So Spoke The Wanderer 5/5

[rivlee]

Acceptance

It felt good to have a purpose again. Collecting stories was definitely helping him pass the time until the Veil Drop. Having the journal in his hand and a pencil for notes, he’d already spent a week collecting the stories of everyone in Merrymec.

Some of the stories were grand, like how Runner and Chuckler met. Others were more mundane, like Chuck Grant, whose family worked in Merrymec since the foundations of the Manor.

It was now time to gather the long histories, those with higher positions and more convoluted pasts. He decided to start with Gene Roe.

Leckie sat down in one of the plush chairs that filled Roe’s sitting room. His home was filled with the sweet scents of all the herbs hanging from the rafters. The warm fire tempted any guest into sleep and the whole set-up served well to soothe the soul. There were a few arcane symbols carved into the walls. Leckie honestly didn’t know if that reflected Roe’s Healer or Reaper side.

Roe set a spread on the table of tea and snacks.

“You wanted to speak with me?” he asked.

“Snafu said you might be open to some questioning if I asked nicely,” he said, accepting the cup of tea Roe held out.

Roe nodded. “He informed me of your current project.”

“I know there are some things you can’t tell me, secrets of your craft and such.”

“None of it is so much secret,” Roe said with a small smile, “it’s more observation. People are never good at noticing or dwelling on that which makes them uncomfortable.”

Leckie nodded and set his cup aside. “How did you decide to do this? I mean, you’ve got two pretty warring sides going on there.”

“Not quite so conflicting,” Roe said. He pulled a book from the stack on the table. “You’ll need Sledge or Snafu to translate it for you, but this gives the technical explanation between Healers and Reapers. They’ve always been tied; it’s just rare for two of the Primes to produce a child.”

“Primes?” Leckie asked. He carefully placed the old book in his lap.

“Wizards have levels,” Roe explained, “Healers and Reapers have Primus, Secundus.”

“Latin,” Leckie said, making a note in his journal. He stopped his writing in surprise. “I guess it makes sense.”

“We’ve had Wanderers as long as we’ve had our own world. The influences are felt everywhere. The reverse happens on your side, I am sure.”

“Yeah, I finally know where Danish comes from,” Leckie said.

Roe’s lips quirked at the joke. “Ask me what you will, Robert.”

“Did you make the choice between the two or was it chosen at birth?”

“I am both,” Roe said. “I am a Healer and a Reaper. I can heal the body and I can take the soul. There is no choice between the two. One depends on the other. I take none before their time. I may take the soul out of the body for some repair, but it’s always returned. I am my very nature, Robert.”

Leckie looked at Roe in awe. No one would ever guess that the pale face and compact body hid so much power. Roe’s eyes flashed as Leckie studied them and the glamour dropped.

“Holy shit,” Leckie muttered, staring into the depthless pools that were Roe’s true eyes.

“All Healers and Reapers hide their eyes. It unnerves those who don’t understand. There is always the concern of a patient or stranger getting stuck in the thrall.”

“The thrall being the hypnotizing shit your eyes are doing right now,” Leckie said. He blinked and sat back, shaking his head.

“Indeed,” Roe agreed.

“I’m honored you shared that with me,” Leckie said.

“You’re safe,” Roe said, “you’re under a wizard’s care.”

“A fan of romance novels?” Leckie asked.

“No,” Roe said, clearly fighting back a smile, “just a statement of fact. You carry traces of Hoosier’s magic on you; it protects you from falling into a thrall.”

“So, he’s basically marked me like a dog,” Leckie said, shaking his head. “Well, that explains how Runner knew without me saying anything.”

“Oh, that’s more likely Merriell,” Roe said. “He’s always been a gossip.”

Leckie smiled at hearing Snafu’s real name. So few people used it, but Roe was all about being proper. He gestured around the house. “Do you live here alone, Doc?”

Roe nodded. “It is a mostly lonely existence, mine. My parents were lucky to find each other. My kind lives longer than the Sidhe, you see. We have a great duty to fulfill, and while it is always a joy to share that burden, there are few souls who could handle carrying the weight.”

