Chapter 13: A Star Without Fault~
A long moment passed, and a silence fell, and Mycroft ordered food for himself as well, and went and sat beside the Major, something weighing heavy on his mind, that could only be disclosed in confidence to a man who knew the weight of guilt. Sherlock had dismissed himself, and had bought breaded fish, and mulled wine, and sat in utter silence, picking at his supper, and periodically checking his mobile.
John had stood for a while in the ringing silence ,a cool ,teary wind rising like breath from the sea, running its fingers through his hair, like a mother fare -welling a child. He shook his head ,speechless, wondering what on earth had just happened...pondering the path his life had taken. And then, unable to bear the silence, or the sorrow of the wind anymore, he went and sat beside Sherlock, arms folded.
"So...are you going to explain to me what just happened?"
"A gambit with the devil..." Sherlock answered, taking a long sip of his wine.
"Please, tonight, speak English to me. What was that about?"
Sherlock set down the wineglass, and turned to John ,piercing his soul like the arctic mist, in the way he looked straight into his eyes.
"I have played this "Game" back into my hand. He knows that we are at a stalemate, whatever he does now, I can trap him in it. But I must protect my friends from his brutality, and so neither of us are ready as yet to move. I have given him an open-ended invitation to meet in person, and make parley. Settle the score between us,...no lives lost..."
"Except...for yours...That's what that "plotting your own murder" bit was about?"
Sherlock made to ignore the question, taking another long almost nervous pull off the wine, before John grabbed his wrist, and pulled the glass from his shaking hand, and took him by the shoulders, forcing him about to facing him.
"Look...at...me..." he pleaded, and Sherlock did. And for a long moment they stared at one another, not knowing what to say.
For what does one say to the man who dies to protect him with out a single question about his choice?
A star without fault, his best man...and would he remain in the world, the night embodied, an asylum for falsely accused warriors, and broken souls?
"Are you at risk of being made into a human sacrifice for us again?" John asked, wading into the question reluctantly.
Sherlock smiled, pale features flushed a winter evening red from the wine he'd been drinking...
"Yes."
Silence pervaded, silence like that shocking sound that followed the great oak to the ground, when the mighty tree crashes to ice-hardened Winter's floor.
"If I was wrong, if there was another way...If I could be saved ,John...would you save me?" Sherlock asked out of the blue.
"Would I?" John laughed,bitterly. How dare he ask such a question, after all that he had done, how could he deserve anything less in return?
"Of course I would...Even if it were impossible...I wil find a way."
Sherlock let a calm slow smile spread across his face.
"Then there should be nothing to fear, should there?" he asked, as his mobile came to life with a text.
He held it up for John to see .
THE GRAVEYARD. YOU KNOW THE PLACE. RIGHT NOW. BRING DOCTOR WATSON, THE MAJOR,AND YOUR QUIVERING BROTHER TOO.-SM.
Sherlock nodded, raven hair shaking like autumn leaves being murdered by the Winter's cold dark soul.
Sherlock looked up at John, and John took his face by either side in firm hands.
"Look into my eyes, and listen very closely to what I say to you ,Sherlock Holmes..."
Sherlock swallowed, preparing himself.
"I promise...on your soul. You will not Fall again." he smiled then, near tears for the umpteenth time since he'd received Sherlock to himself alive.
"I know." Sherlock reassured, with a nod, and a smile.
The two got up to roust Mycroft and Sholto, who were looking their way already with concern.
"I believe my brother's life, is now in your hands." Mycroft said softly to Sholto.
"Mine."
"Consider it a chance at redemption. Doctor Watson will try, but he will fail without your support. Only you can save the young men now. So, do so, Major, redeem yourself!"
The Major felt a darkness coming over him, and the weight of responsibility...he knew what he would have to do...