any messages from or the others so I hoped that was a good sign. As for Avalon and Evergrays knowledge, I didn't see the point why Linda or the others would tell them. I felt like it wasn't any useful knowledge to them, but also feared that out of anger, Linda may spill it. I didn't know how I'd react to that, or what Avalon would do. As I had said to Linda, despite the past that the Druids had with Ydris and everything that he had done, it wasn't like he had pulled anything in the most recent parts of time. Sure, he could do anything at any time, but I had a strong feeling that he wouldn't do so; or if he did, it would be aimed at the others.

I let those thoughts fade away as I finished doing up my girth, hearing the sound of my phone vibrate. I instantly grabbed it, seeing a message from Alex. I let Hu nuzzle my hand as I read it, my eyes taking a double take.

I don't know if Linda told you this, but we have to go back to the Circus since what we did may not have worked. Meet you by Nilmers so I can explain?

Wonderful.

Yeah, she told me last night. I'll be there in 10.

I placed my phone in my jacket and finished up with my girth and soon bridled Hu. I then grabbed my helmet and gloves and led him out, placing my foot in the stirrup and hoisting myself into the saddle. I gathered my reins and asked him for a trot as I worked my way upwards, trying to settle the dancing neveres the bounced in my stomach. Despite the temperature being below freezing, my anxiety was able to keep me warm. Alex had always been skeptical about things with Ydris, that's just how she was. She did however, always have a certain look on her face anytime I mentioned him, or brought him up. She was a curious well being, and I knew that somewhere deep down she may have thought that Ydris and I had something. With this, I hoped that she wouldn't be as shocked, or pissed like Linda was, but I still feared her response.

After a few minutes, I could faintly see Alex and Tin-Can settled on the path leading to Nilmers. I brought Hu back down to a walk as I watched her turn to look at me, her eyes locking on mine. I tried to read her expression, but all I could gather was nothing. She simply eyed me, making me look away as if they were weapons before looking back.

"Ready?" She asked, still eyeing me.

I nodded, walking by her side as we headed to the Circus. I could feel as each second went by the more tense I became. Alex was unusually quiet, giving me the feeling that she knew.

"So, Linda may not or may have told you this but what we did two days ago may not have worked," she started, looking at me. "Avalon wants us to continue or work with Pandora until we can figure out what's keeping it active. And whatever that thing is, to hopefully find a way to destroy it completely," she finished, the sense of disappointment and fatigue laced into it.

I slowly nodded, holding my breath. "She told me last night when I went round."

Alex didn't reply.

I felt my stomach form into knots as we got closer and closer, the familiar bright pink tent standing out against the faint fog. I felt my eyes jump back to Alex, not wanting to look at her as we worked our way up, halting by the wagon. I half wanted her to ask me if she knew, or why she was being quiet if she did, but a part of me feared that if Linda hadn't said anything, and I suddenly asked, Alex would wonder what the truth was. I swallowed that down as I watched Alex look around, her eyes dancing over the place. I pretended to look around as well before I watched her walk Tin-Can forward, halting again as the tent flap opened. My body froze as I looked, seeing the familiar build of a stubby man emerge. He walked towards us, looking at me and then at Alex, uneasy creeping into me. I swallowed, walking Hu forward so he was alined with Alex.