The Crystal Keepers, An Overseers Novel
Page 35
It had been near pandemonium inside the caves ever since breakfast that morning, as preparations were made and Overseers rushed to their assigned posts. During the morning meal Morten had given the word that the Brethren and the Guardians were both on the move and would be in the area by afternoon. He didn’t believe in a slow integration for neophytes. In no uncertain terms, he told all Overseers, “It’s time to walk the walk!” Loki wasn’t sure but she thought Morten stared directly at her when he uttered that statement.
She was assigned to Silas’s group. They were to position themselves in the forest, on the southern flank of the Great Mountains, and spread out to cover a broad area while preventing access to the crystal-filled crevice.
Because of his skills with a sword, Kado was assigned to assist one of the sentries in guarding her post. Loki assumed it wasn’t Adele, since he hadn’t mentioned her by name, although, she was curious and wondered if the sentry was young and beautiful. She almost kicked herself for even having that thought.
At breakfast, Loki saw her mother sitting at Morten’s table. She wasn’t able to find her mother the day before and Gwynn wasn’t at the evening meal. Loki started wondering whether there was some truth to Waysu’s comment about Morten giving her a secret assignment. She saw her mother leave the dining cave after breakfast and made one more attempt to catch up with Gwynn but Morten beat her to it. Loki stayed a few steps behind them as they walked through the tunnel and she overheard part of their conversation.
“Where have you been hiding?” Loki heard Morten ask.
Gwynn looked at him and spoke so quietly, Loki wasn’t sure whether she heard correctly but it sounded like Gwynn had taken some time to be alone.
“Silas needs help with some things and I told him you’d help.”
Gwynn stopped walking and looked at Morten. Loki stepped to the side and tried to look inconspicuous among the other Overseers walking through the tunnel, but if either of them turned around they’d know she was eavesdropping.
She glanced at her mother. From Gwynn’s body posture, Loki expected she was about to refuse Morten’s request. Then Gwynn apparently reconsidered since her posture relaxed slightly and she said, “I’ll go there now.”
As she watched her mother briskly walk away, Loki felt she lost the opportunity to speak with Gwynn. Loki needed to finish her own preparations and there wasn’t much time left before she was expected to report to Silas’s group. Events were unfolding quickly and they certainly couldn’t afford to wait for her if she was late so she returned to her room to finish getting ready.