The Dreamer's Fall

Chapter 15 - The Cat's Cradle

A knock from Arthur's bedroom door ended their quibbling over what was considered honorable in a fight.

"Come in!" Arthur shouted.

The door opened, revealing a nervous Harkon. "L-lord, are you sure I was chosen as your personal guard?"

"You're so silly." Arthur giggled. "Why would I lie about something so easily proven?"

"Ew..." Kyren muttered as he floated a step away from Arthur.

"I-I don't mean to call you a liar, lord. It's just... I don't think I deserve such an honor."

Arthur giggled once more as he grabbed a parchment from the vanity and scribbled on it. "Decide whether it's an honor after. For now, I just need you to follow me."

"Take this and bring it to the stable." Arthur handed Harkon the parchment. "It's permission to withdraw a mount. I want you to meet me at The Cat's Cradle, but you'll need to hurry and be there before I arrive."

Harkon received the parchment with a confused expression. "Lord?"

"I know it's strange, but I need you to follow my instructions without question, ok?"

"It's for my safety." Arthur added.

Arthur didn't feel the need to fully explain his plan to the kid. If he had, it would likely have created more questions than answers.

"Are you expecting a fight?" Harkon asked.

"No, but Father always says it's best to be prepared for anything." Arthur gushed out some lie and innocently threw up his fists as if ready for a fight.

Harkon smiled and bowed. "Ok, lord. I will meet you at The Cat's Cradle and handle any ne'er-do-wells we meet."

"You can count on me!" He added with gusto before exiting Arthur's bedroom.

Arthur's display seemed to convince him a little too well, and he began to worry whether Harkon would take the danger they might face seriously.

Now alone, Arthur suddenly had a thought and turned back to Kyren. "Can you see how many circles people have?"

"What?" Kyren's brows crumpled. "No, how would I?"

"Well, you're a spirit, and mana cores exist in a spiritual plane, no?"

"Kid, I don't know what you think being a ghost is... Everything looks the same as when I was alive, and since no one can see another's circles, I can't either."

Arthur pointed to the center of his forehead. "Look into my head."

"Do you really think I haven't accidentally walked through people in the last decade that I spent as a ghost?"

"Sure, but have you ever really paid attention when you did? Or did your vision fade to black for a moment, causing you to instinctively move out of the way?" Arthur asked confidently.

Kyren didn't need to respond. Instead, the answer was evident on his face as he searched his memories.

"Fine, I'll try it." Kyren mumbled in an annoyed tone as he floated over to Arthur before suddenly stopping. "Turn around, kid! I ain't trying to get that close to your creepy little face!"

Arthur chuckled and did as he was told. Since Kyren didn't exist on the material plane, Arthur didn't feel a thing when Kyren's head phased through his.

"It's just dark like every other damn time I've walked through someone. It's like I told you, kid. It ain't gonna..." Kyren's words trailed off.

Arthur laughed knowingly. "Oh? You're suddenly quiet now. I wonder why?"