C6 The Truth in the Darkness

Chapter 6. The Truth in The Darkness

Gulliver had been pacing outside the Realm of the Wizen for over an hour while the two world leaders discussed...well...whatever there was to discuss. It was simple, Gulliver needed to go and interrogate the shadow, and find out exactly where the premier was being kept. He reluctantly knew that line of questioning would supersede any questions about The Courtier, but he would slip a few of those in as well.

The quiet office had been vacated for Gulliver, Finnigan, Garen, and Andromeda to wait in since Scarlet had gone with the Wizen into the meeting. Motion caught Gulliver's eye as the purple doors into the realm began to melt, forming a staircase. He strode over to see Scarlet standing with a pen in her mouth, looking down at notes she had been taking.

She looked up at Gulliver. “They need them,” she said pointing at Finnigan, Garen, and Andromeda.

Gulliver felt the tension in the room but decided not to acknowledge it. “Are there any updates?” he asked.

“No,” Scarlet said. “Nothing I’m allowed to say.”

“Why me?” Finnigan asked. “I think they meant for Gulliver. I’m not even a steward.”

“They said the duelist and those two,” she said pointing again.

Gulliver avoided looking at the other two when Garen came over to him and said loudly, “It is most certainly a mistake Marshall, I’ll speak with the wizen on your behalf.” He then added in a whisper only Gulliver could hear, “Your precious case is as good as mine Higginbotham.” He grinned wickedly and walked away. Gulliver fought the urge to shoot a curse at the man’s back.

This time Scarlet stayed behind, returning to her desk where she began to transcribe her notes into something a little more legible.

“Scarlet,” he said.

“No Gulliver, I can’t talk about anything,” she said. “I can, however, think of other ways we can occupy our time.” Her eyes narrowed and looked him up and down like a predator eyeing its prey.

Gulliver looked at her, giving her the most annoyed face he could muster and went back to pacing.

“Okay,” she said. “But the offer is on the table, or should I say, on the desk?” When Gulliver ignored her, she chuckled to herself and went on, “she’s with Garen you know? Yeah, you know. You’re just biding your time...hoping? Might as well have some fun while you wait. And if you get close enough to the desk and I’m...properly distracted...you might even be able to read the notes from the meeting.”

He felt his neck flush and dared spare Scarlet a glance, she was back to rewriting her work. “How did you come to work here?” Gulliver asked.

“I was raised as a human. Typical rescue story. I was magic, could feel it but not use it very well. Thought I was crazy,” she answered as though disinterested, focusing almost entirely on her work. As she worked, Gulliver could almost see why Zedekiah kept her around. She made sure everything she wrote was perfect, every pen stroke, every word. “I misused the magic and was arrested actually. Zedekiah saved me.”

She stopped writing and looked up at Gulliver. “I know you can’t see from there, so why are you staring? You’re not going to take me up on my offer, so what do you need?”

“I was watching you work. Why wouldn’t the wizen want me in there? I know, I know, you can’t tell, but I’m the head of the case, this is my investigation!” He picked up a crystal globe from her desk and fidgeted with it while he spoke. “I know the shadow inside and out. I did all the legwork to find out where he was. I infiltrated his organization and headquarters. I apprehended him.”

“You’ve just described one of the sexiest accomplishments that I’ve ever heard,” Scarlet said, looking up from her work. “And yet somehow, I’m completely turned off to you. It’s amazing how much a little whining ruins a woman’s appetite.”

Gulliver could feel the reddening in his neck spread to his face. Scarlet gave him a look of genuine disappointment then returned to her work. He stalked to a nearby chair and slumped himself into it.

“Turns out pouting is even worse,” Scarlet said absently.

Gulliver turned his chair and set out tinkering with his wards. He had used all of his barrier wards against the demons and had only two air density wards left in his pouches. He began by composing eight replacement barrier wards, refilling his supply. They were relatively easy to create and useful in almost any encounter.

The air density wards, however, were much more complicated. He only kept four on hand at any given time and was reluctant to use them unless the need was dire. They created an area of effect in which the air was thick, like pudding. Further, the ward had magic that delved into the earth, increasing the effort it takes to move by almost threefold.

