Elemix bid Aline and Theo goodnight and headed home. The tower had only recently been fixed up. Poor Harold, he did not deserve this. Worse, his killer is still on the loose. The Baroness promissed a new helper, but he had not arrived yet. Arriving at the tower, Elemix saw Giselle. Her horse was tied up and she looked very official. She tried to be formal, saying, “Magus Elemix, a message for you from her excellency.
To my loyal associate, the Magus Elimix Dungaroon of Uzec and Thalassa, Scion of Belladonna Dungaroon, Master Magus.
For myself and his grace the new Duke of Derrien, Arles, we owe you sincere thanks. Your quick actions and the daring follow-up by the Baroness, the Sister, yourself and others was nothing short of excellent. Your warning made the defense stronger. While I have no doubt Hugo’s reign would have been brought low quickly though contingency plans, your actions prevented any need to activate such a dark scenario. The North will remember for many days. I personally have sent note note mentioning your actions, that of your cousin, and that of my dear sister to be placed in the Guild Dispatches and read thrice aloud in the Guild Square, the Guild Hall, and to the students at the Guild Academy. This is my gift to you and the best I can do to continue our plans to elevate your reputation.
The Duke has offered you a sum of two thousand gold in humble thanks for your actions plus your choice of any horse in his stables. Ms Aubrey-Alix has the sum. The Duke bids you to visit when you can, as do I as I have my suspicions about what became of Hugo. We can discuss further when you arrive. We have much to discuss.
Your benefactor and patron,
Magus Gillian Alix, First of the Tribunal of the North and Defender of Derrien
Giselle said, “You did good El. You did good.”
Elemix clearly had not expected to get such a letter, and such a gift.
“Thank you Giselle. You also were a key player in our success that night. Who knows what the outcome would have been without you?
It is good to see you. Would your duties allow for you to stay for dinner? I recall where you cooked for me once. Perhaps I could do the same for you. It would be nice to have some company given all that has happened.”
“The success is a bitter one of ash. In truth we failed. In the end, the Duke died, stripped of any backbone or rage that kept him alive. Hundreds suffered, many died. My beloved sister died. We merely brought a quick end to a plan we should have anticipated in the first place,” she said with directly with a touch of bitterness. “That said I do appreciate the offer and the thanks. True is that this is not a social call. Once I am done here I am to move quickly to Calder Keep and then to the old ruin. I could tarry as long as it takes for you to give me an answer for the Tribune. Perhaps a kafé or a simple glass of water as you compose it, or you could simply tell me. But I can only tarry for some minutes.” She was hard for Elemix to read, but it was clear she was a bit uncomfortable for one reason or another about something.
“Very well then I’ll not keep you from your duties. You can tell Magus Alix I shall come to Derrien within the next couple of days. In fact, if you are not heading that way within a day or so I might beat you to it. I have some business here to finish before I depart but it shouldn’t take long.
Now – will you tell me what is wrong?”
She nodded, “Nothing is wrong per se. You proved to be able to do what I always thought you could do when others doubted you – and for seemingly the right reasons. Sister’s plan for you seems to be bearing fruit. Contacts she made for you are looking in the right direction when you do things, and your cousin writes it all up and ties it up in a little bow. As far as you are concerned you are getting what you want. Respect, a little power, a little shop, and your name entering conversations of the mighty from time to time. Good for you. You obviously made the right choice.” she said matter-of-factly. “I even hear rumors of people trying to pair you with various noble daughters. Good again.”
Elemix understood at once. He had conflicted feelings about that for a time as well, but he had forced himself to move beyond it. He could not be with Giselle, as she had a sworn allegiance to Archmagus Revan. A person he highly respected, but honestly did not entirely trust. He had learned to be somewhat skeptical over the past year plus. Much more so than he had been when he was green. How could Elemix ever trust that what he had with Giselle would remain between them alone when Giselle had told Elemix that if it was something the archmagus required her to tell him – she would. Elemix couldn’t live like that, and she shouldn’t be put in that position. The complexities with her sister and his formal understanding with her also precluded a relationship with Giselle.
“Please don’t hate me for the choice I made,” he said then. “It wasn’t easy, and in truth I came to despise your sister (and others) for a time because I had to make that choice. In the end it wasn’t fair to you – or me if I am being honest with myself.
I had hoped you and I could at least be good friends. I still hope that.
Giselle gave a shrug, “maybe.”
Ever since I became a wizard there were people trying to set me up with one person or another, and I found it unsettling and annoying to say the least.
However, over the past several months and having nearly died several times since you and I split. I have come to have affections for someone else, and she has the same feelings for me. She is not affiliated with the guild in any way, and we were not set up. I wasn’t even looking really. It actually started out of happenstance, but you don’t want to hear any of that I know.”
She nodded and then said, “no I don’t. I don’t hate you Elemix. But you do disappoint me somewhat. I don’t understand why you complain about people trying to set you up. They obviously care about your well being and happiness. Don’t take that for granted as I have exactly one relative. Let’s be truthful. You’ve become a bit of a catch in two years where you were a nobody before. Remember though – I liked you before your were anyone. I stood up for you when my sister wanted to seize your Aquila and send you packing back to the Guild to study in anonymity as punishment for not obeying her. I convinced her to hear you out at the Conclave and I helped you in so many ways behind the scenes. I would have been an amazing partner to you.” She shrugged, “But it is what it is. While given the recent days my sister might accept you and I together, the truth is you cannot trust me because you do not know everything about me, and you won’t take such risks. It is who you are and thus we cannot be.”
She curled her lip and added with a devilish smile, “But it would have been fun.”
“Of that much I have no doubt,” grinned Elemix in return.
There was nervous tension in the air for a moment. Then she broke the uncomfortable silence, “I suppose I should ride off now. I wouldn’t want either of us to do anything regretful.” She got on her horse and looking down to him she said, “I’m afraid our time together will only be a memory. We will not speak of it again. You will be a wizard, and I will be a redcap in service to the Guild. Perhaps in the distant future we can become friends. For now, we must be professional. You have a wife to woo after all, and I don’t think she’ll like it that one of her husband’s collegues once lay with him. No that would not go over well at all. Good luck.”
She gave a quick nod and spurred her horse, leaving Elemix there with his thoughts.
That was understandable thought Elemix. Things were as they must be. He hoped Giselle would find someone that would be better for her then he could have been. He hoped also that they would one day become friends.