The Laws Of Elios (Book 2) (10 page)

“I’m doing much better thank you.
”

“You’re most welcome.  It was pretty close there for a while.  Lucky for us the King hadn’t gotten around to completely putting you under the influence of the
Allyant sphere so we were able to contain and remove it without too much trouble; although you were pretty weak for a while.  Thanks to Ava’s healing research we were able to get your health back up after the removal of the Allyant lumen.”

Leslie shook her head and looked at Louisa
, “I don’t understand a thing he is saying.”

Her sister set a plate of crepes on the table followed by a platter of toppings; both sweet and savory.  “I’ve been trying to tell you all day.  Shane is the
probably the most accomplished mage since the Elios left the world over two thousand years ago.  He is still doing research as well as he has been training others.  Not the least of them your dear niece and my daughter, Ava.  He has also been teaching Ari.

“Speaking of which,” Leslie directed at Shane, “Where is that elusive man formerly known as Stafford?”

“Probably out buying flowers and chocolates in an attempt at impressing some damsel that he rescued this morning.  Not to mention he was pretty ripe.  We have both been pulling some long days and were in need of a pretty thorough cleaning up.  I got done first because he’s getting slow in his old age.  I can say that because he isn’t here to clobber me for saying it,” Shane added with a chuckle.

Eyeing the pile of crepes and the now two
additional platters of toppings Shane looked at Louisa who was continuing to pile food on the table.  “Do you mind if I try some of these delicious crepes?”

“Go right ahead Shane that’s why I set them out.  You are always hungry when you come over and Ava is always telling me that when you get busy you forget to eat. How you stayed in shape to play sports is beyond me.  Please dig in.”
  She stood by beaming as her future son-in-law began methodically building a master piece crepe; starting with a tomato and onion relish and thinly sliced roast beef and finally adding some cheese before rolling it to a near breaking point. – Only to eat it in mere seconds.  Even though she had cooks for most occasions she was a very good chef in her own right and cooked as often as she had the time.  It was very satisfying for Louisa to see someone enjoying her cooking.

From down the hall a sound of a door being closed was heard and soon the familiar face of Gerard entered into the comfortable kitchen.  Greeting his wife with an affectionate kiss he greeted Leslie warmly with a hug as well
.  “Welcome home.  It’s good to see you safe and sound.  It appears our adventurous mages were effective in their quest.” Smiling he pulled up a chair next to Shane. “Hi son; he greeted, “I see you and Ari were successful. - I knew you would do it - Thank you for saving yet another member of our family.”

An unexpected
gleeful shriek came through the entry of the kitchen from the hall.  “Shane!” Ava happily repeated and she bent over the back of his chair nearly choking him in a hug as her wet freshly shampooed and brushed hair fell around his face.

Disengaging from her choke-hold Shane stood and gave her a tight hug lifting her from the ground and forgetting himself gave her a very emotional kiss which she returned in earnest

“You would think they missed each other,” laughed Gerard as he piled on berry preserves and whipped cream onto a crepe.

Realizing their over affection
the betrothed pair disengaged but did not let go of each other’s hands.  “I missed you, Cher,” Shane said.  You look wonderful.  I brought you some flowers.”

Ava looked at the bouquet that her mother had placed nearby, “They’re lovely.”  Then knowingly she winked at Leslie and he
r mother and added,” Tell your mother thank you.”

Gerard laughed heartily, “You can’t get anything pas
t women of Coeur decent, Shane; they see everything.”

“How did you
r day go,” Shane asked Ava as she scooted a chair close to Shane and sat next to him and began her own creative crepe design.

“Fantastic!” Ava declared enthusiastically.  “I had so much fun today using the portal
and tracing out the monorail that ran from the plains gorge near Valee Station to Yllyan.”  She hurriedly ran through her day; telling what she had found about the monorail all the way up to Leo’s new assistant Kaysee.

“How about you?” she asked.

“Not much, “He dead panned.” Ari and I stopped by to visit the king of Infin; he wasn’t in so we left.  We did run in to your aunt Leslie so we figured might as well see if she needed a ride home; pretty boring stuff if you don’t count all the love sick moping of Ari threatening to disassemble Allion bone by bone if Leslie was hurt.”

“You say that only because you thought I wasn’t standing behind you,” interrupted Ari from the open pantry door.

“I knew you were there,” retorted Shane “I can sense your lumen a mile away – not to mention smell the gallon of cologne you’re wearing.”

“
You’re one to talk.  You seem to have forgotten all of the threats you made when we were going after Ava at that Island she was being held at.”

