Once the whole debacle at the training rink ended, Sam and I ventured to my apartment to relax. I took a nice hot shower thinking about my reactions to Gayeland and what had gone down in the arena this morning. Afterward, I got dressed in a wool sweater, comfortable leggings, and slippers trotting down the stairs of Rowan and I's apartment. We had bought this apartment after Rowan got accepted in the Raider's academy, there are dorms but we wanted to be together because we felt the most comfortable in our place. 

The apartment was cozy yet not modernized, it was an old fashioned apartment with water running from the well of Halitos and a gas fire stove with a hearth, dark oak wood ladened the floor with many different characters, two bedrooms, and a bathroom for just the two of us was perfect. We are very minimalist as much as siblings go for. It was perfect. 

"So why do you think King Gayel showed so much interest in me today?"  I asked Sam as I nursed a hot mug of tea as he cooked. The delicious aroma of chicken, rice, and vegetables filled the air making my stomach rumble with hunger. After a morning of training and only eating toast, this meal would leave me satisfied.

Sam glanced over his shoulder, his expression thoughtful. "Well, King Gayel is known for being quite perceptive. Maybe he sees something in you that he finds intriguing or valuable." He turned back to the stove, adjusting the heat under the pan with a practiced hand.

"But why me?" I pressed, feeling a mix of curiosity and nervousness. The idea of catching the attention of someone as influential as King Gayel was both flattering and intimidating.

Sam chuckled, the sound warm and reassuring. "Who knows? Maybe you just have that special something that draws people in. Or perhaps it's just a coincidence. Either way, it's not necessarily a bad thing."

"What a cryptic answer." I rolled my eyes at his crypticness. My mind buzzed with thoughts of the herb, Rowan's cryptic words, and Kenia's unexpected involvement. Did Rowan confide in her? The questions spun in my head, forming a tangled web of uncertainty that I couldn't untangle. As I took a sip of my hot tea an idea popped in my head. "Do we have an herb book in the library here?" I asked suddenly looking at Sam's back, he took a glance at me and then put his focus back on the food cooking away in the pot. 

"My mother has one for cooking, but it is also very helpful in the healing department if you want it. But I know what you're thinking Jana, you should definitely stop taking that herb if its truly holding you back." Sam said as he flipped the stir fry once more and started to carefully plate it along with an egg on top and nicely fresh bread baked this morning by his mother. My stomach rumbled in anticipation. After training this morning it was definitely worth the wait. 

"Is that Sam's cooking I smell?" Rowan's rich baritone resonated from the doorway of our apartment, drawing my attention begrudgingly. I groaned in response, knowing exactly what was coming next, accompanied by the soft chuckle that always seemed to trail his every word. I heard the familiar shuffle of his belongings being stowed away as he made his entrance. 

"You're not getting any," I quipped, unable to suppress the edge in my voice as I speared a forkful of food, the savory aroma mingling with my frustration. Sam couldn't help but smirk at my thinly veiled irritation, his amusement was palpable in the air between us. My anger wasn't to be laughed at, I could be scary if I wanted to be. I thought pouting as I continued to shove food in my mouth. 

Rowan chuckled at my pout, "Oh come on JR, it's not like our father visiting was my fault." Rowan whined prodding me with a finger in my hips, I winced at the memory of Kenia launching her pillars of earth at me. My hips seemed to still be sore even after taking pain relievers. I gave Rowan a long look, today he pulled his long black hair into a ponytail, his eyes sparking with amusement at my look. He also seemed to be wearing his Raider's gear, A blue and gold collared long-sleeved tunic along with black slacks, and black shoes

I shot Rowan a pointed look, taking in his appearance. Today, he had opted to tie his long black hair into a ponytail, his eyes alight with mischief as he met my gaze. Clad in his customary Raider attire, he wore a striking blue and gold collared tunic paired with sleek black slacks and matching shoes. 

"And you need to cut your hair brother. But go take a shower because you smell of sweat and blood. Whatever they had you doing must've been brutal." I said shoving him away and Rowan huffed at my mothering and still snuck a kiss on my cheek. He chuckled loudly at my reaction of wiping it off and making a disgusting noise. 

I growled at him. "Don't ever do that again Ro." Rowan chuckled even more. "Just because of that reaction, I'll do it more." He smirked and blew a kiss at me and sauntered off upstairs. I flipped him off behind his back.  Sam chuckled at our antics. "I'm so glad you find this entertaining. But to answer your question I will take your mother's herb book,"  I paused to give him a look. 

"and to answer the second. I'm still on the fence about removing it altogether. Dad played a risky move by lying to the King this morning. That could be caused to treason you know." I said as I continued to eat, I took a sip of my tea as Sam looked at me thoughtfully, humming. " I'll let my mother know then. But I suppose you're right that he indeed could've been up for treason for such a reveal. As well as Kenia, because she spoke about it first." Sam paused to take a bite of food. I waited for his thought to finish because I knew there was going to be more. 

"But, you do need to realize that the trials are not child play. They are life and death, and you need full access to your power to survive. The show you put on this morning will not do good against the other first years." He said I could feel his concern for me spilling out of him. I sighed softly. 

"I'll sleep on it. Logically you are right, the trials are dangerous and I hope I'm not too late."