The Road To Avea

by Lynn Lorenz

  Sarah's stomach dropped out from under her. Backing away from him, she sat on the couch, and shook her head in disbelief. She looked down at her hands clenched together in her lap and tears pooled in her eyes, turning her wedding ring into a watercolor, its colors running together.

  Please don't tell me Stefan is dead.

  "Luci, can you give me a moment alone with Sarah?"

  Luci had gone pale, but she nodded and went to her room, shutting the door behind her. Moss moved discreetly to a corner of the room.

  "I need to talk to you about Stefan." He sat next to her on the couch and took her hand.

  "No." She shook her head in denial. "Stefan is an experienced inspector and a powerful warlock. He's fought in many raids and battles."

  "It was very confusing during the raid, lots of fighting, and...at first we were surrounded, but he was right there. After it was over, I couldn't find him." His words tumbled out.

  "You couldn't find him? Rolf, is Stefan dead?"

  "We don't think so." Rolf shook his head, but his tone was unsure.

  Not dead.

  She locked onto that flicker of hope and let it fill the crannies of her mind, like firelight in a dark cave.

  "We didn't find his body. There was just no trace of him. One minute he was there fighting; the next he was gone. We suspect he's been captured." Rolf reached out and squeezed her hand. "We're employing all our resources to find him, Sarah. I sent half a dozen addlers out to scour for information about him through their network."

  "Captured by Blackmoor? What does this mean?" Sarah's anxiety returned. There was no doubt in her mind Blackmoor wanted Stefan dead.

  "We're not sure. We've contacted all our agents, people on the inside of his organization, so if they have him we'll know soon enough."

  "Rolf, how did you know to come to me?"

  "I noticed his ring last night. In all the time I've known him, he's never worn a ring, not even his family's crest." He swallowed hard. "Sarah, before the raid, I promised him I would tell you..." He paused, swallowed, then continued. "If anything happened to him...to tell you he loves you."

  "I know he does, Rolf, thank you. Does anyone else know we are married?"

  "If you mean Thatcher, no, he doesn't. Why do you want to keep it a secret?"

  "Stefan was unsure what penalties we would face from headquarters. He wanted to speak to Thatcher first."

  "Damn the penalties."

  "That's what Stefan said." She grinned.

  "I've always thought you were the best thing to ever happen to him, but I worried he wouldn't let you into his heart. Perhaps I talked some sense into him after all." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "We will find him, Sarah."

  "If Blackmoor has him, what does he want?"

  "Well, first, he'll want information about our spies, our plans, and what we know about his operations."

  "He'll never give that! Not of his own will."

  "In the end, Sarah, it may not matter if he talks or not. Blackmoor hates Stefan; he's thwarted him too many times to count. However, Stefan has great power, and I've never seen any man with better survival skills. If he can hold out for a little longer, we'll find him."

  "What you're saying is no matter what, if we don't find Stefan, in the end, Blackmoor will kill him." Sarah looked into Rolf's eyes and found her answer. "Well, we'll just have to find him before that happens, that's all." She sat up straight, determination shining in her eyes.

  "No, Sarah, not you. Stay out of it for now. You're too close. I know it's hard to just sit and wait, but this is very dangerous."

  "If you think I'm going to just sit here helpless while you go haring off to find my husband, you're out of your mind." She shook her head.

  "What do you intend?"

  "Tell me more. I want details. You said he just disappeared. There was no teleport?"

  "None. The building was blocked. And I was right beside him."

  "Then he must have left the building by normal means. You searched outside?"

  "The block affects the doors and windows, so he couldn't have left. We searched all night in the area around the house. He was nowhere to be found."

  "Then you've missed something, Rolf. Take me to the house, right now."

  "What?" Rolf got to his feet. "Sarah, I'm not sure that's wise."

  "No one is going to stop me from finding Stefan, not even you. Now, either help me or get out of my way." Sarah stood and strode to the door, pulling her cloak down from its peg.

  "I'll take you. Let me tell Luci." At his words, Luci's door flew open and she rushed to Sarah, gathering her into an embrace. "Oh, Sarah, I can't believe it. Stefan's missing?"

