Page 78 of Zel
“For you to keep one and to give one to Zel, should it not be too distasteful a gesture.”
When Rudy offered the pendants, he had bowed low, something no one had done in Ulrich’s presence since he was king.
He still awaited further elaboration before accepting the gift.
“Because, um…” Rudy had glanced up timidly upon being left waiting, “this way, the two of you can always be but a thought away from each other, should you ever be separated. It’s something that should be shared between beloveds, not usedin secret by a supposed friend.” He lowered his hands holding the pendants but did not rise from his bow. “I have apologized so many times, and Zel professes to have already forgiven me and tells me to stop, but it never feels like enough. That’s when I realized I hadn’t ever truly apologized to you, not alone, not between just you and me. So, please know how much I mean this when I say I am so sorry, Lord Sorcerer, for all I did that endangered your happiness with Zel.”
“Thank you, Rudy. You are allowed to call me Ulrich, you know, as I often remind guild members. You are also allowed to stand up straight and look me in the eyes.”
Rudy had done so with the usual hesitancy he displayed around Ulrich, but once his posture was upright again, Ulrich outstretched his hand for Rudy to give him the pendants, which he did. “Um, may I ask…?”
“Yes?” Ulrich prompted patiently.
“How did you change the pendants’ properties, or whatever you did to them, to allow them to work while inside your tower with only a touch? I suppose elves, and especially one as powerful as you, are just that attuned to such things?”
“In part. There are also interesting tricks to magical enchantment.”
“Oh?” Rudy’s earnest eagerness had intrigued Ulrich.
“Would you perhaps… like to learn?” he’d offered. “It has been a very long time since I had an apprentice to pass such knowledge to.”
“I would love that!” Rudy’s hesitancy seemed to have been forgotten in the face of his excitement. “I've always had an interest in magical trinkets. Though Lothar did sour me on them a little.”
Ulrich had gestured for Rudy to follow him out of the alcove where they’d been having their exchange. “It'll be good for me toteach someone again.” And this time, he would be a far different mentor.
He had been thus far, and Rudy was an attentive student and a devoted friend to now both Zel and Ulrich.
So, since Sophie and Gregor sat at the center of the head table, with trusted generals to their left, Zel on their right, and Ulrich next to Zel, the only open seat was on Ulrich’s other side.
Which Rudy gladly took.
GREGOR
Though weeks had passed since the events of that fateful month without Gregor and Sophie’s beloved Rapu—Zel—Gregor still found it odd at times to be seated at the head of the Thieves Guild between his wife and treasured child, while on Zel’s other side was the very sorcerer they had all once feared.
Now, Zel’s husband.
Ulrich was no less frightening than he had been those twenty some winters ago, even with his magic diluted. But then, Gregor, Sophie, and Zel were frightening in their own rights. Sometimes the world demanded fearsome figures. The only question was how and upon whom to use such menacing auras.
Rudy received no pulse of it from Ulrich, even as Zel joined the pair in conversation as amiably as if nothing had changed since they were childhood friends. Gregor was glad to see the pair remain close despite all that had transpired. He was also glad to see Ulrich’s friendship with Rudy continue to blossom.
Sophie’s hand came down on the table to rest over Gregor’s, and he turned to look at her, radiant as ever, beautiful as their child, with a fair face and deep warmth in her eyes, and just the right edge of a vicious twinkle to be set loose when necessary. The scar on her cheek, faded as it was after so many winters, in no way marred her. She was Gregor’s treasure too, and together, they had brought something special into this world, something strong enough to perhaps be one of the catalysts to change the kingdom forever.
Whatever the three had been discussing, Ulrich suddenly erupted with a boisterous laugh, bringing Gregor’s attention back to them.
Perhaps strangest of all while sharing such meals was the peace Gregor felt. The kingdom was still in the grips of the Great Famine. Much was uncertain with the evil Queen’s reign still bearing down on them. But a flicker of hope was present, like the rare chance for a wish upon a star.
One of the more recent pickpockets to have achieved full membership passed by the table with a coquettish bat of her eyes at Rudy, which he responded to with a faint blush and hesitant wave.
“What say you, Rudy,” Zel said, louder than he’d spoken during their previous conversation but not so loud as to alert anyone beyond the head table, “have you imparted the most important lesson to our newest member?”
“Which one is that?” Rudy asked.
“Only empty pockets need filling.”
Rudy’s blush turned bright vermillion, which told Gregor he was better off not knowing the hidden meaning.
Perhaps even Rudy was finally free to find a love of his own. Such a fate was not for everyone, but for those destined for it, for those who could not imagine a life lived without romantic love, there were few greater joys than finding it. Gregor knew so intimately, glancing again at his wife and leaning toward her to steal a kiss, just like this whole adventure had begun with a different attempt at theft.
