“So, this is the guy who stole a grenade?” Hibiscus asks. “He doesn’t look too bad. I could probably take him.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy4Wtr9Emm
"I'd prefer that you didn't, dear," Flo says. "We still need him to tell us who he's working with."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bcGq9IbSt
"Yeah, and what he means by the real Crusaders," I add.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEdPdmaouZ
Ama turns to me. "That phrase has been bothering me as well. It implies that what we have been doing is not what the Crusaders were made for. But if we weren't made for helping people, the only other alternative is that we were made for creating harm. I don't really want to consider that."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qTj2EZMsN
Klef keeps his eyes locked on the gorgon in the interrogation room through the mirror. "I don't like this, guys," he says. "He seems calm for being locked in a little box for an hour."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqhziqfEDJ
"What do you mean, calm?" Bobbi asks. "He's spitting mad!"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJCyAloAgl
"Yeah, but is he mad enough to really bust out of there and turn us all to stone before smashing us to pieces with a baseball bat?" he asks. "Because if I was in his position, I would be at least that mad, if not madder. And compared to that, he seems oddly calm."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESqZl8egck
"He does," I say. "It gives me the creeps a little bit. Who's going to go in there and ask him questions?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhIPlKs7He
The door to the interrogation room opens, but before the gorgon and can make an escape attempt, Rythe walks in and stops him. "Sit," he barks out, closing the door, and the gorgon obediently walks to the chair and sits, not saying a word.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12hQexjMOo
"Rythe has a voice on him," I note.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFAWxRqBER
Flo smiles. "Yeah. He's good with the pups others have adopted. He'= They'll play with them, but won't take any nonsense either."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwYUK4U4VF
"They sound like they'd be a good parent," I say. "Would you want that?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDS3g3hL5I
Flo shrugs. "I don't know yet. Neither do they. But we'll figure something out."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVS1h3QVzA
"Now," Rythe says, and the observation room goes quiet. "There were some things that you have said and done that are understandably worrying to everyone in this base. First and foremost: have you been stealing weapons from the armory?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH122D3r7Tu
The gorgon says nothing, and Rythe growls. "Did. You. Steal. Weapons. From. The. Armory?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg93W0ROpSL
"I have people to do that for me," the gorgon replies snottily. It almost sounds as if he adds a 'but you already knew that' to the end.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGTGstX4oP
"But you acknowledge you are responsible for the stolen weapons?" Rythe asks.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIpnKpT2GR
The gorgon laughs. "If it will end this stupid interrogation, then yes. Yes, I am in one way or another responsible for all the things you accuse me of."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWRaRBkwqH
"So you are... a ringmaster, of sorts, in all of this?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFEcdadGmg
"Hardly," he sneers. "I am good, but I am not that good. Tell me, how's that pretty lass doing? It would be such a shame for someone to slit her throat before anyone can round up all of the so- called 'traitors' in the building."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSUa6uwWa0
The hair on the back of my neck stands on end and Everyone shows some form of a negative response to the gorgon's words. Rythe backhands him. "The girl is not a part of this," he corrects. "Leave her out of it."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZdCSmTGY4
"That is where you are wrong," the gorgon says. "The girl is everything in this. She is the one that our people have been waiting decades upon decades for. Perhaps even centuries."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8H6FND5id
"Centuries," Flo breathes. "What is he talking about, centuries? Who has been waiting for an Oracle?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIw1s6uxxq
"What do you mean, centuries? Does this have anything to do with these 'real Crusaders' that you talk about?" Rythe asks.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLLMes9BVK
"Yes," the gorgon hisses. "But to get any more out of me would be futile. I have said all I know, save for my accomplisses."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJJPv76I8g
"List them, and I might spare your life," Rythe growls.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9ucvyLsPJ
"As you wish," the gorgon says, a smirk toying at his lips. "May I have paper and pen?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfitBAMcs9B
Rythe leaves the room, and the gorgon stares straight at the mirror, and what feels like into my soul. It gives me the creeps. "You can run, but you cannot hide, oracle," he sings. "You know what happens~!"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1nFUtHDum
