Sideshow
While they fenced, they spoke. I wouldn't call it talking because what Alek said was never truly taken into account, but he did speak, several times, to no avail.
"What were you talking about with that 'boy'?" Count Volger asked.
"Who Dylan? We weren't talking about anything important." Alek responded. He didn't like where this was going. Could the count know? Did he have suspicions? Well… other than the ones he already possessed.
"I don't see why you even speak with that 'boy'. He held a knife to your throat."
"You hold a knife to my throat every time we practice. Dylan only did it because he didn't want every one to die. Besides he used the blunt side."
"He also had you arrested, remember? That's why we're here. It's all because of that 'boy'."
"Count Volger you're being a bit judgmental. He did what he had to." Alek thought about Deryn and how loyal she is. "Sh- um HE didn't know what would happen. He was trying to protect his ship."
"I saw the way he was looking at you, Aleksandar." All at once Alek's stabber was flung from his hand and Volger's was at his neck, again. He had lost, again. Maybe he wasn't going to improve. "And I saw you reply with a look of your own." Volger's eyes nearly pierced his soul when he asked, "Is there something between the two of you? Do you have a 'odd' feelings for that 'boy'?"
A shiver went down Alek's spine, and oddly the spine of the ship. Now, when his words would be heard, he couldn't speak. But, somehow, Alek is a terrible liar, even when he doesn't speak. All he wouldn't have said was in his eyes.
"I see. What shall we do about this?" Volger eyed Deryn maliciously, like a lion waiting to pounce on the poor, innocent deer that was trying in vain to paint the sunset in one color.
Alek hoped that she would be all right. Then the alarm went off. When he saw Deryn spring up, ready for combat, he wondered why he hadn't tried to talk her out of doing something so dangerous and life threatening. He smiled as he remembered that she wouldn't listen. As he raced off into "battle" he smiled as one thought crossed his mind. Deryn and Count Volger would be evenly matched in a fight.