37 – People Change

“My circumstances?” she asked, her right hand reaching for the other.

The priest was rubbing his eyebrows as Alexandra waited for him to speak.

“Miss Alexandra,” Bamir started. “I haven’t been honest with you. For that I apologize” He looked up. “We both know what I’m talking about. You’re not truly amnesic.”

She stared.

“Your divine class marks you as someone summoned by the Seven. A heroine, like the Saint.”

Alexandra opened her mouth to deny his claims, but no sound came out.

“I must confess that I’ve reported your existence to my hierarchy, as dictated by the rules of my order,” Bamir continued, his voice flat.

She took a deep breath. “I see. Why are you telling me that?”

He hesitated. “I believe it is right.”

“Won’t you get in trouble?”

Bamir shook his head. “I shouldn’t. The Saint has ordered that we should treat you like we would anyone else.”

Alexandra frowned. “Did he? Have you told him my name? Described my appearance?”

“I did, and that was his answer.”

Her frown deepened. Did Hakim forget about her? A century was a long time. She couldn’t quite wrap her head around it.

Maybe…

“Can you tell me the names of all seven heroes, then?”

The healer nodded. “There’s Saint Hakim, which you’ve already heard of. Then, we have Aaron Loew, who leads the Wardens. Jenna Marl, Raymond Ludval, Arthur Patin, Jade Akkan, and…”

“Lila—”

Bamir’s eyes went wide. He clapped a hand over her mouth. “Don’t say her name.” He retracted his hand. “Apologies, but the Grand Legate forbids her name to be spoken, and somehow, she has a way to detect when it happens. Trust me, you don’t want the Architects to come knocking.”

Alexandra’s mind was blank. She didn’t know what to think. First, those were indeed the names of her old guildmates. At this point, she couldn’t delude herself into thinking it was a coincidence. Yet, Hakim had decided not to help her. He had to know it was her. If she could make the connection, so could the others.

Why not?

She remembered their time together fondly. Of course, not everything had been perfect, but she didn’t think they would turn against her. Then again, Lila’s name being forbidden, Bamir’s look of fear when she almost spoke her name…

She groaned.

“I don’t know what your relationship with the heroes was a hundred years ago,” Bamir said, his voice soft. “But now, they are not people you can afford to provoke.”

Alexandra nodded. He was right. She had to take things slowly, figure things out before throwing herself at them.

“How did you find out about me?”

Bamir nodded. “Good question. It’s something else you should be wary of. We followers of the Seven have special classes. We can sense the touch of the gods on others. But unlike us you were blessed by all seven gods. That only happens when a hero is summoned.”

“So every member of a holy order will know…”

“Unless you develop a skill to obfuscate the gods’ signature.”

She clicked her tongue. So the branch leader of the Hands, Arame, already knew who she was. No wonder she let her go so easily. Then again, with her white hair, her scars, and her missing finger, she probably hadn’t needed more to recognize her from Bamir’s reports.

“And how do you expect the other orders to react to my existence?” she asked. “I don’t think I can keep it a secret for long.”

Hakim’s indifference might not be the worst thing that happened to her, after all.

Bamir grimaced, all but confirming her fears. “I can’t say for sure. But I believe you should avoid detection for as long as possible. Regardless of the heroes’ stance, their subordinates will see you as a threat, or an opportunity to latch onto. Much like I was rewarded for my report, others might want the boons that may come with your discovery, or capture, or…”

“I understand.” Alexandra interrupted. She looked at the window. Louis told her there was no real Warden here. She should be fine.

Bamir answered what he could, which wasn’t much. Common knowledge on the order, a rough idea of what each of them did, and the reputation of their leader.

She stood. “Thank you. For telling me.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Bamir rose with her. “I apologize once again for deceiving you.”

She waved it away. “No harm done.”

Lara sat on the fence near the fields, kicking her heels against it. Therion stood a few feet off with his arms crossed, watching the road. He turned when the door opened.

Lara jumped down. “Well?”

“We’re good.” Alexandra picked up her pack from where she’d left it against the wall. She slung it over one shoulder and looked at them both. “I need to move.”

“Now?” Lara said.

“Now. Marick doesn’t want me here.”

Therion uncrossed his arms. “It’s night.”

Alexandra shrugged. “I’ll be fine. You’ll hear from me when the Yshant’s dead.”

“You’re not…”

She smiled. “Because I’ll be the one slaying it.”

Lara chewed the inside of her cheek. She looked at her face, then at the road behind her. “You’re not coming back through here, are you?”

“Wait for news,” she said. “It won’t be long.” She gripped Lara’s shoulder once, firm, then let go. She met Therion’s eyes. “Keep her out of trouble.”

“Debatable which of us needs that more,” Lara said.

Alexandra almost smiled.

She left them at the house and walked the main path to the village edge. The south bound path stretched before her.