The only thing that Avos could think about was seeing Elise again. Suddenly he didn't care that the scrolls were gone or that Lucinde may have become a foe. He simply wanted to see that beautiful smile again. It would only be moments now. He and Marcus were walking to the care-house from the Citadel to explore what the Elder had told them about her.
He never felt this way before; nervous, yet excited at the same time. He never had time for girls when he was growing up, or at least that was the excuse his father gave him. A farmers work is never done, he used to say. In reality he had all the time in the world, but he grew up sheltered and hidden. They kept him busy, perhaps to make him believe that there wasn't much for him outside the farm.
His life had become so routine that he stopped questioning why they didn't go to the Solstice festivals or why they didn't travel more as a family. 'Too much work to be done' or 'we don't know anyone around these parts, best keep to ourselves'. The best one was 'Nature is all you need Avos, it will always be there for you, never turn your back on you, and never die.' But it turns out, that's not true either. Everything will die if Marcus' plan was not fulfilled.
Avos rarely ever got angry, but he felt a sudden rage rift through him. He felt cheated. How many Elise's could he have met before now? How many pretty faces or extravagant cities could he have seen if not for what he was? Nonetheless, he knew he wouldn't be the same person he was today if it had been any different. Would he have met Elise? He slowly smiled to himself. I am what I am. He felt the rage subside and a calmness settled over him. He would see her shortly and somehow that made him momentarily happy.
"I hope that smile means you've thought of a way to convince Elise to help us?" Marcus asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"You think she won't want to?"
"Well... I am more concerned with telling her what we're looking for, and why." A silence hung in the air for a few moments. What would Elise think of him if she knew what he was supposed to become. They walked without words across the pavilion and towards the care-house. Once they made it to the doors, Marcus stopped Avos before he had a chance to open it. "Listen, Avos, we can't reveal too much. We mustn't tell her about the resurrection. We'll say some very important documents have been taken and we wish to find the person who has them. If she proceeds to question us, we can let her know the Keeper is the one who is missing and that we feel she may be in danger."
"Is that true though? Do you think Lucinde is in danger?"
"She most definitely is, my son, whether by her own doing or not. She is under the influence of the Great Dark. Nothing is more dangerous than that." Marcus opened the door for Avos and followed him though.
The care-house was not what Avos had been expecting. He pictured a large hall full of the sick in beds, but this place seemed much more personable. As they roamed the halls he noticed that each patient had his or her own room, though sometimes there were two or three sharing one. Most of the single rooms were for a mother and her newborn. Those sharing, he assumed, had similar ailments which made it safer for the others and easier for Aunt Chloe and her staff to care for them.
They stumbled upon a common area. There was a grand dining table with a few people sitting around it, as well as some cushions and chairs spread around the rooms with smaller tables set up for games.
He heard his Aunt's voice then. The main kitchen was off to the left and she was talking about the best way to prepare boar. He hoped that she wasn't planning a huge feast on his account; they had trouble to see to, and not much time for feasting. Or celebrating, for that matter.
"You've got to cut the fat off round the edge and the centre, or the grease just gets too heavy in the pan," she was saying as the two men walked in on her. Avos almost tripped over his feet when he realized she was speaking to Elise.
So much for not feasting. The size of the boar rump that sat on the counter was immense! Plus, there were enough vegetables simmering in a pot over the fire to feed an army.
"I hope this isn't on my account, Aunt Chloe." He put his arms out to welcome her in an embrace. As soon as she saw him, her own smile broke out and she walked over to squeeze him as hard as she could.
After several squeezes for good measure she released him. "All this? For you? Don't be silly, Avos. I have an entire house to feed!"
They made small talk about their trip and what it was like in the city. Elise seemed different to Avos from earlier that day. She would not look at him in the eye for very long. She seemed almost shy, much different than the women he had encountered on the Citadel steps. She did not have much to say at all really. Avos and Chloe seemed to carry most of the conversation, though they did have much to catch up on, he supposed. When the meal was finally prepared, they had some time to wait while it roasted. Chloe suggested they all sit down for a game of stones.
"Actually," Marcus interrupted "we do have some business to discuss with your ward, Elise." Which made Elise turn around quickly and stare at Chloe, as if pleading for help.
"Oh... really?" Chloe's high pitched voice almost cracked. "Well, have at her, but she is not my ward any longer. I can safely say she knows more about healing and birthing than I did at her age."
"Come now, Chloe," Elise squeaked. "I learned all I know from you."
"Of course you did, girl." Chloe nudged her with her elbow. "Why don't you three sit then and talk and I will go make the rounds, check to see if anyone needs anything. You can fill me in when I return." Chloe addressed Marcus in a very serious tone, as if saying she will not tolerate any secrets when it came to him or her friend.
Marcus simply nodded and looked at Elise who had gone very pale and rigid. He must have decided it may be better for Avos to address Elise. He stared the boy down until he got his attention and then nodded towards Elise, letting him know he wanted him to begin. Avos eyes just grew larger and he lipped the question, "me?" With a few more urgent nods from Marcus, Avos cleared his throat.
"Elise, I, uh, we... We were hoping you could help us find someone?"
Elise furrowed her brow. "That's it?"
"Well, yes. We need to find someone and we were told you could help us."
"Who told you that?"
"Elder Valmont."
"Oh. Ok, is it an old patient of mine or something?"
"No, I don't think so. She worked in the Citadel"
"Oh, ok well how am I supposed to help you find her then?"
"Well..." Avos looked at Marcus who nodded him on. "With magic?"
"Ohhhh.... yes, of course, with that... Wait. How did you know?"
"Elder Valmont told us, but don't worry he said magicians were no longer persecuted by the Lawmakers. He said you have nothing to fear from the Council, they've known about you since you've arrived, and he said that a simple locator spell should do the trick."
"He said all that did he?" Elise still seemed agitated but she finally smiled.
"Yes." Avos suddenly realized she was poking fun at him for something.
"Ok, I can help." She lowered her voice some, looked around and then added "but I am not a magician, Avos. I'm a witch."
Marcus actually laughed! "Ok good, it's settled then. What do you need to perform the spell, Elise?"
"Ah, ok yes, um... Personal items? A hairbrush perhaps, jewellery, anything she kept close with her? An image, if one exists? Her name? I should have everything else I need in my quarters."
"Her name is Lucinde. Listen, Elise, why don't you gather what you need here with Avos, then meet us back in the Citadel. I need to go speak with Chloe and make our leave. Don't worry Avos, you can see her again before we leave Bolster, if we even need to."
"What about dinner?! Chloe was hoping we could all sit and eat together," protested Elise.
"Then you best hurry." Marcus took his own advice and was swiftly up and out the door before either of the two young people could say another word to him.
Elise looked at Avos and his heart stopped.
"I guess that's our cue, Blue Eyes, let's go."