Chapter 516: Leader

"My lord," my guide broke my gaping silence for me, "Her Highness must be ravenous."

Leader-my grandfather-nodded quickly and took my arm, linking it through his as he led me, unresisting, under a wide archway similar to the front door and into a long, narrow room, seating me himself in a massive chair before sitting beside me at the head of the table. My quiet guide gestured and the others in the room joined us, though I noticed he remained, silent and watchful, at my grandfather's shoulder.

"You seem surprised to see me, Sydlynhamitra." Leader-Grandfather-I'd heard his name before, hadn't I?

"I thought you were dead or something." Way to mumble yourself into embarrassment, Hayle.

Grandfather laughed, a deep belling sound, and his followers joined him. All but his protector who held as still as ever. And Ram, beside me.

"Whoever told you I was dead? Your grandmother?" He shook his head, helping himself to a mug of nectar, which I rejected when he tried to fill my glass. "That wou