by JM Bray
As he finished speaking, his pacing slowed until he came to a stop. Flea stood staring into the fog, while his arms slowly lowered. Vincent paused in stunned silence. He set a hand on Flea’s shoulder, and said, ‘Who are you, and what have you done with Flea?’
Flea came to himself with a slight shake. ‘Come hang with us tomorrow night and see for your own bad self.’
‘After a speech like that, maybe I better,’ Vincent said as he pulled out his ID and followed Flea into the cafeteria.
They worked their way through the line and piled their plates with what the placard claimed was, ‘Chicken Noodle Casserole topped with “delicious” — albeit slightly green — “gravy”’. Flea headed toward the south side of the building.
‘Hey, isn’t this area for the cafeteria workers or something?’
Flea stopped. ‘You’re kidding, right?’
Vincent dipped his chin. ‘No, I...just figured — ’
‘C’mon bud.’ Flea walked away.
Vincent noticed how much quieter it was in the smaller area and commented on it.
Flea said, ‘I figure if you can’t get good food, at least you don’t have to eat with five hundred people.’
‘I never thought about it; I just went where everybody else did.’
Flea shook his head. ‘That’s exactly what I was saying to you yesterday; you’ve got to start making your own decisions. Last year I was okay living with reclusive-roommate guy, but that stops as of tonight.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘Now stop doing what people tell you...and follow me.’
Vincent got his usual three glasses of water while Flea filled his with soda then headed toward a table surrounded by five people Vincent didn’t know. His mouth went dry but he took a breath and followed Flea.
Vincent glanced at his tablemates. The guy on his left was out of shape, wore horn-rimmed glasses, and had greasy hair. He looked like a cross between a rocket scientist and a mechanic. Next to him were a guy with bad acne and frizzy blond hair and a girl with glasses who resembled the wicked witch of the west. Beside her was a cute brunette with elfin features and hair a little longer than Vincent’s. Her almond-shaped light brown eyes tilted up at the corners. An intense guy with a five o’clock shadow, thin hair and a mustache completed the group. The whole procedure had taken only a few seconds, and went unnoticed by everyone except mustache guy, who nodded as if to say, ‘Nice move.’
That guy doesn’t miss a thing.
‘Vincent, let me introduce you to the gang.’ Flea gestured like a circus ringleader. ‘The guy on your left is Mike Goodall.’ Mike looked up from his food and smiled. Vincent noticed the unwashed look also applied to his teeth.
‘The next young, uh, man, is E.T. We’re not sure what his name actually is, but he’s as close to an alien as you’re ever likely to meet.’ E.T. ignored the jibe and saluted Vincent with his fork.
Flea’s voice took on an icy tone. ‘The next person is Emily Gustafson.’
Flea liked everyone. What’s up with that?
Emily batted her eyes myopically at him in what Vincent could only guess was some attempt at flirting.
‘Moving right along, we have the fourth member of our little group, Julie Reave.’ Julie met his look directly and smiled warmly. Her second tooth from the middle sat slightly misaligned.
What a perfect imperfection. His heart flip-flopped a couple of times and he smiled back. ‘I...am, uh...it’s a pleasure to meet you.’
She giggled. ‘Charmed, I’m sure.’
Flea cleared his throat. ‘If I may interrupt? This is Alan Welsh, also known as Knife.’
Vincent felt his ears go warm and snapped his eyes to the mustachioed guy. He smiled at Vincent. Actually, it wasn’t really a smile; it was more like he had bared his teeth. The semi-feral grin made Vincent feel like he was on the dinner plate instead of the chicken noodle goop. He nodded in return. ‘Knife? That’s an interesting name. How’d you get it?’
‘The Magic Man gave it to me,’ he said, with a shrug. ‘Once he gives you a name, it sticks.’
‘Where is Magi tonight?’ Flea asked.
