Chapter 2 Pt. 2 - Meet Pramlee

“Arianna!”

Arianna snapped out of her stare and looked across the room. She could see Pramlee.

“Pramlee, how have you been?” asked Arianna as she hugged the young guide.

“Oh, I am good. Changed up my look a bit,” she said with all grins and giggles.

Arianna gave her a soft smile, patted Pramlee’s back, and said, “Looks good. You are always one to be at the forefront.”

Pramlee had blue hair, black biker-style boots, fishnet stockings and a tank top that showed a little too much. Arianna was not a huge fan of Pramlee, but despite being born to a certain privilege, she felt sorry and could not help but have a soft spot for her.

“Pramlee, have you seen Meridian lately?” asked Arianna.

“Well, yes, I saw her earlier but not for long. I saw her leaving with Relic. She said that they were going to meet up with some newbies. I will be going later after the gathering. I wanted to go on, but my father would get angry if I missed a gathering,” stated Pramlee.

“Hmmm, yes, I know how Warrick is about those things,” Arianna commented as she looked at Pramlee out of the corner of her eye while keeping her face right upon Warrick as he was seating himself.

“Is there something wrong?” Pramlee asked in a worrisome tone.

“No, I just was curious,” Arianna said while softening her answer.

She did not want to share too much with Pramlee. She was gossipy and tended to read too much into things. Pramlee looked up to Arianna and looked to her as a mother since she and Meridian were good friends. Pramlee was the life of the group, but she wasn’t the only one. She had a brother who was a little older than she was who was being groomed to take Warrick’s place, or, at least, that was his plan. Pramlee was just his half-sister, and she didn’t live with Slaten. He lived at the palace with their father. Warrick had an affair with her mother, but he never chose to be with her and wanted to keep his original family intact. Even though Slaten was Warrick’s son, he was troubled by his choice of friends within the realm. Slaten was close to Relic, and that was frowned upon due to Relic’s boisterous attitude and the fact he didn’t seem to take his duties very seriously in looking after his humans. Relic got in trouble a lot but never seemed to care, and this attitude concerned Warrick for his son and the realm’s future. Just as gossip exists for humans, it goes all the same for guides. Slaten and Pramlee spent time together off and on, but her real love of spending time came with the circle with Meridian, Relic, Ridge and now Kieren.

Caius was coming back to his wife after visiting with Chance, and it seemed to Arianna he had been gone a while, but he had only been gone a few moments. Chance had disappeared from the room, and the council members were seated and visiting among themselves. Despite what seemed to be a light conversation between the three, their eyes told something different as their deep and cold stares locked on Caius as he walked back. Arianna may have been disconnected from her daughter at times, but she did not miss much where her husband was concerned.

“Caius, what is going on? Why are the council members looking so watchful of you, and where is Chance?” questioned Arianna.

“I really can’t go into that right now, but we will talk about all this after the gathering. It is not anything to be worried about. Trust me,” Caius stated softly.