The Last Mage

Chapter15: Old Friends

Nathan had it right. She sent him to check on Brielle while she was doing last minute work on her hair. While he was gone she left as quickly as possible. She took the small metallic bird from her pocket at the doorway, its magic glowed slightly and the door opened for her. She went out the tunnel on the west side of the city.

If Gideon were here now he'd be at the water station filling up. Then he would hurry back to whichever hiding place he was using for the day. She had to catch him now or it would be dinner before she had a chance again. She wished she'd stayed in better touch. It had been close to a year since she had really spoken with him. She'd seen him two months ago in the food court talking with a group of displeased looking men. He was still trying to stir up a rebellion though he'd switched to more sullen ways.

She smoothed the wrinkled scratchy tunic and unscrewed her water canteen. She kept an eye on the crowds of people around her. It felt so good to be in crowds again. Real crowds full of strangers in the same predicament as she. Only now she wasn't. Now she was a fugitive looking for a spy.

She spotted him finally, three lines down bending over a spicket. Dressed as everyone else, the grey tunic and pants, dirty bare feet, a sweat band around his blonde head, he was nothing special from a distance. But up close it was different. He had thin eyebrows, a perfect nose, and straight white teeth. One thing he didn't let be seen was his pointed ears. She had seen plenty of people with slightly pointed ears but his were definitely elven. He was half elf and proud of it though the looks were all he had got.

She followed inconspicuously several yards behind him, working to screw the lid back on her canteen. No one would know she was following him unless they were watching him. It was something they had perfected over the years. He slipped inside a building and she moved off a little ways pretending to get the lid screwed. Then, swinging it in her loose hand she entered, stepping aside for those coming out. She looked around then, hoping for a sign. A small green light flickered at the stairwell six times. He was on the sixth floor. She took her time following. It wasn't likely anyone would remember her being there but she wanted to take no chances.

Stairs came and went and she realized that she was out of shape. All that time just sitting around mourning had taken its toll. She never had enjoyed the stairs but at least she hadn't been out of breath by the fourth floor. By the time she was at the sixth her legs were aching. She leaned against the doorframe and waited. The hall was completely dark aside from a patch of grey here and there from a westward window. As soon as her eyes adjusted she started down the rows of blackened entries. No doubt he'd be in a room with a window. If someone did happen to come upstairs it was easier to slide out of sight than hide candlelight.

It was then she noticed the stairwell bright with green light. She moved forward quickly, anticipating the happy reunion. So she was surprised when she was grabbed and yanked into a side room before she reached the stairs, a hand clamped over her mouth. She struggled and tried to cry out but the man's grip tightened till she stilled and looked at the face. She flushed with anger as she was released. The man's light laughter was irresistible as always and she kicked herself for not remembering his favorite thing to do when they met.

"Gideon, you crazy idiot!" She slugged his arm playfully.

"Not my fault. You've grown lax. I've never got you so well since the first time we met." He smiled disarmingly, his green eyes bright with the laughter that still lingered there. She had to smile. For the first time since her husband died she felt good. Then a bit quieter while guiding her inside, "You haven't changed much. I still would have recognized you amid all those crowds even if you hadn't been following me." He paused, looking into her eyes. "But this isn't a social call, is it? Something on your mind, Lori?" Only Gideon ever called her that. She didn't like her name to be shortened and yet when he did it somehow it didn't sound so bad. She sat a little closer than usual and he didn't mind. She looked at his face, seeing lines that hadn't shown in days past yet still as handsome if not more.

"We need help." Simple and straight to the point. She studied his reaction, first the concern in his eyes then that one eyebrow raised in question.

"Had a run in with those demons, eh? Zarlo let em loose inside searching for some magic born..." She nodded vigorously and he paused. "For you? No. Who?" She glanced toward the door hoping Gideon would know if anyone was in the hall. He always seemed to.

"My daughter. And we've been found."