Part 30 (1/2)

Baleweg rounded the vehicle and came to stand beside them. He looked to

Talia. ”I will create a door. You must hold Archer's hand and step through at the same time.”

Talia nodded, then looked to Archer. He squeezed her hand and held on

tightly. With his free hand he slapped his thigh. ”Come on, Ringer.” The cat

leaped into his arms. He looked at Baleweg. ”Let's do it.”

Baleweg nodded, then turned his back to them. Rather than watch the old man do his thing, Archer kept his eyes on Talia. If he hadn't been so worried about her, he'd have smiled when her eyes bugged at the sight of the triangle.

Her grip tightened painfully, but he didn't mind. When Baleweg motioned to them, she looked up at him and he dropped an impulsive hard kiss on her lips.

”Hold tight to me, Tali.”

”I will.”

And just like that, they stepped into the future. Together.

Talia blinked, then swung around to look at the rapidly closing spot of

wavering air. She fought the urge to yank free and dive back through it. But Archer squeezed her hand, diverting her attention. Then it was too late. The door, or window or whatever the h.e.l.l it was, was gone.

She was still standing on top of a building, but this one wasn't a parking garage. It was heavily vegetated with tropical growth, lush and beautiful. The sky above was a blinding blue and the air amazingly fresh for what appeared to be a sprawling city. But she had no time to process the endless vista of s.h.i.+mmery buildings with cloud-high spires, the s.p.a.ces between and around them dotted with air traffic that looked a little like airplanes and a lot like flying minivans with no wheels.

”Thank G.o.d,” Archer said, drawing her attention to him. He let go of her hand and knelt to gather up an astonis.h.i.+ng array of Star Wars-like weaponry. It all disappeared into unseen places and pockets sewn into his clothes. It should have frightened her, how much more relaxed he seemed now that he was loaded down with enough armament to defend a small country. He wore it well, almost casually. He is a mercenary, Talia. She hadn't forgotten, really. She'd just never had such a... visual reminder of what and who he really was. It should have put her off, or at least made her feel somewhat more alone, being faced with the fact that the one person she thought she knew well in this time was also still a stranger to her.

But if she had to know only one person in this strange new world, better the guy with all the ammo and a working knowledge of how to use it, right? ”Pretty good aim, mate,” Archer said to Baleweg. ”We didn't even have to catch a transport this time.”

Baleweg stepped in then, looking a bit weary, his eyes not so vivid, his skin a bit pale. ”Home is always easiest to find,” he said, fatigue clear in his resonant voice. ”I trust your vehicle is still secured down below. You will see Talia safely to the queen.”

”You really won't be going with us?” Talia asked.

Baleweg shook his head. ”My place is not in court, Talia. Too many vultures.

There is little or nothing I can do for the queen in any case. And you and I have done all we can together.”

”But what if we need you? Your... other skills?””I will know it, never fear that. But the less attention drawn to your already remarkable return, the better. Archer will be in the best position to protect you.”

”But-”

He shushed her gently. ”Talia, were I to attend you with the queen, it is likely

Emrys will find the combination irresistible. It will only make what you have to do harder, and he would rather enjoy that, as well.”

”Then you mean he'll be at court? Directly? But what if-?”

Baleweg silenced her with a brief touch. ”I will be here,” he said, brus.h.i.+ng her

head. ”And here,” he added, motioning to her heart. ”And you will be with me

always. Trust in Archer. More importantly, trust in yourself.”

Before she could respond, he turned to Archer. ”There is one offer I would like to make, however. Allow me to watch over your other companion while you escort Talia and watch over her.”

Ringer, who was now a small brown rabbit, seemed to understand the offer and quickly changed into a cat again and wove his way around Baleweg's ankles.

Talia didn't miss the surprise and hurt on Archer's face, even though he quickly masked it.

”Yeah, sure,” he said. ”Last place I need him getting into trouble is at court.” Talia took Archer's hand and rubbed his arm. He looked so surprised at the gesture that she almost dropped her hands away, but he quickly covered her hand with his. ”He'll be okay here,” Talia told him, knowing it was true because Ringer had decided to transmit his comfort to her. ”But it doesn't mean he's leaving you.” Archer rolled his eyes as if that were not remotely what he'd been worried about, but Talia swallowed a smile, because she knew that was exactly what he'd feared. He was used to thinking himself fully independent. It would take some time to get used to the fact that maybe he'd changed a little during his stay with her. As if making a huge concession, Ringer deigned to waltz over and rub against Archer's legs. He leaned down and scooped the cat up. ”Listen, mate, don't give him a hard time. He could send you off to G.o.d knows where and I'm not about to chase you across the centuries.” Ringer purred and b.u.t.ted his head against Archer's chin, earning a scratch between the ears and a grin.

Talia felt a momentary pang at the connection, the bond they shared. She'd never been able to do that, to reach out at such a personal level, to give her whole heart like that. She gave little pieces of it to all the animals she'd helped, to the people in her life, too. But never all of it to one. She envied Archer that he could, even though he'd probably deny it.

Ringer leaped down and wandered off to explore the rooftop. Archer stared after him for a moment, then turned back to Baleweg. ”Thank you for what you've done. For Ringer. For Talia. For me.”

The old man shook his head. ”I've done what I could. You will know where to find me when the time comes.” He looked to them both. ”If that is what you wish.”

Baleweg took Talia's hand and she felt that odd energy again, only far, far