“So, this is the guy who stole a grenade?” Hibiscus asks. “He doesn’t look too bad. I could probably take him.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCB3hk7wxM
"I'd prefer that you didn't, dear," Flo says. "We still need him to tell us who he's working with."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqZb4lX0Dp
"Yeah, and what he means by the real Crusaders," I add.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh4W4NfDEB
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3Cvkiodvb
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQeVWpP8nI
"What do you mean, calm?" Bobbi asks. "He's spitting mad!"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkWTxvaTYY
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnboGYQYb9u
"He does," I say. "It gives me the creeps a little bit. Who's going to go in there and ask him questions?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pq5wqMooy
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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYEoCGdjnX
"Rythe has a voice on him," I note.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqvyfSqL7D
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLkFdB6Z8n
"They sound like they'd be a good parent," I say. "Would you want that?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7ueIm4aUz
Flo shrugs. "I don't know yet. Neither do they. But we'll figure something out."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7WbiMsdOC
"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?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSdEwB7R2d
The gorgon says nothing, and Rythe growls. "Did. You. Steal. Weapons. From. The. Armory?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OV1WTNpyg
"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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHZX4arTLq
"But you acknowledge you are responsible for the stolen weapons?" Rythe asks.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloY5jo28Ws
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKFeZZ0vBM
"So you are... a ringmaster, of sorts, in all of this?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOFc6gn5rt
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCEiJKTqGq
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef3ihcWjCK
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjCWebdVvY
"Centuries," Flo breathes. "What is he talking about, centuries? Who has been waiting for an Oracle?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxuIEzwuka
"What do you mean, centuries? Does this have anything to do with these 'real Crusaders' that you talk about?" Rythe asks.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15OT58GHum
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkqEbOqAII
"List them, and I might spare your life," Rythe growls.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzzDPUeY1p
"As you wish," the gorgon says, a smirk toying at his lips. "May I have paper and pen?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMWLwE2JK3
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~!"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhFd7CSJTG
Klef wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Don't listen to him, sweetheart."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdqydjOPuw
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?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0GxF5i1pU
"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?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlkmPt8T4s
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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqEhD6ILPh
Bobbi cracks their knuckles. "I would fight anyone in our way."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2NUB5jryK
Flo smiles. "I would be the first in line to patch up your injuries."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRECjQj1enP
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!"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWnHCQE9xN
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kAe4Gv4r2
"So no worries, sweetheart," Klef says, giving my shoulder a squeeze. "We've got your back."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszoIkQX6K3
"I know," I say with a smile.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYYulLt71X
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHZaXpW7Jr
"What's the matter?" the gorgon asks with a bitter laugh. "Don't you trust me?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73B2mla4K2
"Not at all," they respond without hesitation. "Now, talk."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WrsNJfmkk
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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKsrK8X7BS
"You've done nothing wrong," I whisper back. "There's no way you could have known about these guys."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgj7sPNbZr
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIO2GX7y1I
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxqunjgQjY
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRSNP2MF0Z
"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%."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfvEbAFMxy
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOnD9XiR6K
Klef looks at me, before looking at the ground and sighing. "Yeah, I could use some mobility too. Let's round everyone up."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8ycJDZpAR
"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?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimhudANQic
"That sounds good," I say to Klef. "Wouldn't you like to find out where we should go after this?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxM8nA3hMy
“I guess…” Klef grumbles. “Let’s look at the maps and see what we can find.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FY2NYa6xT
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?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjX4RNANAX
“No,” Klef sighs.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbWipvmXGi
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!”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYIjF0Yzth
Klef worries his lip. “Ride, I know you’re trying to cheer me up…”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSXWHcDBqy
I don’t let him finish. “One more try, all right? Knock, knock!”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvlw2jlxtY
Klef rolls his eyes. “Oh, c’mon, Ride!”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8vgBRka83
“Knock. Knock!” I say with a grin.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSq9N6oolT
Klef sighs. “Who’s there,” he says flatly.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7EMWkYWEg
“Hatch.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwdxY7nEMC
“Hatch who?” he asks.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA9Y0Wj5tJ
“Bless you!” I say, the grin on my face that I am informed nearly matches his when he says a bad joke.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q6c4W2fgy
Klef smiles just a little, one half of his mouth twitching upward. “Not bad, Ride. Not bad.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX7UQBkwUN
I laugh a little. “I learned from the best, what can I say?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExzxTQA7s7
“That you did,” Klef points out. “Provided you mean me, of course. Can I finish what I was going to say, though?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2jBkNVJgX
