FATE\Deus Decipit

Chapter 43: Purple Haze

7:45 pm, A Hotel in Athens

Xander and Chauncey made their way through the vacant hall, returning to their team after a semi-successful investigation.

Xander stepped forward with as much diligence as he'd ever had, ready for whatever that would come. The subtle gleam in his eyes revealed his gratitude, his thankfulness for what progress they'd made, seeing a large step in the right direction.

Three paces behind, Chauncey slumped after Xander, his eyebrows nearly as low as the bags under his eyes, not to say that he was unfocused. No- his eyes were locked on the back of his leader's head, his thoughts full of curses and gripes, not out of hatred, but of confusion and frustration. Contact with one of the war's Masters was a mixed bag, with no guarantee that it would be in their favor, and yet, Xander was content. They'd found no sign or trace of the missing Quayyum, and yet, Xander was unbothered. Their priorities were different, of that there was no doubt, but the question was 'why?'. Why was it that they found themselves so misaligned? Though he worried for the safety of Samman Quayyum, despite their differences, he also couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy for the old man: wherever he was, at least he had the freedom to do as he pleased.

The lights of the hall flickered without warning, and from the shadows stepped the familiar shrouded shape of Radiya, the assassin. "Any success?"

A proud but subtle smile rose from Xander, "I'd say so. We've made contact with Saber and his Master, and we think we could be able to reach Assassin through them."

Her eagle eyes fell to the side as she analyzed the new information, "Hm. Yes. That could be good for us." When her head raised again, her eyes met those of the disgruntled Chauncey. They lingered on him for some time, questioning his attitude, before returning to Xander, "What of the old man?"

He shook his head, "You know how mages are. He's likely holed himself up somewhere for the time being. I'm sure he'll return once he's found something worth mentioning."

She didn't appear so convinced, but accepted the answer regardless, stepping back and out of the way of the door to their room. She gestured for them to enter, and the door clicked, unlocking seemingly of its own accord, "I understand your wife has some revelations of her own. You should speak with her."

"I intend to. Thank you."

The two men made their way inside, the Frenchman and assassin trading concerned looks as they passed, and there the beautiful Egyptian Filza could be seen sitting in the space between the two beds in the room and in front of the TV- off. At her feet was a small terrarium, a clear, plastic bin sealed under a yellow lid. Inside were various plants and herbs growing out of a small layer of soil, as well as one of the recognizable ruby bands, though this was all made slightly harder to see with the thin, vaguely purple haze that clung to the inside. Around her was an assortment of open tomes in various languages, and, in her lap, a notebook that she'd been scribbling in as they entered.

As she noticed the dark face of her husband, her otherwise mature face lit with girlish glee, and she immediately crossed the room to greet him with a hug, "I'm so glad you're okay!"

He held her around the waist, "I told you this morning: there was never any danger."

"I'm still allowed to worry," She pulled away from him to look him in the eye, "How'd it go?"

He smiled, apparently amused by his wife's attention, "Well. We made contact with Saber-"

She became suddenly concerned, "Contact? What kind of contact?"

"A deal."

Her shoulders relaxed, obviously relieved.

"He and his Master will contact Assassin on our behalf, then we can work on a plan."