Severance quietly fell into step beside his clan Head, wondering why it was Agadhi who came to get him. He also wondered if he was in trouble. Maybe he should have run instead of trying to fight the Knight. Or, like Awesome Dude had suggested, maybe he should have "died peacefully."

Yeah, right.

Instead of taking them back to the clan House, Agadhi navigated the streets with an ease that told of his familiarity with the city. He headed towards the mist-laden side that hung over the waterfall. Once they were deep in the shrouding fog, and the roar of the waterfall made it hard for anyone nearby to listen in, Agadhi stopped.

"Tell me what happened," he said.

Expecting this, Severance quickly ran through the series of events. It didn't take long. The encounter with the Knight had lasted mere minutes.

"He was looking for you," Agadhi said, when Severance had finished. "Tomorrow's Edge is a popular location for Outsiders who are aligned with the Champions and the Vigilant. No doubt he waited here for your arrival."

"Great. Why would the Knights want to find me?" Severance wiped his face, which felt damp. Even now, the street they were on was heavily fogged, and all he could see of people in the distance were dark shapes moving through the pale mists.

It was, he realized grimly, a perfect place for a Knight to hide.

He moved a little closer to Agadhi, and hoped the man wouldn't notice. He'd seen the clan Head in action once, and it was something he'd never forget. The man had walked through a crowd and made people get out of his way, employing a mix of unflinching confidence and casual murder.

Agadhi glanced sideways at him. "To them, you pose a threat."

That startled a laugh out of Severance. "Me? No way, I'm just a healer. Any one of them could kill me with their eyes closed. In fact, I've already been killed by a Knight."

"Perhaps. Consider this, however: You are an Outsider out of their control. That alone gives you an advantage, but there is another point you must realize. Not only do they see you as an ally of the Champions, but you are also affiliated with us. The Champions, you understand, can produce warriors in numbers big enough to give the Knights pause, but we have shown ourselves capable enough to face them in single combat."

Agadhi spoke without pride or arrogance; he was simply stating the facts. Severance appreciated that, but he also found it chilling.

"You're saying that they're after me because I'm part of the Veiled."

"They're after you because you fought them on even ground and did not immediately die."

There was, Severance thought, a faint note of amusement there, but he wasn't entirely sure. Either way, he didn't think that was enough to be much of a threat. If Rohhk had continued the fight, Severance would have been dead within ten seconds. Or less.

"Those are some standards," Severance muttered. "Anyone who doesn't die in a single strike is a threat?"

A low laugh came out of the mist. A man appeared of the fog like a ghost, his gray robe and loose trousers helping him blend in. He approached, his hands by his sides and an easy smile about his lips.

"If you've encountered a Knight, Severance, then you'll know that standard is quite high."

Severance's eyes widened. Not at the words, but because he recognized the man. Out of all people to run into in Tomorrow's Edge, he hadn't expected to be Linjao, the Head of the Eternal Champions.

What was this? A clan Head get-together?

"Linjao of the Eternal Champions," Agadhi greeted the newcomer with perfect neutrality. He didn't appear surprised to see the other man.

"Agadhi of the Veiled." Linjao offered a cordial bow. "Truly, the name suits you. It's been a while, friend."

Friend? Severance looked from one man to the other. He couldn't deny that he was furiously curious about this. Linjao had told him before that he'd known the Veiled for two decades, but he hadn't been willing to share any details.

Yet as friendly and open as Linjao looked, Agadhi was the opposite. Nothing showed on his face, or in his body language. He wasn't distant, but he wasn't welcoming, either.

"That it has," Agadhi finally responded. "I assume you are here to investigate the appearance of Knight Rohhk?"

"That, and to rescue one of my Outsiders from detainment." With a growing smile, Linjao looked to Severance. "I hear you conducted yourself quite well, Severance."

Severance shifted, uncomfortable with the praise. He really didn't think he'd done anything special. He'd just tried to survive. Was there anyone left who hadn't heard about this incident?

"Awesome Dude is the one who saved our butts. Jack and I just survived until he got there."

"Still a feat of its own," Linjao warmly said. He directed his attention to Agadhi, the smile fading. "We will increase the guard here, but I imagine a reappearance is not out of the question. It would be best to avoid this city for the time being."

"Indeed." Agadhi didn't refute the idea, which gave Severance a small degree of alarm.

Did they mean he should never come to this city again? Where was he supposed to go, if even the Vigilant-ran "safe" city was no longer safe?

Linjao seemed to know what he was thinking, for the gentle smile returned to his handsome features. "Severance already has our token in his possession. He is welcome to use our clan grounds as he sees fit."

"No." Agadhi's mild rebuttal was instant. He regarded the Champion's Head in way that was perfectly cordial, but something about his entire manner shifted.

The urge to move away struck Severance and when he didn't, he felt the back of his neck prickle. It was like standing outside in the dark of night, and somehow sensing that a fanged beast prowled nearby. You couldn't see it, but you somehow knew it was there.

Linjao also noticed the unseen shift in Agadhi's mood, for he raised both hands in a placating manner.

"It's just an offer, my friend. I mean no harm. This is a foe we both face, so I will offer any aid I can."

