Once Forgotten 1.3

Sariel slipped into the dining hall, taking her seat as though she had just come from a walk. When she realized that everyone (everyone being her sister and several members of the nobility), she set her fork down and wiped her mouth. She hung her head as Kurel thought of something to say.

"Word is going around, Sariel. Do you know what's being said?" Kurel asked, her voice barely calm. Sari shook her head.

"They're saying that you've gone off and are consorting with Kadrin!" A nobleman shouted. He faltered under the queen's glare.

"Word is that you have offered yourself as apprentice to him. Is it true?" Sari was silent, trying to think of something to say. "Oh, Sari! I won't lose you!" Kurel cried.

Sari felt a tear run down her cheek. "Which is why you must let me do this. None of the Masters can teach me control. Even Kadic. He asked Kadrin to train me. I wanted to ask, but I felt it wasn't my place."

Silence fell over the table. Kurel took a steadying breath. "Master Kadic asked Kadrin...to train you?"

Sari nodded. "Yes." She looked up. "Kadrin wishes to meet with you."

Kurel sighed and placed her head in her hands. "Very well. When?"

Sari glanced at the clock on the wall. "In twenty minutes. Noon, when the sun is directly over the throne room."

"Does he wish to speak with her alone?" A young man asked.

Sari shook her head. "He didn't say; you should be there, Roylen. Kadrin won't harm you."

"How can you be so sure? He does whatever he wishes!" Another noble asked.

Sari hung her head. Kadic's voice cut through the silence. "He has what he came for. He came looking for something, and he found her."

Roylen frowned. "Why would he be searching for Sari?" Realization dawned on him. "Her power. Her power called him here. Is she really that strong?"

Kadic nodded. "Kadrin confirmed it. From what he said, Sari has power of his level. She just needs control, something that Kadrin and Kadrin alone can give her."

"But surely she has some choice in this matter?" A noblewoman asked.

Kadic looked at Sari. She raised her head. "I chose to offer myself as his apprentice."

Kurel sighed. "Then you must go with him." She glanced at the clock. Five minutes. She turned to Roylen. "It's almost time to meet him."

Roylen stood and offered his hand. "Then come, let's get to the throne room."