Chapter 17

Byron clenched his fist. The frostbite numbness seemed to linger from his run in with the Drezir. His fingers were back to their original color now but his senses never felt the same.

"this could really throw me off..."

Claire appeared in the door frame of Byron's room. "What's got you all sour?" She pointed at her own face which was smiling wide. "Come on grumpy pants, cheer up for once!"

Byron rolled his eyes. Claire was one of the few people in the dawn brigade his age, but she wasn't his ideal company. Byron preferred to brood. Alone. For hours probably.

"It's... It's nothing..." Byron looked down at the floor, "Do you think the Drezir got Torin?" He couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy, no combat training, and no magic training. It was likely he'd never see Torin again.

Claire folded her arms and frowned, "oh is grumpy getting attached? Psh please, Thena wouldn't let anything happen to Torin... But it is strange they haven't returned." She closed her eyes tight like she was thinking really hard. "Should I have the potatoes or broccoli tonight?" Then she walked away like it was no big deal.

Byron groaned. He didn't know why, but Torin seemed like good company right now. He shook his head and stretched his fingers again trying to regain feeling in them.

Thump

The wooden planks above him softly creaked. A familiar voice whispered, "since it's dark out most everyone should be asleep. Let's move Torin, quickly before anyone sees us!" It was Thena's voice. She was whispering quite loudly. She really wasn't born for stealth.

Byron leapt up from his bed and headed to the doorway. Sure enough, slowly coming down the steps was Thena, crouched and awkwardly holding her finger to her mouth in a shushing command. She was looking around like she expected someone to pop out at any moment. Right behind her was torin who was casually walking upright behind her. Ironically he was making far less noise than Thena.

Byron stepped out of the door and waved silently to them. They both looked shocked at first but then slowly headed towards Byron.

Thena approached closer. And she kept getting closer. Almost too close. Byron was starting to feel uncomfortable now at how close she was. She was an arms reach distance from him. Then she got even closer and pulled his collar. She whispered into his ear, "don't tell anyone we were here."

Byron shivered. This was the closest he had ever been to someone, let alone a girl. He pulled away from Thena's grasp, "ok ok, I won't! Please just let me go." Byron wasn't expecting to be assaulted today. He turned around trying to regain his composure.

Torin spoke, "Byron, where is Arthur?"

Byron froze. "Arthur?.... I... I don't think I've seen him since yesterday, actually. Why?"

Thena and Torin looked at each other then nodded. Thena slapped Byron's shoulder, "looks like you're part of the super secret gang crew now, if you don't come willingly we will force you." Thena smiled in a devilish way.

Torin waved his hands like he was trying to clear up some misunderstanding, "well that's a bit aggressive... But yeah actually, you're going to have to come with us." Then he shrugged.

Byron was in all sorts of confusion. He learned a very important lesson that day though.

Trying new things, like saying "hi" first and being friendly, gets you into all sorts of trouble.