Chapter 231:Antony.
Ravenna understood. She could already guess there were people in Delta Two who were supposed to become important to the future, but they didn’t know how much of that future remained. Too much had already changed.
Ravenna looked at him.
"You still think there might be opportunities for us here?"
"I do."
"What kind?"
"Anything." Silver shrugged. "We’re stronger than when we left Delta Four, have money, useful abilities, and we’re not tied to anyone."
Ravenna nodded.
"That’s true."
Silver smiled.
"But I don’t want us to rush."
"Why?"
"Because we finally have some time."
Ravenna looked at him.
"You really like this relaxing thing."
"I do, the water feels like it is washing away all my exhaustion and the problem weighing me down."
She smiled.
"Then we should do it more often."
"I agree."
They remained there for a while longer. Eventually, Silver decided they should eat, they changed and headed toward one of the hotel’s restaurants.
It wasn’t particularly crowded. Most of the guests appeared to be contractors who had just returned from expeditions or researchers working in the city.
Silver and Ravenna found a table near the window and ordered their food.
Ravenna leaned back.
"I could get used to eating like this."
Silver looked at the menu.
"You’re enjoying the expensive hotel."
"After the checkpoints?"
"Fair enough."
She smiled.
"We deserved it."
"That we did."
Their food arrived, which they ate slowly. The conversation remained light as they talked about the road and what had happened in their lives.
They talked about the strange man who had approached Ravenna, and the equally strange woman who had approached Silver.
Ravenna laughed when Silver described the woman’s expression after learning he had a girlfriend.
"You should have seen her face."
"You enjoyed that."
"A little."
Ravenna shook her head.
"You’re terrible."
"You’re the one who immediately told that man I was your boyfriend."
"You will be."
Silver smiled.
"I know."
Ravenna looked down at her food, a small smile remaining on her lips. For once, neither of them needed to discuss survival, they were simply a young couple having dinner.
Silver was beginning to appreciate how valuable ordinary moments could be, then someone stopped beside their table.
"Excuse me."
Silver looked up.
The first thing he noticed was the hair; it was long orange hair, tied into a bun behind the man’s head, though several strands had fallen loose around his face.
The man appeared to be around their age, perhaps slightly older. His clothes were strange but well maintained, had an almost careless expression, with bright eyes and smiling lips.
"Are you Silver?"
Silver’s hand stopped halfway toward his drink. Ravenna looked up too.
"Yes."
The man’s smile widened.
"I knew it, I saw you by the pool and heard her call your name." He held out his hand. "Antony Braille."
Silver stared at the offered hand. The name struck something inside his mind, because Silver remembered it.
Antony Braille.
One of Dillain’s future companions. A member of the team that would eventually become one of the better-known groups operating in the academy and outside.
More importantly... Antony was a very strange man. His personality was eccentric even among Contractors, but that wasn’t what made Silver remember him.
It was his ability; his bizarre ability had been one of the things that made people talk about him. Silver remembered reading about it in the novel, he didn’t remember every detail, but he remembered enough.
Antony was dangerous, unpredictable, and difficult to understand.
Silver’s expression remained neutral. He shook the man’s hand.
"Nice to meet you."
Antony smiled.
"Likewise."
Silver subtly shifted his chair, just enough to create a little distance. Ravenna noticed but didn’t comment. Antony pulled out the empty chair beside them.
"Can I sit?"
Silver glanced at Ravenna, then back at Antony.
"Sure."
Antony sat down.
"I noticed you earlier."
Silver raised an eyebrow.
"At the pool?"
"Yes." Antony pointed toward him. "You two stood out."
Ravenna frowned.
"Why?"
"You looked vey young." Antony smiled. "Yet you seem to have no team."
He pointed at Silver.
"And you’re carrying yourself like someone who’s used to traveling through dangerous territory."
Silver remained quiet. Antony leaned forward.
"That’s interesting."
Silver gave him a small smile.
"We’ve traveled a lot."
"I figured."
Antony nodded enthusiastically.
