Traveler (36 page)

                “Gods, Mel...it is different.  Knowing you, first, before knowing him...God, I have so much more fear of your father than I had before, wondering what he will think about me when he realizes the nature of our relationship, and more respect for you because you are strong enough to have a father like him and not stand in his shadow.  I’m so very glad I knew you before I did him...but only you can believe that.  I can say it til I’m blue in the face, but it’s up to you to believe it.”

                “If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his nose out of my business,” She muttered softly, slender fingers hastily wiping away a tear that had fallen down her cheek.  Her lips trembled a bit before she took a deep breath, trying to regain what little composure she had left.  

                Luc stepped up to her, stroking her cheek.  “Come on...I want you to meet a friend, properly this time.  Her husband is my closest friend in the entire world...and I think you’ll be fond of her.”  

***

                Darius stepped out of the inn in the small village of Amberdeen, running a hand through his hair.  “This seems to be the safest place for us to be,”  he murmured.  “Depending on where they have taken your wife, my dear prince...this is the safest place for you to be.  Amberdeen is a hub of secrets...a lot of information is passed back and forth between the people here.  It’s also a rebel sympathizer center...so you have no worry of Silvertongue reaching his grimy clutches here.”  Darius turned toward his sister.  “Ari and I will need to leave you here....we have our own demons to run from, and I had promised you safe passage to the nearest town.  I have held up my end of the bargain.”  

                Rahim’s eyes picked up every detail of the town and its inhabitants.  It was small, to be sure, but a lot of information was passed through here.  He looked thoughtfully at the pair of them, and then nodded.  “Yes...I agree with you.  I don’t want you to be in any more danger than what I have already put you through.  I will find my way from here.”  He smiled at Ari.  “Thank you, for convincing him to help me.”

                The blonde-haired girl gave him a small smile as she lingered by Darius’ side.  Her voice was soft, just loud enough for the two men to hear her clearly.  “It was the right thing to do.  There’s no need to thank me.  Good luck on your journey...I hope you find her.”  A hand gently rested Darius’ forearm as if Arielle was afraid he would disappear before her very eyes.

                Rahim left, on his way deeper into the heart of the town.  He would let them do their own thing, and he would find Brileia.  At whatever cost.  He was determined for that.  He set his shoulders squarely, and walked into the nearest tavern.  He had rumors to chase.  

                Darius glanced at his sister.  “And you and I, Ari...we need to go to the rebel camp.  We need to join our forces with theirs...we need to fight father, and to right the wrongs he’s done.”

                Ari looked up at her brother, nodding slowly.  “Of course, Darius.  Wherever you go, so do I.  As for father...you’re right...we need to take care of the messes he’s created.”  A soft sigh escaped her.  “I just don’t understand why he did all those things...”

                “The messes
I’ve
created,” a voice behind her growled.  “And what about the mess
you
have created? The both of you, come with me.  Now.”  

Darius’s eyes widened and he grabbed Ari, pulling her close to him.  “Father.”

Standing behind Ari, a small satisfied smile on his face, was Silvertongue.  Ari and Darius’s father.  He walked into the inn behind them, knowing that they would follow him.  

Darius held Arielle’s arm close to him as they walked into the building.  “Stay close to me,” he whispered.  “I don’t trust him.”

There was confusion and fear in Arielle’s green eyes as she silently followed their father into the inn.  She nibbled on her bottom lip nervously, trying to figure just what mess their father was accusing them of making.  What had they done? Did he know how they helped the prince escape from the dungeons? He couldn’t...could he?

Darius looked at his sister, placing a finger to his lips as he walked with Arielle into a private dining room with their father.  No one recognized him.  He must be using some kind of magic to make his identity a secret.  

She gave Darius a slight nod, clinging tightly to his arm.  Her gaze swept over to their father, an apprehensive look on her face.  Nibbling on her bottom lip still, the petite girl gingerly took a seat on one of the chairs.  It was very rare that her father had ever been angry at her;  though she had seen his ire directed at servants before.

Darius sat next to Arielle, watching as his father’s lips thinned as he looked at the two of them.  “Explain yourself,” he murmured, his eyes cold and green.  

