The Mirror Mage

51. The Smoking Room

Ben had to practically drag Lucian from the Library. He was pulling out books, one at a time, marvelling over the contents.

"I'd forgotten how much I loved reading. Books are rare things on Rhillion," he told Ben. "We don't have printing presses, or paper, for that matter. Each book has to be hand written on animal hide."

"Really?" Ben was surprised, though now he came to think of it, the only books he could remember seeing were those in the Guild Master's study. "Perhaps we could take a couple back with us."

Lucian's face lit up. "Could we? That would be wonderful, I'll ask Lady Melissa. I remember a book I was reading before I left. It came out in three volumes and I was just about to start the third. Let me see if I can remember the title... Waverley, or Sixty Years... something like that."

The title struck a chord in Ben's memory, reminding him of some research he'd done for a film.

"You mean the novel by Sir Walter Scott?"

"Was it? The poet?" Lucian was surprised. There had been no author name on the books he'd read.

"Yes. Waverley was his first novel, I think. Though he wrote several more after that."

Ben took Lucian by the elbow and steered him toward the door.

"You can come back and browse later. It's obvious nothing was broken in here and we need to check the next room."

"Yes, master," replied Lucian with a dry look.

Ben grinned and pushed open the door into the Smoking Room. His eyes were drawn immediately to the broken glass of the display case. As far as he could tell, the case was empty.

"What do you think was in there?"

"Eldor!"

"What?" Ben spun around to find Lucian glaring over his shoulder. A figure stepped out from behind the desk in the corner.

For a moment, Ben couldn't believe his eyes. But there was Eldor, as large as life, his coat pockets bulging with the items he must have taken from the display case, but of more immediate concern was the modern revolver in his right hand.

"Hello, Althor." Eldor smiled, his hand steady, the gun covering both of them.

"What the blazes are you doing here?" roared Lucian. "In my home?"

"Just helping myself to some protection. I saw the weapon thou brought back. I couldn't help wondering if there might be more, in thy world." He waved the gun. "And look what I found. I don't know why thou settled for a blade when thou had this to hand."

"Do you know what you've got?" asked Ben, feeling sceptical. He wondered whether the gun was even loaded. He knew there were no firearms on Rhillion for Eldor to have studied.

"I do indeed. I owned something very similar to this on my home world. I admit that was a few years ago now, but I haven't forgotten." Eldor smiled again as Ben's face fell. "I found this one in that desk, along with a handy box of missiles. Don't worry, I know how to use a gun."

"But what good will it do you?" demanded Lucian. "You can't take that back to Rhillion."

"Can't I?"

"You know you can't!"

"Oh, I think I can!"

"Over my dead body!"

"That can be arranged!"

"How did you find us?" asked Ben, trying to deflect the mounting aggression. "I thought the paths were supposed to be invisible to other people."

"They are. But I was patient. I waited between, until I saw one of the lights blinking. I realised that must be someone going through the glass, so I knew that was the one. Worth investigating, in any case."

Ben was impressed, despite himself. He didn't think that idea would have occurred to him.

"So, what are your plans, now?"

"I'm going back to Rhillion, of course. I've got what I came for. I would have been on my way if thou hadn't interrupted."

"We came up because we heard the glass breaking," Ben said, glancing at the display case. "Careless of you."

"It was an accident," Eldor snapped. "Now get out of my way! I'd rather not waste any projectiles on thee but I will if I have to."

"We can't let you go! Not with those weapons." Lucian crossed his arms, defiantly. "Put them down and I'll consider it."

"Do thou think I'm an idiot?" Eldor was incredulous. His finger convulsed on the trigger, even as Ben flung himself at Lucian, bringing them both to the floor.

A burning pain scorched across the top of Ben's shoulder. His heart was pounding and his ears rang with the sound of gunfire, but they were alive. Lucian was gasping for air beneath him, winded by the unexpected fall and Ben's weight.

For the moment they were shielded from Eldor's sight by a dainty antique couch but that wouldn't protect them for long. They had to move. Lying in front of the doorway, they were blocking Eldor's escape route. Any second, Ben expected Eldor to rush forward and finish them off, but he could hear the desk drawers being violently opened. Evidently something else was more important. More ammunition perhaps?

They had to move while Eldor was distracted. Ben rolled off Lucian, trying not to jar his shoulder, and pointed back to the open door. Lucian shook his head angrily until he caught sight of the blood. His eyes narrowed into cold slits and he came up into a crouch.

He helped Ben get to his feet, both of them bent low behind the sheltering couch. "Go!" he mouthed.

As soon as Ben began to move, Lucian rose up and heaved the couch toward Eldor. There was an almighty crash as the couch hit the desk. Eldor ducked instinctively, swearing.

In a flash he was back on his feet, firing at the place Lucian had been only seconds ago. But he was too late.

Outside in the passage, Lucian looked anxiously at his lover. Blood stained his shirt and his face was pale.

"How bad is it? Do you need a healer?"

"I'm fine. Just a graze, I think." Ben ventured what he hoped was a reassuring smile. His shoulder was throbbing painfully, but he thought they had more important things to worry about right now.

Lucian was torn. Part of him wanted to rush Ben somewhere safe so he could tend to his wound, but the other part couldn't bear to leave Eldor here, in control. He could only imagine the chaos he would cause if he managed to return to Rhillion, bearing alien weapons.

To his relief, he saw Melissa and the Rider running toward them down the passage. And best of all, Melissa carried what looked like a soldier's musket.