"Celaeno Alcyone, as I live and breathe!" Daniel Castourus says as he treads down the steps of his two story estate in New Paris. "It has been a long time since you were here in the city."
He is dressed in a very nice and very expensive business suit. Celaeno can't recall a time she ever saw the man in anything else. Things haven't changed in all these years except for the hair.
"It looks like those grays have finally taken over," she says picking up her stride toward to man before wrapping her arms around his neck for a hug.
"Please don't remind me," he chuckles hugging her back. "You're still as youthful as ever."
When they part she frowns for the briefest of moments and then quickly hides it behind a smile. "I may not see an old age if the Divortium keep it up at me."
"Yes, I heard rumors of your capture. But here you are."
"Yes, here I am," Celaeno says. She hesitates for a moment, allowing Daniel to proceed ahead of her.
As the words begin to form in her mouth, he turns around and says, "And you are here to ask for help rather than just a social call." Celaeno nods. "Well, help, social call or whatever, we need to get you and your friend here inside before the Divortium pick you up on satellite. Lord knows that War Golem you have there," he says pointing in Tanttan's direction, "sticks out like a sore thumb."
With Tanttan standing guard at the door, Sage and Celaeno sit with Daniel in the living room. The room is more like a library than a living room, however. Daniel Castourus is a business man, but a literary man in his off time, hence the vast collection of books collecting dust on the many bookshelves encircling the room.
"When I heard you had been captured, I felt I had failed your father," Daniel says as he rolls around the amber liquid in his glass. "Then the fire broke out and reports that many of the prisoners didn't escape drove that failure home even more. I immediately used my network to grab whatever information I could, but there was nothing about you."
"I guess the Divortium are really keeping this one close to the vest," Celaeno says with a smirk.
"Of course there are reports of a rogue Dranon and derelict War Golem attacking the city, but no nothing about Celaeno."
"A rogue Dranon?" Sage asks arching his left eyebrow. "I guess they wish to not upset what little peace they have with the monks."
The older man takes a sip and nearly chokes on a laugh he tries to suppress. "Peace? Those bastards running the show blamed the aftermath of the war on the Dranon, then force most off planet before allowing a few to remain on a tiny sliver of land. What peace is there in that?"
"Or honor," Celaeno quickly adds. "Regardless of that, why would they want to keep me under wraps?"
Daniel laughs, this time not holding anything back as he promptly sets his empty glass on the table. "Why my girl, you're Orphan!"
Celaeno snorts at the comment. She throws herself back into the plush couch and folds her arms across her chest. "Orphan."
"Well, it does suit you," Sage remarks.
"Right it does," Daniel adds. "You girl are an inspiration to those rebels. Your father would be proud of what you have accomplished."
Celaeno's anger shows through clearly to both men. "And what have I accomplished?" She is immediately up on her feet, stomping across the expanse of the large room. "The Divortium still holds the reigns over the people. Too many of those people are being killed. I've got bounty hunters and the goddamn Ternion after me. And for what? Some little bit of fucking inspiration. And what the fuck is it with calling me Orphan?"
Sage doesn't flinch at the outrage. His demeanor remains cool and keen, totally opposite of his companion and sometimes lover. Daniel on the other hand is up on his feet as well, trying vainly to calm her.
"Well besides the fact you are an orphan, many others are as well. The fact alone that you defy a government that everyone objects but will do nothing about inspires them," the older man answers both questions at once.
Celaeno's outrage only falters a little, but her pacing does stop and she stares at the fire glowing brightly in the fireplace. "And what if I don't want to do this anymore?" she asks. "What if I just want to leave it all behind and just disappear?"
"You can't," Daniel says.
"And why not?"
"Because you would be admitting defeat and the Celaeno I know never quits," Sage says still unmoving. "Besides, you'd worry too much about me and Tanttan to let us go running off to fight the Divortium alone."
A smile creeps up onto Celaeno's face and she evens giggles a little. "You're absolutely right. You two would probably get lost without me there to guide you."
"Now that's the spirit," Daniel says while wrapping his arm around Celaeno's shoulders. He pulls her in tight for a quick hug. "Now let's have a drink and tell me about your companions here. And you three are staying for the night. I'll help you leave in the morning, but only after you get some rest." Daniel guides her back to the couch before tottering off to fetch another round of drinks. Celaeno greedily gulps hers down, while Sage's sits next to his previously untouched one.
"There isn't much to tell," she says.
"I resent that you know," Sage quips.
Celaeno smiles again. "Sage Veris here is a Dranon monk sworn to protect me and Tanttan, well though he is big and kind of stands out, is an old War Golem we found a couple years back."
