by J. B. Garner
It helped that it was far easier for me to buy into something that was more akin to a self-help book than a holy scripture. God was apparently the limit of what I could handle right then so I was happy to not have to worry about it.
“I guess I can buy that,” I said with a grin. “It sounds like something out of Woodstock but we could use a little more peace and love in the world.”
Polly swayed in the stirrups, still managing to stand as Didymus started feverishly scratching at his neck. “Ah, love! Perhaps we should speak of – “
“Do we have to?” I pushed off the wall and planted my fists on my hips, deciding to talk about it anyway. “It’s absolutely nuts! Aelfread is gorgeous, don’t think I don’t know that, and we have some … thing for certain. But shouting that out … look, it’s only been a day or maybe two since we met.” I started pacing around in a tight circle, gravel and trash crunching under my boots. “In the real world, people do not fall in love like that, not real love. Not without knowing each other! How could I say that to him, especially with the fact that he might wind up locked away after this?”
Polly and Didymus watched my tirade with silent interest. As it wore down and I stood there huffing and puffing, the elder Goblin cracked a soft smile. “Are you presenting this to me or to yourself?”
I threw up my hands. “I have no idea at this point.”
“And time is up on this counseling session,” Bunny announced from the warehouse door. I could tell from her softer voice that she was back to her human shape before I turned towards her. Heck knows how long she had been listening to me being an idiot, not that she showed it outside of a faint smile on her lips. “We need to get driving. Everything is arranged but we still have to hope that Sinclair has yet to figure everything out.”
One day I’d figure out how her boots kept coming back. I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”
I was certain the seating arrangement in Bunny’s pink Kia was entirely Bunny’s doing. On the surface, it seemed logical to give Aelfie the passenger seat so he would have sufficient leg room while it would be easier to cram the two smaller people into the back to allow room for the big, shaggy dog. Personally, I think she wanted to keep the Prince and I separated to prevent any undue distractions.
Maybe that was why we had Polly along in the first place. Speed and subtlety were what we needed and the Goblin knight was neither. A little, elderly, green-skinned lady dressed in cast-off iron cookware alongside a large, slobbery mutt simply did not blend in well, not to mention the fact that Polly was arthritic enough that she could barely walk without Didymus’ help. Bunny and Polly were both insistent about it, though, so I wasn’t going to argue.
Of course, it was a big distraction to have Didymus constantly begging for attention. He was a very friendly old mutt and I didn’t mind him wanting to flop into my lap, but I was also trying to write down some runewords. Bunny had a good point; we had to expect trouble. Sinclair was very smart. He would figure out that we had cut and run on purpose, causing him to redouble his efforts to find the Cornerstone first.
Aelfread was uncharacteristically quiet, focused mostly on the city outside while stealing an occasional glance at me through the rearview. Polly was quite a bit calmer, scratching Didymus occasionally while reading a well-worn pocket book, and Bunny was as cool a customer as ever.
I managed to push Didymus off my lap long enough to pull out my notebook and get to work. I might not need to use a single rune but I might need all of them. Besides, I found it strangely relaxing to work on the runes now that I understood them. Maybe it was the empowerment they represented, a valuable skill that no one else around had. Maybe I just liked being a special snowflake. It didn’t matter in the end. I liked doing it and it helped me think, not just about the runes but about other things.
Those ‘other things’ were focused mostly on Aelfread. Despite all the blustering and questioning, there was one salient fact that I had yet to say either aloud or in my head, that this wasn’t some one-way thing. Aelfread had said those three words himself just as I had. It had been a long time since anyone had paid a serious romantic interest in yours truly. Was I trying to talk myself out of it now out of fear or something?
What coldly rational parts of me weren’t busy mulling over ancient rune magic were quick to point out that such fear made sense. The future for either of us was horribly uncertain. Even if everything went off without a hitch and Sinclair didn’t decide to make me a permanent target of vengeance, Aelfie would wind up in his father’s kingdom and I would be without a job with few prospects left. Sure, Sinclair had taken care of all the damages but I didn’t have anywhere near enough money in the bank to pay a month’s rent (or a day’s for that matter). Best not to rush into things until I figured out the critical things like where I would be living and how I would be eating in the weeks ahead.
