Mirages
Part 11

Ray knew there was no reason to panic. He knew the approximate location of the door release and he knew that Marcus and the other protectors would watch out for Florian.

Unfortunately, none of that made him feel any better as he fumbled for the latch and cursed under his breath when it seemed to be taking too long.

Finally there was a click and the passage opened. Ray raced out into the more open area, looking around frantically and trying to decide where Azura had taken Florian. Using instinct, he picked a direction and raced off.
 

+++++
 

"You've been worthless from the start," Azura hissed, pulling Florian along with him as he backed away from Ray. He held a stolen dagger against Florian's back to keep the man from trying to get away.

Dragging Florian into another chamber, Azura directed him to secure his own hands with his necktie then tightened the binding. Florian complied meekly, knowing that Azura was not making an idle threat with the knife. One thrust was all it would take, and Florian wasn't going to give him any reason to do it.

Ray hadn’t caught them yet and the others were out of sight but Florian could hear the low murmur of their whispers as they searched for him. He hoped they would do something soon - the anger was radiating off of Azura like a fire and Florian didn't think it would take much to set him off.

Soft footsteps approached and Azura's grip tightened. Florian could feel the knife piercing the surface of his skin and did his best to remain perfectly still.

"Let Florian go." Ray made it an appeal, not a command, but it didn't make any difference to Azura.

"Give me safe passage with the flask. Once I am free of these ruins and have guaranteed safe passage, I will let the boy go."

"Marcus, the man we thought was a pirate leader is offering one of his men in place of Florian. He can escort you to the harbor and get you safely on a ship back to Morocco. He’ll be of much more use to you than Florian."

"True, but Florian is not expendable - to you. He goes with me. If you don't want to see him dead, then you will convince the others to cooperate."

"They can't do that. If they break their oath to protect the flask, they die." Ray tried to appeal to his old friend, but at the same time, he was frantically studying the chamber Azura was in. It was a narrow room with open access at both ends. There was a worn column just a few steps behind Azura that looked like it would give way with just the right amount of force. Slowly, Ray felt for the handle of his whip.

"And if they do not break their oath, Florian dies. Tell me, Ray, why do you even care what happens to this boy? Before I invited you to Morocco, you didn't even know of his existence. Now you are ready to give up one of the great treasures of the ancient world to save him. Surely there are other pretty boys to suit your tastes? Ones that are more... durable than this pathetic creature." Azura emphasized his point by pressing the dagger deeper into Florian's skin, drawing blood.

"Don't give in to him. You have to find a way to get the Queen’s Tears back," Florian insisted. He bit back a cry as the dagger was withdrawn for a second, then pressed in again closer to his spine. He tried to keep his expression neutral so Ray wouldn't know what was happening. He couldn't stand the thought of someone getting hurt because of him.

A faint sound in the distance made Azura turn his head and the momentary distraction was all Ray needed to free his whip and strike out with deadly accuracy.

Azura turned back, pushing the dagger forward just as Florian shifted and let go with a wild two-handed swing at Azura. The dagger cut across his back and into his side in a long thin slice and the two men together fell sideways against the rock wall of the chamber. In front of them, Ray was pulling hard on his whip, trying to dislodge the column. A second pair of hands – Marcus - grabbed on and between the two of them, they shifted the loose rock enough to send the column tumbling.

Realizing what was happening, Azura shoved Florian towards the men to slow their pursuit and ran for the other exit. He was just past the column when the ceiling gave and rocks rained down on all of them.
 

+++++
 

Laila screamed as the rumble started and the rocks buried her friends. She and the other men that had accompanied Marcus started in immediately, tossing rubble aside to find those who were buried underneath.

Thankfully, Ray and Marcus had been far enough back that they were easily freed. Other than some bumps and bruises, they seemed unhurt. It was Florian that Laila was really worried about. She knew she should be at least a little concerned about Azura too, but she'd think about him once Florian was safe.

"Here!" Ray shouted as he pushed aside a huge rock to reveal a flash of pale skin. The others moved in and within minutes, the unconscious man was freed. They moved him carefully to a shaded spot outside and left Laila to tend him while they returned to keep looking for Azura.

It was nearly two hours later when they finally admitted defeat. They were exhausted and filthy from moving rocks but they'd found no sign of the man. He was either well buried or he had somehow managed to escape out the far exit in the confusion.

A small part of Ray hoped that he had escaped - that he would go back to Morocco, accept the flask he’d taken as the ancient artifact, and forget about Florian. It was pleasant to think that it could be that simple.
 