  "Aye, and you've been listening at the door."

  "Of course, dearest." She waved a hand. "Rolf, take Sarah and find out what happened to Stefan."

  Rolf grinned at her order, then saluted. "Yes, my dear." He pulled Luci to him and kissed her. She leaned into him for a moment before she stepped away.

  After taking Sarah's hand in his, he motioned for Moss, and they 'ported to the house.

  * * * *

  Stefan was aware of the hands before he felt their touch. The delayed pain they delivered jolted through him, forcing his mind to seek the darkness to escape it. Voices, very soft and very far way, floated on the air. He wanted to listen and understand the words, but it meant consciousness. And that meant feeling. And that meant agony.

  The pain was exquisite in its utter completeness.

  How much longer can I endure?

  This time, Stefan reached for the dark and embraced it.

  * * * *

  Sarah stood in the center of a large room and looked around. Overturned tables, broken chairs, and scorch marks were everywhere. The air still carried the faint smell of the energy bolts, irritating her nostrils. She sneezed. Between two windows about eight feet apart, their wavy glass panes painted black, were smoke-darkened and singed red velvet drapes. Sarah turned slowly in a circle as she surveyed the scene.

  Rolf moved to the side of the room and pointed at a charred table lying on its side. "Here, this is where we were fighting. We were back-to-back holding them off. I turned and he was gone."

  "The doors and windows were blocked. No way out," Sarah muttered.

  "There was no way out of this house, I tell you. We checked."

  "If there was no way out and Stefan is gone, then you're wrong. Somehow, he found a way out or was taken out." Sarah approached the windows. "That's odd."

  "What?"

  "These drapes, Rolf." She pointed to them.

  "What about them? They look like perfectly normal drapes to me." He shrugged.

  "They're not right. I suppose it would take a woman to notice. Drapes hang on either side of a window, not between them." She pointed to the two windows. "And why bother with drapes when the windows are blacked out already?"

  She strode over to the curtain and searched for the opening, her hands running over the velvet. Finding where the two panels met, she pulled one of the drapes back to expose a wooden door.

  "Look at this." She stepped aside for Rolf to see.

  "By the One God, we missed it! None of us thought to look behind those drapes." Rolf hit himself on the side of the head in anger with the heel of his hand. "Damn, I should've checked it."

  Sarah reached out to open the door, but her hand passed through the knob. She tried it again, but there was no substance to it.

  He stepped up to the door. "What majik is this?" His hand passed through the doorknob also.

  "Go outside and see if you can see this door." Sarah waved him away.

  Rolf nodded and left. After a few moments, she heard his voice from the other side of the windows.

  "Sarah! Can you hear me?" His voice was faint but understandable.

  "Aye, do you see the door?"

  "No, just the two windows. There is a brick wall between them. I'm coming back in."

  "What does this mean?" Rolf stared at the door and scratched h
is chin.

  Sarah was smiling and her eyes sparkled with renewed hope. "It's a portal, Rolf, very much like the one I used to leave on-world and then to return." She ran her hand around the doorframe. It was solid, so without the proper words, the doorknob wouldn't open the door.

  "A portal to off-world?" His eyes grew large. "Are you sure?"

  "Quite sure." She paused. "I believe Stefan slipped through this portal, chasing someone. He may not realize what he's done or even know where he is."

  "Then he's in terrible danger, Sarah. If he uses his majik and is caught..."

  "He'll be killed on the spot," Sarah finished the sentence for him. "I have to go through and bring him back."

  "Sarah, are you mad? You'll be killed, too." He stared at her.

  "No, not mad, just determined to get my husband back safe and alive. I'm the only one who can do it, Rolf. I'm the only one who knows what it's like on the other side and how to survive there."

  Sarah closed her eyes and tried to remember the incantation to open the portal she'd used to come back, hoping it would open this one. Words she'd thought she'd never forget. Now, they slipped from her, like sand through her fingers.

  "Thatcher won't approve it." Rolf was shaking his head.

  "Thatcher isn't going to know. If I go by myself, no one else will be placed in jeopardy."

