Kael remained in the garden for almost another hour without doing anything that could be called work.
Sylphie finished separating the dry leaves, Seraphine read to the end of a chapter, and the nameless man continued watching the four sprouts as though something might change between one blink and the next.
Umbra had disappeared from beneath the bench several minutes earlier, although Kael knew she was still nearby.
It was Elion who interrupted the peace.
He appeared on the path leading from the mansion with a small crystalline structure resting in both hands.
Kael recognized the matrix immediately.
At its center, a violet light floated between small transparent fragments, pulsing slowly.
Kael stood.
"Is there a problem?"
The question came out by habit, but he didn't take a single step toward Elion.
"No."
Elion adjusted the matrix in his hands and looked at the light.
"He asked to come here."
The small crystalline presence flashed blue for an instant.
"I asked."