Halfway through composing the first ward Gulliver mistakenly tangled two threads of magic, releasing a wave through the room which thickened the air on floor level.

“What in the creator's name are you doing?” Scarlet hollered, pulling her feet onto her chair. Gulliver waved his wand and cleared the magic away just as the doors began to open.

“Higginbotham!” shouted Garen. “You’re to report to the Wizen immediately. Make it snappy, we’ll be leaving to interrogate The Shadow soon.”

Gulliver brushed past Garen and ran up the stairs and into the wizen’s realm. He could hear Garen hot on his heels and made it past the stream and to the hill in almost no time at all. He slowed to a brisk walk up the hill where Andromeda and the wizen awaited him.

The Wizen looked at him somberly while Andromeda avoided Gulliver's gaze altogether. He knew his partner, and she was angry about something.

“Where are they? We’re wasting time here!” Gulliver said.

Garen caught up to him and looked confusedly at Andromeda before saying, “Like a bandaid, let’s rip it off and be done with it. Gulliver, you’ve…”

Andromeda cut him off and said, “Oh shut up Garen! Gulliver, you’re kicked off the shadows case.” Gulliver felt faint. “Garen let slip that your memory has been altered,” she shot Garen a deadly look. “That coupled with the fact that Yang doesn’t like you because of the Hong Kong incident led to him insisting that Garen be put in charge.”

“And you let this happen?” Gulliver shouted at Zedekiah. Garen stepped forward between the two men as if to protect the wizen.

“Stand down Garen!” barked Zedekiah. “It’s international law Gulliver, I can’t overrule it. In investigations involving a specific nation, that nation may select the primary investigator to lead the process; provided he or she is qualified. It’s in the rules.”

Andromeda spoke up, “To be qualified to lead an investigation by foreign appointment one must have had prior experience in international investigation. As Garen has no such experience, he has to be placed as a lead investigator under a trainer. I’m that trainer.”

“You’re in on it too?” Gulliver roared. He couldn’t believe it, Andy had sold him out to Garen. He focused hard on not reaching for his wand; Garen really brought out that impulse in Gulliver.

“Zedekiah, may we use the office so I can have a word with my partner?” Andromeda asked. It was a question, but also a command.

“Of course, of course. Gulliver, she is in charge. You’d do well to listen to her,” Zedekiah said.

Garen looked like he was going to say something, but Andromeda shot him a look. He said nothing and left on Zedekiah's heels.

Andromeda waited several minutes before speaking. “Gulliver, they wanted your wings. You’re not in a fit state to operate as a steward; not with your memory breaking down like it is. Let. Me. Finish,” she said sternly when he tried to interrupt. “I fought for you tooth and nail, against my boyfriend, and against the most powerful man in the East to keep your wings where they belong. On your chest,” she said emphatically, tapping the wings emblazoned there.

“This case is why I’m a Steward Andy. This case is my life,” Gulliver admitted. “Without it, I don’t need the wings.”

“I know Gulliver, that’s why you’re my personal assistant. I already cleared it with Zedekiah, and this way you’ll be able to stay close to the case.”

“So this is it then? I’m an assistant? I’ve done all the work!” he retorted.

“Gulliver, this wasn’t even a real case until I made it one.”

“You can take my wings, you can threaten to lock me up, but I’m not giving up the case!” Gulliver said, ripping his wings off and throwing them to the side. He felt rage coursing through him, betrayal, fear. Without her, he actually would have died. Without the Stewards Guild, he’d be an outlaw. He’d be chased, odds are by Andromeda and Garen. Then what? He’d fight Garen, but he’d already learned that he couldn’t fight Andromeda when she arrested him in China. He stood, fists clenched, breathing heavily, staring into Andromeda’s kind green eyes.

She didn’t react immediately. Instead she stared back at him, concern radiating from her face. She looked at the silver wings on the ground, hesitated, then picked them up. She brushed a small piece of grass off of them then walked over to Gulliver. Gently she refastened the wings to his chest, mending the tear in his cloak with her wand.

“You aren’t leaving the Stewards Guild,” she said softly. “Your title is my assistant. It’s an underhanded way to bend the rules to keep you running the case through me.” She looked up into his eyes, she was close to him. Very close. She held his gaze then said, “I thought you’d appreciate the subtlety.” She looked away.

