Darius ran a hand through his hair, fingers dragging through the strands as he let out a long, tired sigh. "How have you been then, Herbie?"
The old man busied himself, plucking at stray threads and folding fabric that didn’t need folding. "I’m quite fine, Darius," he replied, voice clipped, polite in the way someone trying not to feel anything might sound.
"No." Herbie straightened and held up his hand. "That will be all. You got your cloak. One for you, one for your lady friend. Please leave."
Darius looked at the floor briefly before turning around wordlessly and making for the door. Serena followed him, keeping her eyes glued to Darius’ back.
"It was nice to see you," Darius said softly, glancing at the man before he stepped outside.
Herbie didn’t answer, but Serena instinctively turned to glance over her shoulder. The old man stood motionless in the dim light, his frown carved deep into his wrinkled face. The door slammed shut before she could say anything.
She blinked, startled by the abruptness of it all. Her fingers brushed against Darius’ arm. "Who was that?"
Darius frowned. "Herbert- or, well, as he likes to go by, Herbie."
Darius walked over to her and put the hood over her head. "He used to be my father’s garment master. Every article of clothing was made by him."
Serena nodded at his words. It meant there was someone as talented as Livia- maybe even more talented.
"My father’s gone," Darius continued, his voice dipping lower. "And Herbie’s loyalty died with him. He doesn’t serve the Hawthornes."
"Why?" she asked, voice gentle.
Darius only smiled faintly. "You’d have to ask him yourself." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel·fıre·net
The thought of Herbert had long left Serena’s mind. Darius had taken her to see a few places in Longdale. The cloaked figures stuck out of place, but no one approached them. They seemed more terrified than curious of these unknown people.
Serena pulled the hood closer whenever anyone looked at her for too long, whereas Darius walked like he owned the place. Well, technically, he did.
They had been walking for a few minutes now, the houses well behind her. Darius had told her it was a surprise.
There was an outclearing, and there sat a pool that looked like a silver mirror. It reflected the sky above perfectly. Around it was a ring of stones that served as a ledge.
"We have arrived," Darius announced.
He sat on the nearest stone, peering into the silver water. The reflection greeted him, a face with red hair and hazel eyes. A moment later, Serena appeared beside him, her lips parted in awe.
"I’ve never seen water ..." she whispered, crouching slightly, entranced. She leaned too close, and Darius caught her by the arm, steadying her with a chuckle.
"Careful," he said. "It’s deeper than it looks."
Darius pushed two stones into her hand. She stared down, it looked like a lump of silver, smooth and reflecting the sun.
"The Pool of Ollcot," Darius said softly, grinning. "Said to show memories and desires of the past. It does not respond to everyone, though, but we can give it a try."
"You first," Serena said with a small smile.
Darius shrugged and dropped the silver stones in. The pool’s surface was disturbed, and then an image of a woman appeared. A diamond-shaped face and tan skin with red hair, just like Darius. Serena watched him from the corner of her eye.
A smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. The woman sang wordlessly. She looked at them, and her eyes lit up as she drew closer, then the image disappeared.
"My mother," he said silently.
Serena had guessed as much. She hoped to talk more about his mother with him. Her eyes were so kind, Serena could almost feel her warmth.
"My turn," she said, waving the stone in front of her.
She dropped the stone and looked intently. Before them appeared two men, one blonde and the other with brown hair. Serena gripped the stone tightly and forced herself to breathe.
It was Theodore and Cullen. She remembered vividly. It was a visit when she had fallen sick. She licked her lips, Theodore and Cullen were conversing and then laughed, her brother punching Cullen in the arm.
She blinked quickly, her throat tightened. That was home. Darius’ hand over her waist brought her back to reality.
"Careful, you look like you’re about to jump in there," he warned.
Serena gave a tight smile and pulled back. Then the reflection disappeared, leaving her staring at her own reflection in disappointment.
"I’m sorry. I did not bring you here to relive painful memories."
Serena cleared her throat and shook her head. "No, do not apologise. It’s okay."
For good measure, she threw another silver stone into the pool and watched intently.
A man with blonde hair appeared. His brows were scrunched up in concentration before he looked up at the pool. He held up a sword and his lips moved wordlessly, explaining something.
Serena smiled. It was a lesson her father had given her before the sun had risen, a lesson on how to use a weapon and best your opponent.
"Would you like to go next?" Serena asked, turning to Darius.
"I’ve played with the pool all my life." He looked up at the sky, taking note of the sun. "I should see you back to the manor."
Darius had taken Serena to the Pool of Ollcot for two reasons. The first was for tour purposes. The second was to quell his doubts about Serena. The pool responded to all who were pure of heart, if Serena had any ulterior motives, it would not have responded to her.
He was relaxed. The pool had shown two memories, and more would have come if she had fed more silver stones to it. Serena had two brothers, from what he could see. He wondered where they were now.
By evening, they had arrived at Blackthorn’s Keep. Serena pulled down her hood and turned to Darius. He handed her the last of her apples, and she smiled.
"I enjoyed today," Serena said bashfully.
He turned to walk down the step before she called him back and gave him a quick hug, and then rushed inside.