Despite Ghent trying to take back his questions about the Blue Caterpillar, Drust’s scowl at the concept turned into another snarl.
	“Not. As you. Perceive him, boy,” he growled, his neck twitching.
	Elayra tensed and looked to him, her mind forcing her tiredness to abate a fraction. Her gaze darted over him, watching his eyes as they glistened in the firelight. She waited tensely, ready to go for her own weapon if he so much as twitched to grab his katana.
	“I’ll say it only once more.” He turned so his body better faced Ghent, the black veins in his eerie gaze pulsating. “Forget. What. You. [i]Know.[/i]” He turned back to the fire as he took a breath.
	“Drust,” Elayra said, her voice firm, but soft. She only just managed to resist the urge to reach for the comfort of her saber's hilt.
	Drust closed his eyes and gave a jerky nod intended for Elayra. ”Thanks to your ignorant, idiotic author,” he continued, his voice strained with the effort of keeping so much as a slightly even tone, “your world has a warped view of Wonderland. A [i]dangerous[/i] view.” He snorted. “He even used the Cat’s name. Many Earth dwellers have come here only to become the Cat’s Pet from his spread stupidity. Just saying the Cat’s name can summon the beast.”
	“Drust.” Elayra shifted, jumping as the fire let off an extra loud pop.
	“I’m fine, girl,” he offered dryly. All the same, his neck twitched unreassuringly at Ghent’s complaints and reservations. “Teaching you to fight is the best I can do to prepare you,” he growled as Elayra rolled her eyes at Ghent’s last question. “Everything else is up to you.”
	“Anyone who’s survived his test is Tongue Tied.” She cast a knowing glance toward Drust. “Magically prevented from talking about his test, his weak points, the moment they leave his domain.” Irritation saturated her voice and twisted her face.