“That sucks,” Leckie said, settling back into his chair. He’d never thought it’d be this easy to talk to Roe. The eyes and spirit could scare off a hoard and yet there was a unique comfort to his presence.

“I don’t presume to know the future, but I will recognize the soul when it is time. I’ve learned to be patient with my own matters, Robert, I save the hurry for everyone else.”

********

“So tell me about your history,” Leckie said, curled up next to Hoosier in his bed.

“Isn’t that something you’re supposed to ask a man before you sleep with him,” Hoosier muttered into the side of Leckie’s chest.

“Cute,” Leckie said.

“My mother certainly thinks so,” Hoosier quipped.

“Tell me,” Leckie insisted. He grasped the arm Hoosier had around his waist. “You know you’re dying to have me recount your tale in my future bestseller.”

Hoosier snorted and sat up. He stretched his arms out and blew out a breath. “We’re going to need to get drunk for this.”

“Really?” Leckie asked.

Hoosier nodded. He walked over to his wardrobe and threw some clothes at Leckie. “Get dressed,” he ordered.

Before he could reply, Jay burst into the room.

“The Queen is coming,” he yelled.

Leckie laughed. “Is this some new game?” He turned to Hoosier, expecting a smart-ass reply.

Hoosier’s eyes were wide. “Shit,” he muttered.

Jay took two gulps of air before speaking. “Gibson sent the notice out from Ville. She’s making a surprise appearance at the Ball. She wants to assure that Haldane is not trying to steal her crown.”

“Come the fuck on,” Leckie said, “she has to know he wouldn’t do that.”

“She probably does,” Hoosier admitted, “but she’s got a whole Court to please.”

Jay nodded. “We must act on protocol. You know the sentries will be sent first.”

“Yeah,” Hoosier said, looking like he’d just swallowed down something horrible. He stomped back to his wardrobe and pulled out a set of black robes.

“What the hell is that?” Leckie asked.

“Protocol dressing for a novice wizard,” Hoosier said.

“Haldane’s loosened the uniform protocols for each station, but the Queen’s visit requires we return to the laws as they are written in Ville,” Jay said.

He noticed that Jay was wearing a set of red robes. Leckie was starting to feel like he was in the Vatican.

“Thanks Jay,” Hoosier said, “do me a favor and go tell Snafu.”

Jay nodded once more and practically flew from the room.

“Such an excitable young cub,” Leckie said.

Hoosier laughed as he pulled the robes over his head.

“You’re not honestly wearing those, are you?’ Leckie asked, not even bothering to cover his distaste.

“Have to,” Hoosier said. He smoothed the fabric down. “We can’t give anyone a reason to call Andy out right now.”

“Do I have to wear that shit?” he asked.

“No,” Hoosier said, “as a Wanderer you get an eternal pass.”

“Thank god,” Leckie muttered. He pulled on his borrowed clothes and tried not to make a face when they pulled tight across his back. “Where are we going?”

“Please,” Hoosier said with a flat look.

As they walked to The Grounded Brigantine, Leckie noticed the small and subtle changes in the village. Official outfits were worn by everyone and some of the more garish house and store displays were pulled down or changed. A part of Leckie was really pissed off, yet he understood. The same thing was done to any town when a dignitary came to visit. Groveling at the feet of authority just set his teeth on edge.

The Grounded Brigantine, lying outside the city walls, seemed to give less than a shit that the Queen was coming.

“The ship still has the blessings of the Sirens,” Hoosier explained, “the Queen holds no sway here.”

“Can we just stay here until she’s gone?”

Hoosier laughed. “She’s really not that bad. It’s just the hanger-ons. Her consort, Prince Harry, now that’s a Sidhe you want to take out for a drink.”

“Did someone mention Prince Harry?” Captain Stella asked. She shook her head, dark curls bouncing in the lantern light. “Better place another liquor order. That Sidhe always drinks us dry when he comes to visit.”

“Not too impressed with the royals then?” Leckie asked.

