Pt. 25
The Swordsman knelt at the Lady's side, his head bent. "Forgive me, Lady. The King is right – I forgot my place."
Marianne sighed in exasperation. She tilted his head up to look in to his eyes. "There is nothing to forgive. He can be annoying, even for me. But he means me no harm, despite what he has done in the past. He loves me as best he can."
Dureena touched Galen's sleeve. "Are you all right?" she whispered.
He looked at her quizzically. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
"You've been locked up in your ship for over a day." Alwyn responded, looking at his young friend with worried eyes.
"I have?" Galen looked at his doppelganger in surprise. "You forgot to mention that little detail."
"Time is unimportant to us" Andre replied, laying a hand on the Swordsman's shoulder. "Isn't that right, my friend?"
The Swordsman rose and gently brushed the man's hand off his shoulder. "My apologies, little brother. I should have warned you that time had passed." He stood at parade rest, his hands clasped behind his back.
Andre sighed. "He really wasn't a threat to her, you know. He was just going to take her hand so he could play medieval King, like he always does."
The Swordsman frowned at the dark man. "Perhaps."
"Does this have anything to do with the end of the story?" Sarah asked, tentatively, eyeing their guests with concern.
Marianne sighed. "Andre, go home and keep an eye on our brother for me. He's probably dissecting that poor creature in the box. And take this one with you. I'll be along momentarily."
"No." the Swordsman replied, his back stiffening. "I will not leave without you."
"You'll do as I say," Marianne lashed back. "or you and I will have problems."
Andre sighed and waved a hand at the bulkhead. A glowing door appeared suddenly behind the silent figure beside him. "Come along brother. There's no use in arguing with her when she's in a bad mood. And from where I'm standing, she's not fit company for either of us."
The Swordsman shook his head stubbornly. "No. I will not."
"Oh yes you will," Andre replied calmly. "You'll do as you're told because if you don't she'll be angry, especially if you don't leave her to talk to these people while she still can. And you hate it when she's angry with you. Come on brother, she won't be here long." He laid a firm hand on the other man's arm and gently nudged him towards the door.
The Swordsman sighed and turned towards the door, allowing himself to be led away. He turned at the threshold and looked back at Marianne. "I will wait only so long, Lady. If you are not returned by the setting of the Moon I will return for you." He stepped through the door, followed by the other Mage. The door disappeared as silently as it had appeared.