Swordplay

Part 25

As fast as she could, she ran outside to the place she had seen Druidus a few heartbeats ago. She wanted to go home. Unfortunately, she couldn't find him, and her father and Sabio seemed to have left already. Annoyed, she realized she didn't have money for a taxi since she didn't take her purse because it didn't go with her dress. Druidus had to be somewhere. She asked a couple of the guests. One suggested she should look deeper in the garden.

She walked through the park like garden until she reached a lake where a huge weeping willow trailed its long, mourning branches in the water. From here, the house was difficult to see. Close to the willow, a bank for two stood at the bank of the lake. It was a romantic place but Moira had no mind for it. Annoyed, she sat on the bench. Where was Druidus? She looked back to the house. Its lights lit up the clouds in the darkening sky. A few raindrops fell but Moira didn't want to go back. She wasn't interested in the guests' small talk, and without Druidus, she didn't want to meet his parents again. When the rain grew stronger, she took of her high heels and climbed into the willow. Half way up, she found a sturdy branch she made herself comfortable on. While the rain ran off the willows dense canopy, Moira thought. She didn't doubt for one minute that she fell in love with Druidus. But was it enough for a long term relationship especially since both his parents didn't like her one bit? She sighed. It was a fact she couldn't dismiss, if she wanted Druidus, she'd have to get along with his family.

Before she could decide on a course of action, she heard voices come along the path. Peering through the leaves, she notices a super-sized umbrella. Since she didn't want to be seen, she tried to be as silent as possible. She held her breath when she recognized Sabio's voice.

"I can't stand it any longer," he said. "It wears me down to deceive my best friend."

A low, female voice answered but Moira couldn't understand the words.

"Why should I be interested in the money? I need you!" They stopped beside the lake, and the umbrella sank to the side. They kissed.

Moira suppressed a surprised scream at the last possible moment. The woman in Sabio's arms was Aparta de Frees.

"Did you hear something?" Aparta looked around.

Sabio pulled her closer and lifted the umbrella back up. "Not in this rain."

They sat on the bench and vanished completely under the umbrella's cover, so Moira only heard their voices.

Sabio sounded desperate. "Why can't you get a divorce?"

"I'm going to get one soon," Aparta said. "My office is well established, and I'm finally earning enough many to be independent. But I need some time to prepare Druidus. Under no circumstances will I leave him."

"Druidus is of age. Let him find his own way."

"I can't bear the thought of losing him."

"You won't. Your son loves you way too much for that."

Silence, but Moira knew they were kissing again. How can I get away without them noticing me? She looked around but no escape route presented itself.

"I could sit like this forever," Aparta said.

"That's no option. Someone is coming," Sabio whispered. The umbrella rose. Fast but without running, the lovers left the lake.

Moira looked toward the house. Sabio was right. A shape with another umbrella was running toward the lake. It was Druidus. Finally. She climbed off the tree and landed right in front of him. He jumped back in surprise.

"It's about time," she said.

"Moira! I've been looking for you all over the place. Where have you been?" He wrapped his arms around her as best he could with the umbrella in his hand, hugged her, and spoke without waiting for an answer. "I was afraid my parents might have bullied you out. They are much too good at that."

"I had a couple of – let's say – very interesting conversations with them. But I wouldn't have left without a farewell anyway." She breathed in his fresh scent and relaxed.

Despite the rain he pulled her to the bench where Aparta and Sabio had sat a few minutes ago. "Don't take it personally. Father believes I have to obey his every whim as long as I'm living at home, and Mother treats me as if I'm still her little boy. All the while, both want my best. It's just that their ideas about what's best for me don't get along with mine."

Moira leaned her head against his shoulder. "Your father said you have never kept a girl he didn't like."

"So far, I have kept no girlfriend at all." He laughed but it didn't sound happy. He took her hands. "Most didn't mean enough to me to start a fight with my parents. With you, it's different. I want to marry you and grow old with you whether my parents like it or not."

Moira gasped and freed her hands. "Not so fast. I'm not really known for long term relationships. So, how can you talk about marriage?"

"Don't worry. I won't push. I just wanted you to know that I'm prepared to fight my parents for your sake. I will not allow them to hurt you."

Moira was touched. She sat up straight and offered him her lips. He kissed her tenderly. When she was able to breathe again after long minutes, she closed her eyes and leaned against his shoulder. "I've had enough for one day. Can you take me home?"

"Sure." He didn't stand up, but Moira didn't mind. In silence they watched the sinking sun break though the clouds until the lake reflected the light.

Finally, Druidus sighed and got up. "Let's go and pay our respect."

"I think you should do that without me. At the moment, none of your parents is keen on talking to me." Moira linked arms with him, and together, they walked toward the house. Soon, they saw the other guests that had found refuge from the rain in the big conservatory and who slowly returned into the open again.

"It seems as if my parents are inside," Druidus said.

"I'll fetch my coat." Moira kissed him. "They'll probably be delighted to see me go." She hurried into the house, found a servant who handed her the coat, and waited patiently for Druidus. Through the living room's wide open gullwing doors, she watched the guests standing around the ample buffet in small groups, talking and eating. The conversations blurred to a monotonous mumble until Druidus voice rose over it. "I don't care what you think of her. She is my life."

Excelsior's answer was o low to be heard in the hall, but Moira recognized his voice.

"Another remark like that and you'll be a dead duck for me. Dead. For ever!" Druidus stormed toward her. He pushed the guests aside that didn't get out of his ways fast enough. "Come, let's go."

At this moment, Sabio entered from the garden. His hair hung down in wet, limp strands, making his face even more solemn than usual. With his mobile parlebol in his hand, he took Druidus's elbow and pulled him toward the exit. "Independence Road seventeen," he said.

Druidus paled. "Another one?" He fit his step to Sabio's, looked back at Moira, and waved her to come.

"Several, and this time they are not homeless." Sabio created a green, blinking Lumière Magique and put it on the roof of Druidus' carpisto. "From all Semra said I gathered that we'll have to take a closer look before we can eliminate a connection to the murders of the homeless." He put both hands against the roof and stared at the ground through his arms.

"I'm so fed up." When he had entered, he slammed the door. Moira, who already sat in the backseat, flinched.