Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld

Chapter 23: Defiant Dispute

Seeing the group flying after them, Rook is shocked, "You came after me?"

Why wouldn't we? Yer outta yer apple-pickin' mind if you thought we'd just sit around! Like Ah'd ever let you go alone! We're comin' with ya!" Epel says.

"Oh là là! That you must not do, Monsieur Pommette. It's much too dangerous!" Rook cries out.

Epel retaliates, "Ain't it the same for you?! You couldn't do diddly-squat against those armored varmints!

"Well..." Rook tries to say something.

But Epel interrupts him, "If you ain't gonna stop, Ah'll smack you offa that broom mahself! Ah'll light yer whole broomstick on fire!" and brings out his magepen, "Eat this!"

And Epel begins to cast his magic, but begins to have trouble with his broom, "Confound it! Ah can't control the broom an' cast at the same time..."

"Epel! Be careful! You're going to fall off!" Sereia cries out.

"Non! Stop this, Epel!" Rook calls out.

But Epel refuses, "Ah'll stop when you do! Hrah!"

Epel begins to cast his magic again, but it's difficult for Epel to fly and cast his magic at the same time, "Urgh... I can keep goin'! One more shot!"

But Rook cries out, "Je me rends! All right, I surrender! Epel, let us find some place to land."

"No way! I ain't goin' back, an' that's that!" Epel refuses.

"That's not what I was suggesting," Rook says, "We should take a moment to calm down and talk. And if I might add, you'll freeze into an Ep-sicle if you keep flying in those clothes. Really now. You're not even using a windblocker spell! Your lips are as blue as the sky. Rest assured, I won't try to send you back. Just follow me."

Tanzanite says, "Guys, I think we should take Rook's word for it."

"I have to agree," Sereia replies.

Trinket nods her head.

Epel reluctantly agrees.

Jasper calls out, "Alright Rook, lead the way."

Rook nods and leads the others to the lakeside near the Dwarf Mines.

Just then, Epel begins to shiver, "Brrr... I'm about freezin' mah fingers off..."

"Yeah. I'm getting cold myself," Jasper says.

"I'm gold," Sereia says, shivering.

Rook observes the group, "Your hands and cheeks are cold as ice. Your hands and cheeks are cold as ice. I'll get a fire going."

Rook then uses his magic to cast his fire magic to create a fire for the fireplace.

"Good thing I brought a thermos of hot tea," Rook says, and made everyone some tea.

Once he is done and passes to everyone, Rook says, "Now go on everyone, drink up. It should help you get warm.

"This isn't cursed, right?" Epel questions, "You're not going to put us to sleep and leave us here, are you?"

"Hardly. Unless you're Vil, one cannot simply conjure up a curse without an incantation and special equipment," Rook says.

Tanzanite turns to the others, "He does have a point."

And with that, everyone begins to sip their tea.

Epel sighs in relief, "Ahh... That's better. I feel alive again..."

"It feels nice and warm," Sereia says.

Trinket also agreed.

"I admit I'm rather shocked. I did not expect you all to come after me," Rook says.

Epel then says, ""Yeah, I know. We might only slow you down. I won't ask you to take us along. But I'm going to follow you either way. Those people hurt our housewarden and our friends. I'm not gonna just take that!"

Rook remains silent and scowling, which is noticed by the others.

Epel demands, "Why are you scowling? You left without permission too, you know! I don't see how you're any better than me! You can scold me all you want, but I'm not going back!"

"Non, you have it wrong. I'm not angry with you," Rook says with a smile.

"Huh?" Epel replies, confused.

"I'm angry with myself for failing to give your tenacious spirits due credit," Rook says.