Fear's Union

Chapter Seventeen

-Xen-

Xen walked with an aimlessness borne of not knowing. The weight of Anejo's words hung off of her, dragging her constantly down. The effect was such that she shuffled around like an aimless zombie. Waiting. She was utterly lost, and yet she still had a purpose. She had to find Keles.

Why would he gift himself to that strange man? Why would he alienate himself? It didn't make any sense, so perhaps Anejo was wrong. But however cavalier Anejo might be, she was nearly always correct. It was the most annoying thing about her friend. Her gut churned.

But why? Anejo couldn't answer that. Would he really trade his life close to her for a new challenge? He had been acting strange recently, but when he'd touched her hand the connection was clear. They were one; they were a single entwined entity; and they loved each other.

She had little idea what the time was except that it was late. The darkness was complete, one of those nights where the natural pitch was accentuated by a thick blanket of cloud. There was no wind to speak of, and the whole Academy had an eerie quality to it. Not that such trivial things bothered her. She wanted answers, and she would have them soon.

She arrived at his office, and a crack around the door was illuminated. He was in. She moved closer, shuffling across the stone floor. Her boiling emotions subsided, suppressed, for a moment at least. She stepped slowly towards her answers.

There were voices drifting from inside the room, both male, and the second voice was definitely Archmaster Hephesta. He sounded displeased.

"I still cannot understand your motive. What could have turned you from such a staunch objector to a vehement adorer? You speak of him as if he is some sort of magician."

Keles replied, but she could not make it out. But it didn't matter. Archmaster Hephesta's words vindicated Anejo's suggestion. He was leaving.

"And then you bring exile upon yourself! By the Uncle's logic, what use are you if you cannot even pass into the country?"

She craned her head at the door, straining for Keles's words. "I only need denounce the man to return." He was definitely the more subdued of the two.

Archmaster Hephesta scoffed. "Well, I will certainly not be conceding that you are leaving for good. Dusk is coming. You saw it yourself. You will be back."

"Dusk will wait, but the Nadari will not. They will build on their treachery, and we need to uproot them. We do have your support on this, don't we?"

The sigh that the Archmaster gusted was evidence enough. Keles had always had a way with the Arrchmaster.

"Yes, I will support this course of action because you believe in it. And I trust you. But that does not mean I am happy with it. I want your assurance that the exercise is purely observational. I do not want to endanger my relationship with the High-Consul. You do realise he has expressly forbidden any such intervention?"

"I realise, and you have my word."

There was a moment of silence and a chair scraped across the floorboards. Footsteps came her way. She instinctively backed against the wall, making herself as small as possible. She would be in so much trouble if she was caught. Fortunately, the Archmaster was lost in his own head and paid no attention. She quickly darted into the room and once inside she gazed at her love. Her anger melted away, and she cried.

"Why are you leaving me?" Her words were mumbled. He didn't respond.

She collapsed to her knees, heaving. Keles stepped deftly forward and grabbed her under the arms, pulling her up. She put her face in his chest and let loose. He held her tight, and it was the same grip that had warmed her on cool evenings. His arms were vast, encircling her, and she shivered. But he was leaving her. She pulled away and frowned, but another sob ruined the effect. Not that it mattered.