“Andy,” Gulliver said, cheeks flushing. Only she could do that to him this easily. “I’m sorry, it’s just…” he didn’t know what to say.

“You almost died Gulliver. Your memory is fading. I want a promise from you.”

“What?” he asked, curious.

“After this case, promise me you’ll take some time off. Time to take care of yourself.” she said, looking again into his eyes.

“I will,” he said. He didn’t want to, he tried to argue, but something inside of him just couldn’t say no.

“And Gulliver,” she said. “Don’t pout.” She reached up and stroked his cheek gently, wiping away any anger that had started to form.

He closed his eyes, lost in the moment. The blade of her finger gently caressed his cheek, lulling him into a deep sense of security. “I want you to do it,” he blurted.

She blushed and said, “Do what?”

“I want you to heal me, my mind I mean. Instead of Florence,” Gulliver said.

“Gulliver, she’s a much better healer than I am,” Andromeda countered.

“Maybe Andy, but I trust you. And you’re better than you give yourself credit,” Gulliver said. “You can form a power stance with the two initiates, and you can do it.”

“Gulliver, I don’t know that I’ll be able to do that.”

“I’ll talk to Zedekiah. It’s the least he can do after taking my case from me,” Gulliver said. “Does Garen know that I’m your assistant?”

“Yes. And he was quite unhappy about the entire ordeal,” she said, flushing again.

Gulliver felt some relief as the two made their way down the hill and across the stream. He reviewed his mental notes on the shadow. He’d need to stop and get himself some papers for the interrogation, and he had to prep Finnigan…

“Where is Finnigan?” he asked.

“Oh, that,” Andromeda said quietly.

“Andy?” he pressed.

“He’s in China,” she said a little too casually.

“Andromeda, why in the creators' name is he in China?” he asked. “I’ve been there, it’s dangerous.”

She turned, talking fast, “The General wanted you off the case! He hates you, and he insisted to Finnigan that Song wanted him in China, that his invitation was good now or never.” Gulliver felt his stomach drop as she went. “Garen supported it, and Zedekiah left it up to Finnigan, and after some thought, he said yes. He didn’t explain, but he was confident in his decision. I think he’s up to something.” She sounded increasingly conspiratorial as she spoke.

“That or he wants to join the Far East Martial Federation!” Gulliver snapped. “I was in that Federation, that was part of my cover when I went in. It’s not safe like his duels here.” If Gulliver used his old alias, he could get in and get Finnigan out before he got himself killed.

“You never told me that,” Andromeda said, interrupting his train of thought. She glanced at him and stopped him, “Gulliver, I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is no! You’re not going to China, Finnigan is the best duelist I’ve ever seen. He can handle his own. Besides, Yang closed China’s borders to all forms of magical travel. Right now we need to focus on the shadow. Once we get Song back, we can go and check on Finnigan.” She looked at him until he nodded.

“Let’s get the interrogation done with then,” Gulliver said. “Finnigan needs to be here when we find The Courtier.”

Andromeda stood in the dark observation room with Garen on her left and Gulliver behind them leaning against a cabinet. The window into the interrogation room showed the shadow, sitting at a table, hands shackled together. He was to be kept here until after his interrogation. There was a magic dampener above his head, its beam fixed on him. The Shadow had used magic under the dampener when he first regained consciousness, and the Stewards guarding him responded by turning the magic dampeners up. Ever since, he had sat in silence, staring straight ahead.

“According to this report he hasn’t responded to anything,” Andromeda said, glancing down at it. “He didn’t respond to offers of food or water. Florence came and offered him healing, he didn’t respond to that either. She fixed his jaw and a huge lump on the back of his head last night while he was unconscious. But he still has some minor injuries.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“He won’t respond to anything,” Garen said matter of factly. “He’s the absolute alpha male, his whole life, everywhere he’s been, he’s always been the biggest badass in the room. Let’s see how he responds to being around someone who outclasses him altogether.”

“I have information on him, who he was before being the shadow, what his goals are as the shadow, that sort of thing,” Gulliver said from the corner.