Klef wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Don't listen to him, sweetheart."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QBaZKjhiF
I shudder. "He has a point, though. I do know what happens. How could he know what I've seen? I only shared locations and pertinent information to the crowd he was in. Whether I live or I die, or who is there, I can't say for sure but..." I swallow. "It never looks good. How could he know that I'm destined to die soon?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13RrArORyQ
"Woah, you are not destined to die soon, Ride," Klef says. "You're gonna have those kids you always wanted, and a husband that you dream of, and the life you craved. You're not gonna die if any of us have a say in it. Are we clear?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRSxOd7hR7
Ama holds up a hand, where a few bones are twitching. "I would raise the dead to assist you if it would keep you alive," she says.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZgJV1dRRr
Bobbi cracks their knuckles. "I would fight anyone in our way."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfDzjSUvTP
Flo smiles. "I would be the first in line to patch up your injuries."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlVylyPYxL
Hibiscus looks around. "Well, I'm maybe 130 pounds soaking wet, but if you ever need a nerd or a strategist, I'm your human!"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVno9ffsQw
I chuckle. "That's pretty funny, Hibiscus. Thank you, all of you. I do feel a little safer, knowing that I'm in your hands."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSH78OJOmY
"So no worries, sweetheart," Klef says, giving my shoulder a squeeze. "We've got your back."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WD0Uo6c5P
"I know," I say with a smile.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnMagyO4L5
Rythe walks back into the interrogation room, with a pen and paper, but when the gorgon reaches for them, Rythe pulls back. "I will be doing the writing here, thank you."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk2Ef4aE2d
"What's the matter?" the gorgon asks with a bitter laugh. "Don't you trust me?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsWAYBLThY
"Not at all," they respond without hesitation. "Now, talk."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobvLymAjSV
The gorgon rattles off names that I have never heard, but get reactions around the room. Ama occasionally will gasp, or grab at Bobbi's arm. Hibiscus always wears a solemn expression, but occasionally it will turn sadder or angrier than it was a few seconds ago, occasionally punctuated with a suck of air, or a, "I should have known." Flo just stands there, stony-faced. I can understand why she would take this the hardest, seeing as she basically runs this branch of the Crusaders. To have traitors to the cause, right under her nose... I can't imagine just what she is going through. Klef has his arm around me firmly at all times, to the point where it almost hurts, the way he squeezes it whenever he recognizes a name with a face we have seen before around the base in the Elven lands. "I'm so sorry," he whispers to me.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcSno0RxyH
"You've done nothing wrong," I whisper back. "There's no way you could have known about these guys."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SscNjKpX0
"He says he's not the ringleader," Hibiscus says, breaking the silence in the room that was stifling everyone after the gorgon finished his list. "That means this list of maybe 30 people are most likely all expendable. Even if he's higher up the food chain, what are the odds that he would actually give us members that he could pass the torch to in the event that he got caught? We have some people to protect you from, Oracle, but not that many."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOhGG0LjzP
"Well, the low-level ones are the ones more likely to outright attack me, right?" I ask. "Logically speaking, from that standpoint, isn't it safe to say that if we round all of these people up, and jail them, or make sure they can't hurt any of the Crusaders again, let alone other people who don't know what we do, then I'm less likely to be hurt if we move me. We could get on a ship and sail to the Untamed Lands, or the Ancient Ruins, or even the Dwarven Territory at the bottom of the ship, and so long as we know that the people more likely to attack me are gone and not there to slit my throat the second I fall asleep, I would be about as safe as I ever was helping the Crusaders."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraplX0xsKr
Hibiscus chews their lip. "It makes sense..." they say. "I don't necessarily think thayt a ship would be the way to go with this, because there still are people that this guy works for, but your logic is sound. All we do is get all of these guys, ship them off to their respective countries, jail them, and we've made the world a safer place."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2l4F9VJck
"Safer, not necessarily safe," Klef says. "As much as I hate to sound like Rides' dad, I don't want her to go anywhere unless we know it's 100%."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB63c6JOdkW
"Well, we won't know if any place is 100% ever, Treble," I tell him. "You just have to take the good with the bad, sometimes. And if we get everyone on this list, we're at a safety level where we can move around. I don't know about you, but I could use some mobility."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBmrtFVIER
