Chapter Seven: Confrontation
About an hour and a half later, Max was calmly sitting on the second-to-topmost steps, legs dangling, next to a small pile of apples Cindy had found growing wild that very day and had picked, waiting for the others return. Absently, trying not to think about his nervousness, he picked up one and began to eat on it. Despite not being able to taste the apple, nor able to gain anything by way of benefits from the ordinary fruit, the sensation from the act was soothing. Why, he didn't know.
Maybe it's why some people find comfort in food, he thought to himself, as the flash of light that heralded a teleport signaled the 'heroes' return. The four who appeared – the new woman must be Lady Eladrin d'Cannith – found the scene much changed. Around them, from the far doorway in a narrowing path all the way to the stairs, metal walls had been set up, funneling them in only one direction; to Max. Unseen thanks to a specialty spell of his, invisibility field, Arcanus and the rest stood atop platforms at the summit of the walls, ready for trouble. Cindy they'd sequestered in a back room, with Shock in line with the hall just in case the girl needed a quick dimension door escape.
After some disorientation had passed, Kayne gestured at the bag of apples questioningly. Max rummaged out a new one and tossed it over. Whether it was a clever ploy to put Max 'at ease,' or make a comradely connection, or true friendliness he didn't know, but who was he to deny his own friendly nature? Had it been any other situation but this, likely he'd be perfectly comfortable around the three.
"Oh my," Lady Eladrin murmured, looking around. Then she looked at Max, and frowned. "Are you the one who broke into my House's enclave in Sharn and took Cinder?" Max felt his temper bristle.
"Yes, and she prefers Cindy."
"Now lets keep calm, everyone," Mikaya soothed.
"We kept our word," Skye started things off.
"And I have kept mine," Max retorted. "I am still here, and ready to talk."
"You had no right to break in and take her," Lady Eladrin accused, not noticing – though Max did – Kayne silently sigh and roll his eyes, as if pleading for patience, and Skye looking distinctly frustrated with the entire situation. Mikaya was unreadable, as most mages were to Max, save the two he was friends with. Before the Reforged could counter, the Marshal did for him.
"And Merrix broke the treaty – you admitted as much to us in the first place – and is likely guilty of unlawful imprisonment. Crimes have been committed on both sides, and as a Marshal I have to judge which takes precedence. In this case, I feel that it Cindy's well-being."
"We are her own kind," Max spoke. "She is a Warforged, so who better to take care of her than us?"
"She is nothing like a regular Warforged," Lady Eladrin snapped back. "You couldn't possibly know anything about taking care of her. You're a creature built for war and fighting, not taking care of another who has the special needs she does. She has been sheltered her whole life, kept safe and innocent." Her eyes narrowed at Max, who had a sinking feeling he knew what she was about to say, and he felt his temper rise again even as she spoke. "What, after all, could a creature of metal and who has experienced only killing know of gentleness?"
"I certainly have a much better idea than you!" Max shouted, standing with an easy hop, also hiding a gesture for his comrades on the walls to Stand, to not attack even though he himself wanted to. It would only make things worse.
"No need to get upset," Kayne interjected smoothly to both 'Forged and Cannith. "'Cooler heads always find the clearer solution,' as my father always said. I'm sure between the five of us, we can come up with something. As Skye said, I agree that what we are dealing with here is not the crimes at hand, but the life and happiness of from what I saw is a very special young lady." He looked at Eladrin. "After all, the Treaty freed all Warforged, and Cinder – or Cindy – no matter when she was made, is still a free Warforged with just as many rights as we here have." Then he addressed Max, his expression clearly showing that he was being sincere. "And I'm sure you, as 'her own kind,' can agree that she should be wherever it best for her." Max sighed, trying to calm down, though it was a struggle.
"Yes, on that I can agree."
"Well then, agreeing on what we're trying to work on is the first step." Satisfied, Kayne dusted off his gloved hands.
"Well put, Kayne," Skye praised, adding, "Even if a bit long-winded." Kayne huffed, putting a fist on a hip and half-turning to look at the Marshal.
"Well, what do you expect? I'm Aundarian!"
"Much to my constant disappointment," retorted the Brelander without hesitation. While Eladrin looked a little annoyed at this exchange, Max couldn't help but smile and almost wanted to laugh. Their playful banter hinted at a strong friendship that he found admirable, and calming to his temper. Mikaya gave a 'long-suffering' sigh that the Reforged knew was laced with her own playfulness and sisterly affection for the other two.
"One a Brelish Flame-worshiper, the other an Aundarian Host-worshiper." She gave Max a questioning look, as if seeking his opinion. "I've heard of a rock and a hard place before, but really!" Max chuckled.
"I don't think I want to know how you three ended up traveling together," he replied. "But I believe we should get back to the matter at hand: Cindy."
"Yes, Cinder," agreed – and 'corrected' – Eladrin, even as she got a suspicious look on her face. "Where is she, anyways?"
'Safe. I could not take the chance that you would return with soldiers. It's not that I distrust you, Marshal Skye. Just Lady Eladrin." Turning towards the door, Max called, "Cindy!"
Silence.
A bit confused, Max turned to peer into the doorway.
"Cindy?"
"Where is she?" Eladrin demanded to know. Feeling more concerned by the minute, Max looked at the place where he knew Shock had been standing. The entire group was suddenly visible as the spell was dismissed, revealing that Shock was still there and had not already taken Cindy away. By now, Max knew dread when he scrapping well felt it, and without hesitation he darted off the landing and fully into the back hallway, hearing the heroes and Lady close behind.
Max spun around the single corner in the hall, and froze in place when he realized that the secret door leading downwards was open.
The downstairs that was still trapped!
