He's a Mess of a Man

Book One ~ Chapter Seven

It took Leviathan a few seconds to make sense of his surroundings. Warm hands lifted him up and out of the palace fountain. Asra's worried face swam into view, "Levi? Oh, thank goodness you're back. What happened?" Countess Nadia stood over Asra's shoulder, watching Leviathan with concern.

"Perhaps we should give him a bit of space," said the Countess.

Asra nodded, "Right, of course. Take your time, Levi."

He shivered uncontrollably as he got to his feet, "The... the last thing I saw before I left..." he sighed, "Oh, Lucio..."

"What about him?" Asra asked, "Actually, where is–"

"He's gone!" Leviathan interrupted, "...The Devil took him..."

A shocked silence fell over the garden that was followed by chaos as Asra and Countess Nadia started talking all at once, "The Devil? From your tarot deck? Is that even possible?" asked the Countess.

Asra nodded, "It is... encountering a Major Arcana without preparation is very dangerous–" he was interrupted by a piercing screech that came from overhead. A huge winged shadow crossed the moon. A massive eagle landed atop the fountain. Its intense golden eyes locked on Leviathan's.

"Wait... I saw this bird in the Magical Realms," he thought as he took a step closer to the large bird, "Your name doesn't happen to be Jӕgar, does it?" The bird tilted its head and raised its voice in another piercing shriek.

Just then, the befeathered Chamberlain burst into the garden, their hat dangerously ajar, "Oh, Countess! It's a disaster!"

Hot on their heels, two armed strangers strode into the garden, "You are the Countess? Nadia Satrinava?" the older one spoke.

She glanced at the Chamberlain who began apologizing profusely, "Countess, I know you said you weren't to be disturbed, but they marched past the guards and–"

"You have done nothing wrong," the Countess interrupted. "Please, leave us." Babbling profuse thanks, the Chamberlain backed out of the garden. Countess Nadia's eyes lingered on the weapons in the strangers' hands. "As you have already guessed, I am Countess Nadia Satrinava. Asra and Leviathan are magicians, guests of the palace," she gestured to everyone she introduced. "And you are..?"

The older one sighed, "I am Morga. This is Erik. We seek the one you call, Lucio."

"May I ask why?" said Asra.

Morga answered hesitantly, "He is my son..." The large eagle fluttered to her arm and the three fixed Leviathan with the same unrelenting stares. "We have been tracking him for weeks now. Tell me why his trail ends with you."

Leviathan met all three of their hard, cold eyes. He took a deep breath, "It's... a long story."

"Then you'd better start telling it," said Erik.

Leviathan nodded, "You're right. I have to catch everyone up sooner or later." There was no dissuading them, so he had no choice.

"We should move somewhere more discreet where we cannot be overheard," said Countess Nadia.

"If you insist," said Morga as she and Erik followed the three into the palace, still clutching their weapons. The Countess took them up to her private balcony. Portia locked the door once everyone was present. Countess Nadia poured each person a glass of wine. The two warrior-esc women merely glared, not touching the elegant glass, "We don't have time for niceties. Tell me what you know of my son." Before Leviathan could start explaining, his breath came up short. He yelled. It felt as if there was a huge hot vice squeezing his heart.

"Leviathan?!" yelped Asra.

He sat down, head spinning. The sensation slowly faded. Four pairs of worried eyes watched Leviathan. "Goodness! You look terrible. Shall I send for a doctor?" asked the Countess.