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“Denied.” Isaac already had an answer. “Reason one, I have ranged weapons, explosives and knives, and I know how to use them well. Reason two, you lack any knowledge of the man’s position. This castle changes. Rooms that used to be joined won’t be when you return. Which leads to reason three. If you leave, there is a better chance of you not returning and then we would have two missing instead of one.”

Nithel’s face became a perfect mask, except for his eyes. They were open portals, trying to understand, but failing. So he made basic assumptions until later.

But did Alessio understand? Nithel’s eyes slowly slid toward his friend, though glanced back to their leader a few times.

“I respect your wish to find the missing person but you are important to this group. I cannot risk anyone over something, or someone, that has these slim chances of success.”

The words were reasonable.

But Alessio’s arms tensed the smallest bit. He disagreed. Nithel tried to feel Alessio’s emotions, thinking about everything he knew about the youth. What just happened.

Nithel felt a burning inside himself, pain. Physical burning and pain, but truly in Nithel’s mind… His pity for the youth increased, and his love. Alessio doesn’t want to leave the man behind. He doesn’t plan to. Noble. Some of the greatest fools are heroes. Nithel’s chest clenched painfully as he stared at his friend.

Alessio didn’t look up, glaring at the table as if it was the root of his problems.

Then Nithel’s brows lowered. His eyes getting a sliver of fear. Fire. Fire flickered on Alessio’s finger. Real fire. Noy. That-

It disapeared, but re-lit. Then went out, just to relight again.

Alessio was getting tenser, biting his lip. Nithel felt his own arms and shoulders tighten. What am I seeing? How? Not even stars,

Nithel swallowed hard, waiting as the men spoke. He shut his eyes a second, then reopened them. Still there. Now completely burning. 

Alessio was looking at him, Nithel didn’t look away. He always made eye-contact, but still, his eyes were far away. It felt like a hand grabbed his chest. Noy, zounds, and egad! What is that?

Alessio’s hand disappeared inside his cloak. Nithel’s breath trembled. The fire wasn’t real. It didn’t burn his clothes. NOY and EGAD. It didn’t burn his hand? What was it? Was he a warlock too? Noy noy noy. 

Nithel’s lips tightened. Or was he some strange race? Like the trees, or people of the water? One who was born with flames? It was the thing of untold legends. Stars didn’t even retain their fire after becoming men. Noy NOY NOYY. 

Nithel’s eyes weren’t wide, but his thoughts were written in them. Panic. His mind somewhat gathered what Alessio was asking him.

Gain possession. Nithel growled in his mind, and though still racing, he was able to make his body loosen its tension. Noy, and egad. 

Alessio’s eyes said ‘tell no one’. Tell no one! Egad! Why tell a one? Could they explain the mystery? Would they take the time? Likely not. And there might be danger to Alessio if they knew. Best not. 

BUT WHAT WAS IT? HOW? Alessio would answer. Nithel’s mouth was dry, and he found it hard to clear his throat. Noy, noy, noy. But Alessio wouldn’t answer now.

The smallest bit of white smoke shown, leaked from beneath Alessio’s jacket. Nithel shut his eyes.

“Sir…” Alessio considered softly “either you’ll have to ostracize me from the group, or determine an appropriate punishment for insurrection.”

Nithel’s eyes fluttered open. He had heard, but wished he hadn’t. Truly? The leader hadn’t even been elected a span before you’re trying to steal his thrown. Boy, boy, boy… You still have much to learn. 

“Idea!” Virtus shouted, and Nithel nearly jumped from his skin.

What?

The man looked slightly embarrassed a moment.

But Isaac didn’t wait. “What?”

Nithel liked him. The man ran his eyes once over the leader. A cool head, he held logic, but also wisdom. But how would he keep this group in line?

Nithel’s eyes fell back to Virtus, and his chest tingled. What a stare.

The hair on Nithel’s arms went up. Like a mindless robber. Noy, where am I? Is this all a dream? He lowered his head, eyes clenching.

“We don’t have to go find him. Why not have him find us? It might attract unwanted attention, but if we’re ready for it, we would probably be able to survive it. If we create some kind of noise, or something, then we might be able to lead this…”

Nithel peeked his eyes open slightly. He glanced toward Alessio.

“This Avatus to us, while still sticking together. It’s a risk, but I think we could pull it off.”

His eyes went to their leader. And the man shivered a moment.

“I would rather not.” His voice was even, strong. “I just about destroyed the dragon’s right arm and it regenerated the limb in under a minute. I also suspect that it learned how it was hurt because it avoided my second attack. I doubt we could destroy the monster.”

Nithel didn’t know what a dragon was. But he had already learned to fear it.

There was a reverberating roar.

Nithel ducked, lips tightening. His sling and a stone were out in a second. But they would be of no use from what he’d heard.

“Run.” Isaac was already springing away towards a doorway. Alessio followed hesitantly.

Nithel’s chest clenched. Why go into that door? Why? What if the thing was in there? The noise had not reached them yet. Nithel wanted to stay. But submitting, even dying for authority, was a must. And Alessio had gone. 

“Wait!” Virtus shouted, and Nithel jumped in start again.

“If the castle changes, it can redirect us straight into a trap – or a dragon’s jaws. We need to figure out how to kill it.”

That made sense. But Nithel still didn’t trust him. Even a villain can have a good mind. “Kill it? H-”ow?

“It is made entirely of metal,” Isaac had turned around. “And it regenerates its body. Even if we slew the beast, would it not return?”

The question was obviously meant as a statement, but Virtus just grinned again. That disgusting grin. The man was sick.

“Maybe. It’s made of metal? Does it perchance have a digestion system? Or…” the man glanced right over Nithel, to the two with fire.

Virtus then strode toward Isaac.

Nithel put the stone in his sling.

“Does any of it melt?”

Nithel’s brows lifted, and though still tense, he didn’t let fly at Virtus. Wow. That was genius!  And fire… Nithel made himself not glance back to Alessio. If the dragon was metal, they could melt it. But…. how did metal move? Metal wasn’t alive? 

Nithel slowly calmed himself to normal. He looked to their leader. Gabrel and Amit had driven it into him, One was not supposed to speak with authority unless spoken to. None here seemed to follow that rule. 

Nithel then took several steps backward, toward Alessio. He still didn’t look at his friend, however.

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