Here, At Last
The rest of the day went quickly. Adelaide returned to her assigned chambers and had dinner with Plum and Willam. The food was surprisingly delicious—a rich beef stew and hunks of dark, hearty bread. The three ate their fill, and Willam prepared to head to his room next door.
“It has been quite the day,” he said, pausing at the threshold. “Quite the few days, really.” He glanced at Plum and Adelaide in turn, and hesitated again. “I am… glad you let me accompany you here.”
Adelaide smiled. “I am too, Willy. Get some rest.”
Willam nodded. “You too,” he said, and departed for his own room, leaving Plum and Adelaide alone once more.
Adelaide let herself drop onto the bed next to Plum and laid down, stretching out across the bed. She turned to look at Plum and snaked a hand out to grab hers.
Plum jumped, briefly startled, and looked at Adelaide, her eyes wide. She blinked, and then visibly relaxed. She squeezed Adelaide’s hand back and sank backwards onto the bed. Adelaide gazed at her gently, their faces inches apart.
“Are you alright?” Adelaide asked softly.
Plum smiled, in that familiar way that made Adelaide’s heart feel like it stopped for a few moments.
“I am alright, love,” she replied, giving Adelaide’s hand another squeeze. “Just… like Willy said, ‘tis been a long few days.”
“I know,” Adelaide replied, and leaned her head forward to press her forehead against Plum’s. “But we are together, and we have a chance to make a difference in the world. That is more than enough for me.”
Plum smiled again, and wrapped an arm around Adelaide to pull her in close.
“Me too,” she said. They laid like that for a few minutes, their bodies intertwined and pressed close together. Adelaide’s heart threatened to leap out of her chest. She found her gaze again locked on Plum’s lips. The memory of their kiss fluttered unbidden into Adelaide’s mind.
Plum abruptly pulled away and propped herself up on an elbow. Her cheeks were very slightly pink, and Adelaide thought she was breathing a bit heavier than normal.
“We should rest, Addie,” she said, avoiding meeting Adelaide’s eyes.
“Yes, I-” Adelaide cleared her throat. “Yes.” She felt like a rope that had been pulled taut and then been cut in twain.
Before long, Plum and Adelaide were back in bed, under the covers and in their nightclothes. Before climbing into bed, Adelaide had dug through her pack—still mostly filled—and gingerly pulled out her stuffed rabbit, Grey. She’d placed him softly on the bed next to her pillow, and now pulled him close against her chest. She breathed in the familiar scent as Plum wriggled close and curled up against Adelaide’s side—by now a familiar sleeping position for the two of them. Adelaide wrapped her other arm around Plum and softly kissed the top of her head. Plum made a sleepy noise, and before long, her breathing evened out. Adelaide knew well enough by now to tell that she was asleep.
Adelaide stared at the ceiling for a while. The events of the past few days raced through her head: the confrontation with her mother, her flight with Plum from the Keep and travel to Algaran, meeting up with Willy, finding the Fifth Law… and then watching as Laszlo scoured the mind of a man she would never know. Alonzo’s empty gaze kept appearing in her mind every time she closed her eyes.
Was that truly the only way? she thought. Surely they could have kept him prisoner… though being kept a prisoner indefinitely is hardly better either…
Her thoughts wound themselves in circles, with no clear outcome. By the time her exhaustion eventually caught up with her, she had no better ideas than Laszlo had, and her mind was still far from made up. Perhaps he was right, but… still…
Adelaide woke a few hours later with no memory of falling asleep. Plum was still curled up against her, one arm tightly wrapped around Adelaide’s waist, and their legs tangled together. Meeks snoozed by their feet, and opened his eyes slightly as Adelaide stirred. Adelaide pressed her face into the top of Plum’s head, taking in her smell and presence. Once again, Adelaide felt as though she could live in this moment forever.
Eventually, Adelaide kissed the top of Plum’s head again, and began untangling herself from her companion. Plum protested sleepily, but didn’t seem to fully wake up. Adelaide smiled and laughed softly to herself, but freed herself from Plum’s clutches regardless.
Adelaide dressed and went about her morning routine. She struggled through it a bit in the darkness, not wanting to turn on the light and disturb Plum. Eventually, she was dressed and shaved, had done her dawn magic routine, and left Plum a quick note. She quietly left the room to find breakfast.
