The count watched his son scramble out the door and down the hall. Once Orn was out of sight he turned to his wife. “Any idea who his friend is? I did not think any of the staff tended to bring their children with them. “

“He has not mentioned anything to me. But it is clearly someone important to him.” she turned at the sound of a door opening as Olivia entered through the kitchen door, “Olivia you spend all day with Orn. Do you know who his friend is?”

“Friend?” Olivia came to a stop looking confused.

“Yes,” Orn’s father began, telling Olivia of the conversation before she joined them. “… so we are guessing at who this friend could be.”

“I do not know, my lord. Everyone likes Orn, but while he is pleasant, he is not really close to anyone outside of this room. There are a couple children that come with their parents, but when he was sick, they were never near him. Since he has gotten better, he spends his time in the back garden, when he is not with you. I do not know if he has said more than a couple words to someone his own age in years.” Olivia shrugged at a loss for what else to say.

“That is worse than I thought. I never realized he was so alone.” his voice came out flat. How could I let this happen?

“My lord, I do not think Orn has ever felt alone. Someone was always there with him. He just never seemed to want to talk to or meet the other children. I think he likes being around older people more. Probably since when he was not well, we were the only ones he saw.”

“So, there is no one you can think of?” Orn’s mother asked mirroring his concern.

“I am sorry your ladyship, the only people he spends time with are in this room. The rest of the time he is in the garden alon…” Olivia’s words died on her lips, as her eyes widened. In almost a whisper she added, “It cannot be…”

“What is it Olivia?” the countess’s expression softened with concern. “What cannot be?”

“I know you have both seen him in the back yard using weapons. Have either of you seen anyone with him?” Olivia asked searching their expressions.

“We have seen him there from the study window, but he is always alone.” He replied watching her closely. “What did you see?”

Olivia swallowed, “I know this will sound crazy but when he is in the yard, it feels like he is fighting someone. Not just going through the motions, but actually fighting someone. I keep imagining there is someone there, someone I cannot see. The way he acts as if he is avoiding a blow, or his expression when he is hit, it is just too real. I almost had a heart attack the first time he dropped to his knees clutching his side. But he got up like nothing happened.”

“I played a bit like that when I was a child. He just has to use real weapons because of his blessing.” Even now the idea that a blessing would not come with skills was alien to him. he pushed the feeling aside, “Are you sure that it is not part of how he learns skills? The alternative would mean there is someone, we cannot see in the yard.”

“That is why I dismissed the idea. But if he is going to meet someone… I know it sounds strange, but I can think of no one else. But it is not just fighting.” She added hurriedly, “Sometimes I see him nod or shake his head as if responding to someone. There have even been a few times I could have sworn he was turning his head to better listen or saying something to his opponent. I think one time he was holding a conversation. At the time I thought he was just muttering to himself, but now I am not so sure. “

“Has he had a lot of these conversations?” Orn’s mother leaned forward to stare at the young woman across from her.

“No, it is not common, and it has been less and less recently. But that may be because he has become cautious around me. Ever since he picked his path, he will try to keep an eye on where I am as if he is waiting for me to do something. It is recently getting worse; it is as if he is trying so catch me doing something strange. Since I am being watched, I cannot really get close enough to hear what he is saying. The yard is just too open a space.”

“Olivia,” he said softly seeing her downcast expression, “you are like a big sister to him. He is probably just unsure how to treat you now. He has become independent and does not always need help. It is a big change for him.”

“I hope you are right my lord.” She nodded and loked down at her shoes. “As I said I do not know if he is holding a conversation or laughing at a joke he thought of. But the thing that really stands out to me is that he always carries himself. He moves like there is someone there. When he goes to get a different weapon, or a drink from the table, he stands at an angle as if he does not want to turn away from someone. Everything he has been doing makes more sense if there is someone with him.” She lifted her hands to cover her face, “I have no proof and feel crazy even talking about it, but I feels better to finally tell someone.”

Silence descended on the dining room, and he stared at his wife. If Olivia thought there was someone there, then there was.

His wife was the first to recover, “But who could be invisible, and want to…” Her voice caught in her throat, and her eyes grew wide. “Merciful goddess! Toln, do you think is his goddess?”

Olivia was taken aback, “Your ladyship the goddesses are at the loom. It is said they cannot leave their tasks for long. To be with Orn every day…"

Unlike the young woman he was able to see where his wife was going, “Actually Olrich” he watched his wife’s expression change as if she smelled something foul, “did not know the goddess Orn serves. She may not work the loom at all. She may be an ancient goddess that has been forgotten about, or just one not bound to the loom…” he paused as he looked at the door Orn left through, “and it is likely her only worshiper is in yard. “

The countess and maid turned toward the door Orn had just walked out.

[Lac’ POV]

How can anyone be that dumb? She considered the man walking up to the group of monsters and trying to convert them. They do not have threads! It says so in that in the book you are holding.

The man continued to pray as he walked towards the group of trolls. No, I cannot protect you, and I would not if I could! I made sure the book fell open to a page telling you NOT to do this.

Shaking her head, she crossed the man off as a potential prophet. Finding a boulder that gave her a good view she got comfortable. I should at least watch his act of faith. She ignored the part of her that said it would be somewhat fun to watch.