Klef looks at me, before looking at the ground and sighing. "Yeah, I could use some mobility too. Let's round everyone up."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQTgHNrIZm
"We'll take care of that," Bobbi says. "You two can walk around the base and do what you'd like. Maybe find a place you'd like to go next?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEHW0wOAsj
"That sounds good," I say to Klef. "Wouldn't you like to find out where we should go after this?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejFX1sQIJL
“I guess…” Klef grumbles. “Let’s look at the maps and see what we can find.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovryODHucv
I smile as we walk out of the room. Hopefully I can cheer Klef up the way he does to me, though I’ve never really thought myself good at it. “Chin up, babe, maybe we can get to a beach and play around in the sand some! I’ve never really been able to play on a beach, no matter how many times I’ve gotten close. Have you?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGFsXjTolI
“No,” Klef sighs.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZhZuurx6L
Ugh. This is hard, and I’m making it sound like it’s all about me. “Or we could find a new stretch of forest you really like, perfect for just lying around and walking under a broad canopy of leaves, like you always wanted to, remember? We can choose where we go next, the possibilities are endless!”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VTMKhv9mz
Klef worries his lip. “Ride, I know you’re trying to cheer me up…”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13L3uMK5mS
I don’t let him finish. “One more try, all right? Knock, knock!”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtYW2Zzot7
Klef rolls his eyes. “Oh, c’mon, Ride!”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPot2gMDmi
“Knock. Knock!” I say with a grin.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNxFx7OYtc
Klef sighs. “Who’s there,” he says flatly.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkQTH4b0v6
“Hatch.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QD9X1y5IG
“Hatch who?” he asks.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xl0WBW96M
“Bless you!” I say, the grin on my face that I am informed nearly matches his when he says a bad joke.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaoTPl1Uvw
Klef smiles just a little, one half of his mouth twitching upward. “Not bad, Ride. Not bad.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPaOz1YoSY
I laugh a little. “I learned from the best, what can I say?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XgEM7iOFk
“That you did,” Klef points out. “Provided you mean me, of course. Can I finish what I was going to say, though?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPNYD3jRhE
I look down at him and stop walking. “Yeah, sure.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSyjzFi5WM
“I know you were trying to cheer me up, but just the fact that you’re trying, however unsuccessfully, does wonders in and of itself.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCwvb7Cj27
“Doesn’t look like it,” I scoff. “You looked like someone was talking about forcing you to play nice with Dad!”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNLgwTttfl
Klef snorted. “Yeah, probably. That’s just because I don’t want to see you hurt, though, you understand that, right?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6lakZ1C59
“Mm-hm,” I nod. “I understand that you’re all about protecting me, however misguided and misinformed your intentions are. I am fine. And I can handle myself in close combat. Treble, I know that you worry. I worry about you, too. But can we just agree to not let that worry take over us? Because we land on our feet when we have each other to help out with the landing. Okay?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTER53L9eP
“Okay,” Klef concedes. “Okay.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wrDZ1vVtQ
“Good,” I say. “Now, where would you like to move? I know there might be some protest if we go somewhere surrounded by water, but we could probably make that work if we really wanted to.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV0CRWPxK8
“Well, I don’t know about that. I always did kinda want to carry the world on my shoulders, however briefly, by just doing essentially a handstand on the bottom of Melisma. But I’m not too sure, we could always go to the ancient ruins, or the Untamed Lands, heck, we could go back to the Elven lands, or to your home, and we’d still be on Crusader territory! Just think about it, the possibilities are endless, I wouldn’t know where to begin!”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAcA3mY6w4
“I would,” I say. “I don’t want to go back home, not yet. We know the threat isn’t going to be there. So how about we go out looking somewhere we haven’t been, either in a while or ever? No need to stay holed up in the base if we can help it, too.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc2Ponee3F
Klef squints at me. “So… you want to go on another adventure?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzao4As3FP
“Why not?” I ask. “I’m sure we could make it work.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw01Lj4DX7