+++++
 

Laila was waiting along with two women and a man when Ray returned. Florian was still unconscious, but he had been cleaned up and his wounds bandaged.

"My family and clan," Laila introduced her relatives to Ray, then handed him the bowl and cloth she'd been holding. There was a cool, fragrant liquid in the bowl and she'd been dipping the cloth into it and then pressing the cloth against Florian's lips.

"Is there somewhere we can take him?" Ray asked. "A hospital?"

"No need for that. Father insists that you come to our home - we can tend to him as well as any hospital."

What of Marcus and the others?"

"They still have work to do - they must meet with the other protectors and tell them what has happened. Also, someone has to report Azura missing."

"I can do that," Ray offered. He wasn't looking forward to the questions he'd have to answer, but he felt it was his duty. Laila's answer surprised him.

"No, it's better if Marcus handles it. There are some who are aware of the function of the protectors. He will explain it to them and they will do what needs to be done."

"Fine. Shall we go then?" He lifted Florian in his arms, surprised that he wasn't heavier. He placed the unconscious man in the cart and was smoothing his clothing when he realized that there was something in Florian’s pocket. He extracted the item and smiled.

Tucking the modified flask into his own pocket, Ray climbed into the cart beside Florian and held on for a bumpy ride.
 

+++++
 

Solomon had never been so glad to see dry land in all his life. He stumbled out of the boat and had to catch the shoulder of one of the rescue party to keep from falling.

"All right there?" the man asked, smiling a little at Solomon's awkwardness.

"Fine, thanks. Just a bit cramped."

The man nodded and joined the rest of his men as they headed towards the nearest police station. Solomon trailed along behind them, looking around as they went. It had taken them hours of travel to get here but they were finally in Carthage and he was hoping a bit of luck would finally bring him face to face with Florian Rochefort.

He'd managed to form tentative friendships with the crewmen who made up the rescue party. They weren't a talkative lot, but they had a sense of humor and liked to sing so they'd passed a few hours teaching Solomon some new songs - only a few of which could be sung in polite company.

Now, as they walked up from the shore, Solomon had the sense that something important was about to happen. He was still feeling that way when he was almost run over by a cart.
 

+++++
 

Florian moaned and tried to push away the thing that was sitting on his forehead. He felt hot and his head was throbbing. When the thing didn't move, he slowly opened his eyes, blinking hard against the light.

"Shhh. Lie still," a woman's soft voice told him. Maybe it was his grandmother? He closed his eyes again and started slipping away. He was almost back in the peaceful darkness when someone picked up his hand and squeezed it lightly. Why would his grandmother do that?

He opened his eyes again, frowning in confusion when he didn't see his mother or his grandmother anywhere. There was an older woman smiling at him, and Laila, and a man who... Ray!

Florian sat up quickly - too quickly - and had to be caught before he pitched over onto his side. He realized his mistake immediately and moaned at the head crushing pain.

"Not such a good idea," Ray said as he shifted a little to brace Florian against his side. He placed his arm around Florian's back, being careful of his bandages.

"Mmmppfff." Florian retorted, eyes closing again.

"Up up up," Ray insisted, being a bit obnoxious to cover his concern. The method also served to irritate Florian enough to make him open his eyes again.

"Head hurts. Back hurts," he said mournfully. "You're no help."

"I am too. I'm keeping you from falling over."

"Oh." Florian considered that for a long time before adding, "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now let me help you get cleaned up and you can come meet Laila's family properly and then have something to eat."

Florian wasn't sure he liked the idea of food, or of meeting lots of people, but being clean sounded wonderful so he let Ray pull him to his feet and help guide him into the bathroom where he relieved himself and then made himself as presentable as he could in dirt and blood smeared clothing.

There was a bowl of hearty vegetable soup and thick slices of bread waiting for them when they emerged but Florian refused to sit until he had met everyone at the table. He was delighted to see how much Laila resembled her relatives.

The soup was a great help for making him feel better as was the spoonful of green liquid that Laila fed him beforehand.

Conversation was light and involved a lot of amusing stories about Laila's exploits as a child interspersed with a few of Ray's adventures and Florian's tales of parties in Paris. When the meal was finished and the table cleared, Laila's uncle excused himself and returned a short time later with Marcus.

"There's been nothing new in the search for Azura, but I wanted to check on you both and explain a few things. Laila and Florian, you may already know some of this as a healer and a protector, but Ray, we've decided that you deserve to know too."