Louisa got up and went to the cooler for more food
.
This is turning into an event
.  She chuckled to herself.

Ari walked over to Leslie and magically produced a deep red rose that smelled like wild raspberries and handed it to Leslie.  “How are you feeling?”
He asked tenderly.

“I’m a lot better thanks to you,” she answered as she stood to face him.  “Thank you for risking your life for me.  With a slight sob
she lost control of her emotions and wrapped her arms around the tall man and buried her face into his chest.  “I’m so sorry for putting you in danger,” she began to cry.  “I was so worried about you that I broke protocol and tried to arrange one more visit.”  Gaining her composure slightly she angered as she said; “I can’t believe that little weasel Wendell was the one that caught me.”

With a chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood Ari led her back to the table and sat next to her. “You don’t need to worry about Wendell any more.  Shane and I took care of that this morning.”

Changing the subject Ari spoke to the others at the table as they watched the emotional exchange between the two familiar yet mysterious family members of Leslie and Ari, “Sorry I was late getting here but I needed to make something for Leslie.”  Reaching into his vest pocket he pulled out a gold chain with an intricately glyphed pendant; the setting was a large multi colored fire opal in the center.  “I made this for you so that no matter what, you will never ever be touched by filthy Allyant magic again.”

“It’s beautiful,”
exclaimed Leslie, Louisa, and Ava all at the same time as they leaned in for a closer examination.

“Once you put it on, touch the stone.  From then on it is sealed to you and no matter where you are whether you are wearing the necklace or not it will instantly come to your neck and protect you if ever there is Allyant magic near enough to harm you.” Ari explained.

Ari glanced at the pile of food on the table, “Crepes!  How thoughtful of you Louisa I’m starved.”

Holding a crepe in one hand, Shane wrapped his free arm around Ava, “I love this family.”
 

The morning was
a cold beginning to a new day with the waning autumn.  Most of the trees had lost their leaves and the grey sky seemed to close like a lid over the city of Lu Y Onton – threatening an icy drizzle before mid-day.  Shew and Nuekirk hurried into a small café closing the door quickly behind them shutting out the icy off-shore breeze.  Without speaking they made their way to an empty table away from the door but next to a large window that offered a view into the wide empty but awakening street; the aroma of percolating roasters mixed with the comforting smells of bacon and eggs wafted through the dining room.

“
Bonjour, my dears what can I get you for your breakfast this morning,” greeted a pert waitress; close to Nuekirk’s age. With a bright smile as she dropped a set of stained, well used, menus in front of them.

“Roasters for now,” muttered Shew as he picked up the menu.

“The same s'il vous plaît,” replied the younger Nuekirk respectfully as he mirrored his companion by picking up his menu but his eyes followed the attractive girl as she left to retrieve their beverages.

After scanning his menu for a moment Shew set it aside and turned his attention to the street; particularly the wagons coming and going to and from the docks. Seeing a long bedded wagon with a canvas cover rumbling toward the piers he glanced at it and dismissed it seeing that it was empty except for the driver.  The waitress returned and placed steaming mug
s in front of both he and Nuekirk, pulling out a pad.

“What will it be monsieur’s,” she asked beaming her smile in the direction of the young Nuekirk and winking at Shew as she played with the younger man’s in
experience.

Ignoring her flirting with his student Shew ordered for the two of
them and turned back towards the window.  Nursing the fresh cup of the aromatic hot beverage he continued scanning the street.  A flicker of movement caught the older man’s eye and he carefully placed his mug on the table. “Ok kid, remember what I taught you.  The Jehhetian spies are where we thought they would be.  Watch everything, remember everything, and as soon as you get the artifact in place get the enfer away as fast as you can.  Remember, you’re cold, homeless and insignificant.  Now get moving”

Nuekirk looked at the steaming plate of fried potatoes, eggs, ham, and battered toast, gleaming in syrup that the waitress was putting on a tray across the room.  “What about breakfast,” the youth said in
protest.

“You’re hungry too
,” grumbled the old man.  “Now leave your coat and I’ll rendezvous with you back at the sloop.

With a sigh Nuekirk shrugged out of his comfortable
woolen peacoat and laid it on the seat and quickly stood.  With nod he was soon across the room and had slipped from the café like a breeze behind a conveniently exiting patron; soon lost among the now teeming throng of the morning seaport traffic.

