Fio

by Michele deBes

Fio hung by her little finger, held her breath and watched the trickle of moss fall all the way down into the vertigo of sea crushed rocks. That moss had looked like a foothold in the moonlight.

She let out a long breath as the corded muscles across her shoulder supported the weight of her lower body.

The finger hold was a good one and she’d glimpsed the next move in the shadows above before the slip.

Her feet scuffed gently across the rough hewn stone and her left found purchase on a dimple, enough to relieve the pressure on her finger. Her other hand inched carefully up into position. Leg muscles tensed as she put pressure on the toe hold and reached. Her hand found the crack and she was in the flow again, her small lithe body snaking up the last few metres to the window at the top of the tower. She paused below the black opening, listening, but all was quiet within. A few more moves and she was standing inside the room, catching her breath and peering into the dark. Moonlight filtered through a break in the clouds and she could see the table in the centre of the room. Her prize lay on it, gleaming faintly in the silvery light. Clad in black, her small frame was hidden in the shadows. Her bare feet made no sound on the thick carpet but as she reached for the crystal a light bloomed within it, revealing a man sitting on the other side of the table.

“You!” she cried, recognising the blue eyes in a long face.

His smile was apologetic.

“Yes” he said. “Forgive me for devising this little test.”

“You had me climb this tower for nothing?” she said. He looked different from the time at the inn where he had approached her to hire her services. His rough leather clothes were replaced by robes of blue velvet and his long fingers that came to rest on the table top wore jewelled rings, each stone worth a fortune.

“Not for nothing, you’ll be payed your price and much more for the real task.”

Her eyes snapped back to his.

“I guess this is your place. Who are you? really.” she said.

“I’m sorry about my little deception, I had to be sure your were the right one. I am Elian Andicor and these are my chambers.”

“The Black Mage” she said, then regretted it. Best not to show one is too impressed by a rich client. There were too few lately.

He rose smiling. “Some call me that. Please sit down and I’ll explain why I have lured you here.” The light in the room strengthened, although it had no longer had a source, revealing stone walls hung with paintings and embroidered hangings. She gazed around at the rich colours of the furnishings and artefacts on every ledge, but it was nothing more threatening than a nobleman’s room. Her dark eyes narrowed.

“Why do you need me when you are a Mage. Anything I could steal you could just… click a finger and… magic it here.” she said, hands on hips.

“Nothing is that simple.” he said “Please sit down and I will explain.”

She eyed the plush chair suspiciously. She hadn’t noticed it before.

“I don’t mean you any harm. On the contrary, I need your special talents and the rewards for our collaboration will be great. Take this payment as a sign of good faith.”

His hand held out the three gold coins, and she only hesitated a moment longer, eyeing his enigmatic smile before she relented and stepped forward. She took the coins, felt their solid clinking sounds as she dropping them in a little purse that hung from her belt before she eased herself into the chair.

His face became grave as he toyed absently with the crystal on the table.

I have a young apprentice, Gelmin, and three weeks ago he vanished while on an errand. I have been using all my powers to locate him to no avail. Three days ago I received a message from him, a glimpse. He is being held in a hunting castle by an old enemy, Lord Aaron. I was allowed to see that much, but I was instantly aware of another presence straight away. Old Aaron has hired himself another Mage. The message was a clear challenge from this other one.

“Hey I don’t know any magic.” she said.

“I know. That suits my plan well. And I have met a few Rappelons before and I know they can be trusted.”

“My people…?” she said “Who? Where?”

“It was long ago. Fio and you are a long way from your lands.”

“I’ve never been there. I am only half Rappelon. My mother taught me everything.” She stopped, wondering why she was telling him her secrets.

He nodded with a thoughtful smile. “Then she would be proud of you. That was a formidable climb. You don’t know how pleased I was to hear that you were in the village. You see, Gelmin is held in a tower that is protected by a matrix of complicated spells. I have approached and seen it for myself. The spells are powerful enough to pose a real challenge. But he’s expecting me, not a thief who can climb the tower. All his energy is going into the big spells. The tower is virtually unprotected. This is an arrogant one.”

“But surely he’ll sense me.” she said.

“Not when I am creating a diversion and all his senses will be straining for magic. You climb in just like you did tonight. This time you bring Gelmin down with you.”

“Won’t there be guards?”

“I have someone who can take you in. Again someone who has no magic.” he said. His eyes had hardened and she saw the strength of purpose there. She could see her self being very useful indeed to this man. If she did well on this task, there would be more profitable work.

Ilian turned to the door and moments later there was a soft tap.

“Enter” called Elian.

Fio took a step back. A Saberon Guard! She had only seen them in paintings, in the castles she robbed. The dress uniform was black, with silver touches on the knee length cape. The man stood tall and massive before them and she had to look up at his face.

Elian made the introductions.

