the one who remembers

Cale spent the following weeks following with the same daily routine. In the early morning hours, he trained with the swordmasters, then attended lectures as well as the soldiers training.

In the evenings, he spent his time with Fengari, taking care of matters that could not be made public. They combed through the lands and talked to the Eldest and the other dragons, who were all living in the calm before the storm. During his travels, he had discovered that his parents had moved into a small house on the coast of Eglohigen and were living somewhat removed from civilization. He had not visited them, but it was good to know that they had followed his instructions.

"You want to talk to Aaron about your past?", Cale asked in surprise, poking at his food.

Together with Fengari, he was having dinner in a small restaurant in the town of Jektar on the border with the province of Freigoud. The weather was getting noticeably hotter, and many people were walking past them in short clothes. Grischa's ice crystal did not yet exist, so it was currently much too warm to stay in confined spaces during the day. Many people therefore stayed outdoors and hid in the shade of the trees when they were not in the water.

<"I think it would be a first step in the right direction.">

<"When I said I wanted to tell him about the time travel, I didn't mean you had to reveal your identity.">

<"But it amounts to the same thing">, he replied thoughtfully.

<"Don't rush into anything. It can wait. It's just that I... promised him.">

<"Aaron isn't the same anymore.">

<"I know, nobody is. I've lived six different lives, Damian. Nobody knows better than me how strongly people can be influenced by their environment. That's why I don't want to tell Grischa until his son is born."

"What about the rest? Rangar, Odin, and Sefra would surely be a great help if they really understood what was going on."

"Of course they would. When we told all the High-Magician about it back then and they helped without hesitation."

<"See? Then it wouldn't be wrong to at least inform the four of them.">

<"Even if you have to do what you've been hiding for centuries">, Cale replied thoughtfully, quietly taking bites of his meal while watching Fengari eat hers almost completely. <"Wait a little longer with the entire affair. I would still like to speak with the god about it before we inform the four.">

<"Good point, but how long do you want to wait?">

<"Let's put it this way. If we still don't have a response by the beginning of summer next year, then we will inform the council about time travel and what the future holds. Except for Grischa.">

<"I think I'll tell Aaron about my identity sooner anyway.">

<"You're so confident? In your last life, you were much more fearful of what might await you. Admittedly, for a while we also thought that Aaron might be responsible for your death in the future.">

<"It's precisely because I know how he should react that I'm so hopeful.">

<"And yet I've never shown you any of my memories">, Cale muttered to himself as he ate his food before taking a big sip of his cold drink.

<"I wanted to discuss that point with you.">

<"Oh? Have you changed your mind?">

<"I was never opposed to it, but seeing my alternate self is strange.">

<"I can't argue with that">, Cale simply replied, noticing Fengari looking at him expectantly. She couldn't hear the conversation between the Eldest and him, but she knew that Cale was talking to him. Judging by her silence and her eyes, she wanted something from her father.

"Would you like to choose a dessert?"

"If I may?", the girl said, wearing shorts and a light-colored top. Her long hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and she wore a headband that a classmate had given her.

"Yes, choose something from the menu. I'll order more in a moment."

"Thank you!", she replied happily and reached for the menu, which was on the edge of the table next to the condiments.

<"What exactly do you want to see?">

<"The war.">

<"So the second and third waves of attack? That's doable. I'll show you what happened in my first lives and how we acted in the sixth life, but not until tonight. Anything else you're interested in?">

"There are many things that interest me at the moment, but nothing that is urgent. If I think of another topic, I'll let you know."

<"That sounds good">, Cale replied politely and raised his hand to call the waiter over. Fengari seemed to have found something, because her finger was resting on the map and she was just staring at Cale silently.

<"Thank you. I won't bother you anymore until tonight.">

<"See you later.">

With that, their connection was broken, and shortly thereafter, a young waiter boy appeared at her table.

"How may I help you?"

"Ahri, your turn."

"I'd like to order this ice cream", the girl said in an incredibly delicate voice as she turned the menu slightly to give the waiter a quick glance.

