-Septimus-

They were doomed.

Nova, Felix, and Septimus had been called to the barn where the adults had their big meetings. Everyone was staring at them, except for Ira who was glaring.

“So, why are we here?” Felix asked. He had a guise of innocence, or maybe he really thought they were innocent. Septimus wasn’t always sure what his friend was thinking.

If eyes could kill, Ira would have already murdered the three kids. Celio had a more mild expression, which was an odd reversal for the pair, and Father Silas looked… sad?

No, that wasn’t sadness. It was disappointment.

Septimus felt nauseous.

Mother Aurelia steepled her fingers. “You three have been delving the new dungeon.”

That wasn’t a question. Nova looked at the ground miserably. Felix shifted from foot to foot.

“I specifically told you not to!” Ira finally snapped. “Do you know how dangerous that place is? You could have been killed!”

“But it’s…” Septimus swallowed dryly, “It’s not. Dangerous.”

Celio raised an eyebrow.

“No, I mean—that’s why we went recently—”

Father Silas held up a hand. “Did you go to the dungeon after Celio and Ira—who are both far above you in level-- were injured delving it?”

“Uh…” If Septimus said yes, they’d be more in trouble. But he also couldn’t explain why Celio had been savaged unless he admitted to it. “Well, that’s—”

“Yep.” Felix said unrepentantly. “That’s exactly what we did. Because that dungeon is really nice, and we wanted to know what happened.”

Acacius raised a hand before speaking. “What do you mean by ‘really nice’? It’s a dungeon—”

“I mean it could’ve killed me the first time we went, but it didn’t.”

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There was silence.

“What.” Ira said threateningly.

Father Silas raised a hand. “Calm down, little tabby.”

The paladin sucked air in through her bared teeth, turning her face away.

Felix’s bravery—or idiocy—let him continue while Septimus shivered in his boots. “I lost a fight with Astrid. She’s a humanoid monster, she’s cool, but really good at fighting—”

“What kind of humanoid monster?” Celio interrupted.

“Uh, a red one. It kinda makes her look skinless and naked? Not that she’s wearing clothes, but that doesn’t matter with monsters—”

Ira whipped back around in shock. “Did it swim in the water? Was it the same color as the giant worms?”

Clara shuddered at the word ‘giant worms.’

“Yep!” Felix continued. “She’s a little shorter than me, and can’t talk aloud, but I got a skill and she can write—”

“And you lost?!” Ira looked panicked now. There was silence at her outburst. Celio took long strides, almost running, over to Felix, before crouching and looking him over.

Felix looked nonplussed. “Yeah, that’s what I said. But Astrid just bopped me on the head and laughed at me.”

Septimus nodded.

Celio poked at Felix with a finger, ignoring the boy’s scowl. “Were you injured?”

“No.” Felix crossed his arms, annoyed.

Septimus stepped out in front of them. “That’s why we had to find out. It wasn’t like the dungeon to hurt anyone—and we did find out. It’s because Celio tried to put chains on them—or, they thought he was.”

The adults in the room all glanced at each other.

Nova grasped Septimus’ hand like a dying woman but managed to speak up as well. “It’s because the dungeon is a pair of ghosts. They couldn’t bear to be separated, even in the afterlife, so they became a dungeon instead.”

“Ghosts?” Mother Aurelia frowned at them.

Septimus nodded encouragingly at Nova.

“Yes.” Nova’s voice strengthened. “Celio brought chains for the dungeon— because he tried to [Claim] it—but he didn’t realize there were people inside. So, the husband fought back, but his wife had held onto her humanity better than he had. She tried for diplomacy and sent Celio away; they even got into a fight about it!”

Celio blinked. “They got into a fight?”

Nova nodded.

“Yeah, I think so.” Felix said, “Astrid was really upset, anyways, cuz her dad had gone off somewhere after that.”

“Huh.” Celio rocked back on his heels. Snickered. “I actually buy that.”

Ira frowned at him. “Is it funny?”

“He was the monster in the statue.” The priest explained to her, still smirking, “I think he was really mad at me?” He chuckled.

Old priest Jove cleared his throat.

“Then, is the dungeon a danger to us? If it didn’t harm the children…”

Felix scowled at Celio, who was now quietly laughing. Pushed the crouching priest, who just sat down on the hay-strewn dirt, still in good humor.

Nettuno nodded at his brother. “Seems fine.”

“Well, not fine,” Jove replied argumentatively, “But maybe—”

Aurelia clapped her hands loudly. The room fell silent.

“I will go check it out.” She said, “You,” she pointed at Felix, “Will guide me.”

Nocula hissed at a cow who was chewing on the door to her stall. Ira shifted from foot to foot, hand on her chin thoughtfully.

“That’s a dumb idea.” Celio commented cheerfully from the floor, “I’m coming, too.”