บท 185: XXVII: First stages Part II

Before the sun was even up, I came back to the place where we had been partying last night and found Bataar already waiting for those who, like me, were eager to start. Odsar was there too, watching the mountain we would have to hike soon.

“Morning, Lady Shixian.” He greeted, holding a cup in his hand.

“Good morning Bataar, slept well?”

The man shook his head. “Couldn’t. Too much to do. I will get my rest tonight, hopefully.” He pointed at the beverage in his cup and then at me. “There’s honeyed tea if you want some.”

I shook my head. My stomach was already in knots by the mixture of nerves and expectation. “No, thanks.”

He smiled “Nervous?”

“Am I that transparent?” I frowned, but he shook his head while chuckled.

“I’ve been doing this for the past two and a half centuries, so believe me when I tell you that you have a good poker face, but that I am good at reading people.”

I stared openmouthed at him, and he laughed out loud.