Alden had Draven in a solid headlock, not letting him slip away no matter how much the short stack struggled beneath his grip.
"Let me go!" Draven hissed, legs flailing.
"Not until that bastard explains why I'm restraining a royal dwarf!" Alden barked, confused.
Right on cue, the door to the nearby classroom opened with a gentle hiss, and out walked Ethan, Seraphina, and Charlotte.
"What in the goddess's name...?" Ethan muttered, blinking as he caught sight of the bizarre scene unfolding.
Seraphina tilted her head. "Wait... isn't that the dwarf who walked in with Alex during the orientation? I thought they were friends."
Charlotte narrowed her eyes. "If they were friends, why is he running like Alex has a bounty on his head?"
"Maybe he does," Ethan offered helpfully.
Alden loosened his grip and glanced at Draven, who had stopped struggling and was now just staring at Alex like he was facing a personal demon.