“I guess we could,” Klef says, “But I still don’t feel crazy about adventures since our first.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZsx3OCxzW
"I know you don't like adventures, babe, but please, it makes things more exciting on my part if we can think of it like one. If I can think of it like one, at any rate. You don't have to."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbZbW475DZ
Klef tilts his head to the side, and raises his chin. His arguing- with- himself face. "Oh, all right, all right, fine. Call it what you will. But every time you say the word adventure, I'll come up with a stupid joke to tell you when this is all over."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN092zFl82
"Deal," I say, sticking my hand out.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4ZfgNW9Hf
Klef grabs it, shakes it, and lifts it up to his lips to give it a kiss. I roll my eyes. "Oh, come on, Klef," I sigh.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDxt6PfZSm
"What can I say? Sometimes, I just have to show the best girlfriend in the whole world that I love her."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6mQCi1Yw9
Klef grins unashamed at his statement even while I smack him lightly on the arm. "I could take you in a fight, you realize," I tell him.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqANbiCoLCP
"Oh, I'm so sure," he says as he starts to walk to the main room where I gave my speech.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVwGR4sNRA
"I'm dead serious," I inform him. "We've sparred over the years. You know that if it came down to it, we could definitely have a knock- down drag -out fight and I would /crush/ you."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzcYtRtylY
"Yeah, I know," he says. "Just one of the reasons why I love you."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ncds3gp3g
Someone in the hallway gasps, and I look around, but can't see anyone. "Well, there goes our secret," I grumble. "Thanks a lot, Treble."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgrqDlFSz4
"No problem!" Klef chirps. "Happy to be of service. Does that mean I can kiss you publicly now?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ288E4dSavk
I groan. "Treble!"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3RfgwoL1q
He laughs. "Come on, Ride, you know I wouldn't do that if you weren't comfortable. And never in front of Geo, who, coincidentally, is coming down the hall right now."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk7HYGF4BL
"I called it!" he yells, waving his hand. "I totally called it! I called it! I called it!"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsiunbg6rs
"Yeah, you did, now shut up," I yell back. "I was trying to have a conversation before you started yelling."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8rSFnaKxS
Geo arches an eyebrow. "Okay, I see how it is. Don't think I'm cute enough to compete with this guy?" he asks as he stops in front of us.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoke0pWIKv
"Actually, I think you could take him in the looks department," I say. "It's the personality portion of the contest that you have no chance."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPkgoyI5vo
Klef bursts out laughing and Geo leans back, a smirk playing with his face. "Oh, wow! That is /cold/, Reese, it really is. Since I can see where I'm wanted, I better go back home."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknUXaiobRv
I roll my eyes. "You and I both know that you were going home today anyway."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw3VTCbfT9
"Yeah, so? Doesn't mean I couldn't have stayed longer today if you wanted me to," Geo says with a wink.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3edmVbITlE
"Flirt," I say. "Go. Flirt somewhere else, with someone else. I'm spoken for."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U5YudQJEk
"Yeah, yeah, I know. And that's maybe the saddest part," Geo says, looking me over. "Because I wouldn't mind having you on my arm."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLBzXl4Zc7
"You missed your chance, bro," Klef says, looping his arm in mine. "You could have taken her when you two first met, and at least gotten your foot in the door if you played your cards right."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg6wZbjc8G
"Maybe. But I can't compete with childhood friends," he says. "I'll see you two back at my base. Don't die out there, you hear me?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkHjt3TVX5
He walks in the direction of the exit and Klef turns. "Don't worry, I'll keep this one away from trouble out there!"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd72JZ5uh2s
“You will keep me out of trouble?” I ask incredulously.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSE35HJs1d
Klef grins. “Probably not. I’d more likely put you in it.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8nxshJ6lt
“Uh- huh,” I say. “That’s more accurate.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRibdzOR5g
Klef grins and turns to continue walking with me. “So where do you think we should go?” he asks.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Za34sIyAs
“I’d love to see the ruins,” I say. “Cliche a destination as that is.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC01jUwXLEN
“It’s fine,” Klef says. “We would need to get to the ocean and take a ship, though, because your amulet needs time to recharge.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9YIjg24M9
