This time it was not a snicker. A cackle echoed in the darkness.
Leave me alone! Leave me alone! Galatia’s mind screamed. Leave me alone!
Blodwyn sat on a bench outside the mess hall. His staff stood between his parted knees. He held onto the shaft with both hands, and unblinking, watched as Mykal walked toward him.
The entire time Mykal climbed up a tree into the canopy he ran through the conversation he expected he’d have with Blodwyn. He got down exactly the words he wanted to say. He even figured on some of Blodwyn’s responses, and had a counter ready.
However, seeing the man—his friend—sitting thoughtfully, he knew his plan might deviate. He said, “Hey.”
Every word prepared escaped his memory. There was nothing left inside his brain to call on.
Blodwyn shifted his way down the b
