Chapter 83 Gale's POV

Chapter 83 Gale's POV
Gale’s POV

Her acceptance makes the knot in my chest release, sending relief flooding my chest.
I rise to my feet, a small smile playing on my lips.
Luna smiles back in return.

“Thank you,” I say. “I will not do anything to break your trust. You have my word.”

“I trust you won’t,” Luna nods.

We return to training, this time with more ease between us. An hour passes in that manner, and Luna has a light sheen of sweat on her body after I increase her workload, while Calla has gotten the hang of certain aspects of the drills, ready to move up to the next level.

By the time we take a break after training, I feel much better than I had since we returned to the Stronghold.
It is lunchtime and the three of us are refreshed and on the way to the dining hall when I hear a clicking sound that makes me pause.
It is light but unmistakable, a signal from the League.

“Go on, I’ll join you both in a bit, I need to pick up something from my room.” I feign exhaustion, garnering looks of concern from both Luna and Calla.

“Are you alright, Gale?” Luna asks, looking me up and down.
I wave my hands and smile wanly.

“I'm fine, trust me. I’ll be there soon. Less than five minutes, guys, trust me. I'm a quick runner,” I joke, and the two of them stifle giggles in response.

“Alright, alright. Don't take too long,” Calla waves at me as she pulls Luna along.

As I watch them depart, I look around to ensure no one is watching and walk towards the windowsill. 

What I do not expect is to find not one, but two messenger birds. My lips curl down into a frown.

Why would the League send me two letters?

Once the birds spot me they fly over, landing on  an outstretched arm. I remove the letter tucked beneath each of them and let them fly away.

Slowly I unfurl the first letter and read.
It is from Bain. I skim through it for any important news and tuck it into my jacket pocket. The letter is succinct and describes  many events that have happened. Bain also does not let up on the chiding, his tone annoyed at my sneaking off with my ‘two friends’. However he does not insist on my return, which makes me smile. Out of all our brothers, Bain is the one who understands me the most.

If the first letter is from Bain, then who is the second letter from? I doubt the League would send a second letter unless it was a mission.

My brows furrowed, I open the second letter only to gasp out loud. A familiar handwriting fills the parchment.

“Farron?” My voice is soft, heart in disarray.

He is still alive?

The letter reads:
‘Gale my dear,
I hear you are a tribute of the Luna Trials. Do take care. Keep safe. You are in danger and should not be remiss in your actions. Do not trust anyone, especially not those closest to you. A lot has happened since I left. Much that involves you.
Stay safe, Gale. I have missed you terribly.
We will meet soon, I promise.

With love,
Farron.’

My chest heaves as I exhale slowly, closing my eyes.
Farron was the one who is closest to me before Bain, before anyone else. He was also the one I had loved. I never got to confess my feelings for him before he disappeared on a mission a year ago. Ever since then, the League has searched tirelessly for him but to no avail.

My body trembled as I recall the many times I would inquire of any news about him. Each time I would be told to let it be. Bain and the others would look at me with pained expressions, guilt and regret in their eyes. They would whisper behind my back each time I would walk by Farron’s empty bedroom, waiting to see a glimpse of his shadow, anything.

He is one of the most powerful assassins in the League, rivaling Bain even though his career began late in his teens. He is neither boastful nor arrogant, remaining humble and indulging even when I bothered him more times than I can count.

So it shouldn’t be that he dies in the line of duty. Many times I had made an effort to investigate but would come up with dead ends loosely tucked away like nothing happened.
It always makes me feel inferior every time I think about it.

He is truly alive.
Tears prickle in my eyes, a surge of emotions I have long kept hidden building in my heart.

He misses me. I do not know how happy that makes me.

The words of his letter leave much to be desired. I am unable to stifle the feelings of dread that pool in my gut.
I am in danger?
From what? Whom?
I do not know but one thing remains irrevocably true in my heart: Farron would never deceive me.
I must be careful.

I tuck the letter into my other pocket and am about to turn back when I pause.
Perhaps it would be better to send a reply now, instead of waiting for later. Every moment counts.

With that thought I rush back to my bedroom, nearly running a maid over.
“Sorry!” I yell out while continuing my pace.

As soon as the door is shut behind me, I grab a parchment to write, scribbling down a plaintive response to Bain, while on another parchment, my heart tightens at the thought of what to send to Farron.

‘I hope you are well. I have missed you too, really.’

I pause, nibbling on the quill feather tip before I add, ‘What do you mean by in danger? I need to be informed in order to plan ahead. The Luna Trials resume soon, and I am preparing for them. Do tell me where you are too. I will come to see you as soon as I am able.’

I pause briefly, before writing about encountering a key to my past and bloodline, and we are working together.
It is vague enough to keep Luna’s name and business out of it, but still enough to assure him.
As I walk out to send the two letters off, a deep sense of leave envelopes me. For now, things are moving on the right path.
…