"Hey, how is that your fault?"
Bill immediately protested, his face lit with the excitement of someone whose thoughts had been put into words.
"That's what living is all about! Besides, this time is different!"
"Let's hope so."
Douglas chuckled.
"Just don't let it be like last time. You swore you'd discovered the tomb of a modern-era wizard, but after all the effort we spent getting inside, it was emptier than your pockets. All we found was a mummified cat that kept baring its teeth at us."
Bill was utterly unbothered by the mention of that failed expedition.
Instead, he seized on the important point. "Why not your pockets?"
Douglas grinned. "My pockets? Are you sure you want to compare yours with mine?"
"Hahaha... nobody can compete with you. Your pockets are like that fantastic beast you told me about-they've got everything... but I told you, this time is absolutely different! I guarantee it!"
"All right, eat first."
Douglas picked up some lamb with his chopsticks and placed it on Bill's plate.
"We'll talk after you've shown me tomorrow."
The two ate and chatted about recent odds and ends.
"Speaking of which," Bill swallowed a mouthful of lamb and changed the subject, "something strange has been going on with Charlie lately."
"Charlie?" Douglas paused with his chopsticks. "Has he set his sights on another rare breed of dragon?"
"No."
Bill shook his head, his expression growing a little more serious.
"There seems to be something big happening in Romania. Charlie wrote a few days ago saying the entire dragon reserve had gone on the highest alert. Everyone's leave has been canceled, apparently in preparation for some secret project. His letter was vague. He only said it might have something to do with the Ministry of Magic."
Something stirred in Douglas's