Shew continued to watch
street as a slightly out of place group of men gathered at the corner across from the where he sat.  He saw his protégé humbly saunter up and hold out his hand in supplication as if asking for something.  One of the men held out a coin and then pulled it back.  Nuekirk shrugged his shoulders as if answering questions in the negative. Then with a smile and an enthusiastic nod pointed toward the docks and held out his hand to the man he had been speaking to.  The man dropped the coin just short of the vagrant looking lad who like a flash was on his knees scurrying for the treasure before it could be lost in the gutter.  The men laughed as the teen rose smiling with his prize.  The leader was surprised as the youth gave him a traditional Luionese hug and a kiss on each cheek as he thanked him for his generosity. Then as if on cue the icy drizzle that had been threatening all morning began to fall in earnest.  The lad looked skyward with a pained expression and wrapped his arms around his shoulders, turned abruptly, and ran off into the crowd as if in search of shelter.

Shew continued his observations as the men all pulled their jackets tight and headed in the direction that the lad had indicated.  As he saw the last of the men leave his view the waitress arrived and placed an armful of precariously balanced plates and saucers onto the table top.

“How much to get this to go,” Shew asked as she took in the coat and the missing lad.

“Eighteen
copper,” she answered looking around for the missing Nuekirk noticing the coat lying on the bench. Turning on her best gratuity producing smile she said, “I’ll be right back with a couple of boxes. 

A few moments later Shew,
laden with boxes containing a carefully packed breakfast and Nuekirk’s coat, flicked out a barely visible handheld artifact, then timed with a loud crash of a dropped porcelain platter from across the room he disappeared amidst the confusion.  When the waitress turned back to offer her benediction of “have a nice Day…” the non-descript old man was gone – Before she could offer more than a suspicious glance at his absence the morning throng of customers drew her back into the chaos of the morning rush.

Shew had set up the plates on the small galley table when he heard the opening of the storeroom door and the quick steps of Nuekirk as he dashed up the stairs.  Grabbing a freshly brewed pot of roasters and placing it on the table he turned as the younger man stepped on to the galley deck.  “That was quick,” the older man said ma
tter-of-factly. “You handled that pretty well considering your training so far,” he added with a rare compliment.”

“Thanks,” Nuekirk replied not quite sure how to respond.  “Thanks for bringing breakfast.  I’m starved.”

“Go get dried off and into some dry clothes first,” commanded Shew as if addressing a recruit; keeping dry and warm take priority.  I don’t need you catching a cold and then passing it onto me.”  

Shew continued setting up the table and faster than he thought possible the youth was back in dry clothes
, still with damp hair, and scrambled around the gunwale side of the table onto the bench next to the porthole.

“So
… I did pretty well eh,” smiled Nuekirk as he began to pile food onto his plate.

“Don’t get too round shouldered patting yourself on the back.  You over exposed yourself by diving for that coin, if they had been trained by me they would have clubbed you just for the unexpected move.  I do have to give you credit for the way you placed the tracker though.  You have potential.”

“That waitress is pretty, don’t you think,” Nuekirk said between bites.  “I think she likes me.”

Taking a sip from his mug of roasters Shew sat at the table across from the
‘kid’ as he had come to call him.  “Kid, you’re still wet behind the ears.  In the business were in right now you can’t afford to be calling on the ladies.  You know nothing about her.  For all you know she is a Jehhet spy.  Let me finish getting the basics into you, and then I’ll teach you about what to look for in a woman to make sure she isn’t on the other team.  Now what did they ask you?”

“They were just looking for a big empty building to store equipment in until it could be shipped somewhere.”  The young man answered in a distracted manner as he reached for a biscuit.  “I told them about the empty space
on pier three and to look for a crotchety old man of your description.”

“Don’t be sugar coating things,” Shew reprimanded the youth.  “I’m a mean old bastard and you know it.  Calling me crotchety won’t get you on my good side and I still don’t want you chasing after that waitress.

“Ah come on she’s my age, there’s no way she’s a spy,” Scoffed Nuekirk.

“Oh really,” Shew narrowed his gaze.  “Let me point out at least three things that are flaws in your logic.  First:  How old is she and how can you tell?  Second:  When I was head of the Jehhet CSS I had assets of all ages; including those younger than you.  I’m sure my replacement kept up the same methods of gathering intelligence – especially here on the water front. Last but definitely not the least:  How come you can be a spy at your age and not her?”

“She’s a girl,” Nuekirk protested weakly.

“And that kind of answer is why you are not to associate with any women or others of your peers that are not cleared by me.  Never, ever, underestimate a woman.  They are just as mart as men; some of them more so - and they have natural assets that distract men that aren’t paying attention. Especially a young man whose eyes are constantly admiring every pretty women in a skirt.”

