An Unlikely Meeting

The night had already reached its zenith. The revelers had drunken all they could, the entertainers had finished up their sets, and the new found couples had sought more private accommodations. For myself, I left the tavern alone, a few silver lighter, and nothing to show for it. I had flirted with a few dark maidens whose dark lined eyes and pale skin had caught mine but when their mouths opened, their words contained nothing but empty phrases embracing the fabled darkness in their hearts.

I stepped out onto the foggy path, ready to make my way back to what I presently called home. Despite my initial enthusiasm to band together with my new found companions, a hidden part of me held second thoughts about the arrangement. Every time I had made up my mind to leave, something pulled me back in. In my head, I had repeated the words /just one more day/ enough times that it had turned into a cursed mantra.

I could not have been in a more morose mood when I saw her, wrapped in her dark cloak, watching me from afar. Though I could not see her face, I knew it was her. The moment she caught my surprise at seeing her, she ducked into the closest alley. Despite my misgivings I could not ignore her appearance. Finding the street empty, I took the opportunity to follow. The narrow alley was dark, filled with shadows and undeniably empty. I stepped in anyway.

“I know you're here,” I whispered into the darkness.

From behind, her voice crawled down my back. If I had been her mark, I would have been dead. “Still wearing that silly outfit are you?”

I resisted the urge to argue, to pull my rapier and show her how effective my silly outfit was.

“You've been following me,” I sniffed, feeling more than a little insulted. “How long have you been back?”

“If you were more observant, you would know that already.” She chastised.

Mentally, I searched back over the days wondering about all the times I thought I might have caught a glimpse of someone out of sight. I assumed she had been out on assignment. I didn't realize I had become her assignment.

“I left a note for you. Why didn't you get in contact with me sooner? And why are you following me around?” My own last words seemed to dawn on me as I spoke them. “You think I've done something wrong.”

She tsked, moving close enough so she didn't have to talk above a whisper. She pulled her hood back, revealing her long flowing black hair with lines of silver running through them. Despite standing no taller than me, her posture made me feel like a mouse cornered by a cat. I tried to remain calm despite my rising anxiety. Still, I refused to back away. I refused to admit I did anything wrong.

“Don't get your feathers ruffled. You come home with new friends and people take notice. Would you expect anything less?” She said.

“Maybe from them.” I could understand if they had sent her. They had to think about the whole. They were responsible for ensuring our survival. But if they had not sent her, then that meant something else. “You could be checking up on me under the guise that they sent you.”

“Does it matter?” She waved away the suggestion as if it meant nothing.

“It matters to me,” I said.

She shrugged off my response as if it meant nothing. “You play a dangerous game, young one. One that could end badly.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Lying is unbecoming of you and a waste of my time. You sleep with outsiders. To the casual eye one might not believe they are so innocent.”

“They know nothing. And they won't find out.”

She gave me the appraising look I knew so well. “Are you certain?”

“I have been careful.” Even as I said the words, I couldn't help but look away. Had I been careful enough?

“You have made yourself outcast enough with this charade. Now you bring in unknown entities and endanger everyone. Would you not be worried if you were them.”

“They won't find out.” I crossed my arms and tried to give her my most stubborn look. I had to believe I had taken all the right precautions.

“Honey, I know Zachary can be a very convincing man. I, more than anyone, have succumbed to his persuasive ways. He's got you believing your an average Onyxish boy. Then he pats you on the head and sends you on your way, but he forgets who has to clean up the mess when everything turns bad.”

“If things turn for the worse, I will clean up my own mess.” I stated emphatically.

Her laugh came suddenly, a rare one that was filled with dangerous amusement. She set her thumb and forefinger on my chin. “Such a good child, but do you have the guts? I see you've taken a fancy to one of them. Could you finish the job if you had to?”

She reached out with her free hand and plucked the glasses from my head. For a heartbeat, we stared at each other, she trying to divine my will, I trying to show her I was strong enough. I looked away first.

“I will do what I have to,” I repeated, doubt heavy on my breath.

She held my chin a moment longer before releasing me. She stepped away, pulling the hood back over her head.

“Take care young one. You might not see me for awhile, but I'll be watching.”

She tossed my glasses back to me. I caught them, putting them back on. When I looked again, she was gone.