It took me a moment to realize what had just happened, and once I did, I let out a breath of relief.
I didn’t know what to do or how to respond to their bow, so I tipped my head forward a little. “Thank you.”
They rose as one and I watched in shock as they simultaneously took down their hoods. I was right about their ages, these men were old and they looked like clones of each other—bald heads and narrow eyes. They looked to be closer to the end of their lives than the beginning.
“Our appearance shocks you, doesn’t it?” one of them asked with a small smile.
“How long have you lived?”
“Too long. You will soon enjoy the curse that is long life.”
The answer was vague, and I knew that was the best I’d get. Elias must’ve realized it too because he nodded and stood to his feet, gently gui