Captain Stella laughed. “They’re not my royals. As long as their family squabbles don’t bring a war to my doorstep, it’s no worry of mine.” She motioned over to the bar. “I’ll have your regulars sent over, boys.”

Leckie was really going to miss the Captain when he was gone.

Hoosier fiddled with a loose thread of his novice robe. It was so disconcerting to someone as contrary as Hoosier yield to convention and official dress.

“You going to start talking?” Leckie asked.

“Do I look drunk yet to you?” Hoosier asked.

Leckie laid his hand over one of Hoosier’s. “You can trust me with your story. I promise not to ruin your reputation.”

“Oh, you’ve already done that,” Hoosier said. He sighed and ran his free hand through his hair. “Okay, fine.”

Leckie let go of his hand and sat back. “Thank you.”

“You better be thankful,” Hoosier said. His manner darkened as he gathered his thoughts, tongue darting out to wet his lips, eyes refusing to meet Leckie’s gaze. “As you’ve heard by now, I wasn’t exactly an easy child. I’m from the country, with a family of wizards who have done nothing more for generations than grow crops and heal animals. When I came along, they didn’t know what to do. I was all over the place, Bob, I was destructive. My father sent me to our closest village hoping someone there could help.

I earned an apprenticeship with the local wizard. We though he was a true master, but he turned out just to be a con. My grandmother threatened to bring him up on charges, so he agreed to bring me to Ville to learn from a real Master Wizard. Asshole got knifed in a tavern halfway there. I didn't have enough money to get home, so I stayed around here. I worked any job I could find. As I got older I quite liked the freedom, but I started to lose control more than usual. I got into more fights than even Bull could handle breaking up. Someone decided it was wise to dump me into Haldane’s lap.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me,” Leckie said. He remembered all of Eddie’s comments about Haldane’s strays. Not to mention Haldane’s warnings about Hoosier’s temperament.

Hoosier smiled, breaking his trance-like state. “Haldane is really big on giving everyone a chance and finding the best place for them. He said my mind was for too smart to work in the hospitality business.”

“I’m pretty sure he meant your mouth.”

“I won’t disagree on that one.”

Leckie nudged Hoosier’s foot with his own. “So, have you had any formal training?”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding, “Haldane brought me to a few independent wizards who don’t like to follow chapter and verse of the Accepted Creed. I’m never going to get a high ranking because I don’t come from the right stock.” Hoosier threw back his drink. “Fuck ‘em, I know damn well how to do my job.”

Hoosier started fiddling with the loose thread again. Leckie led him have the time to gather himself. Hoosier hated being vulnerable. It was a trait they both shared.

He waited until Stella brought their next round of drinks before asking another question. “You’re still learning, correct? You’re training to raise your rank as high as you can.”

Hoosier’s smile was dark. “I’ve got a ways to go, but I ain’t exactly going to the ground anytime soon.”

Leckie felt sad all of a sudden. He wasn’t going to get to see Hoosier turn into a more powerful wizard. He wouldn’t see Roe meet his match. He’d probably never see Stella again, not with the Veil Drop only two weeks away.

It was suddenly pretty damn hard to breathe.

“You okay?” Hoosier asked. He’d taken one of Leckie’s hands in his own. His callused fingers rubbed calm circles onto Leckie’s wrist.

Leckie knew those overworked fingers gave way to delicate wrist bones and toned forearms. He knew that Hoosier tried to kill anyone who woke him in the middle of the night. That he liked to sleep with his chin tucked down to his chest. That he was ticklish on his right side, right above his hip bone, but not on the left. He was more likely to bite his lips until they were bleeding than let out a moan. He liked the purple-colored-strawberry fruits and not the blue-colored-fake beets. He sung his incantations more than spoke them and that; he preferred Roe’s tea over anything anyone else in the Manor made.

“Goddamnit, I’m going to miss you,” Leckie said.

********

Merrymec had gone into a frenzy. The Queen’s impending arrival and the general revelry of the Veil Drop saw the streets surging with crowds. Not that Leckie noticed much. Webster had finally, after two full days of arguing and holding a mock trial with witnesses, signed off on Leckie’s return.