“He’s a criminal. They’re all the same,” Garen said. “He wants to dominate the week and kill anyone who stands in the way. You saw the demons yourself; you know what he wants,” Garen said cooly, still staring at the shadow.

“I think in this case he’s more like an onion, we need to get past the outer layer before we can hope to make any real progress,” Gulliver said.

“Higginbotham, shut your mouth. You’re an assistant. This isn’t your case. I’m only letting you tag along to humor my girlfriend.” He adjusted his shirt in his reflection. “Women can be so sentimental.” Garen left via the side door to their small room and after a moment entered the other door. Andromeda caught herself staring at Garen’s body. He really was quite the physical specimen, maybe the shadow would respond to him. Gulliver stepped beside Andromeda.

“I can see why you’re attracted to him,” Gulliver said. “He’s so intelligent and reasonable.” In a deeper tone, he said, “I want a chance to question him when Garen is done.” Andromeda looked at her partner. He was wearing a pair of brown trousers with a fitted brown t-shirt. Without his robes drowning his body he was a rival for Garen in pure physicality. She quickly looked back to the interrogation room, had Gulliver realized she had been staring?

“Of course,” she said, “you’ll have a chance for sure.” In the room, Garen hadn’t said anything yet. He was pacing, muscular arms folded.

“The Shadow,” he said at long last. “You know, you almost killed one of our finest stewards. It’s lucky I wasn’t there, you might not have made it here alive.”

Gulliver barked a laugh, “Does he think he’s talking to a child?” Andromeda felt the back of her neck warm. She frankly, didn’t know what Garen was doing, and she had a growing suspicion that Garen didn’t know what he was doing either.

“So, Shadow, can I call you Shadow, or do I need to say “The Shadow,” Garen mocked. “Your case was bumped up to the big leagues.” Garen sat down, opposite the shadow. “Things just went from bad to worse for you real fast. You know why? Yeah, you know why. It’s because of that little stunt you pulled in Mexico. So, tell me. Where is he?” The shadow stared into the same spot he had been staring, and Andromeda suspected would be staring at until he returned to his cell.

“Listen, I can make things really easy, or I can make things really hard. It’s entirely your decision.” Garen leaned back in his chair, he looked like he was trying a little too hard to act casual.

“We need to get him out of there,” Andromeda said.

“He can’t do worse than he already is. Let him try,” Gulliver said with a laugh.

“You don’t need to make this harder than it already is!” she snapped at Gulliver, who continued to laugh.

Andromeda walked out into the hallway and knocked gently on the interrogation room’s door. Do men always have to be so stupid? She opened the door, walked over to Garen and whispered just loud enough for The Shadow to hear, “Sir, we have new information about The Shadow. We need you outside.” Garen looked up at her from his leaned back position, anger glinting in his eyes.

“Thank you,” said a deep voice from behind her. She turned and saw the shadow’s deep brown eyes staring intently at her. “You are the one who pulled me out of the forest. You saved my life.”

Andromeda felt a tingling sensation rush down her spine. “I didn’t save you because I cared,” she said coldly. “I saved you so if my partner died, I could kill you.”

“He lives then? Good. And thank you just the same,” the shadow said. Garen blinked back and forth between the two before standing in a fit.

Andromeda walked briskly from the room. As she left, she saw The Shadow return to staring blankly ahead.

“You son of a…” Garen yelled. The door closed behind her, stopping the rest of the sentence from leaving the room. She returned to the observation room with Gulliver where she could again hear Garen berating the shadow before he left.

“Wow, Garen sure is collected in there,” Gulliver said.

“Gulliver, it’s his first time,” Andromeda replied.

“Hope he’s better at being a boyfriend,” Gulliver said.

The side door burst open, and Garen came in, yelling, “What the hell was that? I’m the lead, and I was in the middle of a very promising line of questioning!”

“Your questioning was going nowhere. Gulliver. You’re up,” Andromeda said coldly.

“Andromeda, did you not hear me? I’m the lead on this investigation!” Garen said. Did he think she didn’t know? She could feel the anger growing inside her at Garen’s petulant behavior.

