The quiet after the storm

Arriving at my room, the two women lead me inside the door and let me go near my desk. Taking my time, I take a seat heavily, letting out an exhausted sigh. Looking up, I watch as Hannah gets a couple of seats and brings them over. Busying herself by the stove, Ella comes over a few minutes after Hannah sits down and hands me a mug of steaming liquid.

"Here. Drink this. It will help with the fatigue."

"Is this going to be like that other concoction that you fed me?" Smiling, she shakes her head.

"No. This is similar to your coffee, I believe. Drink." Taking a sip, I smile as a familiar taste washes over my tongue. Sighing as the warmth fills my chest, and the tiredness washes away, I lean back and look at the two women in front of me.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you that Saetaen contacted me. But would either one of you have let me go if you'd known?" Looking into my eyes, a look of defeat crosses Ella's face.

"No. I know better than anyone what my father is capable of. I understand why you would want to meet with him, but you risked so much for little gain."

"That's not entirely true."

"What do you mean?" Taking a sip of my drink, I look at Hannah.

"The thing with dealing with people like your father is to make them think they have the upper hand. In my time as a detective, I've broken a hundred hardened criminals just like him." Smiling, Hannah sits up in her chair.

"You baited him?"

"I did."

"Wait, what does baiting my father have to do with anything?"

"He failed with the Fenrir. At least I'm almost certain he did. Is there any way to contact Marianne and find out what is happening?"

"Not easily. The Fenrir's domain is magically sealed. So I can't send a Magic Missive there. But Ari might know a way. Ill ask her in the morning. How did my father seem to you? I'm curious why you would think that."

"He seemed desperate. That he lured me out of the castle to strike at the two of you while I was away screams of desperation. It's certainly not the act of a person who has their reasoning intact."

"Or of someone with the upper hand." Smiling at Hannah's interjection, I look over to Ella as she speaks.

"Wait, if he failed, then that means…"

"It means he no longer has a way to open the door to Leviathan's cage. Whilst that buys us some time, it doesn't change what we need to do. How long until the king is ready to assemble the key?" Taking a seat, Ella looks over at me.

"The mages will assemble in the morning tomorrow. It will take two days for them to create the key. Even if I help, I can't bring that down much time-wise. To create the key, it need an unfathomable amount of mana." Leaning back in my chair, I finish the last of my drink and look down into the empty cup, wishing it were still full. What I wouldn't give for an actual cup of coffee in this world. Smiling, Hannah takes the cup from me.

"I'll take care of that, Dad. I've had enough excitement for one night. I'll see you both in the morning. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, sweetheart."

"Goodnight, Hannah." Sitting there in silence, we both watch her cross the room and put the cup away before heading into her room and closing the door softly behind her. Waiting a moment as Ella turns towards me, I brace for a lecture. Smiling sadly, she gets to her feet and looks towards the balcony.

"Come with me." Holding out her hand, she waits a moment before getting up and leading me outside. Walking over to the edge, she pulls my arm around her and sinks back into my chest, leaning heavily against me. Reaching my other arm around her, I lean into her, my head resting on her shoulder.

"You scared me tonight, Oscar. That is why I was so angry with you. My father is more cunning and formidable than you realise. If I had lost you as well, I couldn't have…" as her words trail off, my stomach churns from the guilt rising inside me. Pushing my face into her shoulder, I hug her tighter.

"I'm sorry, Ella. I truly am."

"I know." Raising her hand, she holds my hand and brings it to her lips, kissing the top. Putting it back around her, she curls her fingers over it and leans into me. The quiet sounds of the garden stretching on into the night.