Brandon found his way to the mess hall in the leisure wing and was surprised to find it rather bustling. There were several long tables, and a kitchen area behind a divider. As he glanced around the room, Brandon counted at least a dozen people happily eating and socializing. Minerva was seated with a group of women, and met Brandon’s eyes with a wide, kindly smile. She hurriedly excused herself, and stood to greet Brandon.
“Hello dear,” she said brightly as she approached him. “I trust your chambers are comfortable?”
“Yes, Miss Provident,” Brandon answered, still unsure how to engage with his fellow members of the Fifth Law. “‘Twas more than sufficient.”
Minerva beamed at him. “Wonderful! Come, you must be hungry, I shall show you how this all works…”
With Minerva’s assistance, Brandon got some scrambled eggs and toast, and a glass of juice. He followed her back to one of the tables and sat across from her. Brandon ate quickly—the food was tasty, but he was eager to get started with his day in earnest.
“Do you need aught else, my dear?” Minerva asked as Brandon shoveled eggs into his mouth. He flushed and shook his head.
“No, thank you, Miss Minerva,” he said after hurriedly swallowing. “Oh, well, actually,” he continued, wiping his mouth. “Might you be able to tell me where I could find Mister Theoderic?”
“Theo?” Minerva raised an eyebrow. “He tends to spend most of his time either in the training grounds in the medical wing, or in his office. Whatever for?”
“Laszlo mentioned that I should speak with him about…” Brandon stopped himself, and then felt himself grow bright red. Stupid, he thought to himself. “About something personal,” he finished lamely.
Minerva’s eyebrow raised a fraction farther, and Brandon felt his heart fall. What had been your plan? he thought spitefully. ‘Tis not as if you can simply go up to him and ask about it. Minerva shrugged, and the smile returned to her face.
“Well, he is likely training at the moment,” she continued. “I would wager he will still be there when you finish your breakfast, at the rate you are going.” She said the last part with a chuckle and a wink. “And I am sure he would be pleased to speak with you. He really is kind once you get to know him, you know.”
Brandon nodded quickly, his face still burning hot. “Thank you, Miss Minerva,” he said.
“Please, dear,” she responded. “Just Minerva is fine.” She smiled again. “Now, I must be off, but please do not hesitate to find me if there is aught else you need, yes?”
Brandon nodded again. He thought briefly of asking after Alonzo, but decided against it, and let Minerva walk off and out of the mess hall.
Brandon quickly finished his breakfast and returned his dishes to the kitchen. He stepped out of the mess, and hesitated. He wanted to go and talk to Theoderic, but…
Brandon clapped his hands on the sides of his cheeks. This is precisely why you have come, is it not? he scolded himself. If you expect to be Adelaide, you must not be afraid of it. He took a sharp breath inward and spun on his heel to go find Theoderic.
The training ground was not hard to find. Minerva had told Brandon that it was in the medical wing, so he made his way there. The wing took the form of a short hallway with several rooms one direction, and in the other a large, open chamber with a high dome. Dominating the center of the chamber was a large sand pit, roped off in the shape of a pentagon, and dotted with obstacles and training mannequins.
Theoderic stood in the middle of a handful of mannequins, breathing heavily and covered in sweat. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and Brandon noticed two long, thin scars running horizontally along the middle section of his ribcage.
Theoderic didn’t react as Brandon entered the room. He jumped as one of the mannequins lunged for Theoderic, but Theoderic sprung to the side, surprisingly nimble. As he moved sideways, he struck with one fist, and there was a shimmer and shiver in the air as Brandon felt the telltale signs of yellow mana being drawn.
Theoderic hit the mannequin with enough force that it slammed into the sandy ground with a blast of dust. Brandon heard an audible crack, and he looked back to Theoderic to see him shaking out his hand. One finger was crooked, but before his eyes it straightened itself out. Brandon realized that he was watching Theoderic’s dawn magic at work: he bolstered his attacks with yellow mana, and then healed the damage to himself with red.
Brandon silently watched Theoderic spar with the mannequins for a few moments. It was enthralling—it was more like watching a performance than a fight. Theoderic dipped and dodged every attack that the mannequins threw out, and then struck back with blows that seemed hard enough to shatter steel.
