Drust’s eyes narrowed at Ghent’s mutterings about the Rabbit Holes, his neck twitching.
	“[i]Never[/i] underestimate a Guardian, boy,” he answered Ghent’s misgivings about Smaya, doing his best to ignore Ghent’s other comments. Ever gruff, a hint of weariness coated his voice. Weariness that had nothing to do with physical fatigue. “It may be worth speaking to her again. If you have the strength.”
	Despite her growing sleepiness, Elayra shot Ghent a smug ‘told you so’ look.
	Drust turned his head toward Ghent at his charge’s last questions. “Ready for anything,” he answered, his voice tight and clipped.
	“Caervolus is the Guardian of Mushroom Gorge.” Elayra glanced warily to Drust as he nodded in agreement to her statement.
	“Guardians are not like our dead whose spirits move on to the bowls of the Spiritayum,” he elaborated. “They’re Spiritayian. Beings [i]born[/i] to the spirit realm.” He returned his gaze to the fire. He glanced toward the short stack of wood with a quick, calculating look. “Guardians are exceptional Spiritayians. They claim or are gifted a portion of our realm to watch over. Most can interact with us in ways many other Spiritayians can’t. They’re practically immortal and hold immense powers.
	 “Wonderland knows Caervolous as a Guardian. But you,” he glanced to Ghent, “may recognize him as Carol’s inspiration for the Blue Caterpillar.” A sneer pulled at Drust’s lips, detest glittering in his eyes. “He knows all, sees all. Not only from Wonderland. He can tell us what is, and what has been. Ask the right questions, and he’ll tell us how to bring our enemy down. But, as with most Spiritayians, his services come at a price. We must each face him in his test. Succeed, and he’s bound by soul and magic to answer our questions with the truth.”
	“Fail, and you get to be fertilizer for his mushrooms,” Elayra grumbled.
	Her jaw tightened as she tried to suppress a yawn. She shook her head, contemplating walking around the clearing. The last thing she wanted was to fall asleep and leave Drust and Ghent alone. With how the last day had gone, she wouldn’t be surprised to wake up to the sounds of Curse-driven Drust murdering Ghent.