Chapter 9

The light of the Teleportation Array faded slowly. Relieved, Wil let the ‘Blade of Disaster’ wane, the sword lightening from black to white. With the spell’s release, he felt a wave of exhaustion. Stabbing the blade into the ground, he leaned on it heavily.

They were gathered in a clearing outside the Foreigner’s Port. Normally, the Array would require direct contact with another to function. Using his own power, he tweaked the Matrix slightly, altering the arrival location, although it took a toll on him to do it.

Letting out an exhausted sigh, he looked around to confirm the others were safe. Serena was beside him, with Mara guarding her as they looked around at their new environment. He was about to call out to them when his view was blocked by a head of blond hair.

“Wil!” Quentin whispered, hugging him with a fierce intensity. “You idiot! Seven years and you never thought to contact me, to let me know you were alright?” She stepped back, looking at him with her blue eyes.

“I’m sorry. I thought it was better if I didn’t involve any of you. I was worried someone would try to use you to draw me out, to attempt to force me to give up protecting Serena in exchange for those I care about.” Wil explained softly, running a shaky hand along her cheek.

“You loveable moron.” She answered, giving him a smile, before turning and looking at the young girl that Wil was determined to protect.

“Hello, I’m Annabelle.” She said, stepping forward and introducing herself. Serena’s eyes widened in excitement and Wil winced in anticipation of the barrage of information she was about to unleash.

“I’m Serena! You’re Miss Quentin! Wil told me everything about you. Did you really travel all the way to Khmer for relics just to purchase a ship? Will you take me there sometime? I read stories about their God King, and I want to see-” Serena said, her words growing swifter and more jumbled together as she ranted.

Quentin followed along, waiting to get a word in, when a shout interrupted them.

“Who the hell are you!” Garman yelled, his large axe already in his hands and leveled against a robbed figure on the edge of their group. The person had been hidden amongst the wagon drivers and guards, unnoticed in the confusion of teleportation.

The robed figure slowly stood, its arms extended to the sides to show it had no weapons. Mara, her sword drawn, stood protectively in front of Serena, a glimmer of mana forming around her as a barrier.

Wil, drained from earlier, struggled to stand upright, the heavy ‘Dragon’s Tooth’ in his hand, with the tip resting against the ground.

Slowly, the person lowered their hood, revealing a beautiful woman with silver hair. She had dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn’t slept well. She looked nervously at the people arrayed in front of her, before focusing on Wil. He cut her off before she could speak.

“Astrid. Why are you here? Serena will not be going back to Ur.” Wil said, his tone iron, even as his body struggled to move from exhaustion.

“I-I wanted to…you never came back, you left before I could explain.” She said, looking at the group nervously, before focusing on Wil’s face. “I’m so sorry. It happened so suddenly, I just reacted. You never grew up in Lund, you don’t understand the law, or the history we have with Tieflings.” She stammered, her eyes darting to Serena, before looking at Wil once more.

“I understand perfectly well.” Wil stated, his expression icy, before exhaustion covered it once more. “Go home, Astrid. Your parents are probably worried about you.” He said, waving her away. He slowly lifted his sword, placing it carefully in its scabbard.

“That’s it!? You’re just going to let her go? Her parents just tried to kill us!” Quentin exclaimed, her face flushed with anger. “Listen here you gods damn bitc-” She was cut off by Wil’s hand on her shoulder.

“Enough! We need to leave, is the ship ready?” Wil asked, ignoring Astrid. Quentin glared daggers at the other woman, before turning to Wil.

“We’ll need a few hours to have it ready. We can wait in our offices while the crew prepares.”

“A group of us, no wagons or goods, we’re going to bloody draw attention. The guards will be on us like flies on shit.” Garman growled, hefting his axe, and securing it behind his back once again.

“We’ll need to split up.” Mara suggested, Serena still safely behind her.

“We’ll go in groups. I’ll take Serena with me. Can you wear your ring?” Wil said, waiting for the young girl’s response. Immediately, she pulled out the small gold band, placing it on her pinky finger. A haze of magic obscured her for a moment, before it faded, revealing a young girl, with long black hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. She looked exactly like a young, female version of Wil himself.

“You’re in no state to guard her Wil. I’ll go with you.” Mara offered, before breaking into a grin. “We’ll be a family, out taking our daughter on a walk!” She said, wrapping her arm around Serena protectively. The young girl smiled, reaching over, and holding the woman’s hand.

Astrid scowled at the warrior, crossing her arms. For a moment, she and Quentin shared a similar expression, neither happy with that comment.

“Fine, that sounds like a plan. Everyone, break apart into small groups, don’t draw attention to yourselves.” Wil ordered. Everyone began to separate, some of the guards and drivers already walking towards the city.

“I’m not going home. I’m coming with you.” Astrid stated, her tone firm. She wouldn’t be cast away, not after finally finding him. “I’ll prove to you that I’ve changed.” She whispered, softly enough that no one could hear.

For a moment, Wil looked at her carefully, weighing her words, before his face hardened.

“Do what you want.” He stated flatly, reaching over, and holding Serena’s other hand. He and Mara walked slowly down the path towards the Foreigner’s Port, acting for all the world as if they were a happy family, on their way to the city for a walk.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Wil stood on the bow of the ship, letting the refreshing sea air revitalize him. The Foreigner’s Port had been as busy as ever, making it strangely easier to hide in than Ur. They had no problems walking through the streets, acting as if they were a family on a walk.

Quentin’s offices had been as luxurious as expected, her business had taken off in the seven years since he had last saw her. He had asked about her personal life, whether she had married or at least tried to have a life away from work, but she was very clear that her work was her life. Although she had an odd look on her face while she spoke to him…

Taking a deep breath, Wil turned and walked back to where the others were waiting in Quentin’s quarters. This new ship was smaller than the Drake, swifter and less comfortable, but it could do the trip across the sea in only a few weeks.

On the main deck, Serena was leaning over the railing, with Mara holding onto her robe to keep her steady. They had been inseparable, and it made Wil smile to see her opening up to new people. She had removed her ring, allowing her natural purple hair and grey skin to show.

“Having fun?” Wil asked, taking a place beside the pair.

“Look, Dolphins!” Serena said, pointing at the pod of dolphins that were following the ship. They would leap out of the ocean, sending sprays of water, before diving back below the waves.

“Did Mara tell you about the game we used to play with them?” Wil asked, looking at the young woman behind the girl.

“No! How do we play?” She asked, squealing in excitement. Wil held a hand out, conjuring a wooden ring, before passing it to the girl.

“Just toss it in front of them, see what happens.” He said, pointing. With a spin, the young girl sent the wooden ring flying. One dolphin leapt into the air, poking its nose through the ring, before diving back down.

Wil let the magic fade, freeing the creature’s nose, before conjuring another. Making a small stack, he left Serena and Mara to their fun, the rings timed to fade gradually. Patting the girl on the head, he moved towards the rear of the ship, searching for Quentin.

He heard her before he saw her, her voice carrying across the deck. Peeking into her cabin, he saw the blond woman pointing her finger at Astrid, the pair of them in an intense argument. Thinking better of it, he went searching for Garman instead.