“Garen, I’ll tell you this once, and once only,” Andromeda said. “You are completely unqualified to lead an investigation. It’s my job to train you to do this, and starting now, I’m going to do just that. Put your pride aside, or I will go to Zedekiah and tell him you’re unfit. The laws requiring us to let you lead this investigation only give you an opportunity to learn. If you fail, you will be removed from the case. Do I make myself clear?”

Garen looked absolutely stunned. Andromeda could almost see the gears in his head turning, trying to find a way to assert himself. Finally, he said “Yes High Marshal.”

“Good. Now, Gulliver has a profile of the shadow, it contains every ounce of information the Stewards Guild has on the man and more that Gulliver found on his own. When conducting an investigation, it’s vital that you use information from all sources to create a picture as detailed as possible. Gulliver, what are you going in there with?”

“I know who he is,” Gulliver said. “What he wants. Do you want me to tell you everything now or would you rather watch as I go over it with him?”

“Garen and I will watch,” she said.

Gulliver nodded and left. It was only a moment when the door opened and Gulliver entered the interrogation room, wand in hand. He sat opposite the shadow, and though she couldn’t see Gullivers’s face, the shadow’s eye’s darted about, looking over every inch of the man across from him.

“Hello, Bokamoso,” Gulliver said. The shadow’s eyes widened at the use of the name. How did Gulliver know the man's name? As far as Andromeda knew, the shadow was a complete enigma to the Stewards Guild. “As I said in your compound my name is Gulliver Higginbotham,” Gulliver said calmly. “I’m glad to see you didn’t die.”

“And I you, although, I suspect you heard me tell the lady that already,” the shadow said.

“I did. She and Garen are watching and listening to everything we say and do.”

“If I might ask,” The Shadow said, “How do you know that name?”

Gulliver tapped his wand on the table where a small plant sprouted out of what seemed to be nothing. The plant grew until it was the size and shape of a large book, the outer cover made entirely from bark.

“Those are Stewards Guild records,” Andromeda said.

“What is he doing?” Garen said beside her.

“Let’s talk about a couple things,” Gulliver said. “First, just to get it out of the way, you’re going to Castra Nocte. We can’t strip the magic from you since you’re not actually a magician, so we’ll send you somewhere magic doesn’t work.” Gulliver stopped, the shadow’s mouth dropping agape. Garen let out a guffaw beside Andromeda, and she found herself snapping her mouth shut.

“What is he talking about?” Garen asked Andromeda.

“I don’t know,” she responded

“Castre Nocte, your prison?” the shadow asked.

“Yes.” Gulliver said.“Now, would you like a drink of water?” She couldn’t see his face, but she could hear the smile in his voice.

“It could be poisoned or dull my wits,” The Shadow responded slowly.

“Very well. Some witches will resort to using herbs and potions to dull wits and ensnare the mind, here, we would just use a wand,” Gulliver said. “So, you’re from a small fishing village in South Africa called Vis. You were raised as a human, a fisherman by trade if I’m not mistaken?” The shadow’s mouth gaped even further. “Something happened, something about four years ago. You disappeared, that’s probably when you found a way to use magic. Your mother still thinks you’re dead by the way.”

“Mama…” the big man said, eyes flicking side to side. Had Gulliver actually spoken with the shadow’s mother? Andromeda couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Now for our book,” Gulliver said. “We magicians keep records differently than you humans. Where you use computers and paper, we infused our information into the universe itself, with magic. Maybe in Castra Nocte, you’ll find someone who will tell you all the wonders of our world. Here,” he said gesturing with his wand “is a book, a physical manifestation of the magical records created by the Stewards Guild.”

“He really thinks that someone who did magic isn’t a magician?” Garen scoffed from beside Andromeda.

“Look at the shadow’s face and tell me you think he’s wrong,” Andromeda said in response.

“These records make my job easy,” Gulliver said. “I just point with my wand, and it opens to whatever page I want.” He looked at the book and continued, “The first encounter with the shadow.” The book shot open then sat idly. “March twenty seventh, two years ago. A letter to the Stewards Guild from ‘Bokamoso: Champion of the Shadow People.’ It requested an audience with the wizen and all the marshals,” Gulliver said

“How?” the shadow said, at a loss for words. Andromeda felt like she could relate, how did Gulliver pull this off without anyone knowing he had investigated The Shadow at all?

