The Believer

Chapter Nine: The Interrogation

When Helewis Bronsky woke up, he found Casey Caster standing in front of him.

"Ah, good, you're awake."

Helewis tried to reply, but found that he was physically unable to move his mouth. When he tried to get to his feet, he realized his wrists were bound by some invisible string, that only became visible when he tried to move, at which point it glowed red, and stung him.

He glared at the young wizard, wishing he could ask a few questions. In the meantime, he glanced around at his surroundings. He was in a sort of camp, with two other young women sitting nearby, one of which was his target, Avina. The other girl was familiar only as the useless brunette who had originally stood in his way. Both watched him carefully.

"So, Bronsky," Casey said. "We've got some questions for you."

Helewis continued to glare, trying to convey to Casey that he couldn't speak.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot." Casey waved his wand and said some spell under his breath. Helewis found he was now able to talk.

"What the vile sackan is the meaning of this, Caster?" He demanded. "I thought we had... a truce?"

"It wasn't me who knocked you out," Casey said apologetically. "That was my apprentice, Wilky, over here."

Wilky waved. "Sorry about that." She didn't look too sorry, considering she was grinning.

Helewis rolled his eyes. "Whatever. What's with the restraints?" he tugged at the invisible bindings again, wincing as they burned his skin.

"Just wanted to make sure you wouldn't follow us," Casey said. "And we wanted to ask you about a few things."

Helewis rolled his eyes. "What did you do with my daggers?"

"I've got them. Just had to confiscate them temporarily."

"You do plan to give them back, right?"

"Of course. Once I know I can trust you. Now, Helewis," Casey began, but Thea interrupted him.

"Wilky, why don't you go get some firewood?"

"But it's still light out," Wilky protested, confused. "Why do we need firewood?"

"We'll need it tonight," Thea sighed, annoyed.

"Oh. Okay!" Wilky said brightly, leaving the camp to go search for firewood. She was annoyed at being excluded from the interrogation, but by this point, understood that Thea had many secrets she wasn't willing to reveal.

"Thea, why couldn't we have let her stay?" Casey asked. "She'll figure it all out sooner or later."

"It's none of her business," Thea muttered, watching Wilky until she was out of earshot. "So, Draegon sent you to find me?"

"I'm not telling you shrik, missy."

Casey jabbed his wand into Helewis's throat, narrowing his eyes. "Tell her what she wants to know."

Helewis scowled right back. "Make me."

Casey's lip twisted in a little smirk that made Helewis squirm. "Is that a challenge, Bronsky?"

"It is." Helewis shifted his gaze from Casey to Thea and wriggled, sitting up as straight as he could. "Do your worst."

Casey laughed. "I don't need to! Wilk."

Helewis blinked. "Was that supposed to-"

Casey lowered his wand. "Go ahead, Thea." he yawned.