*POV* Samuel Sparks Franklin
There was no way in the dark realm that I had just found the Prince! The Prince of shadows, the exact person the Phantom lords had thought I was.
I kept my mind in a state of alertness as I trailed Kylo back to his home, I couldn't lose him. I couldn't let them find him, and if
they did, he needed to be on my side.
His power was the weapon they needed to destroy all of humanity. I watched him until the light in the upstairs room turned off, then
quickly I hurried back to the inn.
*POV* Kalea Rosell
I awoke to mother getting off the bed, rolling over and blearily watched the dim light of a candle as low voices reached my ears
through the open doorway. "He is what?"
Mother's voice calm comes after the quiet words. "We will figure something out, let's go to bed." I realized it was Stefon talking to
her. Sighing I curled into my blankets and drifted back to sleep.
*POV* Kylo Hillmore
I hefted up the boxes and exited the shop, I had been filling orders all morning and the end of the list was in sight. As I walked down the street, I recalled how it had felt to move the shadows.
I was so deep in thought I didn't see the person until I had dumped into them, I watched in dismay as the freshly polished boots tumbled from the box onto the dusty sidewalk.
"Oh, my bad."
I glanced up in annoyance and was a little surprised to see Samuel standing there. I had only remembered his name after running over all the events of the past nights, while I couldn't sleep, "Oh it's you." He just
stared at the boots for about 20 seconds before he hurried to crotch down.
"Here, let me help!"
I shook my head as he picked up the boots and then grabbed the box up into his arms. "Where are you taking them? I will help." I picked up
the other box still in tacks, thankfully, and led the way.
"I have to take them to the Army Center a little out of town." Samuel trailed behind not saying anything in return. "Why are you here?
In town I mean?" He moved to walk beside me.
"Stefon and I are traveling to Hilldren." He paused. "You should come with us." My brows furrowed. "Why?" He shrugged. "Because Stefon has powers similar to yours, he could train you."
I stopped and looked at him. "Really?" I asked, my excitement growing. "Yeah. He knows all sorts of stuff. And he knows how to
fight." I turned to continue walking.
"I would have to think about it, Joel still doesn't know about my power. Even I thought I was powerless before last night." He motioned
towards my cheek.
"Where did the mark go?" I grimaced. "I used some of Joel's clay polish on it. I can't have people thinking I am infected." He grunted in
agreement.
When we reached the Army Center, a square brick building with high windows I led Samuel up the stairs and kicked the door lightly. It
swung inwards.
"I brought the boots, Zina!" I called out into the small waiting room with a front deck nestled in the corner. There was a commotion in
the back then a door opened, and Zina entered the room. She was shorter than the average woman with golden hair that she kept braided and pinned up.
She was in her late 20s, her face was pretty, but she wore a permanent scowl that kept people away. "Kylo, kid didn't I tell you not ever to return?" I smiled as I followed her over to the desk and put the box on top of
it.
"You know it's not possible to keep me away." I replied she sighed dramatically. "Are you here to fill out the signup sheet?" I knew she
was teasing; she had asked me if I was since I was 14 and had first come into the building with Joel.
"I am still thinking about it." I said as I pulled the receipt from my pocket and handed it to her as she sat. "And who's your friend?" I moved aside so Samuel could put the other box down. "He's just passing through." She looked up and studied Samuel.
"A traveler, huh." She looked at him a little too long before she ripped a piece of paper off her pad and pulled a money pouch from
the drawer. "Here you are. Tell Joel to quit avoiding me."
I nodded and walked behind Samuel as we left. "What a weird human." Samuel commented, I laughed before saying. "You know you are human right?" He shrugged.
"That's what they say." I nodded and stuffed the money into my tunic. "Let me take this money to Joel and ask him if I can go. When are you all leaving?"
"Tomorrow maybe." I chewed that over, they were leaving sooner than I had thought. But I did want to go. "Okay. I will meet you later.
Maybe at the ring?" He shrugged, then walked away.
When I entered the shop Joel was busy with a customer, I walked into the back and waited for him to finish trying to figure out how I
was going to tell him.
"Hey Kylo, nice work on the order list." Joel greeted as he came back into the room. He came over to where I sat on the workbench fiddling with the tools.
"What's on your mind?" I looked up at him, I hadn't figured out a way to best tell him. "You know how you said that you were mentoring me until I found something I wanted to do."
His face brightened. "Oh yeah, I do remember that. Did you find something?" I nodded slightly. "Yeah, there are these travels going to
Hilldren who want me to go with them."
"Oh, and you want to go?" I stood nodding. "Yes, school is over! It's about time I traveled a little." He patted me on my shoulder. "When
are you leaving?" I stepped away from him happy he wasn't trying to make me
stay.
"Tomorrow. I should go pack!"
"Just remember to clean the shop before you leave!" Joel shouted up after me. Apprehension built in my chest however as I started to shove my clothes into a travel bag.
Did I really want to leave? But I don't want to hurt anyone if my power is as bad as Samuel suggests. Training could be good, the thought
was actually quite exciting and helped me continue to pack.