"I trust Maven, but I haven't ruled out a potential shift in allegiance." Ifrit's eyes narrowed into sharp slits, his voice growing somber. "Trust me, Bart, it's not something I would want to do. But if he really became one of them, I'll judge him like I judged deserters and traitors on the spot—death by immolation."
Jaw clenched, praying they were mistaken, Bart scrutinised Bahamut as he turned more humans or intelligent species into draconians. Ifrit was right. They would have to kill Maven if he betrayed them.
Not out of anger, or even principle—because they couldn't let Adam know. More than anyone, he trusted the kobold, so much that he sent them to fetch him. To learn that Maven had switched sides after his ten-year banishment would break his already scarred heart.
"He died infiltrating the enemy. That's what we'll say if he betrayed us." Bart's heart drummed in his ears, throbbing against his ribs once the turn of the short, masked individual approached.
