The Violet Thread (Part One: Portal Rods)

Chapter Eight

"I said I was with you and I meant it. I haven't stood for anything in a long time and...I just wish I could do more." Zachariah looked down at her sadly.

Violet smiled and threw her arms around what she could of his leg. His shoulders dropped and he patted her gently on the head.

"You have done so much already. More than you could ever know." She pulled back from him and looked up, eyes brimming with tears. "I hope we meet again, Zachariah. It has been an honor."

And for your sake, Violet Darshwani, I hope we do not." Zachariah wiped away his own tear.

"How does she do it?" Arach asked Sawyer incredulously. "I mean, seriously. I have never seen this guy look so...let's just say I actually worried about him tearing off my wings when we arrived."

"It's just her way," Sawyer responded with a shake of his head. "To be honest, I'm kind of going to miss the guy too." He stepped up next to Violet and outstretched his hand. "Thank you, for everything you've done for all of us."

Wyeth stepped next to his brother. "And for not killing us and...I don't know...eating us or something." He shrugged as a crooked smile spread across his face.

Zachariah gave a bellowed laugh and shook each of their hands with one finger. "You did break our deal," he said, turning to Arach who rounded his shoulders and arched his wings slightly.

"Maybe I should start to trust your judgement a little more, huh? You're welcome back here anytime old friend."

The two men smiled at each other warmly. They picked up their belongings and the four headed back out the long chamber and into the cold morning. Their bags were heavier than when they arrived. Zachariah had been gracious enough to lend them some books he thought would be of help. If Violet had her way, she would have carried out the entire library on her back. Luckily , there were a few items he was unwilling to part with. As Sawyer and Wyeth labored under their overburdened bags, Violet flipped the collar of her coat up against a brisk wind. She laughed to herself. If only I'd brought the scarf.

"I'm glad someone can keep a sense of humor about walking to the next town," Wyeth said, squinting and looking down a dusty road. "How far is it, again?"

"Far enough," Arach responded, nudging past him and stepping out from under the bridge.

"Better get started. It'll take most of the day."

"Where did everyone go?" Sawyer asked as they they followed him down the barren path out of town.

Arach shrugged without turning back to him. Sawyer trotted up to his side as he mused. "Parts of the world just fall away from memory sometimes. I doubt anyone remembers what happened to this town. Zachariah probably does, but I didn't think to ask. It may have been that there was a legion of magic here and so it was exterminated. It would make sense, anyway."

Sawyer pulled his coat tighter around him. He caught a chill and not just from the morning air. Aside from its length, the walk was uneventful, an appreciated mundanity for the entire group.
They made their way past the sign welcoming them to the next town just after dusk and checked the train schedule. There was a train leaving for Adleguard in a few hours. It was one of the last trains of the day. They were tired from their long journey. Wyeth went off to phone Katia. Based on the route she had mapped out for them before they left, she would be in one of two towns, both reasonably gypsy friendly. They had arranged a plan of how to reach her. She would be no further away from Adleguard then they were. They had friendlies along the trade routes she would take. They would get her the message.

Sawyer bought drinks and snacks from a magazine kiosk and they sat and waited, no one saying a word except Arach who hung the obligatory poster. Luckily, there were not too many people left in the station, so he made quick work of ensuring that everyone knew why he was there. He sat down next to Violet on the bench and she rested her head on his shoulder. The next thing she knew, Wyeth was shaking her awake. The train had arrived. They found their compartment and piled in. They were too exhausted to even change. They climbed into their bunks and were each out in only a few moments.