"Wait, why are you all looking at me like that?"
The group stared at him. The sheer confidence of the twelve-year-old boy was baffling.
Riku leaned forward. His friendly demeanor was gone. His eyes were sharp and intense. "You know the political decrees by name. You know of secret routes. You offer to smuggle five people into a hostile, militarized nation."
He looked the boy directly in the eye.
"Who are you, Caelus? Really?"
Riku's question hung in the air. The small booth in the corner of the inn suddenly felt very quiet. All eyes were on Caelus.
The boy did not flinch under their intense scrutiny. A slow, clever smile spread across his face.
"Who I am is less important than what I am, Uncle Riku," he said, his voice smooth and practiced. "And right now, I am your only safe ticket into Eldoria. For the moment, isn't that enough?"
He met Riku's gaze. It was a direct but respectful challenge.