“I know, but I’m willing to get seasick,” I say. “And it can’t be as bad as when it first happened.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEr2Hm4L3E
“That… I don’t think that was seasickness,” Klef laughs. “I think you came down with something.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9S3SXJNf6
I shrug. “Well, whatever the reason, it can’t be as bad as that first time.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XvOu1175g
“Very true,” Klef allows. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so sick from such a simple thing as sitting back and letting people cook.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmTD0CND2c
“Oh, are you still mad at the crew?” I ask. “Because they could very well being the people to take us across to the ruins.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPrWEAnnMw
“Yes, I’m still mad, and no, they’re a cargo ship so they won’t be the ones to take us anywhere,” Klef grumbles. “They should have taught me the right song!”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmghMzS3Cwg
“Klef, you were 5! Do you honestly think that your aunt would have let them teach you a song about a ‘drunken sailor’?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEMOk2J9Vq
“It’s better than a ‘lazy pirate,’ and it’s not like I would have known the connotations!” Klef argues.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOJYOMLHCp
“Um, everybody who walked in your store would,” I point out. “And they’d all be wondering why a little kid was singing about alcohol and--”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRpRWDkxjv
“--Don’t say it! The last verse is disgusting, I know!” Klef exclaims, gagging.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0GTY622LI
“You know, the euphemism you might be looking for could have something to do with your disgust for it. Just trail off when you need to, and scrunch up your face in disgust.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYjfyYWCan
“That’s not a euphemism,” Klef argues.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcULK1xvkp
“Still gets the point across,” I shrug.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NPt1iRYZ5
“Which one? The ‘doing it’ or the one that I’m supposedly a 5- year- old who can’t stand the idea of ‘doing it’?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX09f7EZy4v
“Both,” I chirp as we walk into the main room. “Because they’ll know what you’re talking about, and that you don’t like it. Which doesn’t make you 5, by the way. I’ve only really wanted to do it with…”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBds6eg6HgN
“‘With’?” Klef prompts.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhwPLH0Rf3
I blush beet red. “Uh, with one person. After I got close to them. No big deal, really.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiyFlc31z8
Klef squints at me. “Oh…” he breathes. “Um… that’s awkward, considering…”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rp7BFgla6
“Yeah…” I say, toeing the floor. “I would never make you do anything you didn’t want to. I was actually pretty confused when it first happened…”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lcZX1AN7y
Klef holds up a hand. “Okay. Let’s just stop this conversation now. I’m weirded out, you’re visibly uncomfortable, and we both agree that we don’t want that if the other person isn’t cool with it, which we seem to not be. So, no problem.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4st16QUdi
I nod. “Right. Of course. No problem,” I parrot.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4GqlwZLQY
“One thing before we decide where in the ruins we should go, though,” Klef says. “I’m… honored, actually, Ride. I mean, I don’t reciprocate those feelings, and the thought of doing anything is gross, but… I’m honored. Can’t say for certain why.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfn2FWdHEz
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know. Now, about the maps?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5j3ukm79w
“Right,” Klef says, scurrying over to the tables where they’re laid out. “Um… the ruins, the ruins… the Ancient Lands, as they’re also known as… there are many places in them that we have bases, because humans don’t like Deuxlives, typically, so they avoid dying and their Deuxlife at all cost.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSdrTczmHo
“Well, dying is not a pleasant experience,” I say. “It’s understandable to not want a Deuxlife. The prejudice is uncalled for, though.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErw6GIu9gZ
Klef bites his cheek and nods. “Yeah. Really uncalled for. Anyway, we have a lot of bases. Someone found… oh!”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF3C5qZB2P
“What?” I ask, moving closer and looking over Klef’s shoulder.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPwDJ46TBv
“They found a usable base in an old clearing in a forest where an old village must have been centuries ago! Can we go look at it, Ride? Please?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2lAVavKa0
I smile. “When the best boyfriend in the world asks so excitedly, how can I say no?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf06ifbjVM5
Klef grins as he looks over to me. “It’s not a beach, I know, but…”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd9CXjo63J