"Coming right up", the stranger confirmed politely, nodded slightly, and disappeared into the house.

They didn't have too many visitors, so it took barely a minute for the waiter to return with the order. It was easy to see that they had lovingly decorated the ice cream because Ahri was a child. With wide eyes, the dragon thanked him several times and then began to devour her dessert while Cale finished the rest of his meal.

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"Have you finished your conversation?"

"Yes, we're done. Sorry for doing that during dinner - it sounded important."

"It's always important when the Apostle calls. I know that, and it doesn't bother me anyway", Ahri replied, happily shoving a full spoon into her mouth. "Did I tell you about the winter festival the school is planning for next year?"

"Winter festival?"

"Yes, they want to focus on music and art next year and put on a performance for all the teachers, students, and parents at the end of the year. At least that's what one of my classmates said."

"Are you interested in something like that?"

"A little, yes. It's not like we have anything like that. But I don't really know what to expect."

"Hmm, hard to say. They'll probably organize a small concert and put your artwork on display. But that's just speculation, you'll have to wait and see."

"Can you play instruments or paint?"

"I'm actually pretty good at painting, but music isn't my thing. You'll probably have to fall back on your teachers for that."

"Can you show me a little bit?"

"Of my drawings? Why not? But they're more realistic pictures than the sculptures or paintings you'd normally expect."

"Ah, I remember. The book!"

"Yes, exactly. That was one of the reasons I learned how to draw. I immortalized the creatures on paper."

"You still have to show me how you do it", Fengari replied enthusiastically, stuffing another spoonful into his mouth, while Cale finally finished and leaned back in his chair.

"No problem."

They stayed in the restaurant for about 20 minutes until Cale finally paid and they left the small village together. Some people were also on the move, which is why they distanced themselves from the place on foot. They would find a quiet place to transform and fly the rest of the way. As they made their way between dozens of fields, Ahri ran along the side of the road and began picking grasses and flowers and combining them into a small bouquet. Cale watched the girl for a while before turning his gaze away and looking toward the mountains of Sylve. Thanks to the good weather, they were clearly visible from their location, which was not necessarily common. Unintentionally, he recalled his vision.

When he had become an apostle, he had seen himself talking to Mellontikos in the mountains. Although Cale did not know exactly where he had been, the view of both countries had told him that he must have been at the top of the western part. By now, he was confident that he would meet the god of the future in person, even if he did not yet know when that would be. What surprised Cale, however, was how difficult it was even for the goddess to get in touch with Mellontikos. Until now, he had always thought of her as omniscient and omnipotent, but that did not seem to be the case. At least not for Parousia.

"Is that...?", Ahri said quietly, unexpectedly, but Cale had already noticed who was approaching them. He slowly took his eyes off the mountains and looked ahead. Fengari was running about a meter ahead of him with flowers in her hand, looking back and seeking confirmation from Cale.

"Yes", replied the blond-haired man simply, turning his blue eyes toward Sir Venlan, who was perched on a horse and had stopped at the crossroads. He seemed to be coming from the direction of Gallymune and was also on his way to the capital. A few moments later, the teacher and inofficial left-hand man of the king turned his gaze in the opposite direction and obviously fixed it on Cale and Ahri. Cale stared at the high-ranking soldier without reacting before placing his hand on Fengari's head and playing the caring father.

<"What do you want to do? He's one of the people you need as an ally, isn't he?">, the girl commented, glancing at her father with interest.

<"Be polite, but stay inconspicuous.">

<"Don't you want to talk to him now that you have the chance?">

<"Not if there's no reason to. It would be strange to strike up a conversation with a stranger in the middle of nowhere.">

<"What if we create a situation that triggers a conversation?">

<"What do you have in mind?">, Cale asked curiously, looking down at the blond-haired child, who grinned, hopped forward, and ran backwards in front of him.

