Page 64 of Somewhere down the Ley Line
As soon as they were in the relative privacy of the shabby little room Felix rented for the night, Leif rounded on him.
“Who. Was. That.”
Felix shrugged. “An old friend. She plays in the tavern I used to frequent in Azuill.”
“She did not act like you and her were just ‘friends’,” Leif replied, his head tilted to the side.
Felix snorted. “She’s like that with everyone.”
“Hm,” Leif said, still looking at Felix sceptically. “Somehow I doubt that. Do you have a lot of these outrageously beautiful ‘old friends’? I’m going to take you up on that offer to show me around Azuill if that’s the case.”
“No. Don’t let Mia fool you. She’s only in it for her own gain.”
Leif shrugged. “She seemed nice enough.”
Felix sighed. None of this was how he had wanted this day to go, but there was nothing he could do about it now, so he left Leif to watch over their things and went to find the bathing facilities.
When Felix returned to the room, Leif was bouncing with excitement.
“I’m going to head downstairs for a bit! Mia said there would be music. Would be a shame to waste our only evening here. You coming?”
“No.”
“Suit yourself.” Leif headed for the door, but Felix grabbed him by the arm before he could open it.
“Don’t do anything stupid. Don’t mention Isolde and don’t get drunk. Leave your things here. If someone tries to sell you something, you say no. Got it?”
“Fine, fine. I’ll be good, don’t worry,” Leif said with a wide smile. “I’ve had a few drinks before. You sure you don’t want to come?”
“Yes. Not in the mood.”
“Alright. See you later.” Leif shrugged and closed the door behind him.
Felix flopped down on a bed and listened to Leif walking away down the hall. He twirled his dagger between his fingers absently as his thoughts wandered and landed squarely on Isolde. Would she be safe? Was the camp hidden enough? What if there were patrols? He shouldn’t have left; he should have made Garren or Luella go instead…
For fuck’s sake. Pull yourself together.
He threw the dagger at the far wall. The blade quivered as it sank into the wood. He retrieved it, then threw it again, and again, but it did nothing to ease the knot in his stomach.
Scarcely an hour later, the noise from below had increased to a lively din. The light footsteps in the hallway were barely audible over the racket. Not Leif – Mia. He tensed. What did she want now?
“Felix? I think you’d better come downstairs,” she called. “Your little friend is putting up quite a show.”
He cursed, jumped up and yanked the door open. “Why? What is he doing?”
Mia smiled. “See for yourself.”
Felix followed her down the stairs and into the crowded, noisy taproom. He shouldered his way through the crowd until he spotted Leif – standing on a table holding a pint aloft, shouting at the top of his voice.
“– and she healed me! I saw the light, I did! Blood everywhere! But Lady Isolde used her leytouched magic and healed me, brought me back from the brink of death!”
Of all the hells-damned…
“Leif!” he barked. “Get the fuck down here!”
“Felix! Tell them, Felix!” Leif gestured wildly at him, swaying on his feet, liquid sloshing out of his glass. “This guy was there; he knows I’m telling the truth!”
“Youfucking –”He grabbed Leif’s arm and dragged him down before he could say another word.
