Fateless

Chapter Nine: Our Job

~Ashlie's POV~

"So you're telling us that this guy was just locked in a room in the west wing, had a creepy conversation with you, and then you just left?" I crossed my arms, raising my eyebrow at the excited jester in front of me. "I don't know, Jon, that sounds pretty hard to believe."

"I know but guys, I'm telling you! It was so weird!" Jon rocked on the balls of his feet as he tried to convince his hastily assembled audience about his chance encounter.

"Jon," Uni said while yawning, "I'm sure this sounds like a really interesting dream but can't it wait till morning?"

"It wasn't a dream! It happened earlier today! Nick was there, he can back me up, right, Nick?"

I nudged the half-asleep knight next to me, causing him to start.

"Wha- huh?" He mumbled, pushing his glasses up his face.

"Tell them about the locked room and the weird guy!"

Nick rubbed his eyes before sighing. "I mean, Jon, I didn't see anyone in the room when you came out... maybe you just imagined it?"

Jon rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Yes, Nick, I totally imagined having a full conversation with a mysterious hooded figure because that makes so much sense."

Nick shrugged. "Alright cool, case closed. Can we go back to sleep now?"

Jon groaned and I laughed tiredly, running a hand through my long crimson hair before speaking patiently. "Alright, try explaining it once more."

Jon sighed as he started his story again. "So, there was this room that Nick was guarding and I technically wasn't supposed to be there."

"I'm still mad at you for lying." Nick grumbled. I swatted him on the shoulder, telling him to be quiet.

"And then we heard Captain Frank and Thompson coming so I had to hide, but all the doors were locked so we used the key to unlock the door Nick was guarding and I went inside and there was this creepy guy who seemed crazy. He talked very forebodingly and he was chained to the wall like a prisoner."

"Jon that doesn't make sense, we don't keep prisoners outside of the dungeons." Uni explained tiredly. Jon rolled his eyes.

"I know that, I'm just telling you what I saw!"

Uni shrugged. "And you said his name was Cobalt? I've never heard my father mention that name, nor have I heard it anywhere else in the castle before. What did he look like?"

"That's the name he gave me, but I don't think it was his real one. I couldn't get a good look at his face, it was covered by a hood and he was facing the window most of the time I was talking to him. It was weird."

"He didn't hurt you though, right?" Dawn asked, concern edging his voice.

"No, Dawn, I'm fine, thanks though!" Jon grinend at Dawn who nodded. I clapped my hands together, gaining everyone's attention.

"Well, Jon, from what you're telling us, this guy seems like bad news. I think it would be best if we just tried to forget about him."

Jon's smile faltered and he avoided our eyes. "Right, about that... I uh, kind of promised him that I'd visit him again..."

Nick gaped at him. "Jon!"

"I know, I know, that was dumb!" Jon said anxiously as he fiddled with one of the bells on his hat. "But he was so ominous..."

"That's usually not a good thing, Jon." Uni said.

"I know, but he knew so many things that he shouldn't have known!"