JACE
The dragon glared at Jace with hard glass eyes, and grumbled, "I see you return bearing no head."
Jace straightened his back and cleared his throat. "There was no need, great Firemind. I saw the woman my sources identified. While she does bear a striking resemblance to Liliana Vess, she is definitely not her."
"You should have killed her anyway," Niv-Mizzet hissed, "just to be sure."
"I would know Liliana Vess in an instant," Jace replied. "I can assure you, it is not her. The woman I saw doesn't even sound like Vess."
"You spoke to her?"
"Once I was sure she was a different person, yes."
Suddenly, the dragon's massive head was right before him. Jace managed not to visibly startle. He breathed deeply and raised his chin.
"You are not lying to me, Beleren."
"No, I am not. There is no indication at all that Liliana Vess has been living on Dominaria since the day her servants saw her killed. My sources were mistaken. Nevertheless, I have instructed them to keep watch and continue reporting back to me."
A low growl rumbled from the dragon's throat, the sound amplified by the chamber. Jace realized at that moment that he hated dragons. They were like gigantic snakes with gaping maws. And claws. And wings. He shivered.
"Very well," said Niv-Mizzet. "I trust you will update me, if anything changes."
"Yes," Jace answered with a nod.
The dragon waved a clawed hand dismissively. Jace offered a slight bow and backed away. He was happy to oblige and leave the dragon alone in his lair.
Outside, a cloaked figure met him in the street. Now, he nearly jumped.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered angrily. "I told you not to follow me."
"And I told you I'm tired of being your prisoner," Liliana whispered back. He couldn't see her eyes, but he imagined she was glaring at him with a scowl.
He took her hand and drew her to follow him through the streets. Even at night, Ravnica's streets were not empty, although there were certainly fewer people than there would be at the height of the day. He glanced at Liliana, grateful at least she had the wit to wear one of his cloaks to hide her face. He was still angry that she would take such a risk, though.
"So, what happened?" she asked, letting her voice rise now that they were far enough away.
Still paranoid, Jace cast a muffling spell to keep their conversation private as they walked through the streets. He didn't want to take any chances.
"He…seemed to buy it."
"I still think we'd be better off bringing him a head."
"If it comes to that," said Jace, "then we'll do it."
"How can you be sure he's not going to send out some of his own people to investigate? Now that even the possibility I could be alive has been put into his head, he won't let it go so easily, Jace. I told you this was a bad idea."
Jace rolled his eyes but didn't reply. She did have a point.
Suddenly, she said, "I'm hungry. Let's stop in a tavern and get something to eat."
"You can't be seen in public, Lili. Especially now."
"Can't you just…cast an illusion to make me look like someone else? Come on, Jace. I've been trapped in that house for two weeks. I want to live a little."
He sighed heavily. "Fine."
A few seconds later, Liliana was made to look like Chandra, and Jace led her into the nearest tavern where they found an empty booth and waited for a server. Liliana smiled and looked around. To Jace, she still looked like herself but with an energetic overlay that only he could see through. To everyone else, she looked like a cute red-head with short hair and artificer's goggles on her head. It was an odd juxtaposition.
"Just like old times," Liliana mused. Then her face fell and Jace reached across the table to take her hand.
"Hey, don't think about it," he said. "Those times are long gone. From now on, we're making new memories."
She smiled faintly and gave a slight nod. "Yes, you're right."
The server approached then, asking if they would like food, drinks, or both.
"Oh, definitely both," said Liliana.
The server looked at her, and for a moment Jace worried they could see through the illusion. Their face didn't register any sort of recognition, though, as they said, "All righty, here's a couple o' menus. Can I get you some drinks while you look 'em over?"
"I'll just have tea," said Jace.
"And for you, miss?" asked the server, turning to Liliana.
She cast a look at Jace from the corner of her eye and smiled. "Rum punch. Extra rum, extra punch."
"Okay, I'll make it a double," they said with a knowing wink. "I'll have those drinks right out for you."
And with that, they were off.
Jace shook his head. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"What?" asked Liliana, leaning her arm over the back of the seat. Thankfully, there was no one seated in the booth behind her, or she might have struck them with a bony elbow. The last thing they needed was to draw attention to themselves.
Releasing a sigh, Jace said, "Just…don't get carried away. You need to keep your wits about you, at least until we're back at the house."
"Ay, ay, Captain," she joked, raising a hand in salute.
"I wish, for once, you'd take this more seriously."
