"I don’t believe it."
Ezekiel sat with two of his goons at a table in Jezebel’s Dungeon. Quinn gave him a frantic wave from across the room. Ezekiel looked at his guys. "Is he really coming this way?"
"Looks like it, boss."
Quinn bounded over, plopped down on the bench next to Ezekiel, and put his arm around his shoulder. "Hey, Zeke! Long time no see!"
Ezekiel gave Quinn a blank stare.
"Oh, hey," said Quinn. He pulled out a pouch and whispered, "I got your money!"
Ezekiel looked at Quinn with skepticism, took the pouch, and shook it. "Feels a little light, Quinn."
Quinn smiled. "Look inside!"
Ezekiel opened the pouch and looked in. His eyes widened. He turned to Quinn and asked, "Is this gold?"
Quinn gave Ezekiel a giant grin. "I didn’t know how much extra you’d want to charge me, given how long it’s been — or how mad you might still be. So I did this. Doesn’t matter, because I’m rich!"
Ezekiel looked at him in disbelief. "Where did you get money? You’re always broke."
"I killed a dragon!" said Quinn. "A few dragons."
Ezekiel gave Quinn a cynical look.
Quinn shrugged. "I had help."
Ezekiel shook his head slowly, his mouth agape. "I’m sure you did."
Quinn gave him a pleading look. "Friends again?"
Ezekiel chuckled. "Sure, Quinn. I’d love to be friends."
"Great!" said Quinn. "Drinks are on me!" He waved to the barmaid, then turned around and said, "I don’t believe it!"
"What?" asked Ezekiel.
"That’s my friend Davion!" said Quinn. "He’s a philosopher. He helped me slay dragons. I can’t believe he came." Quinn waved him over.
Davion approached with caution. He held his hand up in greeting to Quinn’s rough companions, then sat down next to Quinn.
"Hey, Davion," said Quinn, "This is Gad and Job. They’re lock-picking enthusiasts too."
Davion looked at the men across the table and asked, "Really? How did you become interested in the hobby?"
Gad and Job looked at each other and snickered.
Quinn hugged Ezekiel’s shoulder. "We have to tell you all about our adventures. You won’t believe it!"
"I bet I won’t," said Ezekiel.
"I named a jackass after you!" said Quinn.
Ezekiel furrowed his brow. "What?"
The reunited friends drank long into the night. They had to carry Davion home.