“Hard work, persistence, and an unwillingness to give up on personal goals. That’s how any kind of greatness is achieved,” Gulliver said. “Next, April thirteenth,” Gulliver tapped the wand to the table, and the book shot to what Andromeda assumed was the corresponding page. “You sent another letter asking again to speak with the wizen. You said that it was of paramount importance, yet left no reason as to your needs. You also no longer included your given birth name.” Gulliver leaned forward and continued, “Then, on May twenty eighth, you sent another letter, saying that you needed an audience to prevent the deaths of countless innocents. The stewards guild took this as a threat, and put ‘Champion of the Shadow’ on their wanted list, and responded to you as a terrorist.”

“I was never a terrorist,” the shadow proclaimed with disgust.

“Maybe not at that point, but now you fit that description to the letter. On June eighth and on June nineteenth you sent two letters in, both admonishing the Stewards Guild for their lack of action and claiming more had died because of them. That got you moved up the most wanted list a few pegs. On September fourteenth you sent a letter, a plea to the wizen, begging him to respond to your requests. Still nothing from them, the wizen doesn’t respond to the plea’s of a terrorist.”

“I hadn’t killed anyone then! The arrogance of the Stewards Guild created a monster that did not exist!” The Shadow spat at Gulliver.

“You could have turned yourself in and been acquitted of all charges,” Gulliver said, pounding his fist on the table. “Instead you chose to become what we feared you already were.”

“I did what I had to do to save lives!” The Shadow shouted back. “You sat in your golden dome, magicians on high, not giving a moment's thought to humans like me, never paying attention to the harm your magic does this world!”

“By the creator he was right…” Garen said from beside Andromeda. Andromeda was speechless, she couldn’t believe it. The single most powerful magician she’d ever seen was a human?

“Our magic has saved humanity countless times through the ages!” Gulliver shouted back. “Next, on October twentieth you sent a package, with the hand of the steward assigned to your case. That’s where I came in. That steward was a friend of mine, I took it personally.”

“Bif,” The Shadow said, inclining his head solemnly.

“My friend Bif,” Gulliver said through clenched teeth.

“He did not deserve to die,” the shadow said back. “He was a good man.”

“Don’t you dare talk about him like you knew him,” Gulliver breathed.

“He joined me,” The Shadow said. “He listened and saw the truth of magic.”

“November seventh,” Gulliver said. The book didn’t move. Gulliver pulled a handwritten and well-weathered envelope out of his back pocket and set it on the table. “Bif sent a letter. To me. He said he was in over his head and that he needed help with his investigation. He was never on your side. He was a double agent.”

“I helped him write the letter,” The Shadow said. “Take it for what it’s worth.”

“December nineteenth, on the step of the Golden Dome, I found the body of my friend.” Gulliver flicked his wand, and a burst of color shot out of it. It formed the image of a man laying on the stone outside the Golden Dome. He was dead, eyes glossed over, tongue swollen and protruding from his mouth. All along his skin were tendrils of darkness, his pale face marred with them. It made Andromeda's stomach drop. That was the condition of every corpse subjected to The Shadow’s power that they had found. She remembered Gulliver had almost left the Stewards Guild to find The Shadow. He wanted to kill him.

The Shadow looked at the shimmering image of the man, then hung his head. His face looked pained when he spoke, “He gave his life to save countless others.”

“How do we find the Courtier? I know what you’re after. I collected the note on Bif’s body myself. The Courtier will set back your agenda more than we ever could.”

“I don’t know. I only met him once. He is powerful, more powerful than me.” The Shadow’s voice shook as he spoke.

“What the hell is he asking about The Courtier for?” Garen said. “We need to know about Song.”

“Let’s give him a minute,” Andromeda said.

“No,” Garen said. “You can train, but this is letting him send the investigation on a tangent. I’m still the lead.” Garen left the room in a huff, Andromeda hot on his heels.

She grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around. “Garen, we need to let him finish. This is a chance to kill two birds with one stone.”

“That’s not my investigation. Song is our only priority,” Garen said.

“Okay. Okay, let me handle it,” Andromeda said.

“No,” Garen said. “After this, I’m speaking with Zedekiah. I’m afraid you’re letting our personal relationship get in the way of our professional relationship.”