“Don’t worry about it, Treble, we’ll have plenty of chances to see a beach someday,” I say. “If my dreams come true, at any rate, we’ll definitely be seeing a beach.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQAWa8F7hz
“Not the way I want to see a beach, but okay,” Klef says. “If you really want that to be the way you see a beach…”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRBgoJQx9M
“No!” I exclaim, laughing. “I’m just saying we’ll see one!”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HaPh3S8eb
Klef rolls his eyes. “Yeah, okay, Iri. Whatever you say.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfkQP6AvBp
There are footsteps behind us. I turn to see Ama standing a few feet away. “Going somewhere?” she asks.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefktuMOhag
“At some point or another, we’d like to move to the Ancient Lands,” Klef says. “To the base in the forest. Once we have everyone captured, we’ll need to spread the word any way.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWA8sSfJuQ
“Fair enough,” Ama says. “I will accompany you, as well as our trusted circle. We need to have a few people we can trust to protect you wherever you go until this is resolved, as evidenced by this mutiny.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBcsHMFeSC
I smile. “Okay. Thank you, Ama.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTdC13w2xy
Ama smiles. “It’s my pleasure, Oracle. Or Rides, I suppose you prefer your name. I’ll do my best to remember that.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrAteEWbs8
I shrug. “That’s all I can ask of you.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimo3MHRoGu
Ama walks closer. “We need to arrange transportation to the Ancient Lands once all of this is done, but until then, how would you like to help bring in all the traitors we know about? They might try to hurt you, but you have shown you can handle yourself.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ39zimqh1
I turn to look at Klef. “Did you hear what she said, Klef? She said I can handle myself. She has more faith in me than you do.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d2XDFcpnU
“Does not!” Klef scoffs. “The only reason that I make it seem like I don’t think that is because I worry. I’ve explained this!”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT26jc8Icpy
“You have,” I allow. “But that doesn’t change how it looks.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3WEsHc4S9
Klef rolls his eyes. "Well, is there any way I can change how it looks without changing my worrying habits or repressing it to the point where it explodes when you come back safe and sound?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QIkJVCCnv
I consider it. "Nope," I say.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VyaIqgJJF
Klef groans. "Come on, Ride. Work with me here!"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx0aI7qHV8
I giggle. “I’m teasing, Klef.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHsWdHxROg
Klef crosses his arms. “I don’t like it.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv51qtMM6pV
I roll my eyes. “Come on, let’s round up everyone so we can get transport settled. Sound good?”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkXaOWyE4y
Klef nods. “I could beat up some people who want to beat up you.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm0UblfcDB
“Let’s go, then,” Ama says.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYSZFKQat6
We leave the room and start walking down the halls, looking for people on the list. Ama explains their appearances as we go. "I'm sorry I don't have pictures to show you," she says. "We're working on getting that fixed, I promise."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmB8Su4pRH
"DOn't worry about it," I tell her. "It's not a big deal, and I am sure that even if we don't find these guys, someone else will."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsO1DodaMG
Klef brings out a knife from his pockt, one that I got him that folds in on itself, so he doesn't stab himself when he sits down, and plays with bringing the blade out and back in again. "Where are these guys, anyway? Is there some secret bad guy meeting room like there's a secret good guy meeting room? If there is, that would be super convenient for catching everyone."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu3n9ekMMD
I roll my eyes and ignore Klef's chatter as we continue the search for people. We ultimately find 5 out of the 30 trators, though Bobbi comes in with 7 more, and Hibiscus has tracked the locations of 10 that we can round up sooner or later. Flo has the last 7 snivelling and begging for mercy as they walk toward the interrogation rooms. "Looks like Rythe's not the only one with a backbone," I say, arching my eyebrows.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wCDvcQMbx
"Yeah, Flo's pretty intimidating when she wants to be," Ama agrees. "Often she just doesn't want to be."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1auGGFLOz
"I don't see why not," Klef says, tracing her movements with his eyes. "She has a very impressive handle on things when she goes all out like that."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aZWEeTzgr
"It can be draining, though, trust me," Ama says knowledgeably. "When I summon dead skeletons to fight for me, I can only keep it going for so long before I pass out from exhaustion for 12 hours."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbYcp3G97t