‘No one knows,’ Knife said. ‘He’s disappeared. Kwai Chang found a note that said something about going to L.A. to get married, but even he doesn’t know the full story. You know Magi.’ He laughed quietly. ‘He’ll turn up somewhere.’
Vincent was confused. ‘Magi?’
‘That’s Magic,’ Julie said. ‘Magic, Magi, The Magic Man, Mag, all the same person. It just depends who you’re talking to.’
‘Ah. Okay. Thanks,’ he said, with a smile. ‘Why does his name sound familiar?’
‘It should,’ E.T. said. ‘Magic’s famous.’
‘Or infamous,’ Knife said. ‘Again, it depends on who you talk to.’
Flea said, ‘Remember the guy that jumped off the cliff one night freshman year?’
Vincent, having a mouthful of food, nodded.
‘Well that was Magi.’
‘And the flood at Muller Dorm?’ Julie asked quietly.
‘Mmmmh,’ he said around his drink.
Her eyes twinkled as she spoke. ‘Some say he did it.’
Flea leaned forward. ‘How about when he appropriated the Christmas tree from the caf entrance?’ He pointed to a spot near them. ‘The place is full, we have a blackout during dinner, and when the lights come back on, the tree’s gone.’
Knife lowered his drink and spoke. ‘Did you hear about the small fire in the north side of the caf last year?’
Vincent nodded. ‘Yeah, I was here. Lots of black smoke, and the staff running around with extinguishers.’
‘That was Magi, too.’
‘How do you know it was him?’
Knife grinned. ‘I handed him the lighter.’
‘No way.’
‘Really?’
‘How’d it happen?’
The group slipped into an easy rhythm of conversation and Vincent’s usual discomfort around strangers faded.
Knife went on. ‘Well, the food’s pretty bad here, right?’
‘Yeah,’ he said, poking at his noodles
‘Magi felt the same way. One night we’re eating, and he said, “This stuff is beyond bad.” I nodded. So he takes my plate and his, then puts them together face-to-face with the food inside.’ Knife made a mashing motion with his hands. ‘Understand?’
‘Yeah, like a flying saucer. Then what happened?’
Flea picked up the tale. ‘Then he put four glasses upside down in a square and set the coffin of plates on top of them. Like a pyre. He slowly covered it with an open napkin, and stuffed more underneath. I wasn’t sure what he had in mind because he had such a solemn look on his face; it was almost reverent. Anyhow, he said, “Knife, your lighter, please.”’
Knife continued, ‘I handed it to him, thinking he was just messing around. But he wasn’t. He put the business end of the lighter in the napkins and struck it.’ Knife shook his head. ‘The napkins caught right up, and the plastic started smoking almost immediately. He watched it for a second then calmly got up and walked away from the table. We were so stunned, we just went with him. He never said a word, but did look back once with an expression like “I wonder who did that?”’
‘You never know what’s gonna happen when he’s around,’ Flea said.
They were all smiling, enjoying the story; Vincent understood why Flea liked them.
Knife tossed his napkin on his partially eaten food. ‘So, everyone up for gaming?’
‘Tonight?’ Flea asked. ‘I thought we were getting together tomorrow. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I’m going to the shop tonight to get a new wizard.’
‘Whoa there, big guy. I meant tomorrow.’ Knife put his hands up toward Flea.
‘Ah. Sorry.’ Flea rubbed the back of his neck.
Knife looked at Vincent. ‘You should join us.’
Vincent nodded. ‘Flea was telling me about it earlier. Maybe I will.’
‘Cool.’ Mike spoke for the first time; hi
s voice had an adolescent squeak.
Emily stood up abruptly and shoved in her chair. ‘Well, I think our group is full enough.’ With a hard look at him and Julie, she stalked off.
Julie’s face turned red. She quietly got up from the table. ‘I guess I better get going.’
‘Hey,’ Vincent said gently. ‘You don’t have to leave.’
‘No. Really.’ She quickly regained her composure. ‘I’m finished anyhow, and I have a paper to get to so I can be free tomorrow night. Will I see you there?’
