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Heedless of the awkward atmosphere hanging over you all, Cato walks out to the carriage with you. Clouds of white dust swirl around his polished boots as you step out of the palace, a faint breath of wind causing his cloak to stir restlessly. “I wish you a safe journey, Master Pale,” he says, giving you a respectful nod, “And I wish you luck with your further explorations.”
“Thank you,” you reply cautiously, “And, of course, I wish you the same.”
With a hint of a cold smile of gratitude, Cato nods again and steps back from the carriage. He waits, watching you closely as you clamber inside. Even as the carriage starts the slow trek back home, you can see the young man lingering amidst the swirling dust.
-
It's late when you arrive back at the Pale Estate, a heavy pall of clouds hiding even the slightest trace of moonlight. Feeling absurdly like a thief, you creep across the uneven ground and gently open the front door. The estate feels emptier than ever as you make your way inside, as if you've regressed to those lonely days of youth once more. Fighting down the vague feeling of uneasiness that nags at you, you retreat to your bedroom. Here, at least, is the clutter of recent life.
Sitting down on the end of your bed, you realise that sleep will be slow in coming – you dozed a little on the journey back, and you're not yet tired enough to sleep again. Searching for something to do instead, you rummage through your desk and emerge with the strange crystal shard you found in the Demesne – a sliver of frozen moonlight. It glows softly in the darkened room, casting a haze of soft shadow about it.
Armed with some wire and a thin length of chain, you set about converting the crystal into a clumsy, heavy necklace. It feels awkward, ungainly, against your chest, but not so much that it's unbearable. Slipping it inside your jacket to hide the soft light, you feel a faint chill spreading through your chest. Maybe you're being paranoid, but you're glad to have it with you.
Now, you just need to think of a way to examine people's shadows that doesn't make you look like a lunatic.
-
Alex is waiting for you when you move downstairs, his breakfast already half-finished. Giving you a wave of greeting, he hastily wipes his mouth with a napkin and gestures towards an empty seat. “Good morning,” he begins, “I'm a little surprised to see you, actually. I didn't hear you come in last night.”
“Well, it was very late. I didn't want to wake you,” you tell him, “Are you the only one up?”
“You know me, I like to get an early start,” Alex replies with a smile, “Miss Teilhard must be sleeping late. We went out for a bit of a walk yesterday, and it might've been a bit much for her.”
“Better to let her rest, then,” you decide, “Were there any messages for me while I was away?”
“Yes, actually,” he nods, “Two.”
You really are popular.
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