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‘A noble claim,’ said Ozolos. ‘If only it were the truth.’

‘I can do naught else but give you my word,’ said Nixil. ‘In the end, it is your choice whether to trust it.’

Then there came a long silence.

So long, in fact, that Gema began to think that perhaps she was missing something. Which made sense, she supposed, considering how lost she’d ended up.

She looked around the dining chamber another time and noticed a few more Methusel than before, but knowing what she did of them, they may very well have been there all along.

One thing was certain, though: she was more uncomfortable than ever. She remembered thinking that, if things got any tenser in here, she might have trouble breathing, and yet somehow, it was still a surprise to find that she had actually been right about that.

Her breaths were hard and sharp. Not difficult, necessarily. But she had to concentrate on them a little. Force the air in.

Even if she couldn’t follow what the reapers had been saying, she could follow this feeling. And it didn’t bode well.

Finally, Ozolos spoke up again. ‘I’m afraid I must respectfully decline.’

‘That is a shame,’ said Nixil. ‘But I hope to change your mind before your stay here concludes.’

‘I think we will also be cutting our stay short,’ said Ozolos. ‘In fact, we will be leaving immediately, as there is something we must report to Captain General Frederick. Thank you for your hospitality, good Rahja.’ And then privately to Gema, he added, ‘Stand up and go.’

Oh. Geez. Uh. Crap. She did as she was bid and moved to leave. She made it most of the way across the room before Nixil’s next word arrived.

‘Stop,’ was all he said.

But it was said with force. It reverberated in her mind and body at once, and Gema couldn’t help but do so.

She tried, but for some reason, she couldn’t take another step.

And it was all she could do to not panic.

Ozolos’ silent voice remained as calm as ever, however. ‘And so your true colors are revealed. That was surprisingly easy. I thought you would at least let us leave the building.’

‘I do not appreciate these games, Ozolos.’

‘No. You do. You simply do not appreciate losing them.’

‘Hoh! I’ve lost, have I? Why? Because you’ve succeeded in irritating me?’

‘In part, perhaps. But primarily, because you are out of practice sparring with equals.’