Chapter 51: Crushed
When Irwin woke the next morning, Daubutim had already left. Staring at his friend's empty bed, Irwin fell back, staring at the rugged stone ceiling. He'd already lost Greldo. Was he going to lose Daubutim too?
Greldo isn't dead, he thought, angry at his own mind for implying it.
Forcing himself out of his warm bed, he rushed into his clothes before heading down to the mess. It was busy even this early, but after getting a plate of food, he found Jousithr in the back.
"So, it's only the two of us today," Jousithr said in greeting. "Are you ready to face Sebastian? He's been talking about nothing but putting you in your place, whatever that is supposed to mean."
Irwin started as he looked at the stale bread and lumps of undefinable vegetables. He'd totally forgotten about having to fight Sebastian again. As the image of the boy came to his mind, there was an odd high-pitched squeaking from the table. Looking down in surprise, he saw his hands had pinched indents into the table's edge.
"You… aren't going to kill him, are you?" Jousithr asked.
"What? Of course not!" Irwin snapped as he looked up to see the lordling watch him with clear trepidation. "I'm just angry that… Daubutim is out there alone," he finally ground out.
As he said it, he realized it was true. As little desire as he had to go out in the cold to fight Frozir, which was probably the worst matchup for him, he'd have preferred being with Daubutim. They had each other's back for months and knowing he was now out there was angering him.
Jousithr continued to look at him for a while before finally sighing and picking at his food.
"Don't worry about him. He is with the guard group that stays closest to Degonda. I'm more worried about that rare portal. There is only one group that can close those, and if they lose anyone…"
Irwin stuffed his mouth, trying not to get distracted by the softer bits. Absently he realized the food was getting worse by the week. If this continued, they were going to run out and starve before the demons got them.
If I can learn card reforging, he thought, ignoring the gagging noises Jousithr made. Then he could at least fix one of those problems.