"Jace, look around you. Nobody's paying us any attention. We might as well be invisible. Relax. Trust your illusion and just enjoy our first night out as a married couple."
He took in a deep breath and tried to relax. She did have a point. Not a single person in the tavern was even looking at them. Everyone was in their own little world. Jace knew he couldn't relax too much, though, or the illusion would be broken. That's why he chose not to have anything more exciting than tea. Even if Liliana wanted to live it up a little, he needed to maintain his focus.
Jace reached across the table and took her hand again. "Okay, you're right. Let's enjoy this night out. I know you've been needing a little more freedom. I just…want to protect you. That's all it is."
"I know," she said, smiling across the table at him. "And I appreciate it."
The server returned with their drinks. Liliana immediately took a sip of her extra large drink. Jace almost laughed at her eagerness. He, on the other hand, would wait for his tea to cool.
"Are you ready to order or can I give you a couple more minutes?" the server asked.
Jace glanced at the menu. He hadn't even looked at it, but he didn't want too many interruptions, so he picked the first thing he saw that looked palatable. "I'll take the fish."
The server nodded then looked at Liliana. "And you?"
She pointed at the menu, and said, "I'll take the shepherd's pie."
"You got it," said the server, collecting their menus and walking away.
"You always did like shepherd's pie."
She smiled. "You remember."
"Yes. I also remember that it's never salty enough, so you always add more."
Her smile broadened and she met his gaze. "I love you, Jace."
"I love you," he replied. "And I hope someday, we can sit here together and you can just be you."
"If we survive the coming battle, maybe we can." Her face fell again and she placed a hand over her forehead.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
She inhaled and seemed to force a smile. Then she nodded. "Yes, I just…felt a little faint for a moment."
A flash of panic had him scanning the server's mind to be sure they hadn't recognized Liliana and decided to poison her drink. He quickly determined that was not the case. A further scan revealed no one in the tavern could see through the illusion, and no one had tampered with the drink. Having confirmed all was well, he began to relax again.
"Maybe you shouldn't be drinking," he suggested.
This was met with a cool stare. "I'm fine. It's not the drink. I only had one sip." Then she took another, as if to prove a point. "Mmm, delicious. I haven't had one of these in years. You know, they don't have rum on Arcavios."
"They have it on Ixalan," he responded. "If we'd stayed a bit longer…"
"On that deserted island?"
"There are other islands, you know. I just wanted to take you to one where we could be alone, without interruption."
"Maybe next time," she said with a smile, leaning across the table to plant a kiss on his cheek.
"Careful. You look like Chandra to everyone else."
She snorted with laughter. "That's who you made me look like?"
"It was the easiest at the time. But I don't want people thinking me and Chandra…"
Again, she laughed. "You're right. That would be entirely unbelievable. Wouldn't want people to see through the illusion too easily." She paused, and then asked, "Do I look like Chandra to you?"
"No, I'm the only one who can see through it. But even you wouldn't be able to see through it, if you caught your reflection in a mirror."
"Well, that would be unusual," she said, taking another sip of her drink. "I have half a mind to go to the ladies' room and have a look."
"No, don't do that, because I need to keep you near me so the illusion remains intact. I don't have the energy to keep it up if you're too far away."
"Guess that means you'll have to join me in the ladies' room if I need to go…"
"Please, try to avoid that at all costs." His face grew warm and he cleared his throat.
A short time later, their food was delivered and Jace was not surprised when Liliana salted her dish after the first taste. It was one of the first things he had noticed about her, way back. That seemed like ages ago now. So much had changed since then, so it was something of a relief to see that some things remained the same. He watched her eat with a smile on his lips. And for just a moment, Jace could forget about the Phyrexian threat. At that moment, it was just he and the woman he loved enjoying a night out, and everything was perfect.
LILIANA
The sky was still black and Jace was fast asleep when Liliana woke up and found herself unable to go back to sleep. She felt queasy and her head was pounding. She felt absolutely ragged and wondered how on earth she would manage a 'walk through the Blind Eternities in her condition. Perhaps she should postpone her trip one more day…
Her stomach churned and she ran to the bathroom. When she came out ten minutes later, Jace was sitting up on the side of the bed. He looked up when the door opened, and asked, "Darling, are you okay?"
Liliana groaned. "I had too much to drink…" She paused and held up her hand, "And don't say 'I told you so' because I don't want to hear it."