He should have been excited, but he could hear the clock ticking down in his head. There was one more story he definitely needed to collect before he left. It just took a scheduled appointment and an act of a Siren to get it.

Aindrea Haldane didn’t look like a man about to meet his own fate. He looked just like he did every day, in his office, going through paperwork.

“So you really are the Man Who Would Be King,” Leckie said, sitting down in front of him.

Haldane paused in his writing and put his pen down.

“My cousin is more than capable at the position,” Haldane said.

Leckie rolled his eyes. “Roe doesn’t seem to think so. I might be new around here, but when someone who is down with Reapers makes a fuss, I’d have to believe him.”

Haldane sighed and for a moment his own glamour dropped. It wasn’t a magical one, just the aura of confidence and competence that came to all in a leadership position.

“Let me guess, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown?”

“You are just full of the clichés today,” Haldane said.

“Haldane, I feel like I’m stuck in a cliché. Or some twisted version of Alice in Wonderland.”

“I don’t think periwinkle blue suits you,” Haldane said. He looked up from his desk and faced Leckie. “I would never actively seek to usurp my cousin but I am well aware of my place in the line of succession. I’m preparing myself to the best of my abilities. I do not live my life in naïveté, despite what Snafu and Eddie might think. I know how precarious the situation is. I know my cousin is power hungry. I am well aware of the fact I need to prepare Burgin as well and as quickly as I am able.”

“Would Larkin really arrange for the murder of his own foster mother?”

“You’re the one who studied Ancient Rome, you tell me.”

Leckie grimaced. “Then why is the Queen coming here? It’s awfully sudden.”

“Aunt Kitty doesn’t do anything without reason,” Haldane said, for once dropping the title. He tapped his fingers on his desk, a nervous gesture Leckie rarely witnessed. “I have a feeling she knows what Larkin plans to do in her absence. He may call for a coup, or gather allies to his side. It matters not; he is not ready to rule. He know this, it’s buried somewhere deep in his soul. He just has people whispering in his ears, telling him that he is more, will be much greater, than his capabilities. It serves Kitty well to come here, to meet her country citizens and gain their support. They will see her as a Queen who cares, rather than a faceless name and title.”

“So this visit has nothing to do with judging you to be worthy and all to do with a Public Relations move?” Leckie asked.

“Politics is politics, no matter where you are,” Haldane said.

Leckie really wanted to know how the story ended. Outside of trying to track Realm Jumpers around New York City, he didn’t think that would be possible.

“What’s Eddie’s role in all this?” he asked.

“Our marriage was sought for the sake of alliance,” Haldane said, “but I would never dream of dragging the Sirens into this. Not until I have no other choice. There would be deadly results.”

“For the Sirens?”

“No,” Haldane said, “for the soldiers and the townspeople. The Sirens can order the rains and the floods. They can change the courses of wherever the waters go. It would be an act of suicide to make an enemy of them.”

“Then why is your cousin risking that?”

“Because he forgets that Eideard is a child of the Sirens and the Wild. He doesn’t realize what Eddie can do and the power he holds.”

“And you’re not about to remind him,” Leckie said.

Haldane nodded. “You see, Bob, as much as Eddie strives to protect me from myself, I do much the same for him.”

“How-”

“Oh no,” Haldane interrupted him, “that’s a much longer story and I fear there are not enough hours left in the day for it. I will tell you on the walk to the Void.”

The Void, being the crossroad point in the forest just outside Merrymec, was the portal to the Other Side. Leckie knew he’d have an escort there, he just didn’t expect it to be Haldane.

“Won’t you have a Queen to entertain?” he asked.

Haldane shook his head. “That’s what I have Eddie for, besides, by the time we leave everyone will be too overcome by the celebrations to care. Prince Harry will be up at The Grounded Brigantine anyway. Kitty will probably be with him.”

“I can’t picture a queen barhopping.”

“She dresses up like a stable hand,” Haldane explained.

Leckie forced himself not to make the obvious Queen in drag joke, especially since the pun would be lost on His Royal Sidhe.

“I might just miss you, Haldane,” Leckie said.

