Tales of Darkness and Light (Book 1 Complete)

Chapter 7: Of Disagreements and Dissent

Chapter 7: Of Disagreements and Dissent

Lillian Garland

Lillian had been on the road with Addy and Lord Hayden for only a few hours now, but she could already say that it was a... difficult environment, to say the least.

The goddess knew that Lillian had dealt with difficult environments before - being stuck in the temple with Corin and Castella constantly at each other's throats was a particular example. Lillian was no stranger to resolving conflict. This, however, was going to be the death of her.

Somehow, the ever-personable Addy Freeland had managed to get into an argument with Hayden Lochan. It had all started when Hayden assumed that he would be taking charge of the group, and dictated where they would go and what they would do, in no uncertain terms.

Lillian got the impression that the young lord of Galys was a man unused to being contradicted, least of all by commoners younger than him, though he seemed like a nice enough sort. Addy had suggested a simpler path, Hayden had made an assumption about her capabilities, and Addy had snapped.

Quite frankly, Lillian was more than a little impressed that her sweet friend had that sort of energy in her. She couldn't help but wince, however, remembering what Addy had hissed at Hayden only a few hours ago.

"You may be accustomed to having your orders followed without question, your highness, and I am sorry for offending your delicate sensibilities, but don't dare to make assumptions about my capabilities when I have spent spent years of my life travelling the world in order to better the lives of others, while you were locked in your ivory tower."

Lillian rode her horse between them now on the dirt packed trail, pretending not to notice the cold glances they were throwing in each other's direction. It was a little astonishing, the immaturity that these adults had. They were acting like children rather than trained warriors.

They rode in a less than comfortable silence as they travelled across a ravine, the flow of the water below the only noise. Addy leaned over on her horse, whispering to Lillian "It really is beautiful here. It reminds me of home."

Right. Lillian remembered that Addy had grown up in Alura, famous for their Whispering Mountains, which was known worldwide for their vibrant scenery. Personally, the sight of the ravine made her more than a little homesick - she couldn't help but recall the rolling hills and fields of her home country.

Some dark, cynical part of her couldn't help wondering what the Mordan's Watch had done to her country, whether the hills and trees had been torn up and replaced, the people rounded up and sent to prisons. But she shut those thoughts out. There was no use thinking about it. Not now.

So Lillian simply smiled, and said: "me too."

"There are many beautiful parts of Perrnath," said Hayden, who seemed to catch onto their conversation. "My hometown of Galys is known for its views of the ocean. It's unlike anything you've ever seen." He was looking at her directly, pointedly ignoring the short angry swordfighter in the room.

"That sounds lovely. I hope to see it sometime, but I fear nothing will ever compare to Giana for me."

"You're from Giana? I've heard it is - was - beautiful, though I've never been."

Lillian couldn't help but wince at the reminder of what happened to her home. The burnings, the screams...

Hayden seemed to notice her inner turmoil, and quickly redirected the conversation. "And where is your... companion from?"

She suppressed an eye roll at the condescending tone the lord had adopted. Galina, did the two not like each other. "Alura, I've heard."

Out of the corner of her eye, Lillian noticed Addy stiffen slightly. Was her newfound hatred for Hayden so strong that she didn't want him to know anything about her past? That seemed at odds with that she had learned about Addy so far, but she didn't know what else it could be.