He walked into the room where Gulliver was saying, “Today in Mexico the Premier of China was abducted by magicians claiming to be rallying behind your cause. Where is he?”

“I know nothing of this,” She Shadow said.

“Who would organize it after you were taken?” Gulliver asked as Garen moved behind him. Gulliver looked over his shoulder at the steward.

The shadow looked at Garen with disgust. “I will tell you a last thing, Gulliver. You were wrong, the village I am from is called Kokorum,” the shadow said.

“No, who would have set up the organization after you left?” Garen demanded. “Higginbotham, make him answer.”

Gulliver sat, staring into the shadows' eyes. The two of them seemed to communicate without words at all. “Thank you Bokamoso. Also, you’re a terrible villain.”

The shadow smiled and looked down. “That is what Bif would always say,” he said with a chuckle. “Goodbye Gulliver Higginbotham. I will say no more.” Gulliver nodded and walked to the door.

“Higginbotham, you’ll stay here! I’m the head of the investigation,” Garen barked.

“I’m not part of this investigation. I’m just her assistant.” Gulliver said, then walked through the door.

“Andromeda, get your pet dog back on its chain and get him in here!” Garen snarled at her.

“I’m sorry Garen, but our personal relationship seems to have hindered our professional relationship. I’m afraid I have to end both,” Andromeda said cooly. “Good luck getting him to talk.” She turned to leave, then stopped and spun on her heels. “This also means that you can’t interrogate this man until you have a new trainer. Good luck in your future endeavors.” With that, she walked out of the room after Gulliver.

She could hear Garen ranting in the room, while ahead Gulliver opened a portal and fell through it into his living room. Clarence came buzzing around his head, and Andromeda dashed through the portal as it snapped shut.

“It’s fading,” Gulliver said. “I started losing it with him.” He was panting, then his eyes blacked out.

“Egrutido,” Andromeda said. She felt him: his pain, his fear, his emotions. She could feel where Florence had healed. She followed the lines of healing, through his emotion, and into his mind. There was usually a wall here; Florence must have knocked it down. She found the magical construct, the foreign one in his mind. Florence had attacked it. It was cracked, and as a result, the memories around it were getting drawn in through the crack. In a matter of time, Gulliver would be entirely sucked into the magical construct; trapped, lost forever. Andromeda lightened her touch and could see Gulliver's memories, his thoughts. She could feel them slipping away. She wrapped them in her vitality and held them fast. It was surprisingly intuitive being in Gulliver's mind, mending it. There were barriers in his mind, places Andromeda didn’t dare go. She knew Gulliver trusted her, and she wouldn’t violate that trust.

She molded her vitality into a web, wrapping Gulliver’s mind in it. She enveloped him, held him in place. She wrapped the construct in a thick layer of her vitality. As it was covered, it slowly began to absorb her healing essence. In time, this would need to be repatched. She used the reserves she had from Krell and Jasper as well. It seemed to be enough to hold the construct in place.

He began to stir. “Get me some cider!” she barked at Clarence. She recalled alcohol helping magical healing. The blue sphere responded with the alacrity she expected and came whizzing back with a bottle of Gulliver's own cider. She sat on the floor beside him and rested his head in her lap.

“Drink,” she said, putting the bottle to Gulliver's lips. He coughed and sputtered, inhaling a portion of the drink. Andromeda moved the bottle away, but Gulliver grabbed her and pulled the bottle back. He took a long pull from the bottle then let it fall to the side. Andromeda could feel the alcohol through her healing link. It seemed to make things loosen up in Gulliver's mind. She applied one more layer of vitality to Gulliver, then broke the link.

Gulliver rolled, buried his face in Andromeda’s legs and cried into her. She felt helpless. She wanted to take his pain, he had already been through so much, and now this. She had to do something for him, so stroked his head gently. She knew physically he was well, but this was pain her magic couldn’t heal.

Andromeda had dropped the case because protocol would have had her removed from it anyways. But now, it seemed that Gulliver needed her. She only hoped she wouldn’t have to go too far outside the law for him. The truth was, she didn’t know how far she would be willing to go. Or even worse, she was afraid she’d throw everything away for Gulliver.