Ch. Seven

7

            The moment the driver had handed me the payment, the sweat dried up behind my glee.

            With the hefty pouch of valuable coin bouncing gingerly in my palm, I waited for the Counselor's coach to depart and disappear around the corner before walking back to the bar. Just as I placed my hand on the door handle, though, a voice called out from across the road.

            I turned and, there, in an alley across the road, stood a priestess, donned in white robes, head bowed with her hood pulled over, shielding her face.

            The sweat returned.

            With a quick, reactive search of the street, I dashed across and into the alley, stopping closely to her; "Rose, what's wrong?"

            Slowly, she brought her face up, just enough so that the street lamp's light cast just over her nose and brought into clarity her eyes, lavender and soft, beautiful and comforting. They looked into mine with a warmth and admiration so sincere, so gentle, that before I could stop myself my hands were sliding up her arms, locking onto her shoulders.

            Her words choked, but pleasantly so. For a moment, she looked down, then shook her head and returned her eyes to mine, now fully illuminated in the light; Tears hovered atop her eyes, and her lips, thin and sharp, seemed glued into a homely smile.

            "I'm sorry," she whispered, the tears softening her words, "I've missed you."

            Her words dipped straight into my heart, and the angst and fear melted instantly.

            We kissed, heavily, my arms wrapping around her as we shuffled towards a wall and leaned against it, our lips locking tightly together. Slowly, her hands came to rest upon my back, her fingers pressing tough and comfortably into me. Her hood fell back, releasing her soft, golden hair, collapsing and crossing between my face and hers, ticklish and welcomed.

            For moments long, we kissed, until a pair of hooves drew close and we were forced to press apart. It did not bother her; still leaning against the wall, her smile, her wet lips, brought into the alley a new light, a new era that revealed the pure satisfaction of our companionship and touch.

            Eventually, my body steadied and my breath returned; "I've missed you too, Rose."

            A petite laughter escaped from her, giddy and exhilarated. After a moment, she recomposed herself into the model priestess, returning to the taut stance and drawing her hood back atop of her hair.

            "I know I shouldn't be here," she said, satisfied and happy, "but when I saw the flare I couldn't help myself."

            "Well I'm glad you broke the rule," I said, scratching at the back of my head. "I just came from meeting with one of our Counselors; frightening figures, they are."

            "Yes, Elex told me that was who was on the corner." Before I could ask, she answered; "I was here before you went to the coach; Elex saw me, but didn't let on until after you'd gone. He'd said it be dangerous for you to know about me then."

            Strange; Elex had never met with Counselor Roarsch, so how could he have known that I really would have been disturbed knowing Rose was here?

            Rose continued; "And I already know the results of this trip, so it's okay. I don't understand anymore now then before, but maybe soon you will come across somebody. I hope."

            I nodded, but didn't say anything. The situation was growing bleaker with each and every mission; though the structures and places of the people of the North remained, there hadn't been a single sign that people still lived in the region. Also, the further we explored, and the more remnants of society we found, so too were there more monsters, larger and stronger the deeper we trekked.

            Suddenly, she placed herself back into my hands, her nose nearly touching mine.

            "I have to go now," she said, her fingers lightly gripping me. "I'll be at the lake tomorrow, through the evening. Will you come?"

            "Yes,” I said, and then again we kissed.

            When our lips released, she turned and left, head bowed, once more an Apostle of the Magi.