After seeing Belder off, Velin remained in his study reading.
After ten o'clock, Velin left the study and made his way leisurely to the outer castle of Star Moon Fort.
When he arrived at the manor where his uncle's family lived, the changes were so great that Velin nearly failed to recognize it.
Perhaps because he had not disturbed them over the years, his uncle had gained quite a bit more private time.
However, Velin soon put that thought out of his mind.
Entering the manor, he looked at the tree-lined avenue and the Magic Puppets cleaning the grounds. They moved as slowly as elderly men in their twilight years.
After walking more than a hundred meters, he arrived beside a lake and immediately spotted O'dor meditating in its center.
Not wishing to disturb him, Velin went straight to a nearby pavilion, sat down, and waited patiently.
He could take this opportunity to enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Before long, a young man arrived beneath the pavilion carrying a tea set and a wooden box of tea leaves. After placing them on the stone table, he bowed and said, "Good afternoon, Lord Velin."
Looking up, Velin smiled. "Theo, long time no see."
"Lord Velin, Master will not awaken for another half hour. Would you like to stroll around the manor, or continue waiting here?" Theo asked with a smile.
"Since Uncle won't wake up for another half hour, let's play a game of chess while we wait."
Faced with Velin's invitation, Theo nodded in agreement.
After two games, halfway through the third, O'dor awoke from his meditation. He turned his gaze toward the pavilion, and upon seeing Velin, a faint sense of foreboding rose within him.
That brat came looking for me so quickly.
There was no avoiding what he had