"Something wrong?" he asked worriedly.

"No, everything"s okay," Orel forced a smile.

Vil sat down next to Tol who put a drink in front of him silently.

"Orel, I know we agreed to discuss book-keeping of the Upper City," Vil started, "but, frankly speaking, I"d like to talk about a different matter."

He cleared his throat.

"I understand, of course… book-keeping is very important…" he looked at the abacus on the table. "But really, I don"t know how to say that…"

"Say it quick," Orel said. "What do you want?"

"Take me on your team, Arel!" Vil blurted out.

"Ooh, idiot," Lis moaned quietly.

Orel looked at Vil sadly.

"No."

There was silence in the room.

"No," Orel repeated. "How many times should I say that?"

"But why?" Vil screamed, he was in despair. Lis who sat next to Tol shoved Tol in his side.

"Make him leave while he can!" he hissed.

Tol was quick to get it.

"Vil, you"d better leave," he said quietly.

"What?" Vil turned to him. "No, I"m not leaving! I want to know why Arel always rejects me!" He flushed. "Tell me, Arel, why are you so much against me? Did I ever hurt you? Am I a bad warrior?"

"You"re a great warrior," Orel didn"t argue. "And you didn"t ever hurt me. Neither me, nor my friends."

"But why then? Why do you drive me away?"