These men like their finery, she thought, wiping her dusty fingers on her black tights and spreading the pales stain across her thigh. Her hand was small in his but her fingers were strong and she clasped his palm firmly.

A flicker of surprise ran across his broad flat face, then he smiled as he looked down at her.

“I am very pleased to meet a daughter of Rapellon” he said and stood back. “A legendary climb.”

“Thankyou.” she said and smiled back up at him.

He turned back to Elian. “Then we are ready to proceed.” he said.

Elian turned his gaze on Fio and raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, count me in but… we haven’t discussed my fee. This is more dangerous than you said originally.”

“Would fifty gold pieces acquire your services?”

She dropped her eyes. She would be set up for months. She looked up “A hundred and fifty.”

Elian smiled and inclined his head. “Of course, then we are ready. Let us show you the plan.”

He turned back to the table where there were now three chairs and a map spread out.

Fio climbed into the room. “Elian Adicore sent me. I’m here to rescue you.”

The pale young man sitting at the table looked up at her, then looked at the window. He rose on shaking legs.

“You’re just an illusion come to lure me to my death. I know your tricks now. ”Begone. His arm rose to point but it dropped by his waist again as he shuffled backwards.

Fio hadn’t expected this. She spread her hands.

“Yes I’ll go. It’s fine, just relax. Let me catch my breathe a minute. I just climbed that wall and it didn’t feel like an illusion.”

He retreated back into the corner.

“Nooo” his voice was shaking now.

“Look I haven’t come to hurt you. Just give me a moment.” She rocked on her feet, sucking in the air, stretching her neck and rotating a shoulder.

Her peered across at her. In the chill of the room he could feel her radiating heat. A thin sheen of sweat glinted across her honey skin.

“Your getting better, much better.” He said, his voice quavering. “Begone.”

“Believe me I want to get out of here as much as you do.” she said. kneeling down and taken equipment out of the pouches on her harness. “I’m rappelling back down. You can come with me, but the only way out of here at the moment is through that window so excuse me while I set up.”

He shrunk back further in to the corner. He stared at the tattoo on her shoulder blade.

“I’ve done this thousands of times. Don’t worry.” She continued the conversation over her brown shoulder.

He squeezed his eyes shut. “I am not going out there.” He wailed, hysteria creeping into his voice.

“Sh can you keep it down a bit. I don’t want to get caught, right.”

His eyes flew open.

“Sorry”, she said and smiled. ̶o;Gelmin. Look, there is nothing magic about what I am doing, come over here and touch the stuff, it’s real. You should know the difference. Come on.”

She bent to her work setting her gear before her on the stone floor.

“I don’t know any more… ” he said.

“That mage has been playing with your mind.” She said, selecting some metal objects. “But he’s not here now. Elian is keeping him busy.”

She heard him shift and there was a note of wonder in his voice. “No, he isn’t here…”

“Just don’t try any magic, Elian told me to tell you. Magic will attract him. That’s all you have to worry about. I’ll do the rest.” she said. She heard his slow uncertain footsteps as he approached her. He knelt down slowly and took one the clasps in his shaking fingers. His long brown hair falling in a tangle across his face. He sat for a long minute the metal clasped in his hand.

“This is your harness.” she said and hung the padded ribbon over his hands. He took it and ran it through his fingers.

He let out a shuddering breath and raised his eyes to hers. They were wide with fear, watery blue in an exhausted face. She smiled and took the harness back. “Here I’ll show you how to put it on.” She took his hand and drew him to his feet, placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Isn’t there any other way we can get out of here?” He said.

“No. Come on, put your foot through this loop.” She said and bent over and put her hand behind his knee. She’d coaxed many a person through this. She kept her hands in contact with him as she adjusted the harness tight around his waist and thighs, reassuring him with her confident touch.

“I’ve never done this before ... I can’t just —”

She straightened up and took his shoulder. “You’ll love it.” she said, but he was slowly shaking his head.

“A very strong man is at the bottom of this wall holding the other end of this rope. I connect you up through this pulley and he will let you down. ” In a few deft movements the rope was secured to his belt.

“Oh god no. I can’t.” he said.

“Come on, just sit up here on the sill. That’s right.” She took the rope that hung out the window and gave two tugs.

A breeze blew up from below ruffling his hair.

“Don’t look down.” she warned but it was too late. His wide eyes were staring down into the darkness at the fine rope disappearing into the gloom. The foam made white creamy patterns, way below where the wide sea met the rocks. A vast expanse of stone stretched down beneath him. His hands grabbed the edge of the window as he tried to pull himself in but she blocked him with her body.

“You want to be a Mage don’t you. Stop acting like a baby.” she hissed and he shrank back. “Now get up on this window sill, turn around, that’s right. Just keep looking at me, lean back and let the rope hold you. See he’s got you. lean back.”

She tugged the rope again, gave Gelmin a push and he slid over the edge with a small cry.