The young boy, who had been sulking in the opposite corner since their return, rushed forward once he heard Aribelle's voice.
Ignoring the grown men as he brushed past them. Acting faster than any of them, Marten pushed her back down into the mattress firmly. Immediately reprimanding her, he said gruffly "You're not allowed to move yet, just lie down." Still bewildered by the circumstances, Aribelle relented to his demands. Barnibus and Mikel being much the same when they were younger, she was familiar with this form of misplaced agitation that stemmed from their concern.
Satisfied, that she would comply to his request, Marten stood abruptly. Turning away from her, he added "I'll get you something to eat." About to run off, he was stopped by a weak tug on his sleeve. Reaching out, Aribelle had grasped the edge of the fabric between her thumb and fore finger. Squeezing it softly, she smiled warmly as the boy peered over his shoulder, still in a huff. "Thank you, Marten." Aribelle said gently.
Although still scowling, she saw Marten's eyes begin to water before he pulled away from her. Sighing wearily, she watched as the boy stormed off, rubbing his eyes with the back of his sleeve. Momentarily forgetting the men that remain in the room, she muttered to herself "That kid should really be more honest."
"Aribelle, how can you be so flippant, when you had us all scared to death?" berated Mikel angrily.
"Mikel, I'm fine. You didn't need to come here." Aribelle replied, rolling her head to the side to regard him.
"Ari, you know we can't just do nothing when we hear that you've collapsed in the street." Said Barnibus, who was seated next to Mikel.
Her brows furrowing as she felt her head ache once more, she answered "It's not like when we were kids, Barni. You don't have to look after me all the time."
"You were reckless, Fawn." Said the third man in the room. The sudden sound of his voice made Aribelle flinch. Although, his words were not harmful, the displeasure in his tone was clearly discernable. Stunned for a moment, she slowly adjusted her head to regard him.
Although, this was the first time seeing him this way, there was something recognizable in his features that told her this was the dragon from the cave. His golden eyes still the same, they were set among the sharp features of his face, surrounded by hair as black as his scales. The fire he wielded as a dragon, seemed captured in the blazing of his stare and warm brown of his skin, Cassius was every bit as mesmerizing as a human. However, his inherently noble demeanor and intimidating stature, made Aribelle increasingly uncomfortable the longer she gazed upon him.
Identifying the man beside her, his name sprung forth naturally "Cassius?" she said weakly. Encouraged by a vague hint of a smile on the corners of his thin lips she followed with a question "Why? "
"I grew tired of waiting." He replied, his narrow eyes softening as they met hers.
Suddenly bashful, she turned her head away from him, "How did you find me?" Aribelle asked.
Pausing to reach into a pocket of his cloak, he produced her necklace. Dangling the little stone under her nose playfully, she took it from him feebly. "You were spilling out so much magic, that it was child's play to track you down." Perplexed by this statement, Aribelle was about to inquire further into the meaning of his words, when their conversation was interrupted by Mikel's stern voice "Ari, how do you know this man?"
Noticeably infuriated that they shared some sort of secret history, Mikel's fists were clenched tight enough to turn his knuckles white as he threw daggers with his eyes at Cassius. Aribelle looked helplessly between him and Barnibus. At a loss for a logical explanation for her relationship with Cassius, her mouth opened but could not supply them with an answer.
This world still stringent in their view towards relationships between members of the opposite sex. It was uncommon for unrelated men and women to form friendships in adulthood. Even then they would need to be properly introduced and only meet in company rather than privately. It was of less importance for common people, such as herself to follow social protocol, however claiming Cassius to be a friend did not seem to be believable, even to her. Yet, announcing she had made a deal with a dragon would inevitably cause a scene and possible further destruction. 'Why did he have to transform into a handsome man?' she thought grudgingly, 'Why couldn't you have changed into a fluffy bunny or something?'
Whilst, Aribelle searched for a plausible alternate excuse in her tired mind. Cassius offered the most obvious, but troublesome, one imaginable "We're lovers." He stated casually. Wishing to negate this fervently, Aribelle sat upright instantly. Only to be guided back down by the three anxious men as they continued to argue over her. Without missing a beat, hand still placed on her shoulder, Mikel objected "Absolutely not."
Barnibus quickly followed decisively in a severe tone Aribelle had scarcely heard before, "I forbid it!"
"And who are you to dictate whom her lover may be?" Cassius inquired, unperturbed.
"We're her family." Retorted Mikel.
The softness in his expression completely dissipating now, Cassius regarded them with annoyance. "Family or otherwise, you are undeserving of my respect, if you've allowed her to deteriorate in such a manner that she ends up fainting on the street." He said scathingly.
Feeling guilty, as it appeared the three men might come to blows. Aribelle attempted to speak, however found her throat to be so dry that she coughed dryly instead. Quickly supplied with a small wooden cup, filled with water by Barnibus. Mikel ceased their argument to gently support her head while she took a few tentative sips. More embarrassed and sheepish now, Aribelle only managed to stifle another coughing fit as she leant back down.
Resuming their conversation, Mikel glared back at Cassius. Adopting an accusatory tone, he replied "We'll if she wasn't sneaking off into the forest to meet a rogue like you at obscene hours of the morning, perhaps she wouldn't have fallen ill in the first place."
Aribelle, noticed Barnibus's expression darken. Silently contemplating the information Mikel had just carelessly divulged, he seemed profoundly hurt as he came to draw some internal conclusion. "Is this why you felt so strongly about remaining here?" he asked incredulous. Increasingly losing his temper, he did not wait for a response before slamming the cup down onto the ground. "Because of this scoundrel?!" he exclaimed.
Scowling in outrage at them, Barnibus stood. "I don't care if you do hate me. I won't allow him to take you from us as long as I draw air on this earth!" He declared indefinitely, before storming from the room.