Maybe that wasn’t the right way to think about it. Maybe it made a lot more sense to cling onto what I had in that moment, to get what I could before we dove into that uncertain future. Considering that future was literally ten minutes away barring unforeseen traffic, I had better hurry my little butt up and at least say something on the matter.
I realized that I had been scribing away this whole time, my fingers following my thoughts and intent just as they had when I had written the light runes. What exactly had I created? I read over the word and my brow furrowed. Through the foggy memories of my ancestors, I couldn’t get a clear read on what this word might do if I activated it. The runes themselves inferred love, loss, and fates both weaving together and being cut short. It was extremely poetic, not like me at all.
Well, I had to trust my instincts and my memories. More importantly, I had that clinging to get to. When I looked up, I saw that Aelfread had been gazing at me for a while, his eyes glued to the mirror. It really was up to me to break the silence. Oh well, I was good at that, I supposed.
“Aelfread?”
He blinked and looked a tad self-conscious. “Ah, uh, yes, Mary?”
Polly looked up from her book and glanced between the two of us while Bunny didn’t even flinch.
I continued. “I wanted to make it clear that whatever happens, I mean everything I said.” Pausing a moment, I made that last mental check before committing all the way. “This might be new terrain for me but I do know I love you and we will figure things out.”
Aelfie smiled a genuine one. “While I am quite afraid of my father’s wrath in this case, I will surely endure whatever punishment he sees fit knowing that I have your company to look forward to.”
While I couldn’t see Bunny’s eyes roll, I could see her neck shuffle from side to side as her blonde hair bounced. “Aren’t you forgetting something, Aelfson?”
He blushed slightly. “Ah, yes, of course.” Those perfect eyes closed a moment as he steeled himself. When they opened, his look was resolute. “As Lady Kincaid forced me to confirm for her earlier, I do indeed love you, Lady Stone, and it is not for some petty reason or exotic desire. In truth, you are my hero in these dark times and you have inspired me towards actions I did not think I was capable of undertaking. For that, your heart, and your charms, I swear that nary my father’s wrath nor any intervening time will squelch that love.”
Yeah, I was blushing. Aelfie was a sweet talker, what can I say?
Bunny let out a groan. “Leave it to an Elf to overstate the obvious.”
“I don’t know, friend Huntress,” Polly chimed in, “I find such a noble proclamation endearing.”
“And leave it to a Lightbearer to agree with the Elf,” the blonde snorted. While it was a bit cheesy, I was inclined to voice my agreement with Polly but I didn’t have my chance as Bunny cut a sharp corner. “Well, as much as I hate to bring these festivities to an end, we’re just about to arrive at the Triangle Arms.”
I held Aelfread’s reflected gaze for a moment and smiled. Whatever was waiting for us, I was feeling double sure we would get through i
t.
28
AS WE DISEMBARKED from the car, I was struck by how much everything had changed. Nothing looked different, nothing was particularly out of place, and there sure as heck hadn’t been a bout of urban renewal over the past days. All the same, my eyes had been opened and my perceptions altered. Basically, it was that old refrain: my life had changed and now everything else had changed with it.
I knew that and still I wound up staring at the crumbling façade of Mr. Jimenez’s building like a dumb rube. I could have stood there for an hour if a polite clearing of the throat from behind hadn’t caught my attention.
“Could you help me down onto Didymus, Mary?” Polly said as I turned back to the car. She had managed to scoot to the edge of the bucket seat but that seemed to be the limit of her mobility. Didymus paced and snuffled, eager to have his mistress back in the saddle again.
I nodded, scooping up the little Goblin by the armpits. She was dense for her size, the makeshift armor adding on even more weight, but it wasn’t a big deal. Settling the knight steadily on her valiant steed, I smiled.