She plopped onto the bed beside him and lay with her head in his lap. He gently stroked her hair and, thankfully, remained silent. That was, until he suggested, "I think you should stay home and rest today. You can return to Strixhaven tomorrow. Or, better yet, I can always go fetch them while you stay here and sleep off your hangover."
"No, I have things I need to take care of," she said, half arguing and half complaining. "You know that."
"Can't somebody else do it for you? I'll tell them that you're too sick to travel. They'll have to understand."
"I just need a couple hours or so, and then I'll be able to make the trip. I'm not putting it off a whole day, Jace."
"You used to be so good at delegating," he said with a smirk. "Now you're starting to turn into me."
She reached up, weakly, and covered his mouth with her hand. "Don't talk."
He chuckled and plucked her up, pulling her to lie beside him on the bed. She felt like a rag-doll, being maneuvered by him so easily in her weakened state. It was worse than summoning sickness, or the fatigue that came with 'walking. Hangovers were generally something she tried to avoid, and it had been many years since she'd had one this bad. She was grateful to be wrapped in his arms at that moment, knowing she was safe—though she would never admit it.
"It's okay," he whispered into the darkness. "You don't have to."
With a low growl, she reached up and let her hand fall over his face with all its weight. He chuckled and pulled her hand to his lips. Then he held her hand to his chest and kissed her forehead.
"I've got you," he whispered. "And I won't leave you 'til you feel well again."
Somehow, she managed to fall asleep in his arms. When she awakened a few hours later, Jace was sitting at the table, picking at a plate of scrambled eggs and toast. The moment the smell of the eggs reached her on the bed, her stomach churned and she immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom. Jace was staring when she came out a few minutes later and leaned on the doorframe, covering her nose and mouth.
"Please, eat that somewhere else," she implored him.
"Um…okay," he said, picking up his plate and getting up. "Are you, okay?"
"Just…get that out of here and I will be."
When he left, she returned to the bathroom one last time and waited until the smell had fully dissipated. Then she went out and sat on the side of the bed, holding herself and staring forlornly at the carpet. He came back a short time later, holding up his hands, and saying, "It's just me. No eggs or butter or whatever it is that was bothering you. I even washed my face and hands before returning to you."
She looked at him without lifting her head, as he came toward her and knelt on the floor in front of her. Taking her hands, he asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I shouldn't have had two double rum punches," she said. "It's okay now for you to say I told you so."
"I'm not going to rub it in," he replied. "I can see you're suffering enough as it is."
He got up and sat beside her, pulling her to lean against him and continuing to hold her hand.
"I still think you should stay home another day. Or two. Strixhaven can wait."
"I think the best thing for me is to get back to work," she insisted. "And if I don't appear, the twins will think I've abandoned them. They were so tremulous. Well, at least, Rowan was. She's very independent, don't get me wrong, but she needs more support than she would ever admit."
"Sounds like someone else I know."
Liliana squinted her eyes at him and flicked the tip of his nose. He took her hands and brought them to her lap, holding them down so she couldn't do it again. Then he leaned forward and kissed her. When he pulled away, he said, "Stay home. One more day."
"And do what, exactly? You're busy with your research—you don't have time to sit here and take care of me. Especially when I've done this to myself."
"I'll bring my work and sit with you, so if you need anything, I'm right here."
So, he did just that. Liliana appreciated all the effort he was taking, and she did feel better having him nearby while she lounged in bed wearing only a thin robe in case someone came to the door. Jace worked quietly at the table and looked up at her every once in awhile—when he wasn't completely absorbed in his research, which was not often. She, meanwhile, lay there and wondered why she couldn't hold her alcohol as well as usual. A faint hope sparked within her, but she wouldn't dare entertain the thought, knowing all too well it was going to end the same way it always did. Nevertheless, as she lay there watching Jace work, she let her hand drift down to her lower abdomen. Even though it was soon going to end—and really, it was for the best—she wanted to pretend just for a moment there was a chance…
AJANI
Ajani looked at the cards in his hand and, were it not for his leonin face masking his pleasure, he might have given himself away. The chances that his opponent had a hand better than a straight flush was minimal, at best. This game was as good as his—best two out of three—and then all the coin they had laid would be his. Not only that, but his opponent would be responsible for paying the tab. Ajani waited, trying not to betray himself as he stared into Teferi's gaze with a single blue eye.
"All right," said Teferi. "Moment of truth, my friend. Show me what you've got."
Some of the other drinkers in the tavern had gathered around for this third and final round between the old friends. