267 The Aeon's Call

Heda and Friede joined us shortly afterwards. They looked at the bloodied monster then at me. I was covered in blood and sinew. From their winces and how fast they reached for their noses, I could tell I smelled really bad. 

"You could use a swim by the river," Friede said in an adenoidal voice. 

After I freshened up, I found the other three sitting on the other side of the hill, near the stream. I noticed them whispering, so I extended my senses toward them whilst staying out of their sight. 

"Are you sure he's the one?" I heard Sylens ask. 

"You of all people shouldn't say that. You've witnessed his power firsthand," Friede said.

"He's got seven cores. I saw them as he plunged at the Katoblepas. Yet he has no Fragment. Heda said he was going to be a champion, not some freak," Sylens retorted in a taut voice.