  Rolf rubbed his chin and his eyes lit up. "I'm coming, too. I've always wanted to see what off-world was like."

  Sarah touched his arm and looked up into his face. "You know the risks. I can't ask you to come with me. And there's Luci. How could I face her, if you didn't come back?"

  "She knows the risks I take. This is no different." He looked sharply at Sarah.

  "You'd risk your life for Stefan?"

  Rolf gave a short, rueful laugh and placed his hand over hers. "Despite his best efforts, he's like a brother to me, Sarah. I can't abandon him."

  "He'd do the same for you, Rolf, you know that." She smiled at his nod. "When is the next full moon?" Sarah wanted to be positive there was nothing else to consider.

  "Not for another two weeks, so no need to fear."

  "Right. If it goes well, we should have Stefan and be back within a day." She didn't want to think about if it went badly.

  "We have to tell someone, Sarah. Someone must know what has happened to us if we don't return."

  "We'll tell Luci. If we're not back in two days, she can let Thatcher know. What happens then will be up to him."

  "I'm not sure I should ask Luci to bear this burden."

  "Rolf, Luci has great strength. What she needs is your belief in her."

  Rolf nodded, took Sarah's hand and led her outside, to 'port them back to the rooms.

  * * * *

  Stefan pulled away from the cold comfort of the darkness. The pain was gone.

  No, not gone. Blurred and distant.

  He could stay out of the darkness for a little time and have his thoughts.

  Sarah, where are you? You said you'd come for me.

  Voices again and touches, still far away. He should prepare himself. He was taken and could be used. He had to bury himself in the darkness.

  Stefan called her name, but she didn't answer. He knew there would be no answer and knew he shouldn't trust it even if there had been.

  Just a moment more to think of her. He could smell her hair, the perfume of her body. Taste the sweetness of her lips.

  Turning his back on his memories, Stefan returned to the dark, waiting for him like an old friend.

  Chapter 27

  Sarah tucked her shirt into her jeans, stood in the center of her room at Avalon, and called for Tandy. When the addler appeared, she had Tandy sit down in a chair as she knelt next to her.

  "I'm going on a mission with Rolf. I'll be back in a day or two."

  "I heard Inspector Bane is missing, miss. Is this about him?"

  "Aye. This is very important. No one must know where we've gone. No one, understand? Especially not Thatcher." She looked into the green eyes of the addler who'd become more than a servant to her. "Tandy, if I don't come back, I want you to go to Luci and serve her. She'll need you."

  Tandy's tiny hand flew to her mouth, but she didn't speak, just gave Sarah a nod.

  "Go now. Rolf will be here soon and I'm leaving with him."

  "Goodbye, miss." She curtsied, then jumped into Sarah's arm for a quick hug before she teleported out.

  Sarah knelt in front of her trunk and opened the lid. Pushing her way past old scarves, shoes and a few books, her hand touched the metal box hiding beneath. She cleared off the top, unsnapped the twin locks, and opened the lid. The black finish on the metal still gleamed, and she touched the weapon with a lover's caress.

  Pushing aside a few more pieces of clothing, she found the leather holster and slipped it on over her shirt. Sarah raised the gun, pressed a button, dropped the magazine into her hand, and checked it. Fully loaded. She jammed it back in with the heel of her hand and tucked it into the holster under her arm. The once familiar weight of it against her side was oddly comforting. When she'd packed it to bring on-world, she'd considered her decision long and hard. No weapon like it had ever existed here and, at the time, she'd suspected she was wrong to bring it across the portal. As she closed the trunk, she thanked the One God she had; without their majik, she and Rolf might need its protection.

  She went to the armoire, opened the bottom drawer, and found her worn leather backpack. She checked to see if everything was in order. Her identification still looked valid, and there was a fair amount of cash tucked into the compartments of her wallet. Even the batteries in her small flashlight still worked. Convinced she had all she would need, she pushed the drawer shut. While she waited for Rolf, she slipped on her jacket to hide the weapon.

  There was a knock on the door, and she rushed to it and flung it open. Rolf, dressed in a loose jacket, shirt, and pants, stepped in, followed by Firestone. The addler couldn't seem to meet her gaze and his cheeks were almost as red as his hair.

