CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: HONORING THE STATUS

“Why did you guys call me over at such an early hour?” Eshya walked into her father’s living area with puffy eyes. She found him and Gambit seated as they consumed their breakfast.

“Join us.”

Eshya looked at her dad with skeptical eyes before walking over. “I can’t remember the last time you invited me over just to have a meal with you.” She saw the guilty look on the middle-aged man’s face. “And I’m guessing today’s not that day either.”

Gambit stifled a laugh, which earned him a pissed glare from the third pillar so he pretended he had choked on his tea. "That's my cue."

Eshya saw the head instructor getting up. “Where are you going?”

“Oh, I’m not part of this conversation. That’s between you father and daughter.” He began heading for the door. “I have a lightning warrior to train.” He turned his head back at Eshya. “Is the boy up?”

Eshya nodded her head. “He should be. The temple servants say he tends to wake up very early.”

Gambit ‘mmhed’ in understanding and he left.

Eshya turned