Darius raised his eyebrow.  “Explain what?” He asked, legitimately confused.  

“Why Ari’s usefulness as a token in a political marriage is now destroyed, because of your lustful desires!” He snapped, a muscle in his jaw twitching.  He took a deep breath, letting it out in a fast whoosh.  “I...demand an explanation.”

Arielle drew back slightly, uncomfortable at the way their father was looking at them.  She blinked in surprised confusion, looking at her brother questioningly before looking back to their father.  “Father...what are you talking about?”  She was clearly lost, not understanding what in the world the man was talking about.  Wasn’t he here about them aiding the prince’s escape?  And when had she become a token in a political game?

Darius frowned too.  “Yes, father...I don’t have any idea what you are talking about...Ari and I...we aren’t
involved.
Gods, you couldn’t think that, could you?” he demanded.  

Their father’s gaze was stormy.  “The man who I sent to find you...he saw you, booking rooms together.  He saw you, going into a room together.  You are intimate with her, Darius!  Why in the Gods’ names would you jeopardize everything like that?”

Darius frowned again, shaking his head.  “No, Father...you are wrong.  We shared a room, yes.  But only a room.  And only to keep up appearances to provide a more believable story.  That’s all.”  

                Their father frowned.  “Ari?  Is this true?”  At least his daughter would tell him the truth.

                Wide guileless green eyes met his as Arielle nodded slowly.  “Yes, Father...Darius and I share the room to keep people from asking too many questions.  You told him to keep me safe...and that’s what he does.”

                Their father pursed his lips.  “I see.  Keep in mind, please, when you are away from me...who you are, and whose child you are...” He stood.  “I’ll leave you now.  But behave.  I will be keeping tabs.”  

                Darius nodded, watching his father.  He didn’t trust him...not at all.  “Good-bye father,” he murmured.  

                “Good-bye,  father...” Arielle echoed her brother softly, her gaze following the older man.  It was only by the grace of the gods that she was not shaking visibly in front of him.  It would have been difficult to explain why she was afraid of him now.

                Darius moved with her, taking her hand and bringing her up the stairs.  “We need to talk..privately,” he murmured.  “We need to move, now.  We have been here too long...and we need to get to the rebels, where father can’t track us.”

                Willingly she allowed him to lead her up to the room they had rented the night before.  She nodded in agreement, murmuring softly.  “You’re right.  I don’t know how he found us so easily...how was anyone watching us without us knowing? Or rather without you noticing since you’re much more observant than I am?”

                Darius shook his head.  “I don’t know...but I don’t like it.  We leave at midnight tonight; travelling by dark will allow us to move much faster, and potentially shake anyone who is tailing us.  We will get to the rebel camp within a week, I think.  Then, father will never find us.”

                “Whatever you think is best, Darius.” Arielle replied, glancing around the room briefly before looking back to him with a faint smile.  “If we are going to leave at midnight, then I had best take a nap so I don’t hold us back.”

                While Ari slept, Darius packed his things, and hers.  They needed to be ready to leave.  He stared out the window, only slightly paranoid, until the clock struck midnight.  He shook her awake gently.  “Ari,” he whispered.  “It’s midnight.”

                Yawning, Ari stretched gracefully before finally climbing out of the bed.  Dark blue skirts fell back into place as she pulled her riding boots back on.  Sleepily she ran a hand through her hair, gathering the blonde locks to one side.  Then she gave him a faint smile, settling her dark cloak over her shoulders.  “...okay...let’s go...I’m ready...”

                Darius nodded and led her downstairs, towards the stables.  “It’s time to go.”  He helped her up on her horse, then mounted his.  “Time for our own adventure...and the rebels are at the end of it.”

***

                Aislin had spent the time that Alex had been gone reading, and had done as he had asked in trying to enroll in online classes to get her high school degree done.  It was a frustrating task, and it was driving her absolutely crazy.  It had been a week, to the day, that he had been gone,a nd she was beginning to go stir crazy.  At least, while he was gone, she didn’t have to worry about what she was wearing and how she looked.  

