When Fin left, Nali didn’t know what to think. He realized something, that much was evident, and that thing had scared him. “If I could just get out of this cell…” he murmured to himself. It was very different from his chambers in the castle. Plus, the food was disgusting, but the centurions seemed fine with it. He hated to admit it, but he was starting to look forward to Fin’s visits. It was the only thing to do in the cells, other than talk to the other prisoners. They had tried one day. It didn’t go well. “Hey, uh… Newbie. I’m a centurion of the second cohort, Myers. Who are you?” said the prisoner closest to him, on his right. “Yeah, at first I thought you were unimportant, but you got taken to this reinforced cell with us,” said the one on the other guy’s right. “I can’t really tell you much, but I can tell you that I am far more important than you.” Nali replied. The conversation ended there. Though, they didn’t talk with him, Nali could tell they were jealous. “He is getting the special treatment from the prince.” Said one to another. “Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was let out of here.” Well… the Prince does seem to like him better than the others. He wondered why that was. First, I need to find out what he realized. What could have happened while he was imprisoned? Hmm… It had been three weeks since he had been captured… Could his mother have sent someone to rescue him? The idea elated him, though he also felt kind of sad. He didn’t know why. Maybe… oh! It had been three weeks! Nira had come as a spy! He wondered how she was doing it. But how did Fin know? *** Fin needed to tell someone, but who could he trust? Not his father, that much was obvious. His siblings had a chance of telling, and he didn’t really know anyone else. He could tell Nali, but after leaving like that, he didn’t want to come back, unless it was something really, really important. He stopped in his tracks. He had an idea! *** In the throne room, he had a private audience with the king. Yes, even the prince had to get an audience with him. “Father, you know how you are always telling me to get out of the castle and make friends?” “Yes?” The king boomed. “Well, I might have made a friend, but…” “But what? Speak up, boy!” “He is… not an elf,” the last part was rushed. “A human? But they are powerless, and so weak!” “No…” “A vampire?!?! WHY? HOW? I WILL NOT HAVE VAMPIRES IN MY KINGDOM!” “But, he is one of the prisoners!” “A vampire CENTURION!?” “No! He is not a centurion, just a random vampire! He was captured by accident!” he didn’t know why, but Fin felt like telling the king about Nali’s royalty would not be very well for either prince’s health. The king debated for a while before finally starting to answer. “Well… if he is just a random one… alright. Your friend,” he said that word like it tasted bad. “Can be let out of his cell. BUT! You will be responsible for everything. Understand?” “Yes, Father.” Fin said this with as much respect as he could muster. This was the first time he actually had a friend. Most of his time was spent in the castle with books. Lots, and lots of books. He rushed down to the dungeons and said, “Nali, I have great news!”