"The Queen's Quartet still exists, and the protectors still actively guard each of the items. There is a separate clan assigned to safeguard each of the four items and only the leader of each clan has any knowledge of the existence of the other three treasures. My clan is responsible for the Queen's Tears. Florian's family guards the Queen's Flame. I know very little about the two remaining treasures."

"So the Queen's Flame is the treasure that was rumored to be lost?" Ray asked, just to be sure he had the story straight.

"Yes, we let the rumor spread to help deter thieves from searching for it. The other three treasures were each safeguarded in different ways. In the case of the Queen's Tears, we used the rumor that it had been relocated."

"But it hadn't?" Ray wondered.

"It had, in a manner of speaking. I'll explain in a moment. But first... Florian, if you would let us examine your wounds?" Marcus waited as Florian scanned the room, clearly reluctant to take off his shirt in front of so many people. But then he remembered that most of them had seen him shirtless already and stood up to comply with Marcus' request.

"Turn around please," Marcus asked once Florian had removed his shirt and draped it over the back of his chair. "Laila, if you would remove his bandages?"

Gently, Laila unwrapped the covering on his old whip wounds as well as the bandage on his lower back covering the dagger injuries. In both cases, the wounds were completely gone leaving smooth, unmarked flesh.

"How is this possible?" Ray demanded, unable to stop himself from going over and touching that pale skin. He'd traced his initials on that back many times since Azura had made him mark Florian. Now they were gone completely with no trace that they or any of the whip wounds had ever been there. The bruises were gone as well. He moved in front of Florian and looked for the small scar just above his hip. It was gone.

"Look at your wrist," Laila suggested, referring to the small, thin scars that he had carried for years. They were gone.

"But... " He broke off, suddenly realizing the answer. "The Queen's Tears. You have the flask."

"Not exactly. The treasure is hidden," Marcus assured him. "But..." he drew out his answer, enjoying the looks on the men's faces. Florian had put his shirt back on and was sitting down watching him intently, waiting for the rest of the explanation. Ray, on the other hand was smiling as if he'd figured it out already. He started to laugh.

"Yes, Ray. The flask is safely hidden away." He turned to Florian. "What do you remember of the flask? What does it contain?"

"A magic healing elixir. One that never runs out."

"Exactly." Marcus reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flask containing a greenish liquid. "Never ending supply."

"So you check the flask periodically to be sure it's safe and you fill up a few bottles with the elixir while you're there." Ray leaned back and laughed but Florian still looked troubled.

"But how? If the Queen's Flame is touched, a poison gas is released and everyone in the chamber dies instantly. Why isn't there a similar safeguard for the flask?"

"There is," Marcus assured him. "We don't move the flask itself. One of my ancestors punctured the flask by accident. He had to rig a stopper to keep from drowning in the stuff. Since then we've replaced the stopper with a tap."

Ray laughed heartily at the very idea, but Florian wasn't sure he liked the idea of a magical liquid being doled out like ale at the local pub.
 

+++++
 

Solomon trudged up the dirt lane wishing he knew where he was going. He'd been assured by the policeman that a man similar to Florian's description was staying at the house of a healer on the edge of town.

The rest of the rescue party had decided to stay in town until their ship arrived but had invited him to join them in the pub any night from now until then. Solomon had almost been tempted to take them up on their offer, but his conscience wouldn't let him.

So here he was trudging towards the faint light in the distance wondering if it was really getting farther away or if his imagination was playing tricks on him.

He was almost there when a man appeared out of the shadows and stopped him.

"Explain yourself, stranger," the man demanded.

"I come in search of a lost friend. A man in town told me he might be here. Florian du Rochefort?" Solomon watched the man's face carefully, hoping for a flicker of recognition. When there was none, he added, "Blond hair, amethyst eyes. Very pale skin."

"What would you want with this man if you found him?"

"I want to bring him good news. He believes his mother perished in a fire, but she is alive and wants him to come home." Solomon considered giving some shorter version of the story but hoped that by being completely honest and open about his mission, he might convince the man to help him. If he could help. He was about to give up when the man relented.

"Come along then. You've missed the meal but there's plenty left. Looks like you could use it."

Solomon wanted to hug the man, he was so relieved by his answer. Instead, he held out his hand and introduced himself. The man shook the hand but didn't give his name in return.

They traveled the short distance to the house in silence but Solomon was too tired to worry about feeling awkward. When he was invited into the house, Solomon almost cried out in relief at seeing the man he'd come so far to find - at least he hoped it was him - he hadn't expected him to be bald.

Before he could stop himself, he hurried forward calling his name.

"Yes?" Florian asked, rising and stepping up to meet Solomon. He studied the man curiously. “I know you! You helped me when I was lost."

