1 The Meeting
September 1898, Paris
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kil Karanis strode down the mud-covered cobbles of the Avenue des Champs-ÉlysÊes. The hems of his violet robes were soaked and browned despite his best efforts to avoid puddles along the road and splashes from passing carts. The day was grey and dreary with intermittent rainfall soaking travelers daft enough to leave home without an umbrella. He continued northwest, not slowing for a group of schoolchildren dashing across the avenue directly in front of him. Nor did he slow for a cart that had managed to dislodge a wheel and was surrounded by onlookers and the piqued-faced coachman. He deftly stepped between two men shouting suggestions on the best way to repair the lamed conveyance. Akil passed under the Arc de Triomphe then turned northeast. He continued for several minutes before turning down an alley scarcely wider
Evasion
J. R. Wagner
crossed the threshold into an antechamber. A sturdy sofa was occupied by an enormous cat whose tawny fur was covered in patches of midnight black, creating the illusion of shadowed, solid color from a distance. The cat lazily lifted an eyelid revealing a single green eye as the sorcerer passed. “Murk,” Akil greeted the cat. A twitch of its tail was the only acknowledgement Akil received as he passed through a doorway into a small yet cozy drawing room. A fire burned hot and the floor was carpeted, thick and red. Beside the fireplace, a man stood with his back to Akil, fixing himself a drink. Without a word, Akil hung his cloak on a hook bracketed to the wall. The man turned and handed Akil a drink. “You’ve proposed many schemes, my friend, most of them harebrained, ridiculous or both, but this, this could quite possibly be your greatest.”
Akil raised the corner of his mouth in a half-smile, lifted his glass in an unsteady hand and downed his drink. His expression was severe rather than celebratory. “I would hardly refer to framing young James for my very own murder so he would be exiled to Ak Egundiano a scheme, Ilixo ,” he said. “Fine, fine. But you do realize what a masterful thing you’ve accomplished, don’t you?” asked Alvaro. “Do not act as though you played no part in this, Ilixo. Your role was as imperative as mine. Perhaps more so.” “Regardless, what’s done is done. I truly hope you were right about the boy. I’d hate to think we wasted all those resources for nothing.” “I am certain,” said Akil with finality. Alvaro took Akil’s glass and turned to refill it as Akil sat heavily on one of the upholstered chairs. Concern radiated from every crease in his bronzed face. He rubbed his snow-white goatee with his thumb and forefinger and closed his eyes. Alvaro turned, drinks in hand. “Your expression suggests something other than certainty,” he said. “I care for the boy,” Akil said without opening his eyes. “It was not an easy thing to do.” “I’ve known you a long time, longer than the lives of most unfaithful, and I’ve never known your compassion to get in the way of your obsession.” “For the good of one or the good of all? An easy question until emotions cloud our minds,” Akil said, taking the drink. “I am getting old and find myself haunted by my actions of the past…and present.” “We all have our parts to play. It is those of us who play them without question or deviation who find ourselves on the right side of things,” said Alvaro. “Right or moral?”
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than his shoulders and pushed open a green door framed by a hedge at the far end. He stood in a small courtyard with finely crushed stone underfoot, dense foliage around the perimeter and a lone fountain perfectly centered, which spilled clear water from its upper reservoir into the much larger base. “Erakutsi ,” he whispered, extending his hand over the cascading water. The fountain began to spin, slowly at first, then gradually picking up speed until it was a blur. Akil took a step back as the upper basin lowered into the base, which glowed pale blue for a moment before melting away, revealing a spiral staircase that disappeared into darkness. Akil stepped over the rim of the base and onto the first step. He glanced over his shoulder, then descended into the depths. At the bottom of the stairs, torches stood in brackets on either side of a handleless door set in a stone wall. Akil knocked once. The sound of his knuckles impacting the aged wood reverberated like a battering ram rather than the curled bony fingers of an old man. The door opened. Akil
Evasion
J. R. Wagner
Both men drained their cups in silence. Akil stood quickly, the fatigue gone from his posture. Alvaro looked at the taller man, concern written on his face. “Do not let your feelings for this boy stand in the way of stopping the Epoch Terminus. Besides, you have another matter to attend to first.” “I have no intention of helping that…monster.” “You made an agreement, Akil. In all our years as friends, I’ve never known you to renege on an offer.” Akil paused and looked deep into Alvaro’s black eyes . “I know you have a sordid history with Alexander. I understand that. I also know that you have an opportunity to move past the hatred that has cost so many lives, and I don’t think you’ll turn away from that so hastily.” “I can help James,” said Akil, reaching for his cloak. “Help him? He is gone, Akil. The only way he will ever return is if he truly is the Anointed One. Nothing was ever said about interfering with the path he must take to return. Do that and you may damn us all.” “I will not sit idle. I have been gifted great powers. I will not sit and hope. I cannot,” said Akil. “For the good of the many, you must,” said Alvaro. “At the very least you must first fulfill your obligation. Then if you still desire to help James, I will assist you if I can.” “He is but one soul, yes; however within him is the potential to save us all.” Akil turned and exited the drawing room. Murk slunk past Akil as he crossed the threshold and rubbed up against Alvaro’s legs, nearly knocking him over. Alvaro reached down and scratched between his ears. “I know you’re worried,” Alvaro said to the cat. “He will do what he feels he must, and in the end, he will be all right. Wait and see.”
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