Chapter 9

Claude saw no need to keep the Beaumonts around. He could not wait to send them away for Arlen's sake. He only had to point out that the brothers had learned enough and could try the hunt some other time.

On the night before their departure, a special dinner was held in honour of the guests. Basma went all out to leave the impression that their doors would always be opened to the Beaumonts, but Rufus was ready to spit them outside the front gates.

"Where's that kid when you need him to blot out the moon? He might encourage the sun to rise early if I spook him enough," Rufus muttered to Ari while their parents made small talk with the Beaumonts.

"Careful brother, Father might hear you."

"Tch! Whatever," Rufus hushed down.

Luca returned to his room briefly after dinner. Bound to set off in a few hours, it was his last chance to make sure he left nothing important behind. The trip to Candor was a partial disaster. He did learn a lot, and the virgin lands reminded him of his childho