Lowell

Chapter 12

"Damuron why don't you like me?" Lowell asked he followed the young man through the street.

Damuron's cold blue eyes glared at him. "I don't trust you. That's why. I don't trust you near Hanna. I don't trust you with the knights. Hell, I don't trust you near a stove."

Lowell pouted and leaned into his arms. "I didn't mean to cause a fire."

The young man thought his blood might boil over. "You were making a sandwich!"

"To be, fair I've never cooked before, but I thought Hanna might be impressed if I could cook." Damuron couldn't tell if the man was sincere or not. Nobody was that hopeless, but then Lowell seemed to always prove him wrong. He didn't know what to think of the man.

"She might be impressed." But, not for the reason, the Krytian was hoping. The fool just kept smiling. What a moron. Or maybe, that was his ploy. "Or she'll think your pathetic."

Lowell seemed to think for a minute. "Then why don't you teach me?""

"No."

Lowell pouted. "Please?"

"No."

Lowell pulled him to a hug. "Please!"

Damuron struggled to pull out of the hug, "No! Get off me!"

Lowell smirked and hugged tighter. "I'll let go if you promise to teach me!" Damuron tried to pry himself out, but the Krytian man was stronger than his body portrayed. "Well?"

He huffed. "Fine."

Hisca and Chastel watched Yuri dote on Repede while they waited for Flynn to return. The twins looked at the halfer and thought the sight was rather sad. For someone who didn't like animals, he seemed to be very torn about the matter. Niren watched the young man go about with the dog on his heels. The captain wasn't a man to delve in feelings too much, but he understood. There's a pain in killing someone that you never wanted to. It's bitter, long, and never quite heals right.

Yuri pat Repede's head softly as he lay inside the common area. The puppy cuddled into his chest content just to be spoiled. He smiled bitterly as the puppy asked once again to know where his father was. Yuri tried to explain, but how do you kindly explain death? He wasn't sure. When Finath had died they'd just been sad. Heroes and knights weren't supposed to die. That's what Yuri thought when he was a kid. But, then the letter came.

One little letter and suddenly death faced them. It was confusing and bizarre. They both hadn't believed it at first and had almost hoped death was a fairy tale. Of course, it isn't, but kids can dream. Repede, while a dog, was still young and couldn't understand the loss of his father. It would take time and Yuri was certain the puppy would be furious with him. He'd deal with that when it came time.

Hisca approached him slowly. "You know, animals aren't allowed inside."

"Whatever." He muttered.

Chastel huffed. "If you're going to go spoiling Repede do so outside."

Yuri just turned his head. "Who cares? It's one dog."

"You can't just make exceptions whenever you feel like it!" Repede barked and snorted. Yeah, Chastel is a drag. Hisca stopped her sister and shook her head. Chastel groaned. "Fine do what you want." She stormed off.

Yuri glanced at Hisca who stood fiddling with her hands. "I think that it's nice that you care so much. But, don't push your luck! You're already on thin ice just for being… you." And, she was gone.

Repede barked. "Yeah, I know. People are really weird about their rules." Yuri lay about with the puppy till he insisted on wanting to walk around. "Fine by me. Lead the way."