Arya and Conintor walked down the halls of the keep, the normally crowded hallways filled with only a few people.
"I wonder what's going on up there." Arya said in concern, seeing a crowd of magi gathered around something. Shouts and yells came from some of the group, while others were yelling protests to what was going on.
"I don't know- we should go see." Conintor said, having a bad feeling about something. He walked over to the crowd, freezing when he heard a familiar voice yell in pain. He pushed his way through the crowd, unable to see over so many people. When he saw a hummingbird chitter angrily as it flew into the air and dart back down- he knew who was yelling.
"Novilo!" Conintor yelled in fear, pushing his way past the rest of the crowd to see two men kicking Novilo while he was on the ground, curled up to protect himself as best he could.
Conintor gritted his teeth in anger, something snapping inside of him. He rushed over to Novilo, standing over him with raised hands.
"Don't lay a damn finger on him. Why are you doing this?" He shouted.
"Oh, and what do you care?" A man with black hair tilted his head curiously, a wicked smile covering his face. "This guy's a pussy. Can you believe he doesn't even like girls? What a freak."
Conintor blinked in shock and looked down at Novilo, who was staring up at him through his blond hair in fear.
"So you beat him? What the hell does that help? Back off or you'll have to fight me." He said, taking on a dueling stance.
The two men faltered for a moment, looking at each other uneasily. Conintor's abilities as a fighter were well known in The Keep. He was one of the best earth magi of this generation…
"WHAT IS THIS?" A loud yell came from behind the crowd, making all of them gasp and part. A man with blond hair and a green robe walked forward, a large raiju following him with a low growl to match his master's mood.
"T-Thane." The two men said, suddenly looking fearful.
"What kind of disgusting behavior is this? You should both be ashamed of yourselves. We as magi learn NOT to harm others with our abilities." Thane said harshly. He looked to Conintor, glancing down at Novilo by his feet. "Take that boy to a healer. I'll explain to your master where you are."
"Thank you." Conintor said quickly, leaning down and picking up Novilo in his arms. He ran past Thane, who glanced at him as passed.
"I'll take care of these two. Bring him to Vitali. She'll know what to do." Thane said softly before walking forward to confront the two magi.

Conintor ran through the hall, keeping a tight grip on Novilo as he searched for the healers. Damn, if he knew where they were, though! He had never needed to contact the water magi before, and so had never needed to know the way.
"Left." Novilo said raspily, pointing in that direction. Conintor stopped and looked down at him for the first time, hissing in pity at the bruises across his face and chest. He started running again, seeing a large ornate fountain ahead, a few magi sitting on the edge around the pool of water while koi splashed around.
"I need to find Vitali." Conintor said hurriedly at the surprised magi.
"Over there." One of the magi pointed down the hall, looking at Novilo in concern. "Is he okay?"
Conintor ignored her question and ran down the way she had pointed, seeing a woman near the end in blue and silver robes.
"Are you Vitali?" He said, stopping in front of the short black haired, blue eyed woman.
"Yes.. Oh Gods, what happened?" She turned around and looked down at Novilo in shock. "Quickly- bring him in here.†She said, running to the small room across the hall where a small bed lay in the center. Conintor lay Novilo down on the bed, looking at him in concern. His arm was twisted the wrong way, his purple robes torn. Novilo was gritting his teeth in pain, his eyes clenched shut as he let out a long hiss of agony. The hummingbirds that had followed after him sat on the bed on either side of him, chirping encouragingly to Novilo.
"Stand back, please." Vitali said, using a basin to fill a reservoir of water around the bed. He moved outside of the circle, watching with amazement as Vitali raised her hands, the water streaming up into the air and forming a large circle around Novilo. He glowed a bright red and yelled in pain, a snap and crack sounding from his arm as it mended. His bruises faded and he breathed deeply as the water fell back to the ground around them.
"That's all I can do for now. He'll have to rest for a while." Vitali looked at Conintor, who was too busy worrying to hear her.
"You can stay here with him while he rests, if you'd like. I'm sure he'll like the company." Vitali said, smiling softly and leaving the room.
Conintor looked over at Novilo as he breathed softly, staring at the ceiling.
"So… now you know. You probably think I'm a freak too." Novilo looked over at him with sad eyes. "Why did you protect me like that?"
Conintor walked over beside the bed, kneeling down beside it. "They were hurting you, and I don't like to see you get hurt." He said, not really knowing what else to say.
"They were beating me because I'm gay. It happens sometimes with us. People don't understand." Novilo said bitterly, his purple eyes hardening.
"Don't look so angry. They won't mess with you again. I won't let them." Conintor said, looking at the ground uneasily.
Novilo turned his head to watch Conintor for a moment. "You won't? Why? Don't you feel the same as them?"
Conintor gritted his teeth, wishing he knew how to converse better- but he was afraid he would say the wrong thing. "No, I don't." He said simply, only getting angrier with himself for not being able to properly explain his feelings.
Novilo sat up, cringing slightly at his stiff muscles and looked down at Conintor. "Then what do you feel?"
Conintor looked up at him, smiling softly at Novilo's wide purple eyes. "The same as you."
Novilo stared at him in shock for a moment and chuckled in amusement. "No wonder you turned away all those women. It all makes sense now." He looked down at Conintor's wry grin and smiled. "You're pretty cute when you're nervous, you know that?"
Conintor blushed, looking up at him in surprise. "W-what?"
"See?" Novilo chuckled. He leaned over the bed so that his face was only inches away from Conintor's, a mischievous grin coming over his face "But then again you're cute all the time. I just like to see you blush."
Conintor yelled in embarrassment, trying to get rid of the blush that was now covering most of his face.
"So easy." Novilo sighed happily. "So, how about it, Con-Bon?"
Conintor looked up at Novilo with wide eyes at the strange nickname. "How about what?"
Novilo moved so that he was closer again, smiling warmly. "Do you want to be with me?"
Conintor stared at him with wide eyes and a slack jaw, unable to say anything- his mind had gone completely blank.
Novilo chuckled in amusement and closed Conintor's jaw with a finger. "I'll take that as a yes." He smiled warmly.