Dark Stranger

Avriel - Part 11

A bit more history and the lead up to the big operation. :)

Case 3 - "Dragonfire"

When everyone was asleep, a pair of green eyes opened. A phone was removed from a coat pocket and a call was made to a familiar number. "Esther?"

At the positive response on the other end of the phone Avi started talking.

"They're in contact with the Council. If Ezra could just have got rid of the bodies, there wouldn't have been any issue. It's the evidence that's making the Council mad. I know these guys have been driving you insane ever since they found out about the Heir, but come on. Leaving bodies around for humans to investigate... What were you two thinking?"

"There wasn't time with the first one. We were interrupted. He had reinforcements coming Avi. Our safe house was compromised and we barely got out in time." Esther said.

"What happened with the woman?" He asked.

"She was armed Avi. She was threatening to stab me in the stomach. Ezra went after her, but I got to her first. I made sure it was as painless as possible, but... No one threatens me like that, ever. You hear me Little Brother. No one."

"OK, OK. I've been trying to find you guys. Do you need anything?" Avi asked.

"No, stay away now. Keep those investigators busy and away from us. It's nearly time to leave. You understand? We will present ourselves to the Regent at the proper time. When we have her acknowledgement as the rightful heirs, we will leave and go home. Proof is everything in this day and age and no amount of video footage is going to convince these old-fashioned morons. We have to be seen. If only that bloody cult hadn't decided to come out of the woodwork, it could have all been accomplished without bloodshed." Esther said angrily.

"I'll try to make sure the Council have no reason to come after you and yours." Avi assured her.

"Do whatever you can Little Brother. Once we are back home and on our thrones, this will blow over. Our Council members understand the feud. Besides the Ascalonians have made so many enemies back home, they are starting to become the hunted no longer the hunters. I don't know about the breed over here in the States. I'm hoping they are true zealots and once we leave, there will be nothing, and no one here for them to pursue."

"We've come to the same conclusion. We just hope they're not the mercenary type. Try and get Ezra to let me know what I should get you and if all is successful at the Ceremony. I'm really sorry to be missing out on your special moment, but I'm a better fighter than I ever was a care-giver."

"Don't say foolish things Uncle Avriel. You will be the Guardian and we will expect you to return when all is final. Don't get too attached to the States and its transitory pleasures Avi. You will be required when all is settled."

"Yes Esther." He nodded and touched his forehead then chest. Force of habit since she couldn't see him. Then she rang off and he put the phone away.

"I hope we can get the Council off our backs this end, or I'm going to be the worst Guardian in our history ever." Avi muttered.

...........

I closed my eyes and mulled over the side of the conversation I had heard through the open bathroom doors. It was one thing to know that you were helping someone who might not be sharing all the information, another to have it confirmed. Although to be honest it really sounded like the dragons were the injured parties not their hunters.

It was obvious that Avi's true mission was to ensure the Council was appeased and that his family was left alone. Not such an easy thing to arrange unless you had friends who could pitch in and help with the evidence disposal. Maybe we'd get the whole story out of him when the dust settled, I wasn't confident though.