Part 52 (1/2)
”Where are you off to?” Baleweg asked.
”Why on earth would you care?” He sneered. ”Archer says, Archer says. Well, he of little brain is not all-knowing. I have many grand adventures planned and none of them concern you. I will be perfectly happy to never see you again. I've tired immensely of our little game of cat and mouse. You'll not be
seeing me again for quite some time, though I daresay that won't bother you as you go back to your yawningly dull little existence.”
”It is rather dull, isn't it.”
Emrys said nothing, but neither did he move away. And Archer knew he
wouldn't. He was finally getting what he'd always wanted. Baleweg's full
attention.
Baleweg took his time, fulfilling the role of the reluctant parent all too well. If the situation hadn't been so serious, Archer would have been amused as he watched the war wage behind those blue eyes.
Finally Baleweg sighed, as long-suffering a sound as Emrys had made earlier.
Quite grudgingly, he asked, ”I don't suppose you'd like some company on your next adventure?”
Emrys's eyes, an exact copy of Baleweg's, narrowed. ”What manner of trick
would this be?”
”No trick. Perhaps I am tired of living a shrouded existence. Perhaps I should try to spice things up a bit. See how the other side lives.”
Emrys laughed. ”I seriously doubt my pursuits would be of any interest to
you.”Baleweg merely raised his brows. Challenge issued... and accepted. ”Why don't we find out? Then perhaps you can try on one of my rather tedious little adventures of the mind.”
Emrys examined his nails and Archer felt himself relax. Emrys was well and truly caught now. His interest was piqued. He was indeed nothing more than a very spoiled child, albeit one with dangerous powers, who'd been doing anything and everything to get the attention of the only person in his life who could possibly understand him. Baleweg, a man with pent-up jealousies who had hidden himself away instead of confronting them, burying his head in the sands of his studies... and thereby provoking Emrys on and on. It was a vicious circle, the cycle of which might never have been broken if they hadn't been finally forced to confront one another. Archer only wished they could have done so without putting an entire kingdom at risk.
Not that he thought it would all be resolved so easily. But, at the very least, Baleweg could watch over the devil rather than leaving him to his own devices. And perhaps the old man would learn that there was more to knowledge than what could be found inside his own head.
”I suppose we could try,” Emrys said finally. ”But one little squeal from you,
old man, and phht, I'm gone.”
”We'll see what the future holds.” Baleweg turned to Archer, then looked back to Emrys. ”Would you mind if I spoke to young Archer here in private?”
Emrys huffed, but opened a triangle behind him. Archer moved forward, alarmed that perhaps this had all been an elaborate charade. He wouldn't put it past Emrys.
”I'll be back,” Emrys said, then sneered. ”And don't worry, hunter. I hate
Connecticut in any time.”
Archer felt like collapsing with relief. He was surprised to find a very stern Baleweg when he turned around. ”Don't give me that look. I just saved your a.r.s.e, old man.”
”And set me on a course I'm not so certain I like.”
Archer shrugged. ”I didn't force you to make that offer.”
Baleweg said something that actually sounded like a curse under his breath.
Archer would have grinned, but he had other concerns on his mind. ”Do you
think he meant it? He'll leave Talia alone?”
Baleweg nodded.
She was safe. He leaned his head back against the wall. Thank G.o.d. So he had
no right to feel cheated. No right to feel sorry for himself. This was what he'd
wanted for her all along. A safe return home for them all.
Safe. He remembered then what Baleweg had started to tell him earlier. 'You meant Talia was the one who gave you strength against Emrys, didn't you?”
Baleweg nodded.