“There, perfect.”
“Indeed,” Polly nodded as she petted the dog along the neck.
Aelfread was nervously glancing around, sharp eyes trying to punch through the dim light, but Bunny was more confident, striding up to the front steps of the Arms before glancing back at us. Dropping into English, she said, “All right, we’re almost through. I didn’t catch a glimpse of any Sinclair vans or his thugs’ party wagon.”
I nodded confidently to Aelfie and followed the bounty hunter. “Right, let’s go.” I fished for my keys, wondering if I even had a front door anymore. The lock would probably be different but it didn’t hurt to try.
Aelfie was right on my heels. “Indeed, best to proceed while my resolve holds.”
“We will wait here, I think.” Polly guided Didymus over to the one side of the front steps. “Someone should be on the lookout and despite Mr. Jimenez, I would likely turn some heads.”
Bunny nodded but both Aelfie and I stopped in our tracks. I looked back, one eyebrow arched. “Wait, you know Mr. Jimenez? He knows about all of” – I waved my hand around vaguely – “this?”
Didymus stopped right before the pair disappeared around the steps. “Well, Mr. Jimenez is an interesting individual and I’d be remiss in saying anything for him,” Polly said with a surprisingly sly wink. “Now don’t dawdle now! There isn’t any time.”
I wanted to pry but Aelfie put a hand on my shoulder. “She’s right. We should hurry.”
He was right, of course. We turned back towards Bunny and as we entered the apartments, I started to shiver. That constant corona of warmth surrounding Polly was left behind, closed off by the glass doors, and everything was just that little bit colder and harsher for its loss.
Everything, that is, but Aelfread’s hand on my shoulder.
Naturally, we didn’t even make it past the lobby before something happened.
At least it wasn’t Beaks, Blythe, or any other lackey of Sinclair’s (which I was sure were numerous). No, it was the fact that Mr. Jimenez, for his own personal ease of movement, lived in the front offices, long ago converted into a set of personal quarters for the ancient landlord. Normally, that wouldn’t have been an issue, as Mr. Jimenez was rarely there and even more rarely kept any kind of active watch on the comings and goings of his tenants.
That evening was different. The gnarled old man was sitting on his trusty camp stool, keeping constant watch of the front room like a wrinkled gargoyle. Sure, he looked like he was asleep but I knew better. Before I could even point him out, those large eyes snapped open and focused dead onto our little menagerie.
“Ms. Stone,” his wavering voice echoed with depth and authority, “I really do like you but I have to question the kind of company you keep.”
Even Bunny stopped in her tracks and he took that as his opening to scoot his chair over to us with a speed that would surprise anyone who didn’t know Mr. Jimenez like I did.
“Hi, Mr. Jimenez,” I said as I affected a polite smile. “I’m really sorry about all the trouble lately but – “
“Yes, yes,” he interjected. “All the repairs have been paid for so I’m not particularly cross with you outside of the multiple disturbances. Still, Ms. Stone, considering what all has been going on, I’m really not sure how much longer I can keep extending your lease.”
Bunny shot me a pointed look, the kind of look that said ‘we don’t have time for this’, while Aelfread smiled graciously. “Mr. Jimenez, while I know we haven’t been formally introduced, allow me to assure you that if financial obligations are your concern, Mary’s fiscal health is assured from this day forward.”
I wasn’t sure if he was pulling a fast one this time or not but I was happy to play along. “I recently started a new job, one that should pay very well.”
Mr. Jimenez blinked slowly at Aelfread and then slowly turned his head towards Bunny before glancing out the front doors. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he craned his crooked neck back down at me. “I’m not your father, no, but do keep in mind that some folks are simply no good to work for, no matter how much they offer.”
I tried to get a word in but I mistook his pause as the end of his speech. Instead, he kept right on rolling.
“Now, you young people seem to be in a scurry. Don’t let me stop you, especially with an officer of the law leading the scampering.” With one of his claw-like hands, he made a scooting motion. “Just remember what I said, Ms. Stone.”