"Your offer is noted and appreciated," Agadhi returned evenly. "But I will not accept it. You won't be using our Outsider for your own means."

"I have no intention to do so, I assure you."

"Perhaps not," Agadhi dipped his head, perfectly polite. "Even so, we will not allow you the opportunity."

Linjao chuckled. "My apologies, then, for any offense. I see now that Severance is very important to you." He gave a small bow towards Severance, as if also offering an apology to him. "Regardless, should you need a safe refuge or assistance, know that the Champions will welcome you."

Now Severance felt awkward. He had a positive impression of the Eternal Champions, and Linjao had been nothing but welcoming right from day one. Resisting the urge to glance at Agadhi, he quickly said, "Thank you."

"We've disturbed you for long enough," Agadhi smoothly interjected the moment Severance finished speaking. "We'll be on our way."

"Just a moment," Linjao interrupted. "There is one more thing. Severance."

Severance's heart skipped a beat. This Linjao guy was really testing the waters. And now he was dragging Severance into the middle.

"What is it?" He warily asked.

"Jaema asked me to pass on a message," Linjao smiled. There was undeniable satisfaction in his gaze, and it made Severance cringe to see it. Now the guy was positively baiting Agadhi, wasn't he?

"She found someone for you," the Champion Head went on. "Actually, the Valkyrie suggested one of their own Outsiders, once they heard of your request. It was their desire to return the favour you did for them."

"Oh," Severance blinked. He hadn't expected the Valkyrie to get involved. "I guess... that's okay. As long as the person meets the requirements."

"Excellent. I could arrange a meeting at our clan headquarters if you like."

Before he knew what he was doing, Severance had taken a large step away from Agadhi. His skin was practically crawling off of his skeleton. He risked a wary look at the man. The Veiled man looked the same as always. Yet somehow, he got the sense that Agadhi was seconds away from murdering someone.

Severance gritted his teeth. Really, should he even expect any less from the Veiled's own clan Head?

"Just get them to contact Awesome Dude or Ironhide," he told Linjao. "We'll figure something out from there."

"Very well. Then we shall meet another time, Severance." With one last smile and bow, Linjao retreated back into the fog and vanished.

Severance let out a breath, relieved. He felt damp, though at this point, he wasn't sure if part of it was from sweat or from the mist.

"Severance," Agadhi said mildly. "Unless the fate of our world is at stake, do not use that token again."

Severance shivered. He closed his eyes, wondering what the heck was even happening. Then he opened them, and before he could think better of it, asked, "Why?"

"Why?" Agadhi repeated, and both eyebrows lifted a fraction. He almost seemed surprised by the question. His expression quickly smoothed out in the next second. "Why, indeed. The reason we are all in this situation, Severance, is because our closest allies betrayed us. It was the hardest lesson we of the Veiled have had to learn. We trust no one. Especially if they appear as a friend who has much to gain from an alliance."

Severance shook his head, unable to agree with such a grim viewpoint. Didn't they need allies to fight this war? Wasn't that why they called in the Outsiders? They couldn't fight this whole thing alone.

And he knew what it was alike to be alone. It was the worst thing imaginable, like living in a dark box with a single hole punched through the side. He'd look through that hole, see the outside world, see people living their lives out happily, surrounded by family and friends and love and laughter, while he was trapped in the box with only that glimpse of what he couldn't hope to ever have.

The Veiled had each other, he supposed, so they weren't truly alone, but to live a life where they couldn't even trust their friends? How awful was that?

He looked at Agadhi, only to find the man watching him. His heart felt heavy.

"Do you trust me?" he asked. After everything, was he just an Outsider to them?

"I do," Agadhi said firmly. "You come from another world, and there is nothing you gain by remaining with us. Indeed, you have every reason to leave and never return, for we have only brought you suffering. Yet, here you are."

Severance felt his face grow warm, and he looked away. When it was put that way, it made him sound like an idiot. An idiot who currently felt warm and fuzzy inside, because that was probably the nicest thing Agadhi had ever said to him, in a sort of roundabout way.

"Yeah," he mumbled. "Here I am."

"I would be a fool to throw such loyalty away. Your ignorance, however, is something we must work on."

Just like that, the warm and fuzzies were slapped right out of existence. Severance frowned. "What do you mean?"

Agadhi didn't answer. Instead, he teleported the both of them back to the Clan House.

The second they reoriented themselves in the courtyard, Severance bit back a frustrated sigh. So he was trustworthy, but he was stupid. Is that what Agadhi was trying to say? Well, whatever. Thank goodness Agadhi wasn't the System Administrator.

"Is Olen back in his office yet?" he asked. "I need to talk to him."

"He's doing calibrations," came the answer. "It'll take him the rest of the day, and most of the night, I imagine. If there is something you need, I can aid you in his stead."

Severance stared at Agadhi, with an unpleasant sinking feeling in his gut. It seemed that if he wanted answers today, then he'd have to talk to this guy. This guy, who could terrify the crap out of him at the drop of the hat. This guy, who thought he had an ignorance problem. And who didn't believe in the existence of friends.

Well, great.