Theoderic glanced around the room and noticed Brandon watching. He raised an eyebrow, and made a quick gesture with his hand. The mannequins dropped to the sandy ground, lifeless once more.
Theoderic stepped out of the pentagon and over to a small bench and table. On the table were a towel and a pitcher of water. He wiped his face with the towel and took deep gulps of water directly from the pitcher before sitting heavily on the bench and looking up at Brandon.
“You are the Vermillion lad,” he said gruffly, and Brandon nodded meekly. Unbidden, he felt his cheeks grow flushed as Theoderic threw the towel over his shoulder and stood, offering Brandon a hand to shake.
Brandon shook it sheepishly. Theoderic’s grasp was firm, and his hand was still slick with sweat.
“Um, Brandon,” he stammered out eventually.
“Brandon,” Theoderic said, and sat back down heavily. He took another swig of water from the pitcher and looked up at Brandon intensely.
“Spar with me,” he demanded suddenly. His voice was rough, and put Brandon in the mind of rocks tumbling down a cliffside.
Brandon blinked, stunned. “I- um, what?” he stammered out.
“You heard me, lad,” Theoderic answered, already halfway back to the pentagon. “I am supposed to train you, yeah?”
“Well, I-” Brandon stumbled over his words. He wants to fight me? He stood in place, unsure what to do.
“Come on, then!” Theoderic called from inside the pentagon. “I don’t have all day.”
Brandon hesitated a moment longer, and then took a sharp breath inward. Well, fine! he thought, a burst of determination rushing through him. If that is how this will go…
Brandon shook himself out of his heavier tunic so that he was clothed just in his trousers and his lighter undershirt. A brief moment of panic shot through him as his hand brushed against his breast, but his shirt was baggy enough—and his build small enough—that they were scarcely visible unless one knew what to look for. The one upside to them being so small, I suppose…
Brandon followed Theoderic into the pentagon. He only stumbled briefly on the ropes, and took a position opposite Theoderic. Theoderic wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and raised his fists in a fighting stance.
“Alright, lad,” Theoderic said, cracking his knuckles. “Show me what you’ve got.” He rushed at Brandon, fists raised to strike.
Brandon panicked. His hand instinctively reached for his wand, but it grasped only empty air—his wand was in the sash tied to his tunic. He scrambled, but didn’t have time to make any meaningful moves, and besides, he didn’t know how to fight, he barely knew-
His train of thought was interrupted by a flash of orange and a grunt from Theoderic. His arm was thrust out in a punch, but had stopped just inches from Brandon’s body. There was a shimmer of orange light, and Brandon realized that he must be using his dawn magic shield. He hadn’t intended to, and hadn’t even realized he had.
Theoderic grinned. It was a wide, toothy grin, and Brandon could tell that it was more excitement than joy.
“That’s better!” Theoderic exclaimed, moving backwards a few steps. He bounced on his heels and rolled his neck before charging in again.
His fist slammed into Brandon’s barrier with what seemed like enough force to shatter stone. Brandon stumbled backwards even though the force was completely absorbed by his barrier. Theoderic grinned wider and struck the barrier again.
The second impact was hard enough that it sent a splash of blood up against the barrier. There was a sickening crunch as something in Theoderic’s hand broke, and at the same time a thin fracture appeared along Brandon’s barrier.
Theoderic shook his hand out, and Brandon watched the bones reknit themselves together as the red mana flowed through. Brandon moved to take a step back and Theoderic moved with him, taking another swing at his barrier. The crack widened.
I have to do something, Brandon thought. My barrier is going to break! He felt the back of his barrier hit the ropes on the far side of the pentagon, and panic rose again in his chest.
Theoderic barked out a harsh laugh. “What now, lad?” he asked, a grin still plastered on his face. He swung again, and the crack seemed wide enough that the shield was bound to shatter soon. Brandon felt another pulse of red mana as Theoderic healed his mangled hand again.
As Theoderic raised his hand to strike again, Brandon was struck with an idea. Just as Theoderic’s fist was about to impact his shield, Brandon let it fall. Theoderic’s eyes widened as his momentum carried him forward. Brandon managed to just step to the side as Theoderic tumbled forward and out of the pentagon.