“The feeling might just be mutual,” Haldane replied.

They shared a companionable silence, Haldane going back to his work and Leckie expanding on the notations in his journal, until the bells chimed signaling lunch. He was going to miss those melodic bells, and the kitchen sprites, and the neon blue-colored-grapes that always came with his lunch.

“You don’t have to leave,” Haldane said.

“No, I don’t,” Leckie admitted, not looking up from his book, “but I think I should.”

********

Extended goodbyes absolutely sucked balls and Leckie hated making them. Some he had to do days in advance, like with Runner and Chuckler, already on guard duty. Roe was too busy patching up busted lips and broken bones from all the revelers, and Hoosier and Snafu were both in constant service to the Queen and her Court.

Leckie couldn’t lie, Kitty was pretty damn awesome. She swore like a sailor, cheated at cards, and constantly put Snafu in his place. Her husband had an infectious smile and laugh, and if he wasn’t dropping through a portal in two days, Leckie would’ve gladly shared a beer or five with the man.

For now, he took solace in Sledge’s home. Sledge didn’t participate in the celebrations. He was hardly of the partying persuasion and didn’t exactly feel the need to toast a royal family he didn’t pledge allegiance to and a holiday which tore him from his home.

“Why did you decide to stay?” Leckie asked. Sledge had given him vague answers in the past, and he hoped, so close to the end now, the truth would come out.

“I never felt like I belonged back there,” Sledge said.

“And you feel like you do here?”

Sledge shook his head. “It’s not that, really, I just knew I could never go back and be satisfied with that life. I was restless before I came over here, how could I ever go back?”

There was a hopelessness to Sledge’s words.

“You’ve never been tempted?” Leckie asked.

“I went back once,” Sledge admitted. “There’s a way to arrange it, to leave and return before the Veil rises again. I felt like I had to see my family, explain what happened, not that they’d believe me.”

“What did happen?”

“I realized it would be a cruel thing to do, to go home to them only to leave again. I was already declared dead, visited my gravesite with my empty coffin. And I felt guilt, so much damn guilt, Bob, because I’m happy here in a way I never was there. There was no life for me to return to, just memories.”

Leckie didn’t know how to respond to that, all that loss contained in Sledge’s few words.

“Couldn’t you have made your life over again, back home,” he finally asked.

Sledge shook his head. “This is my home now,” he argued. “I knew that within a month of staying here. Going back to Earth, I’d be just a much a tourist there as here.”

“So you stayed,” Leckie said.

“Isn’t it better to be a Wanderer rather than a permanent tourist?” Sledge asked.

Leckie smiled. “I never looked at it that way.”

“You are perpetually able to see the dark side of everything, Bob, but you always forget there’s a bright side somewhere. Even if it’s tarnished.”

“You say the sweetest things to me, Sledge.”

Sledge threw a rag at his head. “You’re almost more trouble than your worth.”

“Hoosier shares your sentiments,” Leckie agreed.

Sledge sighed. “I know love, or lust, or whatever is between you and Hoosier isn’t enough alone to make you stay, but do you have that back in New York? Do you have a group of friends willing to save you from yourself? Leckie, do you have anyone?”

“I’ve got a home and a job, nieces and nephews. I was pretty damn happy with the way things were.”

“You could be happy here,” Sledge said. It was a declaration, not a statement.

“What happened to not convincing me to leave?” Leckie asked, ignoring the lump in his throat.

“I was being selfless, then. I figured you’d change your mind,” Sledge said. He stared into the fire. “I’m sorry, Leckie, you don’t need all this unasked for and misplaced guilt.”

Sledge stood up and walked over to his desk. He pulled out two sketchbooks and pressed them into Leckie’s hands.

“Sledge,” he said, grasping for words.

“They’re for you,” Sledge said, “so you can remember.”

“Thank you,” Leckie whispered.

Sledge nodded, a sad tilt to his head. He propped himself on the arm of Leckie’s chair. They both sat in silence, watching the fire burn through the wood, while the sounds of the city filled the room.