  "Those clothes will do fine, Rolf."

  "What are you wearing?" He stared at her. "You're dressed like a man. Is this some disguise?"

  "Women wear outfits like this all the time, off-world. I hardly ever wore a dress or skirt." She laughed at his puzzled expression. "Will Luci meet us at the house?"

  "Aye. I explained everything to her. I still think we should tell Thatcher."

  "And what would he do?" She cocked her head at him.

  "Order us not to go." Rolf lifted his arms and sighed.

  "Exactly." She turned to address Firestone. "Glad you're going to help us."

  The addler went to her, dropped to his knee, and took her hand in his small one.

  "Forgive me, Madam Bane, for the harsh words I spoke to you in Avea." He lowered his eyes. "I would do anything for Inspector Bane. Name it."

  She looked down at him and gave his hand a squeeze. "We both love him. Your help is welcome."

  Firestone's eyes met hers in understanding. He rose to his feet and he gave her a formal bow.

  She took what she hoped wasn't her last look around the room and slipped her hand into Rolf's. "Let's go."

  Firestone reached out, touched Rolf, and they disappeared.

  * * * *

  With the aid of Moss, Sarah and Rolf 'ported to just outside the safe house. Moss bowed, then disappeared. A moment later, a small carriage turned onto the narrow street and came to a stop beside them. Rolf helped Luci down, took her small satchel from the driver and paid him. With a crack of his whip, the buggy pulled away.

  "What's in that thing?" Sarah asked, pointing to the bag.

  "Just a few things, dearest. A woman needs to be prepared," Luci replied, then frowned. "I didn't know how long this would take, so..." She shrugged.

  Rolf cleared his throat. "Good thinking. Just in case." He stared into her eyes, lost in their depths.

  "Let's go." Sarah gave Luci a gentle push to get her going. Luci glared at her, then s
lipped her arm into the crook of Rolf's elbow.

  The trio gathered in the room of the safe house. Sarah had done what she could to prepare, so the rest would be up to the One God.

  "Luci, if we aren't back here in two days, tell Thatcher what's happened. He'll then make the decision about what to do." Rolf held Luci in his arms.

  "You'll be back, I'm sure of it." Luci struggled to put on a brave face.

  "Leave your wand with Luci, Rolf," Sarah said. "You won't need it. Your mirror case, too."

  "We'll be unarmed." Rolf frowned.

  "If you're caught with that wand, you'll be killed on the spot. Lose it. The mirror won't work there anyway," she replied.

  He shook his head, but pulled his wand out of his waistband, handed it to Luci, and then passed her his communications case. At the last moment, he slipped his family crest ring from his forefinger and gave it to her.

  "Hold this for me, Luci."

  "Rolf..." She looked confused, but took it and folded her hand around it.

  "Return it to my mother in Litton." He gazed into her eyes, reading her fear. With a wink, and a wolfish grin, he tried to reassure her.

  "Take care, my beast." She held her chin up and met his eyes.

  "Your beast. Always." He brought her hand to his lips.

  Rolf turned to Sarah. "Look, Sarah, as your immediate superior--" he began, but Sarah turned on him and cut him off.

  "Rolf, you're on my turf now. Want to stay alive when we step through that door, I'm in charge. I tell you to do something, do it. No arguments or stay here." The look in her eyes was pure command. He knew what he'd always suspected--there was much more to this woman than any of them had ever thought.

  "I love you, Rolf." Luci stepped away from him and nodded to Sarah. "Bring him back to me, dearest." Luci pinned Sarah with her green eyes. "Alive."

  "I'll bring yours and mine back." Sarah gave her a patroller's bow, picked up the backpack, and slung it over her shoulder.

  "I love you, Luci." Rolf bowed to her.

  She stood a little straighter and bowed to him, her hand over her heart. At that moment, he knew she would make a fine wife for a humble inspector.

  Sarah began the incantation to open the portal. As she finished and made the signs, she reached for the doorknob. It became solid beneath her hand. She turned it, opened the door and they walked through.