Heart of Darkness

Chapter 40

Zelgadis had to admit, Xellos had gotten almost everything right. The coffee had been good, the cinnamon rolls stellar. The only thing that had been lacking was the company. Swallowing the last of his second cinnamon roll, he picked up his coffee mug and took a sip.

“Now then,” Zelgadis said as he set the mug down. “I’ve eaten. Would you care to explain any of this, Xellos? We both know that there’s no point in starting a fight; we’re too well matched.” They’d both learned that the last time they hadn’t seen precisely eye to eye… so why was Xellos looking at him like that?

“I would, Zelgadis, but that would ruin things… and I’m unfortunately bound against telling you,” Xellos replied. Yes, he was bound. Words formed, but wouldn’t pass his lips. He’d tried it while Zelgadis was asleep. When had Jedah done that?

Aquamarine eyes narrowed and Zelgadis cast an unbelieving glance at the Trickster Priest. “I don’t believe you, Xellos. Now start talking or I’ll make you start talking.” It was no idle threat, he knew that he could at least match Xellos in power, perhaps could exceed him. At least, that had been the impression Xellos had given when he’d deferred to Zelgadis in Ambervale.

Ambervale.

Instantly, Zelgadis changed his mind. “Ambervale.” He watched Xellos frown slightly, wondered at the near-mortal reaction, and smirked. “Why does it all come back there, Xellos? Why return me time again to the place that my power destroyed? Is it some sick little way that you can twist me around over?”

Xellos didn’t know how to answer. He didn’t know if he could answer. “Zelgadis… a… lot happened in Ambervale.” He started slowly, trying to think of what he could say that would buy him the time needed for Jedah to arrive and not get himself killed in the interim. “Even I don’t know all of what happened, because I wasn’t there.”

Xellos hadn’t been there. Zelgadis realized that was true, a little ripple of shock cascading over him. But how did he know that? Something danced at the edge of his mind, a memory gone hazy with time and something else. Magic. Someone’s magic. His own memories tingled with someone else’s touch, as if someone had made themselves at home in his mind and shuffled through his memories as if they were pages in a book.

Xellos recognized that look in Zelgadis’ eyes. He was sensing the changes, sensing what had been done. Jedah would have Xellos shredded bit by bit if he’d given Zelgadis reason to poke those changes out in to the open and break the seal on the memories. “What I can tell you is the person who can explain it all will be here soon. This is his cabin, and he… ordered me to see that you were in good care for his arrival.”

That was enough to break Zelgadis’ contemplation of the sealed memories and make the aquamarine eyes lift to violet ones. “Ordered you? Someone above you in the hierarchy?” He sat back, regarding Xellos in amusement. “Well then, this should be interesting. Fine, Xellos. I’ll wait and see who it is that holds such sway over you. Must be quite an impressive individual.”

Xellos actually choked back a smirk and rose from his seat at the table. “Impressive is a word for him, yes. Now then, would you care for anything else? There isn’t much here, but you are free to make full use of the cabin’s amenities while you wait.”

A shower. Zelgadis wanted a shower. Better would be a long soak in a hot tub, but he wasn’t certain that a place this rustic had such facilities. “I’m covered in the dust of Ambervale.” The dust of his past transgressions. “Are there bathing facilities and perhaps fresh clothing available?”

Xellos indicated the door behind him in the kitchen. “There is a small bathing facility in that room, and fresh clothing is a simple matter. Your host bids you enjoy a bath and please refrain from attempting to depart through the small window above the tub.”

Zelgadis quirked an eyebrow. “My host seems remarkably well-informed in regards to my… behavior. I trust, then, that he knows me… or as met me at one time.” Anything to try to pull some inkling of a clue as to the owner of the cabin’s identity out of the stubborn Mazoku.

“He merely said that it was something he might do under the circumstances,” Xellos parried, opening the kitchen door for Zelgadis. “Towels are on the wall to your right as you enter. Do enjoy your bath.” The sooner Jedah got here, the better, in Xellos’ mind. This was starting to hurt his teeth. One slip, one truth revealed and Zelgadis could take him apart… and if Zelgadis didn’t, Jedah would.

Zelgadis spent an hour soaking and relaxing as best he could in the bath, washing off the dust and dirt. He’d cast his magic about a bit, but found the cabin was tightly shielded by a magical force much stronger than his own. At length, he stepped out and dried himself off, wrapping a towel around his waist and moving back into the cabin proper.

It was empty, though there were clothes folded on the bed, and he moved across to collect them and return to the bath. He had no desire to be caught by Xellos or host in mid-dress, thank you. Dressing quickly, he re-entered the cabin in time hear the front door close. “Xellos, I’m tired of this. If you’re playing a game, then it ends now. Tell my host, whoever he is, that I’m tired of waiting for him and I’m ready to be done with this.”

The reply came, but it wasn’t Xellos’ voice. “Ah, Zelgadis! I’m sorry I’m late… I do hope you’re not too terribly upset with me.” Jedah was standing by the window, hands clasped behind his back, smiling brilliantly at him, the gold and purple trim of his clothing glittering in the light.

It hit Zelgadis like a bolt of lightning. Jedah was his host.

And Jedah was a Mazoku.