The three men went inside the room to collect the others.

Milo was sweating.

“This is stupid!” He yelled. He pointed his finger at the wall.

A gush of fire developed behind Milo as lighting energy shot out his finger.

Jon felt the heat brush over his face. It was an impressive scene, though he wished that there had been more space between himself and Milo.

Milo looked at his fingers in awe, then turned back at his feet. “Whoa.”

“Ever so dramatic,” Mallory commented.

“I know, right,” Hector said. He raised his voice. “Come on, Milo. We’re gonna speak to Callach.”

“What? But I just… okay.” Milo and Thalia relaxed their postures and followed the men out of the room.

Hector and Milo led the way to Callach. Jon found it impossible to understand how many twists and turns they made through the hallways, but soon, they were standing inside of a small office. Callach was writing at a small desk. He hadn’t noticed the others when Hector called his name.”

“Callach.”

“Huh?” Callach straightened up, then turned around. “Oh. Everyone’s here.”

“I apologize, Callach,” Hector began. “I know your busy-”

“Nonsense,” Callach interrupted. “My time is always open for you. Except for when I’m very busy.”

“Um, sure.” Hector covered his mouth and coughed uncomfortably. “Well, I know that there’s still a lot of work to get done, but…”

“Do you wish to depart on a great journey?” Callach asked.

“Yes, I mean, no! I mean,” Hector gathered himself together again before he could speak. “I want to take everyone out for a tactical… retreat.”

“Retreat?” Callach sounded curious. “How long?”

“He’s telling you don’t look for us!” Milo demanded.

“Hey!” Hector said to Milo, “I’m asking him.”

“I’m technically his boss,” Milo said. “So, by asking him, you’re asking me!”

“But you didn’t ask!,” Hector replied. “Callach is more or less in charge of everything here. And if you wore diapers, he’d probably change them too.”

Mallory and Thalia turned away to hide their snickers.

“Show some respect for your elders!” Hector added.

“Does that mean I’m supposed to listen to everything you say?” Milo yelled.

“No, I-” Hector stopped and changed his answer. “Yes!”

“Callach, dude.” Mallory spoke before the other two could continue arguing. “We’re gonna peace out for today. Is there anything you need?”

“No,” Callach waved his hand dismissively. “It’s good for the youngins to spend some time with you and to become acquainted with the town. I keep telling Milo that he should travel outside more. Be among the people and share his knowledge. As far as I know, he stays inside the walls of the library all day.”

“Right, sure,” Mallory said. “See you tonight. Let’s go guys!”

Mallory jogged out of the room.

“I’ll meet you at the entrance,” Milo said. He flew away into the depths of the hallway.

“Bye, Callach,” Hector said, leaving the older man to work.

“Bye!” Thalia called, following after Hector.

Jon was left in the room with the old man, who had returned to his desk, working. Jon felt the strong tug of curiosity urging him to say something. Callach was one of the few people in his side of the realm who didn’t seem to have a giant chip on his shoulder.

“Callach?”

“Hmm?” Callach looked over his shoulder again. “Yes, Jon?”

“What are you doing?” Jon asked.

“Oh.” Callach waved Jon over. “Come take a look at this.”

Callach moved over to the side while Jon approached the table.

From what he saw, there were two identical maps, side by side. There was also a piece of paper which was what Callach had been writing on, the quill being left on its side.

“I’m getting myself acquainted with Mallory’s new system of organization,” Callach explained. “Right now, Mallory thinks we have enough room to loosely organize books by the period in which they were released.

Callach gestured at the maps. “As you can see, these aren’t books. However, they are two maps of the same town, in two different time periods.”

He pointed at the map on the left side. “There are some reconstructions and new buildings that aren’t shown in this one, as I believe this was made several years before the other. However, they were produced in the same manner, so it seems that the same person or guild had a hand in recreating this.”

He scratched his head. “Perhaps, the maps could be reversed as well. Maybe, the map with less buildings could be the result of the town after war. If buildings were destroyed, would it be necessary to remap them entirely? That’s probably a stretch, but I try to consider all things.”

Jon nodded. It seemed to all make sense. He knew that he couldn’t stay here too long, as the others were waiting on his behalf.

“Thank you,” Jon said. He walked away.

“Be careful, Jon,” Callach called after him. “May you have the know-how to surpass all of your obstacles.”

Jon agreed with the sentiment.

He took a few random turns in the buildings, luckily making his way to the entrance where the others were waiting.