I look down at him and stop walking. “Yeah, sure.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikF27J0dBa
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmWrJwtwnZ
“Doesn’t look like it,” I scoff. “You looked like someone was talking about forcing you to play nice with Dad!”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdROd3rnFaZ
Klef snorted. “Yeah, probably. That’s just because I don’t want to see you hurt, though, you understand that, right?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7ly7YomPK
“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?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhQxPtEKKh
“Okay,” Klef concedes. “Okay.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWt6LJI5UJ
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLXssmPZ9y
“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!”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt5tPpV2Pl
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3fwWd7zDO
Klef squints at me. “So… you want to go on another adventure?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSTc3CpqVZ
“Why not?” I ask. “I’m sure we could make it work.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gf9mhRZpP
“I guess we could,” Klef says, “But I still don’t feel crazy about adventures since our first.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRyuvCBlvL
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOKlSXdEIe
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ953awnGOOl
"Deal," I say, sticking my hand out.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjZc1pFz55
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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHu2qjxoay
"What can I say? Sometimes, I just have to show the best girlfriend in the whole world that I love her."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDe42379pC
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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEokF1RBrp
"Oh, I'm so sure," he says as he starts to walk to the main room where I gave my speech.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY0kqCbTIO
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pHCKN2GXD
"Yeah, I know," he says. "Just one of the reasons why I love you."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN6XCVgXdO
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUsLDtUB81
"No problem!" Klef chirps. "Happy to be of service. Does that mean I can kiss you publicly now?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMFBIeCQdC
I groan. "Treble!"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuZ5UC27ei
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a8dDpff6K
"I called it!" he yells, waving his hand. "I totally called it! I called it! I called it!"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHYzkZUhkq
"Yeah, you did, now shut up," I yell back. "I was trying to have a conversation before you started yelling."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEGkDuBHR5
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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRzHrYVtIP
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZsZqCxIJf
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZQHx6TRG2
I roll my eyes. "You and I both know that you were going home today anyway."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l4UjCb9oZ
"Yeah, so? Doesn't mean I couldn't have stayed longer today if you wanted me to," Geo says with a wink.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9hfY3pnWC
"Flirt," I say. "Go. Flirt somewhere else, with someone else. I'm spoken for."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWhoFXbkHE
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVP5jeXDNZ
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa58Zpmmaz5
"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?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgudiryLeT
He walks in the direction of the exit and Klef turns. "Don't worry, I'll keep this one away from trouble out there!"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztWULkXCdH
“You will keep me out of trouble?” I ask incredulously.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooSYiymzfT
Klef grins. “Probably not. I’d more likely put you in it.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ9xzHRo19
“Uh- huh,” I say. “That’s more accurate.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvrbXq5xoB
Klef grins and turns to continue walking with me. “So where do you think we should go?” he asks.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmHnkTzMaI
“I’d love to see the ruins,” I say. “Cliche a destination as that is.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvQX7Tbyw5
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV66JaE64aB
“I know, but I’m willing to get seasick,” I say. “And it can’t be as bad as when it first happened.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSffkqKeWrh
“That… I don’t think that was seasickness,” Klef laughs. “I think you came down with something.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7d3pEqV0b
I shrug. “Well, whatever the reason, it can’t be as bad as that first time.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX4dcZtrAR
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtqfDaM5KM
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXOsC33ySd
“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!”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2iKhYBkjG
“Klef, you were 5! Do you honestly think that your aunt would have let them teach you a song about a ‘drunken sailor’?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmdUixI1qR
“It’s better than a ‘lazy pirate,’ and it’s not like I would have known the connotations!” Klef argues.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsf2ccEIHg
“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--”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoAFmcJgZm
“--Don’t say it! The last verse is disgusting, I know!” Klef exclaims, gagging.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6RDNoCoRf
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbBoN0P2YJ
“That’s not a euphemism,” Klef argues.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe69xOze4J8
“Still gets the point across,” I shrug.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTRU6nDQY9
“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’?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcN0n3yY4L
“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…”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUHwj4RJ7B
“‘With’?” Klef prompts.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmWYS3ENLy
I blush beet red. “Uh, with one person. After I got close to them. No big deal, really.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2dNind2eC
Klef squints at me. “Oh…” he breathes. “Um… that’s awkward, considering…”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1osesXPmiP
“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…”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqhaoLvNyD
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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FYezslpeC
I nod. “Right. Of course. No problem,” I parrot.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrPGZpngdg
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrw2Z6Ukw6
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know. Now, about the maps?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt7MOjN9Og
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUnIgnTyDD
“Well, dying is not a pleasant experience,” I say. “It’s understandable to not want a Deuxlife. The prejudice is uncalled for, though.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4p2i74FPl
Klef bites his cheek and nods. “Yeah. Really uncalled for. Anyway, we have a lot of bases. Someone found… oh!”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXP5uFpCN1
“What?” I ask, moving closer and looking over Klef’s shoulder.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ007c8GZXO0
“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?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fgqPchKC5
I smile. “When the best boyfriend in the world asks so excitedly, how can I say no?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx4xBGquqc
Klef grins as he looks over to me. “It’s not a beach, I know, but…”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKBs7OWjEv
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDWoamMtLi
“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…”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStUQYTAX1T
“No!” I exclaim, laughing. “I’m just saying we’ll see one!”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hXU3gP70y
Klef rolls his eyes. “Yeah, okay, Iri. Whatever you say.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkpSPp2ff0
There are footsteps behind us. I turn to see Ama standing a few feet away. “Going somewhere?” she asks.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC2kc3qIyR
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU2Cfe4G6W
“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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnY53p5cFJ
I smile. “Okay. Thank you, Ama.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs49XOgNjYu
Ama smiles. “It’s my pleasure, Oracle. Or Rides, I suppose you prefer your name. I’ll do my best to remember that.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0qZY4OlQZ
I shrug. “That’s all I can ask of you.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfQrjqzdid
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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4shdzaUWcq
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.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7qfHniHAn
“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!”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpSa1MzvMk
“You have,” I allow. “But that doesn’t change how it looks.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDe7NiGTqI
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?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wral9zfd0
I consider it. "Nope," I say.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlGgZ8y4RP
Klef groans. "Come on, Ride. Work with me here!"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaer3YRZLF
I giggle. “I’m teasing, Klef.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPfN8HXS2f
Klef crosses his arms. “I don’t like it.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7lZwDy4aq
I roll my eyes. “Come on, let’s round up everyone so we can get transport settled. Sound good?”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Jc5RJoD6
Klef nods. “I could beat up some people who want to beat up you.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUrlF0uSW6
“Let’s go, then,” Ama says.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgvmj4cRfA
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbzNSORnGp
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa59xyTldFY
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eD8PFSIEQ
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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRUugC77VB
"Yeah, Flo's pretty intimidating when she wants to be," Ama agrees. "Often she just doesn't want to be."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvLiaGQTAM
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcHbH2rQSr
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUCFVckWeN
"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?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgF7oVDJZo
"I raise the dead," Ama said with a smirk. "I could say it's as simple and as complicated as that."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIEQURaZea
I bit my lip and try not to laugh as Klef sighs. "I walked right into that one," he admits.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqY7fULt9T
"Yeah." I agree. "You really did."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nzSDWHwFK
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B1r3XuBQN
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2amDC7ul1O
Klef nods. "Good. Ride deserves that kind of protection."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ6zk6IJ77
“If I deserve that kind of protection, then everyone does. I’m not one for special treatment.”716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BTmPKUdxN
"Yes, we all know your positions on special teatment, Ride," Klef says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Doens't change how we feel."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWfrtUfWaj
"Yeah, I know, I know," I grumblr. "My point still stands."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAcugOQrgA
Ama turns to us. "So, you're going to the Ancient Lands now, yes?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAeTtfhIVj
"Yeah," I say, shrugging. "Provided Klef still wants to go, we're all set to leave, too."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0iQuOvMxc
"I can get someone over here to help you figure out how you want to get there soon, by, say, this evening?" she offers.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1xBwLR6lw
"That would be great!" I exclaim. "Can you really do that?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyVTzZvbAV
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEL9OrZoB6
I grin. "That sounds fantastic! Doesn't it, Klef?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYRsrJpPjx
Klef nods. "Yeah, sounds like just what we need. Are you sure it's no trouble?"716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsizO6YkOkG
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o0fSjI1gQ
"You crushing on someone?" Bobbi teases as they walk up.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTixGZbuMV
"Hm? Oh, no! I was just telling Rides and Klef here about Luke."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqjginvXBP
"Oh! Luke! Yeah, he knows his was around the planet if you're looking for travel."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6lrOwfy3x
"Well, that's what we're doing," Klef says.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQte2MLOvx
"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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIovxVlqMj
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGnmOyXgIo
"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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBYhkTG9vS
"Hearts sounds good," Klef says. "You remember how to play, right Ride?" he asks.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpsQKBs8VZ
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."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcZuFvPiVv
Klef sticks his tongue out. "I don't like that bird anyway."716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChvepc4yUX
"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.716Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKJvPzMFCD
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