As we walked the furnace, I noticed Crispin looking at everything. He still had a wild look of rage in his red eyes, but I trusted him. At least enough to get me out of this hellhole alive. 

Lulu chirped as she landed on my back. It felt nice and familiar to have her weight on me, like a friend you can’t say goodbye to. A friend that would follow you through thick and thin. 

Crispin pulled out his sword and reared up. Fear flowed through my veins. Panic rose in my head. Flight almost took my legs, until I realized what Crispin was so offended by. A cloaked figure, in the shape of a humanoid, was in front of us. Its face covered by its hood. It was weirdly on fire. It held a hand out, burning blisters covering the length of it. I looked to Crispin, rage still in his eyes. But more than that, fear. He was scared. 

I pondered what he could be afraid of. “Crispin?” I asked, my voice hush and hollow. “Princess Lillian, please stay behind me.” Crispin tried to order. As if he was a knight. As if he was my knight. “Crispin, I order you to tell me what’s going on.” I tried, my voice strong and slightly shaky. Crispin didn’t take his eyes off of the figure. “Something.” He answered. Something. What kind of answer is that? And to give that kind of answer to a princess? I’m sure if I told anyone of importance he had said that to me, he would never escort a royal to the dungeon’s ever again. But I wouldn’t. At least not until I figure out what’s going on.

The fear ebbs as the figure disappears. Crispin returns his sword to its sheath, and is about to walk forward before I jump in front of him. 

“What kind of answer is something?” I ask. “Princess-” Crispin starts but stops himself. He bows his head slightly. 

“So?” I ask. “What is going on?” I commanded. Crispin avoids eye contact. “Your father instructed me not to tell you. Until I had to. Now is not the time.” Crispin said, with his voice full of remorse. “I’m sorry.” He says, and he walks on.