Carlard had left Arwund in the room together with Joandrey, who was apparently supposed to guard him. Arwund was still tied up and, knowing full well that Joandrey was a draconic human as well, he had thought it wise not to use his fire. 

"Sooo," Arwund said conversationally, looking up at his guard in the corner of the room, "what got you here in the first place?" 

Joandrey shrugged. "Poverty." 

"They pay you well, then?" 

"We don't get paid," Joandrey said. "We get fed." 

"Sounds interesting," Arwund said, trying to lean back, but failing because of his bonds. "Your family, too?" 

"I'm an orphan," was the reply. 

"Oh? Me too, I guess. Haven't seen my parents since I was... five, I believe." 

"I see." 

"I mean, I'm 57 now. You wouldn't say it, but you know, with the draconic lifespan and all..." 

"Good for you." 

Arwund tilted his head to one side. "You're not very talkative, are ya?" 

"No, I ain't," Joandrey snapped. 

Arwund stared at the desk, thinking. If he looked at the advantages and the disadvantages of joining the Servants and compared them to the advantages and disadvantages of not joining, what would be the best choice? Or perhaps he could join their ranks, take advantage of the security they offered him and hightail it when things got hairy? 

At that moment, Carlard came in. He looked at Joandrey and raised his eyebrows. "I see Bedreigh still has not returned? Do you know anything of his whereabouts?" 

"No, I don't," Joandrey said. "I simply ordered him to kill two unconscious men. It can't be so hard, can it?" 

Carlard let out a sigh. "I have a vague suspicion that boy's humanity got in the way. I should never have enlisted a human." 

Arwund struggled to keep a straight face. He had never heard anyone say the words humanity and human in such a disgusted tone of voice and he had to admit that he found it funny. 

"Bit late for that, I'm afraid," Joandrey said. 

Carlard looked her in the eye. He didn't speak a word, but his black eyes blazed in a warning. 

"I'll go look for him," Joandrey said immediately. She hurried out of the room. 

Carlard closed the door behind her and looked at Arwund. "I was wondering," he said, as if nothing had happened, "if you had already made up your mind." 

Arwund thought for a few more seconds, but then decided it was time to make a decision. He nodded. "I have." 

"And what is your decision?" 

Arwund looked at his captor. "I'm in."

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Enorwin and Bedreigh had once more descended into the catacombs when Maréin woke up. 

"Hello, my lord," was the first thing he said. 

Enorwin tilted his head to look at him. "Can you walk?" 

"I think I can," Maréin said. "What did I miss?" 

Putting Maréin down again, Enorwin explained, "The short version is that Arwund got kidnapped. Bedreigh over there is helping us find him." 

Maréin looked at Bedreigh, who gave him a short nod. 

"You're that man from the tavern, aren't you?" Maréin asked as the group began to walk again. 

Bedreigh averted his head. "Yes, I am." 

"He was ordered to kill us, but he says he couldn't do it," Enorwin said. 

Maréin smiled at him. "You made the right decision." 

"Thanks," Bedreigh murmured. 

They walked on. Bedreigh guided them through the network of corridors. It amazed Enorwin how big the complex was. 

"Do you know why this was built?" he asked Bedreigh. 

"There used to be a city above the ground," he said. "The catacombs were a part of it." 

"A city?" Enorwin asked in surprise. 

"It was destroyed long ago, I've been told." 

"By dragons?" 

"By dragons and humans. The dragons used their fire and the humans built huge weapons to match the dragons' strength. The city got caught in the crossfire." 

It was the first thing Enorwin had ever heard about knights aiding in the destruction of a city. According to his history books, the knights had always been the ones to stop the dragons from destroying cities. On the other hand, Bedreigh wasn't a historian. Enorwin's history books were probably more trustworthy than he was. 

Suddenly, he heard something. He stopped walking and raised his hand, signalling the others to stop as well. 

He drew his sword from his sheath and turned around. 

The hallway was empty. 

Or... looked empty. 

Yes, there he saw something. A shadow. Moving. 

He ran in its direction. Behind a pile of crates, he found Joandrey, holding a small blowpipe. 

"Drop that thing," Enorwin ordered, pointing his sword in her direction, "or else." 

Joandrey did as she was told. 

"Now raise your arms and get up," Enorwin said. 

Once more, Joandrey obeyed. Enorwin put a step backwards, still pointing his sword at her. 

"What are you gonna do now?" Joandrey asked. "Kill me?" 

"No," Enorwin said. "I'm turning you in to the authorities once we've freed Arwund." 

"We'll see about that," Joandrey said, challenging. 

Enorwin ignored her remark. "Walk in front of me," he commanded. "Remember: I'm wielding a sword." 

Joandrey smiled. "You're forgetting something, kid." 