‘Sure,’ Vincent said, dipping his head. ‘I’ll see you then.’
‘Great.’ She dazzled him with a smile, waving at the rest of the table. ‘Until then everyone, adieu.’
Vincent watched her departure. She moved her long legs and hourglass figure in an overtly feminine, almost feline way.
Wow. His pulse started the flipping thing again.
Flea’s voice interrupted his thoughts, ‘You hate to see her go, but love to watch her walk away.’
The guys around the table chuckled or nodded.
‘I...uh...well — ’
Knife waved his hand. ‘Don’t stress it, we understand.’ His comment diffused the moment and Vincent’s chest stopped doing jazzercise.
‘But when you start gaming with us, you better watch out.’ Flea waved his fork.
‘Watch out? For Julie?’ Vincent raised his eyebrows.
‘No, Emily. Man, if looks were cold, Julie would be frozen to her chair.’
Everyone laughed and Vincent felt more at ease with them than he had around a group in a long time, maybe his entire life. It was the first real feeling of camaraderie, besides with Flea, he had ever experienced, and it felt good.
‘I’d probably have a little frostbite myself,’ Vincent ventured.
Their laughter continued and Vincent felt even better. He could sense that though these people didn’t really know him, they accepted him without reservation.
‘Yeah,’ Knife said. ‘You’d better check your toes and fingers.’
Mike gulped his drink. ‘You also better...’ he paused to belch mid-sentence, ‘listen to what Flea said.’
‘Why’s that?’
E.T. spoke up, ‘Emily plays a thief who has a nasty habit of killing off characters that get on her bad side.’
‘I have no idea what that means, but thanks for the advice.’
‘Don’t mention it.’ Flea replied.
‘Happy to help,’ said E.T.
Vincent rubbed his chin. Maybe he’d avoided the college social scene too much? His eyes roamed the tables filled with laughing students. Was everyone this nice, or was this group special?
Chapter 3
Rescue
Near the Cloister of Berdine
‘Special?’ Jolie laughed as she loosed the honey-coated arrow. ‘What’s so special about him?’ Before Sari could answer, she continued, ‘He probably doesn’t even know honey is poison to the Kafla. Our Novices learn that the first week of their schooling. Perhaps the Matriarch is off in this instance?’
Jolie…always the fiery one. Sari shot two shafts in quick succession, the second flying before the first had hit. ‘And you should realize that our basic knowledge might be rare outside our order. Besides, it’s not just any honey.’ She nodded with satisfaction as the last two Kafla fell. ‘Remember your lessons?’ Sari tucked a strand of loose blonde hair behind her ear and turned to Jolie. She put a hand on her hip and raised her eyebrows, all while trying not to smile at her closest friend.
‘Yes, Mistress Sari. “The honey must come from a bee which has suckled the rosemary blossom.” Plus, we tend to keep certain secrets.’ Jolie grinned. ‘It helps us maintain our mystique.’
The benefit of knowing someone since childhood, you help them stay humble. Sari turned and started walking. ‘Let’s go see if the Traveler is badly injured.’ Signaling her patrol out of the trees, they advanced slowly toward the dugout. ‘Check these bodies, and remember not to let any of their drool get on you unless you want to get burned.’ She knew the women were aware of the flammable saliva, even the two Novices. Three of them had seen more action than she could ever hope to equal. They carried the battle scars to prove it, but as their leader, she felt it was her duty to see to the safety of those in her command. Sari knew she had a deep sense of duty and attention to detail, but still couldn’t understand why the Matriarch had promoted her to Commander so early in her career.
Kris nudged one of the bodies, and its head flopped over; the liquid dripped from its mouth, igniting as it landed. ‘Ugh. Fifteen years fighting these things, and I still can’t get used to how ugly they are.’
Pandora was on her first patrol, and stayed close to Matilda, one of the senior Warriors. ‘Are you sure they’re dead? They smell so good.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Coleen said. ‘We’ve all wondered the same thing. You did well today.’