<"What if I play a clumsy 6-year-old girl?">

<"You want to cause an accident?">

<"Why not? You can play the attentive protector and I'll involve the man in a situation he can't escape.">

<"That might not be a bad idea. Sir Venlan never shows up at the training ground. Can you make it look like you accidentally run in front of his horse?">

<"Nothing would be easier!">, Fengari exclaimed euphorically and began to accelerate with a bouncing step before turning forward. Sir Venlan, on the other hand, had also started moving and was trotting slowly forward, so that he would inevitably collide with Fengari. Cale watched intently as Fengari ran happily along the wide path, her gaze fixed on the bouquet in her hands, making it obvious that she was not paying attention to her surroundings. It was clear that Sir Venlan was also speeding up and was distracted by other passers-by for a moment before the girl was a good two meters in front of him. Sir Venlan immediately pulled on his horse's reins, while the animal whinnied loudly and was reluctantly forced to a halt.

"Father, I...!", Fengari exclaimed loudly at the same time, but Cale seized the opportunity and rushed towards her. With a lightning-fast movement, he grabbed Fengari in his arms and pulled her aside, coming to a halt in the meadow and jerking his gaze back. Sir Venlan had also come to a halt, and the dust showed that he had been traveling faster than anyone had realized. Several other passersby stopped in surprise and stared at the two men, who looked serious and shocked.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?", Cale asked in a clear voice, carrying the girl with one arm in front of his chest. She had lost most of her bouquet of flowers.

"I'm sorry... I wasn't paying attention."

"You don't need to apologize to me, Ahri", Cale replied, brushing the dust off her clothes with his free hand. He then slowly approached Sir Venlan, who had already climbed down from his horse and was looking at the family with concern. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, is your daughter all right?"

"She's fine, thank the gods. Forgive her for running in front of your horse. Ahri, apologize to the kind gentleman."

"Please forgive us, it wasn't my intention", Fengari lied, bowing her head along with Cale as a gesture of apology. Sir Venlan stood there stunned for a moment before raising his hands.

"You don't need to apologize to me. Rather, it is I who should be asking for forgiveness. I should have been more careful."

With these words, the swordmaster also bowed, so Cale straightened up and asked him not to bow. A few moments later, the two adult men looked at each other awkwardly as the people around them began to move again. Fengari, on the other hand, straightened her now smaller bouquet of flowers and then held it out to the royal teacher. Cale stared silently at his daughter while Sir Venlan hesitated for a moment and then took the flowers.

"As an apology", Ahri began with a smile, causing Cale to relax his expression as well. She brushed her long hair away from her face and looked at Sir Venlan, who had been staring at the small bouquet for some time. Although Cale didn't know what the man was thinking, he seemed just as relieved that the girl and her father weren't angry with him or even threatening him. "I am Ahri Adenia."

"Julius Venlan. And you must be Zod Adenia, correct? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, even if the circumstances could have been a little better."

"You know me?", Cale asked playfully. He had already noticed how Sir Venlan had been watching him during his test and most likely knew what Sir Freigoud had been doing over the past few days and weeks.

"I do. I also work for the palace. Your reputation precedes you."

"Reputation?", the girl asked, confused, looking at Cale.

"It has something to do with work, Ahri", he replied, picking up on her deliberately chosen question, giving her a brief smile and setting her back down on the floor. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Zod Adenia. You can call me Zod. This is my daughter. She is not yet fully familiar with the customs in Sylve, please forgive her."

"A very educated girl, she behaves and speaks very well for her age. Other children could certainly learn something from her", the man replied politely and crouched down. "Have you ever ridden a horse?"

"Ridden? A real horse? Never!"

<"They always run away from me when I approach them">, Fengari added inconspicuously, which made Cale grin.

"Would you like to try it?"

"May I, Father?", Fengari asked defiantly, turning to Cale. A confident look formed on her face, because they had achieved exactly what they had intended with the situation. It was even more than Cale had hoped for, because Sir Venlan had voluntarily allowed them to spend more time together.

"If Sir Venlan doesn't mind, then you may."