"Which is?" 

"I'm a draconic human." 

And she breathed fire. 

Enorwin barely managed to jump aside in time. He could feel the heat of the fire permeating his tunic, scorching the cloth, but leaving him unharmed. He hit the stone floor with a crash, inadvertently dropping his sword. 

And he saw Joandrey, picking it up with an almost inhuman speed, and running away. 

"My sword!" he cried, getting up. He wanted to go after her, but she had already disappeared into a nearby corridor. 

He breathed in deeply, trying to stay calm. She had stolen his sword. His sword. It was one of the greatest possible insults to a knight, let alone to a prince. "Gods," he mumbled to himself, "when I get my hands on her..." 

He turned around. "Has one of you seen where she went?" 

"To the left, my lord," Bedreigh said. "But that corridor leads into one of the most complex parts of the catacombs. It'll be almost impossible to find her there." 

"We had better continue our search for Arwund, my lord," Maréin said. 

"She has taken away my only means of defence!" Enorwin protested. "How can I possibly face the person holding Arwund captive like this?" 

"Might I suggest not immediately resorting to violence?" Maréin said. 

"How do you intend to free Arwund without using violence?" Enorwin asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise. 

"Well," Maréin said, "we could try to free him when his captors aren't present. If that is not an option, we could negotiate. These people probably have a reason to kidnap our friend. Perhaps we can solve this in a different way." 

Enorwin laughed scornfully. "You're being naïve, Maréin," he said, beginning to walk again. "These people have wasted their right to negotiate when they attacked us." 

"To be completely fair," Maréin said, following him, "we attacked them in the tavern." 

Bedreigh walked next to Enorwin, guiding the way. "Well," he said quietly, "Carlard - our leader - did want me to kill you in the tavern. Even before you attacked us." 

"See?" Enorwin said, looking over his shoulder at Maréin. "They're up to no good." 

Maréin shook his head. "And therefore, like the animals we are, we stoop to the same level as them and respond to violence with violence." 

"They started it," Enorwin said. 

"They probably think we did." 

"We weren't plotting to kill anyone," Enorwin said. "And you have no right to lecture me." 

"Very well," Maréin said. "I'll just shut up, to say so in familiar terms." 

"You'd better," Enorwin said, sounding annoyed. As if that wanderer knew anything about what it meant to be a knight.

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"A very good decision, Arwund," Carlard said. "If you wish to become a Servant, then tomorrow I will bring you to the First Servant, our leader." 

"I thought that was you," Arwund said. 

"Oh, I have a fairly high rank, yes, but I'm not the First Servant," Carlard said. "We're a lot bigger than you're probably thinking." 

"How big are you?" Arwund asked. 

"It's perhaps better for everyone that you don't know," Carlard said. He proceeded to untie his prisoner. "You will be allowed to move freely within this room, but I will keep the door locked. In case you're still planning to escape: the door is as fireproof as those stone walls." 

"I'll remember." 

"I'm leaving you with Joandrey once she returns." 

As if on cue, the door was opened. Joandrey entered, carrying a sword. A sword Arwund immediately recognised as Enorwin's. 

"Where is Bedreigh?" Carlard demanded. 

"He's betrayed us," Joandrey said. "I saw him working together with the knight and his friend. They are alive. In fact, the knight almost killed me, but I managed to escape by breathing fire at him. He dropped his sword while evading the flame. I took advantage of that fact and stole his sword. He's unarmed now." 

"That's good," Carlard said. He sighed. "I feel compelled to send you after them again, but I need to arrange some things and I want you to guard our new recruit. Do you think you can fend them off now that they are unarmed or do you need my help?" 

"With ease," Joandrey said. "They caught me in a difficult position last time, but when I see them coming, defeating them will be a piece of cake." 

"Good," Carlard said. "Will you follow me out?" 

Carlard guided her out of the room, took a key out of his pocket and locked the door. "I want you to make sure Arwund stays where he is. And make sure that that annoying group that's chasing us is dealt with once it arrives here." 

"Carlard," Joandrey asked softly, so that the man in the room wouldn't hear, "do you really trust Arwund?" 

Carlard almost smiled. "Not one bit," he whispered, "but if we pay attention, he might come in handy. There is a chance he'll find out who he is one day. And I want him near me when that happens. That way, the problem can be dealt with swiftly and decisively." 

Joandrey grinned. "I like your thinking." 

"Thank you," Carlard said. He began to walk away, but turned around when something came to his mind. "Remember, Joandrey: don't disappoint me this time. It's in your best interest." 

"Understood," Joandrey replied. "They won't get away this time."

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Hi there! Thanks for reading! If you want to, please take the time to leave a comment, so I can improve my writing. Constructive criticism is appreciated! Thank you!

~ HeroicPenguin