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Niarok

Daire was drooling over the women. Niarok had a feeling they could both take care of themselves, but he would keep an eye on them, just in case Yila decided that Daire’s advances were too much.

Liorah and Aydin appeared beside him, staring into the depths of the cavern. Staring at the dragon.

Was that a figure down there? Beside the dragon? It – he – looked familiar. Niarok tensed.

“What in the eternal blue heavens is that?” Liorah hissed beside him.

“Dragon,” he answered.

It couldn’t be. Was it?

Dark feelings swirled in his heart. Feelings he hadn’t had in many years. Feelings of anger.

“I think we’re supposed not to wake that,” Aydin whispered.

Niarok nodded. Yeah.

“You’re really brilliant today, have I told you that yet?” Liorah snapped.

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

The figure moved. Niarok’s shoulders tensed again. Yes. It was most definitely him. His hand moved to his sword hilt.

“There,” Liorah hissed, jerking her head at the figure.

Aydin followed her motion and tensed too. Something like terror and anger and insecurity swam behind his muddy eyes.

What? How does he know?…

A disconcerting thought entered Niarok’s mind, but at this point he wasn’t surprised. The castle was toying with them.

Liorah swore, backing away and raking her fingers through her hair.

“Okay, new plan,” she said, her cheerful voice a thin covering for the intensity underneath. Niarok couldn’t relate more. “We go the exact opposite direction and do not turn around.”

“Liorah, she’s trapped. The… creature might attack her,” Aydin murmured, voice strained.

Her?

Yes, the Castle was definitely toying with them. Niarok’s heart twinged with fear. What would happen when Yila saw?

Liorah grinned at Aydin. “You really are brilliant today,” she hissed.

“Liorah, no,” Aydin replied.

Niarok looked at the figure. Definitely not a her. But for Aydin’s side… “Who is that?” he asked.

Aydin sighed like the entire weight of the world had just dropped onto his shoulders. Niarok glanced away, then made eye contact again.

“Someone I never hoped to see again,” Aydin finally mumbled. He glanced away, eyes deeply haunted. Niarok recognized that look.

“That was his girlfriend, you know, that one,” Liorah said, her voice far too cheerful for the clear misery Aydin was experiencing.

Aydin flinched, his eyes flashing. How much had Liorah said?

Niarok looked at him and shook his head subtly. He didn’t know. Liorah hadn’t said anything beyond a few cryptic words. “How can I help?” he asked after a moment.