The book, though, was offering no help.  Every time she looked within its pages, there was nothing further--it was all blank.  It was as if it didn’t want her to read anything more.  She needed to be there...she needed to help.  It was a sobering realization.  For her to get anything done, she needed to be in Alex’s world.  

Her red hair was tied up at the base of her neck as she stood in the kitchen in a pair of short shorts and a halter top, making a bowl of cereal.  She was humming a song from her iPod, her headphones in her ears.  She needed distraction from her thoughts for a while....and an empty house allowed her all those opportunities.  

To those skilled enough to feel it, tendrils of magic wound together in the middle of the living room, forming a much needed gateway from one world to another.  Through it came the tall form of Alex, an exhausted look on his face.  He ran a hand through his messy hair and over the dark stubble on his face.  His time away had been much longer than he had hoped, a week in total, and he desperately needed a shower and a bed, not necessarily in that order.

Wearily he went in search of his companion, having missed her more than anything else.  Tired blue eyes landed upon her as he stepped into the kitchen doorway, the sight of her bringing a smile to his face.  As tired as he was, he couldn’t sleep yet...not until he had talked with her and reassured himself that she was fine.  Drawing away from the doorway, he slowly walked towards her.

Aislin looked up from where she was standing at the counter, eating cereal, and then a brilliant smile lit her face at the sight of Alex.  “Alex!” she cried, throwing her ipod on the counter and running towards him.  She threw herself into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.  “I missed you,” she whispered in his ear.

Alex smiled gently, wrapping his arms around her to hold her close.  “I missed you too, little vixen.  Did you keep yourself entertained while I was away?”  He asked softly, carrying her into the living room.

“It was boring,” she said honestly.  “Classes can only keep me entertained for so long,” she rolled her eyes, looking down at him.  “Did you get everything you needed to get done safely?”  It felt so nice to be wrapped up in his arms again.

“Yes...the little bird is safe and so is the Captain.”  He replied reassuringly, running a hand over her back lightly.  “I didn’t get hurt...nor did anyone else.  Although I could use a nap.”

She laughed softly and shivered against him a little.  “Good...then sleep, silly man.  You look exhausted.”  A frown crossed her forehead.  “Please don’t stay up on my account.”

Alex playfully poked her side, carrying her back towards the bedroom they had shared before he had gone to save Dragon and Bird. “Don’t worry so...I’m going to get some sleep. I just needed to see you first.” He kissed her lightly, savoring the taste of her lips.

Aislin kissed him back, letting out a soft groan as his lips found hers.  “I missed that,” she whispered against him, smiling.  “I’m just glad you’re back...so that the next time you go, I can go with you.  I was worried sick about you....and a week is far too long without you..”

“I missed that too,” he murmured softly, hugging her tightly.  “The next time I go...hopefully we have you up to speed with traveling.  I hate the thought of you being caught by that snake Silvertongue and unable to get away to safety.  We’ll just have to work hard, right?”

She nodded.  “I agree,” she murmured.  “I just hope it’s fast...I feel so....useless, here.  Like I’m a fox trapped in a trap and I have to gnaw my own leg off to get anything done.”  Her eyes were glowing in frustration.

“You aren’t useless, Aislin.  So don’t even say something like that.  I understand that you’re frustrated...but everything comes in its own time.  Soon you’ll be doing all of this on your own...fighting all the villains and saving the innocents.” Alex replied, stealing another kiss.  He carried her over to the bed, taking a seat on it.  “Don’t be in such a rush that you actually become that fox in a trap.”

She kissed him back, pouting a little as he sat them down on the bed, still staying on his lap.  She really didn’t want to move.  “But what if something happens...something I can’t fix?” she whispered.  “The book isn’t telling me anything any more.  It’s all blank.  I need to be there, to fix things...” she bunched her hands in his shirt.  “I’m supposed to be this...Traveler, whatever that means...and I’m stuck here while you go on adventures.”

“Trust me, Aislin...they aren’t as fun as you might think.  It is exhausting...and painful at times.” He murmured softly, resting his forehead against hers.  “The book is blank because it doesn’t have something you need to see...not yet anyways.  Even if you cannot go there right now, you are still helping by having the book like you do.  It would not have shown me what it has shown you.”