‘Yep,’ Jolie said as she walked up. ‘Neither you nor Khari wet yourselves.’ She looked at their leathers, and they checked themselves reflexively. Jolie grinned over at her. Sari raised an eyebrow and pointed her chin at the Refuge.
Jolie nodded once, stepping up to the door of the stout shack. ‘Now, let’s see if we can coax the brave Warrior from his rabbit hole.’
‘Give him a break,’ Kris said as she and Khari moved the last Kafla from the path. ‘I’d like to see you take on these things without honey.’
Jolie turned, her smile dangerous. ‘I could give you a break — ’
Sari stepped between them. ‘Ladies, save your competition for the practice grounds. Though she might have put it better, Jolie is right, we need to get him out of there. Any suggestions?’ She surprised the Novices by turning to them first.
Pandora recovered quickly. ‘We could break the door down, Commander.’
‘We could. Though it looks like the Kafla made the attempt already, and they are considerably stronger.’ She motioned to the iron-strapped door. ‘Khari?’
Khari’s brow furrowed. ‘Since the Refuge House is stone, and the door ironbound wood, we could torch the door and break it in after it weakens.’
‘That might work, but the resulting smoke from the fire might cause him further harm. Yes?’
Khari’s shoulders sank, but then she took a breath and raised her chin. ‘Yes, Commander.’
Coleen shrugged. ‘Why don’t we try talking him out?’
‘That sounds like the most reasonable path, Coleen. Go ahead.’
Sari stepped away from the door, letting her approach. ‘Novices, remember, very few ideas are completely without merit. I could have ordered Coleen to talk him out to begin with, but it’s important that Maidens learn to follow orders and make decisions. That doesn’t come without practice. Someday you may be the one giving the orders.’ As she turned back toward Coleen, she saw Khari and Pandora stand a little taller.
Coleen knocked on the door lightly with her leather-gloved fist.
Coleman knew it had to be a trick. The taps on the door. The voices. It sounded like women. Here, in the middle of nowhere? He couldn’t focus his swimming thoughts.
He tried to stand and found it was impossible, so he dragged himself to the door. After several tries, he managed to wedge his body against it and nudge high enough to reach the bar. His head slumped and he passed out.
‘I think I heard something, Commander,’ Coleen said over her shoulder. ‘He might be alive.’ Her voice was hopeful.
‘Excellent. Keep at it. Perhaps he’ll respond again,’ Sari said.
Flowers. Yellow flowers.
Knee-high fields of them as far as he could see. Green stalks gently moving in the breeze. He walked through them, enjoying the peace.
‘Hello?’ a soft voice said. He turned but saw no one. He was calm. The voice meant him no harm.
‘I need you to try again. I know you’re tired.’
The voice; was it a woman? The voice was right. Tired, so tired. It’s peaceful here. A good place to res
t.
Just.
Stay.
Forever. That would be nice. Rest.
‘Don’t give up; you’re doing well. Come to me. Lift the bar.’
What bar? He turned and now saw a door, standing alone in the field. Oh, she’s right, it’s barred. Such a nice voice. I’ll just lift...’
Coleman crashed to the floor, the weight of the bar more than he could bear. Light like the heavens flooded in. A spirit had come to take him to Paradise. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen reached toward him.
So, this is death...
As the Cloister’s Mistress of Healing, Jolie was first through the door when it opened. She lifted the bar from his chest. He spoke; something about flowers, and she saw his face, clearly, for the first time. By the Divine, he’s gorgeous. Get hold of yourself, Jolie. ‘He’s pretty beat up and has multiple wounds that need stitching; several are deep. He’s also suffering from extreme exhaustion.’ She nodded to Sari. ‘I think he’ll make it.’ She turned back to him, and he looked into her eyes, smiled, and passed out. ‘See what I mean?’ She laughed. ‘He’s smiling like he’s posing for a portrait.’
