Getting to Know Helix

No evil glamour veiled delicate visage, no travesty of veils hiding the solemn vow of expression. Total attention was now shifted in the direction of the one that had not asked for help, but likely needed it. "My name is Astraea, as I am sure you heard. Can you walk?"

It was no feat of the imagination to assume he wasn’t happy about his new partnership. I couldn’t say that I blamed him either. Being in league with a man like Castor was sure to have its down side, especially since he was being blackmailed for a murder he said he did not commit.

"Helix. I can stand, we'll see soon enough if I walk too."

Indifference, the hearts anesthesia, something I knew a thing or two about. I waited for the charmed one to catch his breath as well as his upward balance. "Good, none with such a : valiant heart should be carried if it is not necessary." Of course it remained to be seen if he did have a valiant heart, or if he was simply... foolish. "Please follow me and we will get you cleaned up before we continue on to the Brass Lantern. Have a seat and I will get you something to drink. Do you prefer water, or something with a bit more kick?" Which depended on if he was in enough pain to want to dull it, or if wanted to keep his wits about him. I had already put my vote in for wits.

He declined both drink and cleanup, obviously not wanting to stay in the same building as Castor any longer than he had to, and with that in mind, we began our journey to the other inn.

Once we were outside, I dared to ask something of the man I barely knew. "I have a friend staying at the Brass Lantern, his name is Aiden. If you do see him, I would respectfully ask you not to tell him of the .. place you met me. He knows nothing of Castor, and I'm sure you can understand why I have not told him. I wish that he not become involved in my.. problems."

I was trying hard to play both sides of the fence, and in the beginning, yes, it was true, I did not wish Aiden to know about Castor because I feared for his safety. But now, things have changed dramatically and I find myself trapped between the wanting both men. A foolish endeavor, yes, but one I am not quite ready to release.

I’m not sure what I expected, if I thought that he would immediately accept my reasons or simply deny me completely. What I had not expected was laughter, laughter that broke the stillness of the night, echoing against the walls before they were absorbed into the greedy blackness.

Moonlight was splintered by the surreal eclipse of clouds and fog, stars well hidden and tucked in for the night. Soulful shadows fell upon the darkened corners of the street, where anyone.. or thing could comfortably hide.

"Lady," he stopped beneath the glow one of the flickering street lights and turned to look at me. "I don't know this friend, nor do I know what troubles have placed you in the hands of Castor Minos, but I'd hardly confess to anyone that I met you in an upstairs room at an Inn with a corpse that I was accused of killing. However, just incase he does ask... where would you like me to say that we met?"

I could see the humor in the situation. "He believes that my time away from the inn is to pursue studies of the Arcane. With that, I often stop at large cafe on the square before returning home. We could have met there, at the cafe. You a man looking for a night's stay in an inn, I a woman who knew the perfect one."

"A cafe... where a man was pestering you and I sent him on his way. Then, when you learned I needed a room, it was the Brass Lantern and nothing less."

Factions of faith, broken, mindless, quiet in their indifference to truths or lies. "It's going to rain soon. We should either pick up the pace, or find shelter from the coming storm." And such a storm it would be, but it was not the stinging rain of water I feared, but the foreboding rain of blood, one that would tarnish everyone it touched. "I think you would be a fine creator of myths, which makes me think you've done this before."

"One condition...." he had blocked the progression of my path.

Ah, yes, there it was, looming in front of me like a sticky web, ready to glue me to a.. condition. "Yes? And that would be?" I should have known the lie would not be as easy as that.

"You'll come to my room, once your friend is asleep and none see you, you'll come tonight."

"I will not. Nor should you even ask me such a thing." It wasn't by viperous tongue I spoke, and when I tried to step around him, he again halted my movement. "I know what you probably think I am, but you are wrong in your assumption. I offer you only the inn I was ordered to by the man we both know currently holds the reigns of lives. A word of warning. There comes a time when one abandons hope for faith and faith for revenge. Do not wound what you cannot kill."

"You will come and you will tell me every piece of information you know of Castor Minos, then when I am satisfied, you will go and I..... I will lie to your friend."

This time when I spoke, it with all the lethal languor of a serpent coiling to strike. "I will tell you nothing. Are you so foolish to believe that I would betray a man that would kill me for such disloyalty? And not only me, but those I care about as well? No, I'll not be a gambler in your game of chance and I'll not be a part of your twisted scheme. If that means that you will not hold your tongue around Aiden, so be it. I would much rather lose him for facts known about me then see him off to the City of Dust." Viperous tone had receded with her last sentence, the words barely an audible whisper. "You will learn about him by dealing with him. You, I believe, are not a man accustomed to patience. Castor is bountiful with it. He has let you live for a reason, but that reason is not one I am privy to. Besides, I could tell you nothing of value. He keeps me in the dark as he does everyone around him. Now shall we continue on to the inn? Or do you wish to stand here and take your chances beneath broken skies?"

He spun about and headed in the same direction we had been, silent. I could tell he was frustrated and I could completely understand it. I was trapped between what was right and what had to be done, two lost within the vortex of a madman. Finally, it was I who spoke, but not until we reached the inn.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to snap at you. It's been a long trying day for us both. Here is the key to your room, second floor, first door on the right. It's directly across from my room. Should you need anything, I will be available in the morning after the eighth ahn." So in other words, no moonlight visits. "Would you like anything else before I retire? A slave to bring you food perhaps?"

"No, I want nothing. I am sorry as well for asking you to put your trust in me before it has been earned. I thought only that we could align against him, but you were right, it was foolish. Have a good eve, Astraea, and I hope for both our sakes tomorrow treats us better."

"Trying times breed mournful measures. I understand your confusion, your pain, but you will find no solace in poorly made decisions. Every man has a weakness. He already knows yours, as well as mine. But do you have the cunning to seek out his?" We were both caught like a fly in spider silk. "Rest well Helix. And please, think on what I have told you."

I watched him walk away and head to his room, hoping I could take my own advice. I still had Aiden to contend with.