"That’s why I’m talking to you."
Ravenna looked suspicious.
"Why?"
Antony’s smile widened.
"I want to join you."
There was a brief silence. Both Silver and Ravenna stared at him.
Antony simply waited with a smile on his face.
Silver finally spoke.
"Join us?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
"Traveling." Antony shrugged. "Going out of the sanctuary, hunting, and exploring, whatever you’re doing. It’s so boring in this place and most of tbe teams just circle around the sanctuary, my mom told me I could leave if I found a good team."
Silver leaned back.
"Why?"
Antony seemed genuinely surprised by the question.
"Because you’re interesting."
Silver almost laughed.
"That’s your reason?"
"One of them." Antony pointed toward Ravenna. "You’re both young, clearly strong, and you’re traveling without a larger team."
He smiled.
"I think you’re probably going to the Academy."
Ravenna glanced at Silver. Antony continued.
"Most people your age who travel alone are either going to the Academy or they’re idiots."
Ravenna blinked. Silver stared at him.
Antony laughed.
"I’m not saying you’re idiots, probably are but..."
Silver couldn’t help smiling.
Antony’s personality really was strange. The man seemed completely comfortable saying whatever entered his mind.
"You think we’re going to the Academy?" Silver asked.
"Yes, because of your age." Antony gestured toward their equipment. "Your equipment is too good for ordinary rookie contractors, and it’s clear you don’t have any one tying you down. That usually means you’re heading somewhere to develop."
He leaned back.
"The Academy is the obvious answer."
Silver didn’t confirm or deny it. Antony smiled.
"So?"
"So what?"
"Can I join?"
Silver considered it. His first instinct was to say yes, having Antony nearby could be useful. Antony was strong, and more importantly, he knew that Antony would eventually become part of Dillain’s team.
If silver formed a team with him, he would be able to to get a strange but strong contractor. He could influence the direction, and perhaps prevent certain events from occurring.
But there was another problem.
Ravenna.
Silver wasn’t going to make a decision that involved both of them without asking her. He looked at her, Ravenna immediately understood.
She didn’t answer, and simply continued eating. Silver turned back toward Antony.
"I can’t give you an answer right now."
Antony’s expression didn’t change.
"Why?"
"I need to discuss it with her."
He nodded toward Ravenna. Antony looked at her.
"Oh." He nodded thoughtfully. "That’s fair."
Silver expected him to argue, but he didn’t; instead, Antony stood.
"Then tell me tomorrow."
"Where can I find you?"
Antony pointed toward the lobby.
"I’ll probably be around, I’ll tell the waiting staff."
Silver frowned.
"That’s vague."
"I like being vague."
Ravenna looked at him.
"Clearly."
Antony laughed. "I’ll find you."
Then he walked away.
Silver watched him leave. Ravenna waited until he was several meters away before speaking.
"That was strange."
"Very."
"Who is he?"
Silver hesitated.
"Someone I think we might need."
Ravenna raised an eyebrow.
"You know him?"
"Not personally."
"Then how do you know we might need him?"
Silver smiled.
"I’ve read about him, he was a strong part of Dillain’s team."
Ravenna eyes widened slightly.
"Really, he doesn’t look like it. You know how serious Dillian looks."
"Well, he is talented in many ways. Don’t judge the cover."
She nodded.
"Do you want him to join us?"
"I haven’t decided."
Silver looked at her.
"I want your opinion."
Ravenna smiled.
"I appreciate that."
They finished their meal, at least, they tried to. Antony returned before they were completely finished, he pulled out a chair without asking.
"I’ve decided I like you two."
Silver sighed internally.
"That’s good."
Antony immediately started talking. He talked about Delta Two, the Academy, the roads, various contractors he’d met, a researcher who had apparently tried to recruit him, how he hated vegetables, how someone had once mistaken his hair color for a fire ability, and how strange it was that people assumed he was arrogant because of the way he dressed.
The conversation moved from one subject to another so quickly that Silver struggled to keep track. Ravenna mostly listened, occasionally she laughing.