Chapter 83: Dark Hound
"Do you think he was going to hurt you?" Lamia asked softly.
Irwin shrugged as he gazed at the door to double-check check it was closed. It was and had been since the guard that had brought him here had closed it. The guard, a silent man with massive shoulders, had been waiting for him outside Uxin'tar's room. Without a word, the guard had led him to the luxurious set of rooms he was in now.
"I don't know, but I'm pretty sure he had a card a whole lot stronger than a rare," he said as he looked at Daubutim.
His friend was frowning, his eyes going from dull to sharp, as if he was working through something on the edge of his capabilities. Irwin sighed and leaned back, thinking back to the crazed look in the old sorcerer's eyes. He looked around the room absently, taking in the luxurious surroundings.
The soft stools they sat in were angled to each other in a squarish room. One door led out, while three others connected to the sleeping quarters they had been assigned. Beautifully carved wooden decorations covered the door frames, a delicate painting of a forest landscape hung on one, and a column against one of the walls.
"I have… read something," Daubutim said, his words haltingly as if he tried to recall something.
Irwin stared at him in surprise, wondering what was going on. Of all Daubutim's oddities, his perfect recollection was the one thing that had seemed to be his greatest strength. How could he not-
Daubutim rose and began pacing. "I was… four," he muttered. "The book was on fathers desk, and it was open. I remember it well. Something about Gelwin, a report not meant to be common knowledge. Why can't I recall it?"
Irwin was gaping at him and shared a quick look of incredulity with Lamia.
Because you are not supposed to be able to remember something from when you were four, Irwin thought. Then he blinked. Wait, Daubutim could read at age four? Was that normal?
After a minute, Daubutim returned to his seat and looked at Irwin.
"I can't recall the details, but there was something in it about Gelwin, the sorcerers, and…" he shook his head in disgust. "It feels like I'm missing something."