“Yes sir,” mumbled the kid although he didn’t look convinced
.

”The topic is closed for now,” She
w said with finality.  “While you eat let’s talk about the men you planted the tracker on, everything you observed, and what you’ve learned.”

~~~~~

Ava led Leslie to the front foyer of her parents’ home.  Several days had passed since her rescue and she was back to her normal self-sufficient and efficient self.  The two had risen, had an early breakfast, and had spent the good part of two hours continuing the previous evenings discussion of glyph magic; including the research and studies that she was conducting on the restoration of the lost infrastructure of the ancient Luion technology and the Elios Magic.  It wasn’t long before Leslie was just as engrossed as Ava was but more towards the communications aspect.  Ari had given her one of the unique ear comms that Shane had designed and it hadn’t taken long for her keen mind to see the revolutionary effects that the instantaneous communication would have on the world as they knew it.

The
days since the rescue were still a blur.  The closeness with Ari seemed like a familiar blanket; of which she wondered how she had ever lived without it.  For the first few days they had been inseparable but the need for more and more of Ari’s time and expertise with the war had dragged him back into the dark world of intelligence and security that had been so much a part of his past.  It fit him she thought.  He seemed to thrive on the danger and the challenge of outthinking the enemy.  In the past she had been the same way, but since her imprisonment she found that she had changed.  The fear that she had felt during her magical interrogation by the deranged king of Jehhet had altered her.  She still felt her same capable self but knew that she never wanted to be that helpless ever again.  The answer was simple. She would become a glyph mage and the way to becoming a glyph mage was through her niece Ava.

The transformation of her niece was a wonder in
and of itself.  A few short months ago Ava had seemed a typical, young, insecure, academic girl that needed continuous encouragement and reassurance about everything from boys to her eventual role in the family business.  Now she was a leader and very much like her uncle Ari in her ability to analyze a situation and make immediate and sound decisions.  She seemed to be taking on some of the characteristic of her fiancé as well; she was more relaxed, more studious, and more imaginative.  This made her wonder how much she had missed on her brief assessment of Shane back before the war had begun.  Clearly he was much, much, more than the personable, bright, motivated athlete that she had initially judged him to be.  If Ari consulted with him for advice and followed him as he seemed to do, it was clear the young man was a one of a kind and definitely more than he seemed.   

Ava stopped and opened the door
of the former closet.  Ava began touching glyphs.  “This is the portal that Shane built to travel to Yllyan,” She explained. “These glyphs select the destinations.  This is to Shane’s house, this is to the research center, and this one opens up to the front of the Library in Yllyan; which is where we are going today.  If you want to be a glyph mage the first thing we need you to do to start boning up on your knowledge of glyphs.”

“If these are the
only destinations how do Ari and Shane get around to so many different places?” asked her aunt as she studied the glyphs on the door frame.

“Mainly because Shane has made a couple of devices that can open portal
s just about anywhere so they are not dependent on the door here.  That and Shane’s magic is at or near the level of a Lumen Mage.  He has been trying to teach me but so far I need more practice.  He says that I’m equal to a high glyph mage on the border of becoming a glyph master and beginning lumen magic.  Every time I ask how to become a glyph master he just smiles and says that I’ll know when the time comes.  I thought he was just teasing me but I asked my instructor and it told me that the levels of magic are not obtained through instruction and knowledge alone but through wise use of the instruction received and ability.”

“Meaning that
there is a chance that I will not be able to do magic?” asked her aunt worriedly.

Ava paused, the thought never having crossed her mind.  “Aunt Leslie, of course you will be able to do magic
.  Remember all those things that that horridly awful Wendell kept saying about your lumen?  Shane is certain he was Allyant possessed and he obviously could tell you had lumen abilities.  Now stop thinking the worst and let’s get to the records center.”

The closet evaporated into a view of
the early afternoon in Yllyan and a very solid looking granite building.  “With a smile Ava changed the subject.  Aunt Leslie, I give you the records center, or as I like to call it the library.”

The two women walked up to the sealed entryway Leslie noted the windows that appeared to be different shades of various colored granite.  She watched as Ava activated the entry console
the newness of it preoccupying her thoughts so that she was slow to respond to place her hand on the miraculous slivered sphere that appeared from nowhere.  After the verification of her heritage she was slightly relieved to find that she had lumen potential after all, and was eligible to be classified as a student.