Chapter 15: A Friend from the Past

A Strange Awakening

Evelyne was awake before the first light of dawn.

She hadn't slept. Not really. Not after seeing the tension in Phileo's shoulders when he came back last night. Something had happened. Someone had come for him.

And he still refused to tell her anything.

She turned her head slightly, glancing toward the other side of the room. Phileo sat against the far wall, one knee drawn up, sword resting at his side. His eyes were closed, but she could tell he wasn't truly asleep.

Evelyne sighed quietly.

It had only been days since they met again, and already, it felt like she had been dragged into something far bigger than herself.

No—she had chosen this.

She wasn't about to back down.

The sound of rustling outside snapped her from her thoughts.

Phileo's eyes opened instantly.

They exchanged a look. He had heard it too.

Slowly, he stood, fingers already wrapping around the hilt of his sword.

Evelyne reached for the nearest thing she could use as a weapon—a small knife left on the wooden table.

The door creaked.

Then—

Bang!

The door swung open, but instead of an enemy—

A man stumbled inside, nearly tripping over himself.

"Phileo!" The stranger beamed, throwing his arms out. "You're still alive! Fantastic!"

Evelyne blinked.

Phileo…looked like he was in pain.

A deep sigh left his lips, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "No. Not now."

The man—who seemed completely at ease despite Phileo's glare—grinned wider. "Ah, come on! That's no way to greet an old friend!"

Phileo turned, as if considering throwing himself out the nearest window.

Evelyne, still gripping the knife, stared at the new arrival. He looked about Phileo's age, tall and lean, with dark hair that fell just past his shoulders. There was an easy confidence in his posture, and despite the sword at his waist, he didn't seem like a threat.

In fact, he looked amused.

The man finally turned his attention to Evelyne, raising an eyebrow. "And who's this?"

Evelyne narrowed her eyes.

Phileo exhaled sharply. "Alsiel."

The man—Alsiel—clutched his chest in mock offense. "Ah, you do remember my name! I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me, what with how dramatically you left."

Evelyne frowned, glancing between them. "You two know each other?"

Alsiel grinned. "Oh, we go way back." He nudged Phileo. "Did he tell you how he used to be my apprentice?"

Phileo's glare could have burned through stone.

Evelyne's eyes widened. "Apprentice?"

"I was not his apprentice," Phileo gritted out.

Alsiel waved a hand. "Details."

Evelyne's grip on her knife loosened slightly. Whoever this man was, he was clearly someone from Phileo's past. But he didn't seem hostile. If anything, he acted like an old friend.

Or an old nuisance.

Phileo turned toward the door. "Leave."

Alsiel sighed dramatically. "You wound me. After all this time, this is how you treat me?" He placed a hand over his heart. "I saved your life once, you know."

Phileo's fingers twitched. "You also nearly got me killed half a dozen times."

Alsiel chuckled. "Ah, well. Life's about balance."

Evelyne, despite herself, almost smiled.

Then Alsiel sobered, his expression turning serious. "But really, Phileo. I came here for a reason."

Phileo's jaw tightened. "I know."

Evelyne straightened.

Alsiel's eyes flickered to her. "And I take it she doesn't?"

Phileo didn't respond.

Alsiel sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You really haven't changed, have you?"

Then he turned to Evelyne, flashing a disarming smile. "Well, lovely lady, allow me to introduce myself properly—Alsiel, former mercenary, current annoyance, and occasional rescuer of reckless fools like Phileo here."

Evelyne hesitated. Then, slowly, she lowered her knife.

This man had answers.

And she intended to get them.