Story 22. Compromising.
When Paul and Riana had jumped from the bridge into the rushing waters of Aiden, Gryvon froze for a moment. He was overwhelmed by very conflicting feelings, that were running and crushing each other. One the one hand it could mean they were finally free from the boy. The river here was more than just dangerous, but full of many sharp rocks. On the other hand, he didn't want Riana to have such a fate. True, he'd been fed up with her after these last days. This nosy little girl. But they knew each other, they had been almost fiends once, and neighbors…
Walking along the river side, the young man was watching the clear water, hoping to find the bag Paul had taken with him. He wished the unfortunate camera the boy had had, which he and Ashka now depended on, had drowned. However, according to the fact that the Spellbinder was going to keep looking and Paul and Riana had always appeared with an amazing stubbornness in the least proper place, it wasn't a good time to relax. She was right. They wouldn't have any rest until they'd be sure the camera doesn't exist any more.
Walking for quite long, he looked at the sky and realized it was getting dark.
"Gryvon, we come back!" – Ashka called him, staying in the distance.
"Are you sure?" – he ran to her.
"I hope so, - the Spellbinder answered shortly, - either we are lucky and those two had drowned, or a misunderstanding will be waiting for us very soon. Anyway, - she looked at the sky, - we'll hardly find something at night".
And that was the truth that made them go back to the castle. Thinking about their fate and the damned camera, Gryvon felt he had not the most pleasant emotions about Paul. Of course Ashka with her super-intuition had been right saying they would meet the boy again. And saying they had to wait for a proper moment, she must have had a second sight. Paul coming to them from his parallel world was that very moment – the element that allowed them to act against the Council. And Ashka, defeating Correon, became closer to her goal than before.
At the same time Gryvon did realize their country had been quieter before Paul appeared. And more peaceful. Not that he didn't like adventures, no. But the adventures against him were not the most attractive. The young man laughed. Paul in his young age had already became an idealist. The idealist that came to a different world and draw the line between "good" and "bad" guys. Talking to him or justifying themselves was absolutely useless – firstly, it's too humiliating. Secondly, everyone has their own truth…
It seemed Aaron didn't think so. Because the next morning Paul escaped, going back to his own world and giving the camera to Riana's father who was declared as the enemy of Spellbinders. Because Ashka's fury had gained momentum and as a result his "almost friend's" house was burned. Because in order to avoid the possible problems and contacts with Bron her family was locked up. The summoner went to his son gloomily. Man's eyes had everything – disapproval, despair, anguish. And regret.
"If I could knew what monster that delicate flower will become, I would have thought better than let you be an Apprentice, - Aaron said, - you chose the wrong path, son".
Gryvon faced his mournful glance, saying nothing. What could he tell? He didn't care? He promised Ashka to help and overthrow the Council? He was going to follow her even to the Wastelands? His father won't understand, so is it worth trying? Anyway, it was too late to think about something that could have happened, "if…". He was twenty-one. And he had made his decision long ago, choosing this wrong path…