Uncharted: A Thief's Legacy

Chapter XVIII - Get It Right

"You remember wha' you're gonna say?" Charlie asked.

"Yes. Is this really necessary?" Elijah shifted in his seat and bit at his lip. The hand that was holding his phone quivered slightly.

"I'm jus' takin' every precaution." Charlie grabbed the back of a kitchen chair across from where Eli sat, flipped it around, and sat down on it backwards. His left arm he rested across the seat back, and he set his right elbow on the table. He was gripping a pistol almost lazily in his right hand, and he leveled it towards Eli, the safety already off and his finger on the trigger. "Pu' it on speaker."

"I know, I know." Eli's fingers flew on his phone, but he kept glancing at the pistol and he squirmed in his seat. After a few moments he set his phone on the table and tapped the speaker button. Immediately Charlie could hear the line ringing on the other end.

"Elijah, this is a surprise."

"Why did you assume it was me?"

"Lucky guess."

"You should start double checking who you're talking to. Who knows who could be using my phone?" Marlowe actually laughed.

"I see that Samuel Drake didn't damage your wit."

"Maybe I'd be a little more inclined to be respectful if you and your men hadn't left me for dead," Eli said coldly. Charlie cocked the gun and Eli jumped at the sound. The two made eye contact, and Charlie mouthed,

"Be nice."

"And yet, you seem to be doing just fine," Marlowe said. Charlie saw Eli's face harden, but the young man replied in a flat voice,

"Yes, I suppose so. I apologize." He sounded quite unconvincing, but Marlowe ignored it.

"And believe me, I am glad you're alive. Rarely have men showed me the kind of unwavering allegiance that you did. It takes a special kind of man to do what you did without hesitation, but I trust you'll rest easy knowing you did the right thing. Our world will be a better place because of your loyalty and that does not go unnoticed by me. I'm proud of you, Elijah."

"Thank you, sir," Elijah said. He had paled slightly, but he kept his voice remarkably steady. "I hope this proves my commitment to your cause."

"Most certainly. When will I be seeing you next, Elijah?"

"Well, I'm in London right now. Just name a time and place." There was a lengthy pause on Marlowe's end.

"I would like to discuss with you, among other things, your role in the Order, but I am hesitant to do so over an unsecured line. I will be in London to meet with colleagues in four days. Come to our usual meeting place this Friday, after dark. Let's say, nine pm. Come alone. Can you do that?" Eli glanced at Charlie, and he gave Eli a nod of approval.