The chamber that Zo’Dal and Fel found themselves in was large, constructed of the same smooth black stone as the hall, and clearly served as an armory. Racks of long spears and swords and stands draped with mail hauberks lined the walls and formed aisles through the center of the room. Most crucially, the room appeared to have no exits other than the doors by which they had entered, and Zo’Dal wasted little time ramming the haft of a halberd through the heavy iron handles on the inside of the door and shoving a rack of short-bladed swords in front of to bar it. A muffled boom sounded through the doors. Though it barely disturbed the heavy black gate, it caused Zo’Dal to jump. Another followed it a few seconds later. Only after several more came with no sign of shifting the portal did she allow herself to relax a little and catch her breath.

With no pressing danger, the two companions took the opportunity to sit and share a drink of water from their bottles. Strangely, the water was still as cool and crisp as it had been when they had drawn it from the cistern hours before. As they rested, the muffled pounding of the beast-men against the portal continued. The heavy doors and makeshift barricade held with little more disturbance than the occasional rattle, but with each quiet boom, Zo’Dal’s mind conjured images of the doors bursting open and the half-men-half-beasts storming in.

“Nothing to do but wait,” Fel said, matter-of-factly.

He made himself as comfortable as he could on the floor, using the rucksack as a pillow.

The only entrance was sealed and the beast-men could not get in, at least not for some time. But, neither could Zo’Dal and Fel get out, it seemed. Unless they found another way out, or could force their way through the creatures attempting to force their way in, they were trapped. The thought worried Zo’Dal and left her on edge.

“What then?” Zo’Dal asked, taking a sip from her bottle.

Fel only shrugged. He closed his eyes and laid his head back.

A silence fell between them, and Zo’Dal’s thoughts began to wander again. She noticed the dull pain in her arm where the beast-man had grabbed her and nearly pulled her through the doorway, and massaged it with a hand. She looked back to Fel.

“Thank you,” Zo’Dal said.

He opened his eyes and looked at her questioningly.

“For saving me,” She said, “Again.”

Fel met her gaze for several moments, and there was an uncharacteristic softness in his hard features, one she had seen before when he had first looked at her in the crematorium. As if sensing her thoughts, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes again.

“Yes.” He said. “I think we are even.”

Silence passed between them for a while. Zo’Dal watched the warrior as he lay still, seeming at once relaxed, almost peaceful. Despite herself, despite how infuriating Fel could be and how much about him she disliked, despite how much she wanted to dislike him, she found herself comforted by the sight. Despite everything that had happened and how little time had passed since their meeting, or perhaps because of all that had happened, she couldn't help but feel a sense of security in his presence. As soon as the thought occurred to her, she looked away and tried to push it aside, annoyed with herself for such silly feelings. To her surprise, Fel broke the silence.

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“Are you an elf then?” He asked without looking up to regard her.

“What?” She asked, taken aback by the unexpected question. She suddenly felt embarrassed.

“You don’t look like a man.”

“How perceptive,” she rejoined, quickly regaining her composure.

Opening his eyes, he gave her an annoyed look that made her smirk, pleased with herself.

“You know my meaning. And the light going out, that was your doing? Elven sorcery?”

She laughed, and his scowl deepened. “My father was of the fair folk. But no, it wasn't elven sorcery.”

At the thought of her father, she had to consciously resist the urge to reach for the necklace she wasn't wearing.

“It was the beasts’ doing?” Fel asked.

“No, I did it.” She smiled proudly at that.

“Then stop playing word games. What was it?”

“Fine. But first, tell me this: what were you-” She gestured to the chamber about them, “-before this?”

He held her look for a few moments, obviously growing annoyed. He said nothing, deciding whether to entertain her request, and probably regretting asking anything at all.

“A sellsword,” he said at last.

It wasn't much of an answer, but she was pleased nonetheless. Truthfully, it was more than Zo’Dal expected to get from the man, and that he was willing to talk at all was a welcome change.

“Now answer me.” Fel said.

Zo’Dal held up her hands in a feigned gesture of placation. “Okay, okay. I am a shadowdancer.”

He furrowed his brow. “A…dancer?”

“A shadowdancer. I can bend light and shadows to my will.”

He nodded slowly, but it was obvious from his expression that he didn't quite understand, or perhaps believe, her words. Realization, or recognition, seemed to flash in his eyes, and his gaze focused on her own dark eyes, suddenly intent. But If he had any more questions, he didn't ask them. Perhaps he didn't care enough to hear the answer, or didn't want to give Zo’Dal reason to keep talking.

Regardless, Zo’Dal thought it best to demonstrate her point, if only to satisfy her pride. She took a deep breath, looked to the lantern flickering between them, and reached out with her will to the shadows about her. Mentally drained from the crude and drastic use of her power against the beast-men, the effort seemed immense, but she persisted, her pride unwilling to let her fail.The light of the lantern appeared to pull back from her and the shadows at its edges flowed about her like a fog, shrouding her in darkness. Fel’s eyes widened and he sat up, peering directly at her but unable to see her through the unnatural murk.

Zo’Dal only managed to maintain the shroud for a few seconds before her focus wavered and the light came flowing back to its natural course, driving the shadows back into the corners of the chamber. She took a heavy breath to clear her mind, then looked back to her companion with a smug grin.

“See?”

He nodded thoughtfully.

“Maybe you aren't useless after all.”

Zo’Dal’s face flushed with anger, but before she could snap back at him, he said, “It was a jest.”

“You fought well today.” He laid his head back and closed his eyes again. “Now rest for tomorrow’s battle.”

She blinked, her rage bleeding away into shock. Had Fel just complimented her? It seemed as strange and unexpected as anything else that she had encountered today.

Though she refused to admit that she sought anyone's approval, least of all Fel’s, Zo’Dal relished the feeling of satisfaction at his words.