********

“No goodbyes,” Hoosier whispered into Leckie’s ear. They shared one last hug on the Manor’s doorstep.

“Try to go on without me,” Leckie muttered in reply. He held tight to Hoosier’s back, his hands grasping the folds of his robe.

Hoosier didn’t laugh, just palmed the back of Leckie’s head, fingers lingering on the nape of his neck.

It was Snafu who quietly, and even with a hint of remorse, broke them up.

“You need to get on the road, Leckie,” he said.

“I know,” Leckie replied. He pulled back from Hoosier and looked at him. “You’re still a jackass,” he said.

“And you’re still a miserable bastard,” Hoosier replied. He stepped away from Leckie, back into the Manor where Snafu was waiting for him. They both had a Queen and her Court to entertain.

Leckie watched them until they disappeared around the corner.

Eddie pulled him into a tight embrace. He smelled like the sea, nature, and all magnificent things. “It’s okay to miss us as well,” he murmured into Leckie’s hair.

Leckie nodded. “And it’s okay to be who you really are,” he said.

Eddie smiled, letting his glamour drop for a mere second, before putting it back in place.

“Be careful on the road,” Eddie said, as much to Leckie as Haldane. He then followed in the steps of Hoosier and Snafu.

It took Leckie’s breath away, watching the Manor’s door finally close.

“Leckie,” Haldane said, an arm around his shoulder.

“I know,” Leckie said.

They took the coach out to the forest. Leckie slept most of the way. He didn’t want to talk; he didn’t want to think; and he didn’t want Haldane to ask if they should turn back. Leckie honestly didn’t know what the hell his answer would be. He could feel the need to run burning under his skin, adrenaline kicking up, and roaring through his veins.

Nothing was ever easy.

It was completely dark by the time they arrived at the edge of the wood. The stars were their guide to the Void. The power surrounded the forest in a thick blanket. There was no sound here, as if everything, the wind included, held its breath for the Veil Drop.

The Void pulsated like a living, breathing thing, before him. He expected to see the Void, but not everything else around it. Leckie didn’t think the veils and borders could be viewed by the human eye, but he could clearly see them now wavering and shimmering. It was like watching light pass through stained glass, only with more shine involved. He felt like he was in St. Gabe’s, the heat of the sun beating down through the windows, mixed with the heavy scent of incense, as he kneeled before the crucifix and took his place among the faithful. That was years ago, when he still believed in the immaterial. A lifetime ago, now. How the hell was he supposed to go back to his shithole apartment on the Lower East Side, watching hipsters and gentrification take over the historical enclaves he once knew.

“You don’t have to go,” Haldane said, repeating his words from early.

“I know,” Leckie said.

He turned around to study the forest. He still remembered the first time he went to Central Park, marveled at all the trees and space, so different from the industrial neighborhood of New Jersey where he grew up. He never thought a city could have such green spaces. Even when he went off and traveled to places far removed from city lights, he never quite saw a sky like he could see here.

“You never used coal here, did you?” he asked.

Haldane shook his head. “Energy generation has never been a problem for us, especially when you consider we have whole groups of pixies whose only lot in life is to provide light.”

“Coal, gas, pollution, destruction; all used in the name of advancement. And we made some beautiful things, without any magic on our side.”

“Well, with some. We have our own Wanderers on that side.”

Leckie laughed. “Yeah, I remember. I just, I never cared all that much about a lot of things until I came here. I was angry, for no reason, hell, I’m still angry. Something tells me that’s never going to change. I’ve never spent so much time thinking about the world and my place in it. I don’t want to be forgotten.”

“No one does,” Haldane said.

“Easy for you to say, Prince Charming. You’re going to be buried in a Hall of Kings with funeral processions for days.”

“And that doesn’t mean my name won’t fade into obscurity. I’ll just have a fancier gravesite.”

“Fair point,” Leckie agreed. He toed the ground, smudging the smooth leather of his shoe with the dark soil. “I have no one back home to miss me, not really. I’m some obscure freelance writer and historian who cut ties with his blood family long ago. I’m the fake uncle to a few co-workers’ kids. I have some godchildren who need all the angels in Heaven on their sides if I’m supposed to be their protector.”

