James blinked, caught off guard by the boy's question. His mind scrambled for a response before his words came out in a careful, measured tone.
"Why are you looking for our Lord?"
For a moment, the forest fell silent. The distant hiss of cooling flames was the only sound. Eden's eyes widened slightly at the phrasing. 'Our Lord' he thought, disbelief flickering across his face.
"Lord?" he repeated aloud, searching James's expression for any hint of mockery or deceit. There was none, only sincerity, awe, and confusion.
Eden's gaze hardened, but his thoughts moved elsewhere. 'Blessing,' he spoke telepathically, 'are you sure you sensed him among these people?'
Blessing floated closer, her tiny brows furrowing. 'I'm certain,' she replied in his mind. 'These people have clearly been with the Ancestor. His essence lingers, strong, with them.'
