Page 41 of Threads of Fate

“Yes, your world is young. You all still war over everything. Religion, land, oil. All of those aren’t worthy of death, for mothers to lose their sons and daughters. In the few years I was there to find you I came across so much fighting and anger.” I nod at that, people don't really know peace. We’re all stuck in a rat race. “People fighting over religion is barbaric. Why can’t one believe what they want? Or why do other countries fight over oil when you have other options like those weird electric cars? But both those options are detrimental to your world. One pollutes and the other creates giant holes in the Earth. Wounding her. I don’t understand such hatred and the need to kill your world. I can say without a doubt I will never visit, unless I must or you want to.”

“Is it all young worlds that go straight for the fight? Trying to become top dog so to say?” I glance around. There are farms as far as the eye can see now.

“No, there are also some very old worlds that I think are just bored and want to pick a fight. I have seen all kinds of war, all of them wanting to conquer us. They come here wanting the lay of the land and then march over here thinking they can best us. But our world fights back. She protects herself. That is what has saved us many times before.”

“So Bathaile is alive?” I look at him incredulously.

“Aren’t all worlds, in some way?” he raises a brow, “Nature is alive, your plants and animals. Your animals feed from the plants, the plants feed from the sun and nutrients from the ground. There is a whole circle of life on Earth. If one is disrupted it could be the end to dozens of other species. I spent a lot of time learning about Earth, I guarantee you there used to be magic there and humans destroyed it. It may not have been magic like this.” He waves his hand and wind sweeps around my neck and through my hair. Sending shivers down my spine and my hair everywhere. “But there was, there is no way your early ancestors were feeding and gifting to the Earth for no reason. They felt it, felt her.”

I stare at him and ponder life on Earth. It is true we are a greedy species. We are never happy with what we have, always wanting what the other has. Constant wars. Earth can be beautiful but she gets lost in the way we use her. We don’t ever stop to appreciate what she has given.

I stare out to the horizon and notice a large house in the distance.

“So, where are we going?” I ask, turning around and resting my arms on the edge of the carriage. I lay my head on my arm.

“I figured my home and then I can send a bird to the king and queen? We can meet them where they would like. Does that sound okay? I figured you would want to put your bags down and freshen up.”

I turn so I can see him. “Yeah, that sounds great.” I turn back to stare at the house in the distance. “This is your house? Well, manor?” I scrunch my nose. This place is huge. It reminds me of a mansion you would find in Bali. We pull up to the gates which are open. We pull up the long drive and all around us there are tons of flora and fauna. All colorful. Vibrant. Gods, this place is wild. The carriage stops at the walkway that leads to the house.

“This is mine, it’s been in my family for generations. Thousands of years of Gallens walked these halls. Now I’m the last one.” He sounded pained by that statement. He stands up and grabs the roller case, he still has the backpack on him. “Let’s get you settled in your room?” He walks down the steps and places the case on the ground. He steps back in for the duffels.

“I can get that.” I start to reach for the bags. Kreed gives me a look that says ‘no, you won't’. I step back and let him do his thing. He pulls the bags down and then reaches back. Holding his hand out for me. I smile at him and take his hand. Kreed gives a soft smile and helps me down.

“Lord Kreed! You’re back! It is so good to see you!” A man not much older looking than Kreed is jogging down the walk way. “It’s been too long.” When the man approaches he sticks his hand out for a shake but they grab each other's elbows and pull in for a hug. I notice he has gray peppering his brown hair and some of his beard. He has crows feet and smile lines. His eyes are a brilliant gold.

“It has been too long, Erikson. How are you?” They step back from each other.

“I’m well. I just finished the taxes for the year for your properties. I have held the fort down but I am ready for a vacation.” They both laugh. Kreed steps back next to me and Erikson finally sees me. “Who is this delightful looking creature?”

I hold my hand out, “Dana Greenback.” I smile when he takes my hand. He shakes it vigorously. Nearly shaking my whole body.

“You are beautiful, did Kreed finally snag a good woman?” He looks between us. A huge smile on his face. I don't know what to say.

“I-”

“Something like that, Erikson.” Kreed laughs, saving me from trying to find words. “Dana is tired though, could you help with the bags and then we can sort out your vacation. I think working two years straight deserves that much.”

“Of course Lord Kreed, which rooms?” He asks while picking up the duffels and grabbing the roller case handle.

“I think the suite across from my own rooms will do.” Suites? “Please stop calling me lord while you're at it.” Erikson only raises a brow, clearly not going to stop calling him lord.

“Kreed, I don't think I need anything that-” he cuts me off with another one of those looks. “Alright, a suite it is.” Kreed grabs my case while Erikson grabs the duffels.

We amble down the walkway. Kreed reaches for my hand and I link our fingers together and look up at him. He stares ahead like a man on a mission. The house looks like it’s all one level and spread out length wise. The double doors swing open with a flick of Erikson's wrist. These doors are absolutely enormous. They are floor to ceiling. The ceilings themselves are fifteen feet or more. I look around at all the decor in the entryway. It’s simple, not ostentatious like I thought it would be looking from the outside. The entryway has wooden tables along the walls that are a few shades darker than the wood floors. The walls are a cream color, it’s a smooth stucco. There are some pieces of art hanging on the walls. Along with some framed blueprints.

We walk down the hall and enter what looks like a cigar room with all the leather chairs and wooden tables. The theme seems to be woody, natural and dark. I don't see any polished metal or plastic furniture. Shelves on the wall are live edge planks of wood and there are displayed paintings and weapons. There’s a large bar to the left.

We walk through the cigar room as I have now dubbed it and we head straight back, turning left down a hall. There are floor to ceiling windows on the right giving an amazing view of the gardens and fields behind the house. I can see through the windows into another room which also has floor to ceiling windows along two walls. The windows in the hall turn into the cream stucco again before we come to a tall door. Erikson opens it and waits for us to follow in. He places my bags on the bench that sits at the end of the bed.

“This is mine?” I turn to Kreed. He nods and walks over to the windows.

“I thought you may like the view. The sun sets practically right in front of this window, I’ll have the windows along the hall closed up so no one can see into your room.” I start to protest and he holds up a hand, “There are intricately detailed wooden art pieces that a previous family member had made for those windows so when someone was staying in this room, its tenant could enjoy the view and have privacy. When there is no one in this room they are left open.”

“Oh, why would someone put windows in this room like this, when there are windows like that over there that look directly into here. Seems weird, even if there is a stunning view.”

“For a woman of course.” I look up at Erikson, who has a dreamy smile on his face. “This room has been here for centuries. Way longer than Kreed has been around. His great grandfather built this room as an add on for his wife just because she loved the view. It was a sewing room, art room and a place for the ladies to hang out and swoon over the shirtless males working in the gardens but after she passed it was turned into a guest room of sorts. Before this room was here it was a gazebo surrounded by a large flower garden. I think there is an art piece around here somewhere depicting it.” I stare out the window and give an appreciative nod.

“Wow, your grandfather knows how to give a present.” I take in the room, the bed sits opposite the windows, a huge four poster bed, dark green velvet duvet on top. More pillows than I know what to do with. Dark wood shelves and bookcases full of books. I notice there are no lights, no lamps, nothing on the side tables or the small desk pushed up against the windows. “Lights? Or lanterns? Is there electricity? Oh my god, please tell me there is plumbing.” I do not want to shit in a bucket.

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