Haldane cleared his throat at that. “Pardon me for asking, Bob, why exactly are you eager to go back? Just because it’s the life you once lived?”

“It’s where I’m supposed to be.”

“Are you so sure about that? You don’t even remember how you got here. Who’s to say you aren’t supposed to be here?” Haldane asked.

“I have issues leaving my life in the hands of some mystical higher power.”

“Your issues or not, you try using a rational explanation for how you ended up here. Do you often go walking through heavily wooded areas with access points to another world?”

“I’m having a personal existential crisis and you want to talk hypotheticals,” Leckie said.

“You’ve darkened my office doorstep with more inane inquires,” Haldane said.

Leckie didn’t argue that point. He turned back to Haldane, the Sidhe who had a hell of a future ahead of him. Better than any story Leckie would get to cover back home.

“I want to see how your story ends,” Leckie admitted.

“You think it’s going to be one for the ages?”

Leckie shrugged. “I figure it will just as interesting as any presidential election coverage.” He turned back to the Void. He’d waited so long for this; it’d been his obsession for the past year. Now that it was here, he couldn’t force his feet to move.

He thought of Webster and Sledge; of Leyden, Lena and Midwood; of Shifty’s trickster eyes and Roe’s heavy fate. He thought of Eddie, Andy, and political intrigue. He would never find another Captain Stella or Snafu. He missed his Jewish delis, but they didn’t have Malarkey’s soup. They didn’t have Hoosier.

“Too late to turn back?” he asked.

“Never,” Haldane said, sounding choked up.

“Are you crying?” Leckie asked.

“No,” Haldane insisted.

Leckie laughed. “Oh, Haldane, I didn’t think you’d-”

His words were cut off by a whooshing sound from the Void.

A young man dropped through, coughing like he’d just taken his first bong hit, and cursing a blue streak. Leckie recognized the accent, unmistakable South Philadelphian.

There was a sound like a bomb going off and the Void closed.

“You really need to work on guarding those borders,” he bitched at Haldane.

Haldane shrugged and walked over to the young man. He held out his hand. “Welcome, Wanderer.”

The boy gave him the finger.

Leckie liked him already.

********

Haldane left Leckie at Sledge’s house, helping the new Wanderer, Babe Heffron, to settle down for his own wait. He made Haldane swear that Hoosier wouldn’t know he was back until after the Queen and her madness left Merrymec.

They’d all finally gone this morning. Heffron was finally sleeping through the night without driving Sledge and Leckie insane with all his questions. Merrymec was back to normal.

Well, almost.

Leckie snuck into the Manor through the Watch Keeper’s entrance. Eddie was behind the desk, a blinding smile on his face. He pointed at the back office where Hoosier was lost in thought while facing the windows. He was watching Bessie swim.

Hoosier jumped when Leckie palmed the back of his neck.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Hoosier asked.

Leckie shrugged as he sat down on the window sill. He tangled his feet with Hoosier’s and studied him for a moment. Hoosier was guarded, more of the angry wizard than the lazy asshole of his normal temperament.

“I figured since I was going to spend my life miserable anyway, I might as well spend it miserable with you,” he said.

Hoosier clicked his fingers and a force of air slapped Leckie on the back of his head.

“I honestly admitted to missing you, you asshole,” he said.

Leckie lightly kicked Hoosier in the knee.

“You shouldn’t have doubted me.”

“I never did,” Hoosier said.

“Bullshit,” Leckie retorted.

Hoosier leaned over his chair and pulled a book out of his desk. He threw it into Leckie’s lap with his normal gusto.

Leckie laughed out loud as he flipped through the leather-bound copy of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

“After you went off on that three hour rant over The Wanderer’s Handbook, I asked one of our Realm Jumpers to bring back a copy of your favorite book. Vest returned two days before the Veil Drop, so I figured I’d just hold on to this copy until you made your way back.”

“Come here, you son of a bitch,” Leckie said, grabbing hold of Hoosier’s collar and pulling him in for a kiss.

It was damn good to be home again.

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