Page 35 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

“I don’t know.” Percival glanced around. “I don’t think so.”

“Well, we’ll just walk wherever you feel like walking, and we’ll see where we end up. Maybe something will click.”

Leo let Percival take the lead. They walked around for an hour, back and forth through the streets.

“Wait.” Percival stopped on a street corner. He stared down the street. Then he looked the other way.

“Anything?” Leo asked.

“Maybe.” Then Percival sighed. He shook his head. “No. Not really.” He kept walking. Leo followed.

Percival had done that a few times now, stopping and staring at a doorway, a street sign, a shop, or some landmark. But after a moment, he’d shake his head and continue on.

Percival halted in the middle of the sidewalk. “I’m sorry! Nothing feels familiar. Maybe this is pointless.” He ran a hand through his red hair, and embers flashed. “I’m sorry, Leo. I’m just wasting your time!”

Leo reached out and gripped his arm. “Don’t apologise. Remember, this was just the first idea. We’ll just move onto the next one. We’ll go around and ask about you, okay? Don’t give up yet.”

“Okay.” Percival looked down the street.

A troll with her head down walked towards them. Then, about a pace away, she lifted her gaze. Her eyes widened as they fixed on Percival.

“Lord Everflame!” she exclaimed.

“You know me?” Percival stepped towards her, hands tapping his chest. “You know who I am?”

She blinked at him.

“I’m sorry, I…” Percival glanced at Leo. “I don’t remember you. What is your name?”

The troll didn’t move or speak for several long seconds. “You don’t know who I am?”

“Well, you see, I died and was reborn last night. I lost my memories,” Percival explained. “I don’t remember anything.”

“Nothing, my lord?” she asked.

Percival shook his head.

She took a moment, then she bowed low. “My name is Ines, my lord. I am your loyal servant.”

“I see.” Percival shook his head. “Well, can you tell me when you last saw me?”

She didn’t respond for a second. “Last night I waited by your carriage to take you home. But you didn’t come. I waited for hours, my lord.”

That must have been when Percival was attacked.

“And I’ve been looking for you since then! I just reported your absence to your uncle and cousin.”

“My uncle and cousin?” Percival exhaled. He smiled. “I have an uncle and cousin! And you know where they are?”

“Of course. They are at Everflame Glass Factory.” She pointed down the street.

“Everflame Glass Factory.” Leo groaned. “Of course.” He smacked himself on the forehead.

Suddenly he felt like a fucking idiot. Because he’d heard of Everflame Glass Factory and knew the factory’s location was nearby. But for some reason, when he’d heard Percival’s last name, it hadn’t clicked.

“You know it?” Percival asked him.

“I do.” Leo turned to Ines. “And you said his uncle and cousin are there now?”