XI

"Yes, it is I," Makuta replied, shivering a second. "May I come in?"

Flammik stiffened, while Fiara actually opened the door. "Of course, come right in. Why didn't you bring a cloak? You must be freezing—I'll get a towel for you."

"I assure you I'm perfectly fine, though your concern is appreciated," Makuta said. He noticed Flammik. "There you are, friend," he said, in a voice so mellow he nearly surprised himself.

Flammik looked even more surprised, and didn't say anything for shock.

With a small smirk, Makuta walked up to the table Flammik was sitting at and, after Fiara guided him, sat down as well. "Truly sorry about the incident with my brother," he said. "As you already know, he can be rather, what's the word… spontaneous when it comes to choice-making."

Flammik exhaled sharply. "You're telling me. Not that I'm trying to slander his name, of course, since he's truly amazing at making—"

"I also understand," Makuta continued with a frown, "that he took your bow, which you had so masterfully infused with Crystals of Fire. I can give it back—with the crystals still infused."

"What…? But the Code—"

"Say no more," Makuta said, holding up his hand, "for I've already considered this. Thank you, Fiara." As Fiara handed him the towel, Makuta put it around his shoulders to dry himself. "You see, the Code specifically states you can't use elemental crystals for your own gain. It encourages using the crystals for others, doesn't it?"

Flammik's eyes lit up. "I get you. I was protecting the others."

"And to make it not look suspicious," added Makuta, "I'll have 'a sudden, wonderful realization' and energize the other protectors' weapons."

"Then I'll be a protector again?"

Makuta sighed. "I fear my brother is stubbornly set in his ways. Not even I can persuade him. But please, let us not be jealous of Mamuk. Be proud of him, cheer him on! Then, he may pay you back some time… perhaps with a borrowing of his bow."

"You… really think he'd do that?"

"Of course. He's your brother, isn't he?"

"Well… yes."

Makuta raised his hands in a there-you-go gesture. "Then what have you to fear? And don't worry about Ekimu. I'm sure he will love my 'idea'. But in the meantime, why don't you tell me the details of how this all happened?"

The moment Ekimu and Makuta saw each other, they said each others names in unison, accompanied by "There's something I want to…" and stunned silence once they realized both had repeated each other word-for-word.

Ekimu snapped out of it first. "Where were you? I couldn't find you anywhere!"

Makuta thought a moment, then asked, "Why were you looking for me?"

"I couldn't sleep. At first I thought it was the weather, but then I heard shuffling sounds near the furnace, so I guessed it was you." Ekimu shrugged helplessly. "But I couldn't find anyone."

Makuta's eyebrow arched. "I was never there. Perhaps I sleep-walked."

"I suppose that would explain why you look so tired," said Ekimu. He looked at Makuta, his eyes expressing concern.

"Do I really look that tired?"

Ekimu nodded. "I think we should both go back to sleep. I've still got to finish that commission, though—it's due tomorrow."

"What more do you need to finish?" asked Makuta.

"Just the details," Ekimu answered. "The commissioner wants spiral designs on the outside and inside."

"The inside, too? What good is a mask with details if you can't see all of them?"

"That's what he wanted."

"He? I would have expected such frivolity from a woman."

Ekimu exhaled sharply to avoid laughing. "To be fair, he's going to give it to his fiancé. Anyway, I'm tired. Oh, and remind me to tell you something tomorrow, will you?"

"I'll see," Makuta replied with a quick nod. He began to head off to his own room.

"But where were you?"

Makuta turned around at Ekimu's sentence. He gave a helpless smile. "Perhaps I sleep-walked."