"12 whole hours?! What is your secret?" Klef asks. "I've tried to sleep for half a day, but never have I actually done it. What's your secret?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkEImQelhR
"I raise the dead," Ama said with a smirk. "I could say it's as simple and as complicated as that."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBOuO9Jp0G
I bit my lip and try not to laugh as Klef sighs. "I walked right into that one," he admits.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v3xLif31N
"Yeah." I agree. "You really did."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPbmSByAOe
We all look to the interrogation rooms, and I voice the question running through my head the most. "How are we going to get them to confess? We can't do anything without a confession in place, there would be an uproar."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvJVWKno7U
"Oh, the werewolves around here are very protective of their territory, and don't like it when people encroach on it," Ama says. "They can make sure that the people trying to hurt you confess so we can get them gone. And it won't be a little wimpy confession, either. It will be a detailed confession, with all of their plans expounded on and a list all their backups in place so they can be torn down. We do not take these sorts of things lightly."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKQb51te4f
Klef nods. "Good. Ride deserves that kind of protection."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT0p080TfS
“If I deserve that kind of protection, then everyone does. I’m not one for special treatment.”799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNZBZDURkR
"Yes, we all know your positions on special teatment, Ride," Klef says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Doens't change how we feel."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKy9ZQj375
"Yeah, I know, I know," I grumblr. "My point still stands."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uiIt1iL98
Ama turns to us. "So, you're going to the Ancient Lands now, yes?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbzl36tvqt
"Yeah," I say, shrugging. "Provided Klef still wants to go, we're all set to leave, too."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuukrodPJZ
"I can get someone over here to help you figure out how you want to get there soon, by, say, this evening?" she offers.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmYxQvJi5l
"That would be great!" I exclaim. "Can you really do that?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhatL8Pa1ZF
Ama grins. "You bet! He's a great guy when it comes to travel, really knows his way around here. And when it comes to the Ancient Lands, he's really someone who'd be a top-notch guide, if they rated those things officially. He's one of the best out there."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsO6jRR9Lz
I grin. "That sounds fantastic! Doesn't it, Klef?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8TWKjtnZ9
Klef nods. "Yeah, sounds like just what we need. Are you sure it's no trouble?"799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k4qh3lY6u
"Of course I'm sure!" Ama laughs. "He practically lives here anyway! He flies around where needed around the world, but his home is here, or so he says. He's quite the cutie, too, if I say so myself."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRZSITNXvo
"You crushing on someone?" Bobbi teases as they walk up.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYIhOd4Ndl
"Hm? Oh, no! I was just telling Rides and Klef here about Luke."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPZBLSbRs2
"Oh! Luke! Yeah, he knows his was around the planet if you're looking for travel."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV7M97TtUh
"Well, that's what we're doing," Klef says.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMDXUBZtKh
"Ten Luke is definitely your guy," Bobbi says. "I can probably actually find him around here somewhere right now, depending on where he is. Probably at the cafeteria around now, though he might be busy intl this evening," they muse.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhHEwinMLx
"I said I would get him to come talk to them this evening anyway," Ama explains. "No need to explain all of that when they don't even know who he is yet."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5E7cRpscm
"Fair point," Bobbi concedes. "You two want to play a game of hearts with me and Ama in the Library? We can teach you how to play if you don't know already, so you can have no excuses besides not wanting to. It's pretty good at passing the time, though."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EAxazmsGU
"Hearts sounds good," Klef says. "You remember how to play, right Ride?" he asks.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKYm5rK4vn
Yeah," I say. "I remember, you only taught me for 5 hours that one day. Bobby was going stir crazy from me not letting out to fly him, you kept me inside so long."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw7w5NtJHC
Klef sticks his tongue out. "I don't like that bird anyway."799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbUpBY1leb
"He's not too fond of you either, if memory serves, I laugh. "Lead the way to the library, you guys," I tell Ama and Bobbi.799Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMEzXRWros
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