“There you are,” Hector said. “We’re still waiting for Milo.”

Jon nodded.

It wasn’t long before Milo floated down to the ground. He was holding a book in his hand. Jon resisted the urge to ask Milo which book it was, remembering his disdain for heavy reading.

Hector led the way out of the Library. Since it was his fight they were heading towards, Jon thought that the others would be following his lead, but he was happy to have Hector as a shield, even if it might have been a selfish sentiment.

Milo hadn’t even begun flying like usual. He stuck to walking, and his interest seemed to be more in the crowds rather than wherever they were going. He would tug on Thalia and ask her a question, and she would speak back. Jon was much too anxious to try to listen in. He decided to let them have their conversations to themselves.

Mallory had also stuck to his place in the back of the group, as opposed to Hector’s side like he usually was. While walking through the street, he finally caught Jon’s eyes.

They grimaced at each other before Mallory started to laugh.

“You’re becoming a regular Hector, aren’t you?” Mallory tapped Jon on the shoulder. “Getting into fights in the middle of a mission.”

“I don’t want to be a ‘Hector’,” Jon said. “I want to be a ‘Jon.’”

“Jon’s can get into fights, too,” Mallory replied. “You don’t have to be ashamed.”

“I want to fight for my friends,” Jon said.

“And you want to see Mercy again, right?” Mallory asked.

Jon nodded. That was why he had started up a fight. He needed to be stronger, so that he could see Mercy again and have respect from her family.

“Thank you for reminding me,” Jon said.

“Yeah, you-”

Mallory bumped into Hector’s back.

“Ow, man!” Mallory said. “Your armor, like, hurts!”

Hector hadn’t noticed. They were standing in front of the alleyway entrance of the arena.

Two unarmored guards stood outside of either side of the alley, both leaning back on the wall. One with their hands in their pockets, and the other crossed.

“That’s a lot of people, I hear,” Hector said. He looked at Jon. “How big of an audience is there?”

“It’s always that packed,” Mallory said. “Haven’t you ever been to one of these things?”

“Not with people,” Jon said.

“Oh, yeah, you’re right.” Mallory nodded. “Yeah, it fits a lot of people.”

“To watch Jon fight?” Hector asked. “That’s way too many people. I don’t like this. If they get riled up-”

“It’s up to Jon,” Mallory said. “Right.”

Jon nodded at Hector.

“But Jon,” Hector began, “you have to think about-”

“Does he tell everybody what to do?” Milo asked.

Mallory nodded.

“It’s like the mage…” Milo corrected himself. “It’s like Mallory said. It’s up to the farm… Jon.”

“Sure. Fine. But first sign of trouble, flank towards me.” Hector tried to walk into the alleyway.

The male guard on the right stepped in front. “Hey, payment.”

“Payment, we don’t need to,” Hector checked out the guard. “Hey, don’t I know you?”

“Know me?” the guard asked. “How could you know me? I’m not even from around here.”

Hector continued with his earlier plea. “Our man here is supposed to fight in the arena today. It’s scheduled.”

“Well, that’s his prerogative,” the guard said. “Thalia can go in as well, since she works here. But, everyone else has to pay.”

Hector turned to Milo. “Can’t you like, command him or something?”

“Like you would do?” Milo asked. “Fine.”

He stepped up next to Hector.

“Listen here,” Milo said to the guard. “You tell that red headed sand pirate looking women to get out here and-”

“There you are!” Marsha dashed out of the alleyway. “Perfect. Come in, all of you!”

Hector and Milo sneered at the guards, and they followed after her. Jon watched as Mallory twinkled his hands, and the two guards reeled back in fear.

They entered the arena. The seats were full of people, but one of them was focused on the arena. The general sound was quieter, and with many of them engaged in mumbled conversation with each other.

Marsha ignored them and led them to the makeshift office in the back of the arena. Behind the curtain, Jocasta was sitting with her legs propped up on the table.

“Perfect!” Jocasta stood up quickly. Papers which had been under her desk swept off in all directions, and Marsha quickly dashed to pick them all off.

“I’ll get it later,” Jocasta said. She quickly walked around the others and came to Jon.

“You!” She poked him in the arm. “You’re gonna have your big day, today.”

“Thanks?” Jon replied.

“Did all of these guys come for Jon?” Hector asked.

“No way,” Jocasta replied. “They always come looking for a good fight. And I wanna give them one. And I have someone set up with you and mind, Jonathan.”

