If I am to be frank the most annoying part of my current life is when the old life comes banging at the door. 

This time it was literal. I was woken up by Snowdrop, coming in and telling me there’s Fetch of all horses possible, banging at MY door and demanding to see me. I groaned and closed the book I fell asleep on, walking towards the flanks. My black cape looked terrible, I felt something sticking to my cheek, and I really, really didn’t want to deal with Fetch. 

And yet she was still banging. 

“Enough,” I said as I appeared over the gate. “We do not need any more holes in our door, thank you very much.” 

Fetch looked up and smiled slightly. “You are needed.” 

“For?” 

“To repay your debt.” 

I ran through the list of all the debts I had but found nothing that would mean I had to help her. “Which one?” 

“The dungeon is calling. Come with me,” Fetch says and turns around. She takes a few steps and stops, then looks at me again. “Oh, right, I will wait until you get down here.” 

I thought about telling her I’m not going, or just ignoring her, but I knew Fetch doesn’t work like that. They would wait. Forever, if that was needed. And eventually I’d have to come and get something and then Fetch would sidetrack me. 

But I did make her wait. I had to get myself to become presentable. 

“Lead the way,” I said once I exited the castle. 

Fetch didn’t wait. We walked in silence for a while as they led us through the caves and corridors, clearly to a spot I have been before, but I couldn’t figure out what was interesting there. 

Finally we reached a chamber I knew, I was there many times, but as soon as we stepped in there was a wave of very annoying voices calling us “Hey, coursers, look here!” 

I groaned but only internally, suddenly remembering what Fetch was referring to. It happened in my childhood, when I still believed my destiny was to become one of the great heroes. I entered the dungeons too young, too bright, and quickly went too deep, until Fetch and others had to rescue me from imps. And speaking of others - at the other end of the chamber, in the old cages, two other courses were locked, Terrence and Logue. 

I didn’t waste my time. My book of magic floated from its hold and opened in front of me. I spoke the incantation, ancient runs glowing as the magic entered the room. A gust of wind arose around me and soon it swooped around the room, taking all imps with it. I learned how to deal with those creatures as soon as I decided to live here, there was no chance they could beat me. 

The room fell silent, emptied of the threat. Two horses at the far end left their goddamn hiding spot and stared at me. I couldn’t stand it. 

“Don’t come asking for help ever again,” I said. 

I left the room quickly, going back to my castle without stopping. I desperately needed to go back to sleep and pretend this was just a bad dream.