"Yes I did. And I’m here to help you find your way home again. Your mother sent me; she’s alive." In retrospect, Solomon could have kicked himself for such a classless way of bringing up a delicate subject, but it was too late to take it back, and Florian handled the news surprisingly well.

"I'm sorry, M Sugar. You are mistaken. Perhaps the stress of the travel." Florian turned to Laila and was glad to see that she and her aunt were already preparing tea and soup for the new arrival.

"Come, let me introduce you to our hosts and you can enjoy their hospitality." Florian led him through the introductions and escorted him to a seat at the table before sitting across from him. He was glad to see that Laila and her family were willing to give him a little privacy and equally glad to see that Ray was planted firmly at his side.

"I went to the Rochefort castle in Loire and met your mother on the sixteenth of last month. She was not in your home when it burned - that was someone else." Solomon didn't want to mention the aunt and uncle now, not when he'd made such a mess of telling Florian about his mother. Besides, he thought that Madame du Rochefort ought to explain her new hobby of murder to her son. "She sent me to find you. She wants you to come home."

"There is no home to return to," Florian said quietly. "Where is mother?"

"She's staying with Lady Fairmont."

The answer seemed to make Florian feel a bit better. Solomon could see him relaxing, but he was obviously still wary.

"Florian," Ray interrupted the awkward silence. "We can send her a telegram tomorrow and let her know that Solomon has found you and that you are fine."

"She'll want me to return to Paris," Florian said worriedly. Solomon wasn't sure what he should say to that - he knew that Madame had mentioned leaving France.

"Don't you want to go back?" Ray asked, curious at Florian's odd reluctance to return home.

"Yes... I mean... It's just that..." he took a deep breath and answered clearly. "It isn't a secret that I sold myself to that man to pay the family debts." Florian didn't say anything more but he didn't need to. Ray knew from experience how cruel people could be. It would be very difficult for Florian to go back, especially since he had no home or money.

"I happen to have a place in Paris that I haven't visited in a while. I could accompany you and Solomon on a trip back and, if you decide you don't want to stay, you could accompany me to one of my other houses - in Italy or England."

"I'd like that very much," Florian replied, smiling widely at the thought of having Ray at his side when facing down his judgmental peers. "Yes, we'll send that telegram in the morning and then make arrangements for a return trip as soon as possible."

"My ship is expected to arrive soon, Perhaps there will be space available. You can meet my traveling companion, Henri Tassel and his son Noel. They are very nice people."

"Excellent," Florian said, feeling much better already. He settled in with a cup of tea that Laila gave him and smiled at the way Ray and Solomon traded banter. He felt better than he had in a very long time.
 

+++++
 

Lady Fairmont read the telegram through misty eyes. It had arrived a day too late; Helene had left for England the day before, to a destination she refused to reveal. Eloise had done her best to persuade her friend to stay, but there had been disturbing rumors about an inquiry into the Rochefort mansion fire and Helene had insisted on leaving.

Taking a moment to compose herself, she drafted a short reply telling Florian to come home to her, and sent it off with a servant. She'd break the news to the boy when he was safely home.
 

+++++
 

Florian stood on the deck of the ship watching as the shore receded. He held his new friend in his arms and smiled as Noel chattered on about his adventures in fighting pirates.

Beside them, the boy's father and Solomon were conversing quietly. To his other side was Ray, who seemed to be watching Florian more than the sights.

Laila was below deck preparing their cabins. It had been a complete surprise when she'd asked to come with them to Paris, and at first both Ray and Florian had refused, but slowly Florian had relented, listening to her wish to see Paris, and Italy and all the other places she'd only dreamed of. He didn't really understand her willingness to leave her family so soon after returning to them but he accepted it.

Ray seemed to have a better understanding of her reasons and when Florian pressed her too hard, he just told him to let it go.

It was going to be strange, Florian decided. Things were so different now. Perhaps he was a little bit different himself, having been an aristocrat, and then another man's toy and now a protector and a teacher.

He felt the weight of the tiny harp in his pocket, thankful that it had survived the many adventures. It wasn't just a symbol of his clan - it was a reminder of where he had been - what he had been - and a promise of what he could become. That made it more precious to him than any diamond, than any flask. Certainly more precious than gold or jewels.

He looked at the group around him, all new friends, and decided that there was nothing ahead, certainly nothing in Paris that could frighten him when he had so many people on his side.

Setting Noel down gently, he turned to Ray and smiled. The man smiled back and Florian knew that he'd found a home that he would never lose.

Return to Mirages