“Hmm.” Jon grimaced like usual.

“But first,” Jocasta turned to Hector. “I have a proposition.”

“What?” Hector crossed his arms. “You want me to fight someone?”

“Yes!” Jocasta said.

“I’m not your lapdog!” Hector said. “But I can take on anyone you throw at me.”

Mallory slapped his own forehead and sighed.

“Are you replacing the farmers' event?” Milo asked.

“No.” Jocasta wagged her finger. “I’m just proposing another fight. Something good. I want to have someone who’s experienced with battle! Rile up the crowd before our main event.”

“Why would I fight in your stupid event,” Hector said. However, his foot was tapping on the floor. “I’m technically working. Jon’s technically working.”

“Well, you see, it’s not just about putting on a good show,” Jocasta said. “The fights have been getting a little more hairier and hairier, and just that much more harder to keep it to clean fun. So, I figure, if we have a shining example like you…”

Jocasta lightly punched Hector in the shoulder, making a loud “tap” sound. “...then, further spectators will have an idea of a respectable fighter and a good sport.”

“That’s…” Hector cocked his head. “That’s not a terrible idea. But I have trouble believing that even if it did worked, that you would do anything to perpetuate what’s been set here. Basically, I don’t trust you. And besides, it doesn’t matter if the person I fight is too weak or doesn’t respect the rules.”

“Oh, I got the perfect person for that,” Jocasta replied. “Someone who spends all the time following the rules. Marsha!”

“Yes?” Marsha had straightened up all of the papers and looked at Jocasta. “What is it you-”

She caught Hector’s confused gaze.

“What?”” Marsha dropped all the papers she was holding. “What are you doing? I didn’t sign up for this!”

“What do you mean?” Jocasta asked. “You aid me by use of your strength. So, go on, use it! Aid me!”

“Hold on,” Hector said. “I’m not fighting anyone who doesn’t want to fight me. I’ve had enough of that.”

“I need to be able to protect you if something goes awry with the crowd,” Marsha explained. “I can’t do that if I’m caught up in a fight and exhausted.”

“And she can’t do it if she loses and she’s unconscious,” Hector pointed out.

Marsha glared at him. “What was that?”

“I’m just saying,” Hector repeated. “If I knock you out, you won’t be able to protect her. That’s what you’re saying, right?”

Marsha crossed her arms. “I don’t like your tone.”

“What tone?” Hector asked. “I’m just stating the facts.”

“I think what Hector is saying,” Milo cut in, “is that he can’t protect us if he gets his ass kicked by you.”

“Hey!” Hector said. “Where are you going with this? Cut that out.”

“And, so you are the only capable protector here?” Marsha asked, standing up.

“What?” Hector looked around. “I mean, yeah. Everyone here is pretty strong, but in terms of experience-”

“I changed my mind,” Marsha said. “I’ve dedicated my life to defending Jocasta.”

“Your life?” Hector asked. “For her? I hardly think that’s worth-”

“And I take your words as an insult to my charge!” Marsha continued. She slipped in between Jocasta and Hector and poked his shoulder.

“Look, I didn’t mean anything by-”

“Take me on!” Marsha said. “If you really think I’m so weak that I couldn’t protect my-”

Marsha stumbled on her words. “My master!”

“But if we’re fighting,” Hector said, “who’s gonna protect her?”

“Jon will,” Jocasta said. “Right?”

Jon glumly nodded. He looked at Hector.

“Only if you want me to,” Jon told him.

“No, you have your fight,” Hector began, you-”

“Just look around, Hector,” Jocasta said. “You think any of these people really need your help right now?”

Hector did as she suggested. Thalia looked away awkwardly. Milo cracked his fingers.

“No way in Hell do I need your protection,” Milo said. “Not against these vagrants.”

Jon grabbed his gun and gestured with it to Hector when he saw his gaze.

Finally, Mallory met with Hector’s eyes. and he shrugged.

“I think she has a point,” Mallory said. “Go on. Have your fun.”

“Fun?” Hector scoffed. “Sure.”

He acknowledged Marsha again.

“Sure,” Hector finally conceded. “But only because-’

“See you in a few minutes.” Sasha power walked out of the small office.

“Whoo! She’s fired up” Jocasta yelled. “Can’t wait to see what happens.”

Jon looked at Hector, expecting to see some sort of satisfaction on his face. Instead, he looked tired, as always.

I thought he liked fighting.