Doubt

After a tense breakfast, the pair headed over to the inn. While part of Silver was reluctant to have this confrontation, he knew that without it Ethyn's imagination would only grow more wild.

And whether Ethyn had actually seen what he claimed or if it had all be a horrible dream, only Sage would be able to confirm. Silver only hoped his young friend would be calm enough so that they could get to the truth.

It was the sixth day of the week and a day of general rest, so the inn's restaurant-tavern was full of people talking and milling about the tables. Lily and Sage were hard at work clearing tables and serving food. They both noticed the Guardian's entrance and quickly finished the tasks they were completing before approaching. Lily ran up and hugged Ethyn.

"Oh I've missed you!" she said. Ethyn groaned and Lily remember his bruised ribs. "Oh, I am sorry. I was just so excited. We have so much to talk about! Come and take a seat, and I will bring you some food." Ethyn shook his head and peered down at his boots. "I have already eaten. We actually came to talk to Sage."

Sage visibly stiffened, but Silver waved his hand dismissively. "I will talk to Sage; you have a chat with Lily. You haven't seen each other in a couple days and I am sure she will love to hear of your daring adventure yesterday."

Ethyn was torn. He wanted to talk to Lily, but he also knew Sage would probably lie to Silver. When that happened, he wanted to be the voice of truth. Sadly, he realized that even if he corrected the woman, her influence was too great. The boy's shoulders slumped so low that they looked as if they might melt into the floor. "Alright, I will go," he responded at last.

Lily tilted her head quizzically, "You don't look happy. Are you ok?"

"No." Ethyn answered.

"Well, come help me clean dishes and tell me all about it. But first I have some news…" Lily's voice trailed off as she and Ethyn made their way back through the dining hall, leaving Sage and Silver in an awkward tete a tete.

"Can I get some more bread over here?" A patron called toward them.

Sage smiled at the Guardian, "Excuse me for a moment." She slid off into the kitchen.

Silver scanned the room and caught sight of Lily and Ethyn. The boy's eyes were wide as Lily touched her stomach and nodded. Ethyn's grin grew big and he hugged her full force. He was genuinely excited by the news.

'Good for you and Aristos, Lily. May you be blessed as you welcome your little one.' Silver felt a tinge of bittersweet longing as he remembered Haven's birth. His heart ached, but he quickly shook free of the feeling. He had more pressing business, and that path of longing only lead to heartache. the Guardian made a note in his mind to congratulate Lily and Aristos properly later. Before long Sage returned, wiping her hands on her apron.

"You wanted to talk to me?" She asked tentatively. She tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear.

The silver-eyed man was not sure where to start, but he knew that he did not want to have this discussion while standing in the middle of a crowded restaurant. "Can we go somewhere private?"

Sage glanced behind him nervously. "I can't leave right now. It is too busy. Could you come back later?"

Knowing that he would lose momentum if he stopped, Silver pushed forward. "It is important. Could we at least sit at a table?"

Sage, still anxious, nodded and motioned to a table she had recently cleared. Once they were seated, the Guardian dove right in. "Ethyn followed you when you left our home this morning."

Sage was visibly shaken for a moment, but recovered her calm quickly. "Why? It must be boring to follow me to work."

Silver paused. Something was off, but he couldn't quite place his finger on it. "Ethyn overheard our conversation about Ruth and Micah. In a fit of anger, he snuck out and followed you in order to yell at you. The boy was quite upset."

Sage's forehead creased and small droplets formed in the corners of her eyes. She seemed genuinely concerned. "Oh the poor boy! What a terrible way to find out! This is all my fault. Such a disaster." The woman clicked her tongue in despair. "I will apologize to him immediately." Sage started to stand, but the Guardian caught her hand as a flash of silver shone from beneath his hood.

"There's more." He said darkly.

Sage sat slowly, her eyes shifting again past him to the corner of the room. Silver noted her pained smile. "What is it?" she asked innocently.

"Ethyn says you went home. He says you met a man there."

Arching her brow, the woman tilted her head in surprise. "What? What did this man look like?"

'It's going to sound crazy if I tell you.' "I don't know." He answered finally.

A mix of relief and sadness passed across Sage's face, however the Guardian missed it as he formed his next thought.

"Ethyn also said you are a princess." He told her, knowing how the accusation would sound.

Sage let out a peal of laughter far louder and longer than Silver thought appropriate. Her gaze kept shifting away from him as she slapped the table gently in amusement.

"Are you alright?" he asked when she finally stopped.

"I am fine. Just the thought of me being a princess is too funny. I would not be waiting tables at this fine establishment if I had servants and an entourage. The thought is laughable!" Sage chuckled softly this time as her eyes danced with amusement.

"I suppose," Silver said, but he was not fully convinced. He could not avoid his real question any longer. 'May as well have it out and over with.' "Sage, would you betray me?" he asked bluntly.

Sage froze in her laughter. She had not expected to be questioned so directly. Has the Guardian phrased it differently, the brunette could have easily deflected another of Ethyn's assertions as childish notions. This was another beast altogether.

The lovely woman carefully considered her answer. "Betray you?" She tilted her chin and smiled sweetly. Every one of her perfect white teeth glimmered in the light of the nearby window. "Why would you ask such a question?"

Sage could not see the Guardian's face. He was inscrutable below his impervious hood. She could not see his eyes narrow, but when he spoke, it was low and unfriendly. "I do not like it when you avoid answering my questions."

Sage's eyes darted away again as she leaned forward in her chair toward him. "I would never want to harm you." She said in a low voice. "I never want to betray you." She leaned back and beamed a smile on him like she had told him a delicious secret.

He frowned deeply. Reaching over, he clasped her hand in his. "Sage you know I promised I would never lie to you—."

Filled with guilt, Sage cut him short, "I told you I could not promise the same."

She looked meaningfully at him, and Silver got a sinking feeling in his stomach. Something was very wrong.

"I have got to get back to work, and you have to go do your training. Goodbye, Silver." There was a finality in her voice. "I'm sorry. I have to go."