Brandon felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He’d forgotten that part, and he stumbled into the ropes. Theoderic sat in the dust, eyes wide and mouth agape.
Theoderic burst out in raucous laughter. Brandon startled, still leaning heavily on the ropes, as Theodoric’s brash laughter filled the training ground, and Brandon stared at him, confused.
“That was excellent, lad!” Theoderic practically shouted once he recovered. “I haven’t been taken by surprise like that in a fight in ages. Come on, let’s get some water in you.”
Brandon straightened, still woozy. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his heart still felt ready to leap out of his chest. He breathed heavily and staggered after Theoderic.
Theoderic made his way to the water pitcher, and reached into a nearby cabinet for a stack of cups. He poured two cups and handed one to Brandon, who drank eagerly, despite a flash of memory of Theoderic drinking directly from the pitcher. It was just regular water, and not even particularly chilled, but drinking it felt like sipping on pure light in that moment.
Theoderic sat heavily into a nearby chair and gestured for Brandon to follow suit.
“Well done, lad,” Theoderic said, again wiping his broad, ruddy face with a rag. “I’ll make a fighter of you yet.”
Brandon flushed, and wiped at his neck with his sleeve. It did little to wipe the sweat away, so Theoderic reached into a different cabinet and tossed him a towel. Brandon gratefully dabbed the sweat from his brow and neck.
Theoderic poured himself another glass of water and gulped it down, draining the cup in one fluid motion. He slammed it down onto the table and grunted, turning towards Brandon.
“Right then,” he said, leaning forward in his chair. “I’m sure you didn’t find me just for a fight.”
“Um, right,” Brandon stammered. “I, well…” he swallowed hard. The ability to form words seemed to have fled him like a startled bird. Fear threatened to overwhelm him—not just the familiar anxiety, but a deep-seated and unwelcome fear.
“Laszlo said I should speak with you,” he eventually forced out.
“Aye? What for?”
Brandon floundered. He wasn’t even totally sure how to say what he was here to say, much less if he should, or if he were safe. His heart threatened to pound out of his chest again, though now for an entirely different reason. A dry lump had formed in his throat, and he forced down another gulp of water.
Adelaide took a deep breath and steeled herself. She thought of how it felt when Plum called her by her name—her real name—and how it felt to be true to herself. She screwed her eyes shut, and then opened them to look Theoderic directly in the eyes.
The confidence she’d built up in those few seconds faltered. She didn’t know this man. She had no idea how he would react to this. He could reveal her secret to everyone here, or call her mother and turn her in, or maybe even worse-
“I am like you,” Adelaide said, interrupting her own spiral. She was startled by the calm in her own voice, the resolve that she felt flow through her like electricity as she spoke. “I am… not really Brandon.” She felt a rush of pride, both in her true identity and in her own courage.
Theoderic raised an eyebrow, and looked Adelaide up and down. He looked hard into her eyes, and then his own went wide in understanding. His eyes shot down to her chest, then back to her face, then back to her chest. He let out a laugh that reminded Adelaide of the bark of a dog, and broke out into another wide toothy grin.
“Well, I’ll be dimmed,” he said. “You are, aren’t ya?” He chuckled again, and leaned back, arms crossed, to look at Adelaide more intently. “How’d ya know ‘bout me?” His slip into even more casual speech than normal wasn’t lost on Adelaide.
“Laszlo told me,” she answered. “He said that you were… like me, just in the opposite direction.”
Theoderic barked out another laugh. “I s’pose that’s one way to put it. Y’have a name?”
“Adelaide,” she replied. “My name is Adelaide.”
“Good name. Solid. Pretty.” Theoderic nodded approvingly, and Adelaide flushed. “I knew a lass with that name once. She was a great…” He barked out another laugh. “Nevermind.” Adelaide felt her flush grow even deeper. “I’m guessin’ you don’t want everyone to know yet?”
Adelaide nodded. “I am… not ready.”
“I getcha. Yer secret’s safe with me, lass,” he promised, and Adelaide felt her heart soar.
“I, um,” words momentarily fled Adelaide again. “I have… never met anyone else like us before.”
“I’ve known a few,” he answered. “But not in many years. This world can take a toll on us…” He trailed off. “It’s good to meet you proper,” he finished eventually.
