Building a New Cage

"I need a cage built," Zagan said in a deceptively calm tone.

Nedra was someone he tried not to bother with too many requests or issues that could potentially put her emotions in upheaval. She had done a lot for him, and they were on good terms lately. But it was always tenuous ground with Nedra. He didn't want to revisit any of the old arguments or issues that they had gone through in the past. She hated him. He was aware of it, and he deserved it of course. The problem was that he was not going to let her go, so they had to coexist as peacefully as possible.

"Another cage? You have so many," she replied, leaning against the chair in front of his desk rather than sitting in it.

"This new one will be here in the castle," he told her, standing from behind his desk and pushing the chair in. He didn't like to be the only one sitting. He was in a hurry to get this conversation over with anyway so he could check on the two alyko in the infirmary.