Leaning against a pillar of the garden gates as night fell, Cassius was not entirely surprised to hear the familiar tread of another man approach along the gravel walkway. Placing his back against the opposite side, he addressed Cassius unceremoniously. "Must you loiter here as well?" he berated.
Amused by his blatant hostility, Cassius smirked from the outer face of the pillar. "How long have you known I've been coming here, Priest?" he replied, calmly. Although, unable to see the man, Cassius could clearly ascertain the extent of his annoyance from his tone, as Barnibus replied, "I figured you wouldn't be able to leave her alone."
Cassius scoffed at the accusation. Crossing his arms in front his broad chest, he could not resist pointing out the hypocrisy of his statement, "Is it different for you?"
"Of course, Ari is the most precious person in the world to me." Barnibus answered, unabashedly speaking of her affectionately in Cassius's presence.
Frustrated at having to defend his feeling before they were even confessed to Aribelle herself, Cassius responded pointedly, "And you don't believe that she is just as precious to me?"
"I think that you might believe that to be the case." The Priest answered critically, emphasizing the 'you' in order to point out that he thought Cassius to be alone in his affections. "But you've only just met her, how could you say that your feelings are equal to someone she's known most of her life?" Barnibus remarked disapprovingly. It was a ridiculous argument to Cassius, who had lived too long to form a petty bond with a human woman. However, Cassius supposed that as her closest family it was their prerogative to make such outlandish declarations as his future in-laws. "I may still have much to learn of her, however I care for Aribelle genuinely." He stated adamantly.
Hearing a lengthy sigh from the other side of the pillar, it was followed by another attempt to dissuade Cassius from forming any more lasting attachments to Aribelle. "If you really do feel for her then, you'll let her go. It isn't safe for Ari here any longer." Barnibus reasoned. The plea now involving questions towards Fawn's safety, Cassius grew tense. The muscles in his jaw beginning to tighten, he responded restlessly, "Would it have anything to do with those burns from earlier?" The recollection of the image still stirring a fury within him, Cassius quelled it so that he might remain rational for Fawn's sake.
"As I'm sure you're already aware of, Ari is special." Burdened by a statement he did not even comprehend the sheer magnitude of, Barnibus explained slowly. "She always has been, but we thought she would be safe here in the Abbey." Pausing for a moment in his account, a silence fell over the garden. Seeming less magical tonight without Aribelle in it, Cassius thought distractedly as his thoughts naturally drifted back to her, that it too seemed to miss her.
"We were wrong though." Continued Barnibus gravely on with his tale, "Now the Crown might have caught wind of her, a captain of the Lion Guard is particularly keen for her to relinquish the protection of the Church." Although a vague simplification of what Aribelle must have endured, Cassius was able to glean enough from his story to understand the sudden urgency of her departure.
Still reflecting on the details Cassius had just received, he muttered to himself curiously, "So Fawn, also displayed some abilities even under the concealment."
"Concealment?" Barnibus queried, obviously leaning in from the other side of the pillar to hear him. In slight awe that the human was able to pick up on the utterance, Cassius was also equally irked at having to explain it to him. "Hmm, yes. Fawn possess a very potent ancient magic." Cassius said, adding seriously, "Although, I am not certain of the reason yet."
"Is it dangerous?" Barnibus asked concerned, the gravely shifted under his feet as they inched nearer.
"Well, it will attract the attention of more than just menacing humans." Cassius answered ruefully. Aware that her powers were getting more pronounced by the day, the comment was phrased somewhat mildly for Barnibus's benefit.
Looking for a solution for this new realm of potential threats. Barnibus inquired academically, "And this 'concealment' can it be reapplied."
"Her powers have grown since reaching adulthood, it would take a very skilled wizard indeed to create another." Cassius submitted, knowing that with the wizards under the control of the royal family in the current day, the suggestion would be highly improbable. Then he offered a more obtainable proposal, "However, as long as I am near Fawn, my power should deter anything attracted to the allure of her magic."
"And who exactly are you to have such a power?" Barnibus rebuffed skeptically, suspicious that it was simply a scheme stick close to Aribelle.
Cassius hesitated, measuring the risks of his next admission briefly beginning, "I suppose there is no harm in telling you now."
"Telling me what?" asked Barnibus impatiently.
"That I'm a dragon." Cassius stated coolly, as though it had been as simple as commenting on the weather. Met with disbelief, Barnibus turned to look at him from the metal bars running mid-way up from the brick walls encircling the garden. However, something about Cassius's countenance must have made his claim mildly credible, as his negation was succeeded by another question. "That-that's absurd! Does Aribelle know?" Barnibus exclaimed.
Cassius nodded in confirmation, "We have an arrangement, yes."
Turning away from him, Barnibus collapsed back onto the pillar wearily. His worry for Aribelle only multiplying after receiving this information, his back slide down its flat surface before he spoke again. "I don't like the idea of Ari being associated with a dangerous creature like you." He said grudgingly.
"I could say the same, Priest." Cassius rebuked. Recalling the ferocity in his eyes near the creek, he too had spied a glimpse of a nature Barnibus unmistakably kept hidden from Aribelle.
"But." Barnibus appended, "I cannot defend her from any magical creatures that should try to harm her. So, I'll turn I bling eye should you decide to follow." He allowed reluctantly.