“Likewise,” Adelaide answered. Her head felt like she was floating in a pond—she had so many things that she wanted to say, that she wanted to ask, that she was paralyzed with indecision.
Theoderic stood and held out a hand to Adelaide. She reached out to take it, and he pulled her up to stand in front of him. He clapped a hand on her upper arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m not sure what’s going through your head right now, lass,” he said. “But if you ever need to talk, or need guidance or whatever, I’ll be here.”
Adelaide felt her eyes well over with tears. Her heart felt ready to burst. “I, um…” she stammered, wiping her eyes. “What do I do now?” she eventually asked.
Theoderic smiled at her knowingly. “That I can’t tell ya,” he said with a chuckle. “Yer friends know, yeah? That pretty mean girl and that kid who knows Liana?”
Adelaide nodded, a chuckle slipping through her lips. “Yes,” she answered. “Plum, and Willy.”
“Right,” Theoderic said. “Well, like I said, I can’t tell ya what to do next.” He sighed and leaned back in his seat. “But what I can tell ya is to keep those people close. It’s a rare kind of person who will stick with you through all of this shit.” He grimaced. “But you already know how important it is to do.”
Adelaide nodded again. “‘Tis the real reason we fled my home,” she said. “My mother…” she trailed off, and then shook her head fiercely. “I was never going to be able to be Adelaide there.”
Theoderic raised an eyebrow. “Are you not her already?” he asked softly.
Adelaide hesitated. “What do you mean?”
“It seems like you don’t think of yerself as Adelaide all the time, yeah?”
“Well, yes,” Adelaide stammered. “When I have to be Brandon, I can not be Adelaide.”
Theoderic rubbed his chin. “I think… we’re always who we want to be,” he said slowly, as if trying to put the thought into words as he went. “You never stop being Adelaide, you just… have to hide that part of you.” He grunted. “Sorry, I’m not too good with fancy words ‘n all that.”
Adelaide felt her eyes well over again. “No, no,” she said. “I think that is beautiful.” She’d never thought of it that way, but it gave her a spark of hope. Even if the worst should happen, she thought. Adelaide will never be gone. Because I am Adelaide. And nobody can take that away from me.
“I still do not know what to do next,” Adelaide continued. “Laszlo puzzled things together, and he reassured me that I would be welcome here, and I see that he was right, but I still have no idea where to go from here, and I-” she was rambling, and Theoderic clapped a hand on her upper arm again.
“Hey,” he said gruffly. “Breathe.”
Adelaide looked him in the eyes and forced herself to breathe, slowly. She closed her eyes and focused on the feeling of her breath pushing in and out of her lungs, and she felt her heart rate slowly calm.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Theoderic nodded, and gave her arm a brief squeeze. “I have to get cleaned up, but I’ll tell ya what,” he said, standing and wiping his face once more with the towel around his shoulders. “I’ll make sure you’re on my squad for the next mission, and we’ll find more time to talk. How’s that sound?”
Adelaide nodded, and felt her eyes well over again. Emotion overwhelmed her, and she felt her shoulders wrack with a sob. She wiped futilely at her tears, and threw her arms around Theoderic, hugging him. He hesitated for a moment before awkwardly hugging her back. Adelaide buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed. He smelled like sweat and iron, but Adelaide didn’t care. She needed the physical touch more than she needed anything else right now.
“Thank you,” she said again, choking the words out through her tears.
Theoderic nodded, and thumped her back gently. “Right,” he said, and cleared his throat.
Adelaide was suddenly aware of how embarrassing this situation was, and she quickly released Theoderic and stepped back. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire, and Theoderic’s had turned slightly pink as well.
“Sorry!” she burst out. “I- sorry-”
“It’s alright, lass,” Theoderic interrupted her, and ran a hand through his stubbly hair. He looked almost as embarrassed as Adelaide felt. “We’ll talk more later, yeah?”
Adelaide nodded, and wiped her tears again. “Talk later,” she said. Theoderic held her gaze for another moment, and then nodded. He turned and left the room.
Adelaide stood in the training hall for a few moments, steadying herself. Embarrassed, she furiously wiped at her wet cheeks with her sleeves, and focused on steadying her breathing. She gradually calmed herself down, and found herself at a loss regarding what to do next.
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