Flashback ( PDFDrive )

Grady didn’t look convinced. “I think we should head to the house.
Your body’s not used to this much activity, so you probably need to get
off your feet.”
“I agree,” Mr. Forkle chimed in. “And I’m afraid this is also when I
must leave you. If I don’t head to Eternalia soon, the Council will be
very annoyed with me.” He pulled out his pathfinder and quickly
adjusted the crystal. “Oh, and Elwin wanted me to let you know he’ll
be stopping by after dinner to check Miss Foster’s progress and go
over her medication regimen.”
I’ll let you know what the Council’s planning for the meeting with Fintan
as soon as everything’s finalized, he transmitted to Sophie. And we’ll talk
more about the trolls once I’ve investigated. I’m not sure how long either of
those tasks will take, so if you don’t hear from me for a bit, don’t think I’ve
forgotten, okay?
Sophie nodded, and he waved to the others before stepping into the
light and slowly shimmering away.
“Come on, kiddo,” Grady said, shaking bits of dried fruit out of his
hair and hooking his arm around her. “Let’s get you inside—oh, and
let’s not mention how long you’ve been home, okay? If Edaline finds
out I didn’t bring you straight in to see her, she’s going to conjure up a
pile of mastodon droppings and plop them on my head.”
He was teasing, of course. But Edaline actually had threatened a
manure attack once—and she was definitely a talented enough
Conjurer to make it happen.
“Don’t you still need to feed the gorgodon one more tangourd?”
Sophie reminded him.
“That’s right.” He turned to the gnomes gathering the pieces of
smashed fruit from around the enclosure. “Would you guys mind