“Okay, Mr. Jimenez.” What was going on? As always, I had more questions than answers. It was something I figured I’d better get used to as we turned towards the elevator.
“Oh!” he exclaimed suddenly as he had begun to scoot back to his open door.
I tensed up in grim anticipation of what else could come up. “Yes, Mr. Jimenez?”
“The elevator seems to be out of order again. You’ll have to take the stairs.”
I blew out a hard sigh, one that was shared by Aelfread. “Okay, Mr. Jimenez, thank you.”
Now, let me be clear that I’m in great shape. While I’m no longer quite as religious about working out as I was in my strongwoman days, I haven’t let myself go either. As a concept, stairs are no big deal, even four stories worth of them. The problem centers, as many of my problems do, around my height.
Stairs are a big annoyance in general when you’re a Dwarf, be it with a capital ‘D’ or a lower-case ‘d’. I wasn’t quite forced to climb stairs but I had to hike up my skirt and really stretch for them, especially the obnoxiously deep steps of the Triangle Arms. Why they were built like that I never knew and I refuse to question Mr. Jimenez on the subject to this day. It’s generally best not to question Mr. Jimenez on anything you don’t have to as a rule.
As for Aelfread, well, his aversion to the stairs was made obvious by the time we rounded the second-floor landing and the poor Elf was already huffing a bit. The look of total embarrassment was obvious despite the regal tilt of the head upward when he leaned against a railing.
“Really, Aelfson?” Bunny half-laughed. She was having no problem at all, being quite fit despite the softness of her curves. “Mary’s legs are a third of yours and she isn’t about to collapse yet.”
He scowled back at her. “I am not complaining, am I? As I said, I shall endure!” He sucked in a deep breath and pushed off the railing.
I rolled my eyes at them both. “Right so let’s keep a move on.”
We pushed on through the aged stairwell. Most of my neighbors avoided it like the plague, much preferring the shoddy elevator, but someone did take their time to clean up regularly in there. It was as old and dilapidated as the rest of the Arms but it was holding together. The metal railings were even mostly rust-free.
As we got to the fourth-floor entrance, Bunny stopped in front of it and glanced back at me. “Remind me when this is over to talk to your Mr. Jimenez. I want to know what’s up here.”
“You and me both,” I nodded as Aelfie flopped dramatically to one side of the door and heroically worked on breathing. “Maybe you should talk to Polly first. She seems to know what’s up.”
“Feh, she’ll probably just give me a riddle or something.” Bunny shook her head and cracked open the door, taking a peek out into the hallway.
Aelfread had recovered enough to speak by then. “Lightbringers are like that. They encourage one to find the truth on one’s own, only flat-out revealing it when most needed. I admire that particular quality.”
I stifled a chuckle and shook my head. “I’m surprised you know that much about the whole truth thing.”
“Lady Stone, you wound me.”
“I find that highly unlikely.”
Our dueling smirks and lingering stares were probably not the best ideas at the moment, which Bunny thankfully realized. “Cut it out, you two. Save the flirting for when we’re at the border with the rock.” She had finished her quick scout and was giving us her best chaperone look.
“Right,” I muttered. “You’re totally right.”
Aelfread’s response was a tad different. “Oh, you Hunters are no fun.” When she scowled at him, he shrugged. “Besides, we are well ahead of the game, are we not?”
That scowl softened a hair. “I know you’re not looking forward to going home, Aelfson, but it could be a lot worse.” Her eyes flicked towards me for a split second. “The faster we do this, though, the faster that things are safe around here.”
Aelfread nodded to the bounty hunter. “Yes, well … yes. You are correct.”
I planted my hands on my hips and frowned. “I’m standing right here, you know. You don’t need to do a verbal dance around me. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
Aelfie cleared his throat and straightened up. “Of course. My apologies.” He flowed through another of his flourishing bows while Bunny suppressed a laugh.
