Since having had a chance to spend some time with him I realized that Herrik wasn’t as imposing and intimidating as I originally thought him to be. I stopped feeling the need to avoid him and whenever we happened to meet made sure to strike up a conversation. Usually our run-ins took place in the garden as I made my way home from either a lesson with Artur or a session with Avery. Herrik would fall in with me and while we walked together we would spend a few minutes catching up on all the little things that had happened in our daily lives and that seemed worth sharing. One evening I was heading home later than usual and almost didn’t notice Herrik as I hurried along the path knowing Penny would have dinner ready and waiting by the time I got there. I slung my bag over my shoulder and was trying to zip it up as I walked. I wasn’t watching where I was going and didn’t even realize that I had passed right by him. “Emily?” I whirled around, “Oh, Herrik!” I said surprised and delighted by his sudden appearance.
