Chapter 33: Chapter 32

Holding up Abby, Etrius didn't fail to notice the look that Ethan gave it. Somewhat amazed, Ethan shook his head.

 

"Well, I suppose I'll take my leave." Ethan said, not sure if anyone was even listening.

"Yes, thank you for entertaining him.” Adriana said.

 

Ethan waved as he walked away to the staff dining room for an early evening drink. Not wasting their time in the front hall, the three were led away by Zen. As usual, they found themselves seated in the dining room. Etrius and Adriana were sat next to each other, with Abby sitting on Etrius’ lap as last time she was on her mom’s.

For dinner, they were served steak with grilled tomatoes and creamed spinach with a special meal for Abby, despite her protests. Though she protested, she knew that both her parents would give her some meat when the servants weren’t looking. And that’s exactly what happened. Zen too, though not directly engaging in this, wasn’t doing anything to stop it. Due to her knowledge of Abby, however, she assumed that they knew what they were doing. Luckily for Abby, they did.

 

“So, I suspect that there were no troubles with your work?” Adriana asked, a little more than halfway finished with her meal.

“Trouble? No, though there's a ranger’s meeting that I need to attend.” Etrius said.

“I see. How long will you be gone?” Adriana asked.

“Three, four weeks.” Etrius said. “Depends on whether or not something happens.”

“Do you expect something to happen?” She asked.

“There’s been signs that the dark age is going to be ending soon.” It said.

“Yes, there have been signs of it for years now…” She muttered.

“You’re leaving?” Abby asked.

“For a time, yes. But I’ll be back.” It said, petting her head.

“When will you leave?” Adriana asked.

“In about five days.” It said. “I was hoping to leave before we get any rain.”

“Yes, well if you hear anything about road improvements, feel free to tell them to hurry up.” She said.

“Will do.” It said.

“Can I come with you?” Abby asked.

“This is a work trip, so unfortunately no.” It said.

“Could I go if I was working with you?” She asked.

“Oh you don’t want to work with me.” It said. “We don’t get paid very much at all.”

“Why don’t you ask for a pay raise?” Adriana asked. “You know, I should recommend one for you.”

“Don’t bother, it won’t happen.” It said. “And besides, we get other benefits.”

“Are they truly worth it?” Adriana asked.

“I certainly think so.” It said.

“Can I be a ranger?” Abby asked.

“To be a ranger, you have to have to know about lots of things like math, geography, and history for starters.” It explained.

“I wanna learn!” Abby said.

“Yes yes, we’ll get you a teacher soon enough.” Adriana said.

“By the way, it's almost your birthday.” Etrius said.

“Yep!” Abby said. “I’ll be turning three!”

“Yes you will.” Etrius smiled. “Is there anything you want for your birthday?”

“I want a beast!” She said.

 

Though she said that, Etrius and Adriana knew that she didn’t exactly mean that. In reality, she wanted to eat meat and lots of it. As to why she called lots of meat “a beast” they were unsure.

 

“Well, we’ll see what we can do.” Adriana said, well aware that the servants would be reluctant in allowing this.

“Aside from food, is there anything else you want?” Etrius asked.

“I want a bow!” She said.

“Maybe when you’re older.” Etrius said.

“I will be older!” She said.

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“Yes, that's true.” Etrius said. “How about this, if you’re good at studying, I'll get you a bow. Does that sound good?”

“No backsies!” She said.

“Right, no backsies.” Etrius promised.

“Are you sure that's a good idea?” Adriana asked.

“It’ll be a useful skill for her to have.” It said.

“I’m not sure, they aren’t safe, what if she hurts herself?” She asked.

“It’s a bow, they are plenty safe. We should worry when she gets arrows.” It said.

“Well, as long as you teach her how to use it, I have no complaints.” She said.

“Can I have a sword too?” Abby asked.

“Another time maybe.” Etrius said.

“Thank you!” She said, hugging Etrius.

 

Happily receiving the hug, the three continued dinner, leaving future worries for the future. Eventually, as almost all of their happy family dinners ended, the three were in the front hall. As usual, Adriana didn’t seem pleased with its departure, but didn’t do anything to stop it. These were after all, things that neither of them could control, and didn’t want to see them complicated due to un-need interference. Though it was ready to leave, Etrius was currently stuck, holding the sulking Abby. It only seemed to occur to her just now, that she wouldn’t be able to see it for possibly four weeks.

 

"I'll be back soon." Etrius said.

"I don't care!" Abby said. "I don't want you to go!"

"It's part of my job. I'll be back before you know it." It said.

"Don't go!" She said.

"I'll be back, and then we can spend as much time together as you want." It said.

"…" She looked reluctant. "Promise?"

"I promise." It said.

"Okay…" She said quietly.

 

Though she didn't exactly let go, she did seem to calm down which was good. Abby was still young and her bed time was near. She wouldn't be able to sleep if she was busy sulking. Just to be sure of this, Etrius used that old trick of patting her back to make her sleepy. It didn't work as well as it did when she was younger, but it seemed to do the trick. Even after this short amount of time she seemed much more relaxed. Having delayed it's departure for long enough, Etrius slowly let her to the ground.

Standing on her own, she let her hand linger on its sleeve before finally separating. Seeing her sad eyes, Etrius patted her head in an attempt to cheer her up.

 

"Now, be a good girl and keep your mom company." Etrius said.

"Okay." Abby said.

"I'll be back soon, so be sure to send me off with a smile so I have something good to remember." It said.

"Okay." She nodded.

"Now now darling." Adriana said, with a hint of jealousy in her voice. "We'll both be here to send you off and welcome you with a smile."

"I look forward to it." It said.

 

Walking forwards Adriana held out her hand, which Abby took hold of. Taking a step back, Abby looked up at Etrius was a smile on her face.

 

"Bye bye dad." She said.

"Goodbye darling." Adriana said.

"Peace and safety with you, both of you." Etrius said.

 

Adriana and Etrius exchanged a quick kiss as Abby hugged its leg. With the sun already down, the three parted. Reaching the gates, Etrius took one look back before heading off. Seeing Abby's small shape looking out the window, Etrius smiled and gave a small wave. Raising its hood, Etrius sighed. Its eyes, once warm and compassionate, were cold and empty. If there were others around to see it, they perhaps would have reacted like Ethan due to the sudden change in its expression.

Glancing at the shadows that filled the town, Etrius noticed them becoming more active than usual. They by themselves were unlikely planning anything, but it was a sign of two things. The first was that the dark age would be ending in the very near future, possibly in as little as a week or two. The second was the possibility that the people of earth were once more trying to travel between worlds. If they were, Etrius would be unable to stop them.

As it currently was, Etrius was in a new, much more limited form than it previously had been. The body was similar to a human and currently the most it could do was communicate with the unseen. It had the ability to be an above average human without breaking. This form of it wouldn't even be considered to be the lowest of it's combat forms. Though that didn't matter. Etrius wasn't made for combat, not that it was unfamiliar to it, but rather to observe. Great change was coming and on Earth, it was already happening. Millions of lives were already lost and millions of more would follow. With some luck, Abby would be spared, though even if she wasn't Etrius could do nothing but watch.

A couple of the shadows started doing their best interpretation of dancing, and it looked kind of weird. Etrius pretended not to see as it didn't want to encourage them. This did not work as more and more shadows and crawling shadows began to "dance". During its walk home, they seem to have gotten better, so much so that Etrius could confidently say that they were busting it down in a way most fowl. Etrius felt physically ill.

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