Story 17. Secrets of a stranger.
He made the Marauders leave Clayhill… He made the Marauders leave Clayhill! This thought bothered him while Gryvon was standing near the Tower, looking at the flying ship. Paul, caught by the peasants, went upstairs, shouting that he didn't want to be banished. Gryvon didn't worry about the boy's future, but his strange behavior, that unknown things in his hands… and now Clayhill was put into a flutter along with Rivertown… This Paul wasn't what he seemed to be. He came to the village from nowhere. Bron's relative… aha, who will believe!
Looking at the ship going to the castle, Gryvon felt, suspected he knew the thoughts of Ashka, who was piloting it. And he agreed as never before. No, the punishment is the punishments, but sending this boy to the Wastelands now would have been a regrettable omission. And the young man had no doubts; Ashka would create some plan in order to defend the stranger, if the Council members have a proper mood.
Gryvon grinned. Proper or not – she'll do it anuway, there couldn't be another option. He wondered what Bron's family knew. However, what could these people know… Oh, here they are, by the way, talk of the peasants!
Riana stood in front of the door, as always, pretty and serious. And anxious now. Had they already become friends? Despite the girl's pleading eyes, Gryvon gave her the go-by and closed the door with a thud. Magic. Magic… of course, there was no magic, he said it with a purpose. It was some inaccessible technology which was breaking their law. But it made the technology even more important to learn. He remembered the grey bag of Paul that was taken to the castle along with him. It was full of strange things they had never seen before… he remembered unusual small bottles that were blowing up when the Marauders came close…
The next morning he said to his father for the numerous time that the stranger will have a severe punishment and there's nothing to worry about. Then Gryvon went to the castle. The day was too promising to stay in the village any longer. The forest was calm and the young man forced the horse to go up on a gallop, hoping that the conversation with the Regents will be over and the news will come soon. Such an unexpected smile of fortune shouldn't be unnoticed and left out of the hands. And speaking about the punishments – it can follow a little bit later…