ELEVEN: A Warning

"Don't be afraid. It won't burn you."

Thane spoke gently as if coaxing a child while he held out a clay pot filled with burning oil.

"... at least I think," he added, turning his face away from the flame's uncomfortable heat.

"How comforting," Ira rolled his eyes. "I still think this is a bad idea."

Leaving the pot in Calix's hands, Thane whirled around to face the naysayer. 

"You're just angry he's been working on this for two years without telling us," the knight retorted.

"I'm not upset by the fact that Calix hid an entire world from us for more than a decade," Ira corrected with a sigh. "I'm upset that the people from this 'hidden world' managed to convince the both of you that drinking burning oil is perfectly safe."

"You should really get used to calling him 'His Majesty'," Thane grumbled through pursed lips, unable to refute his friend's words.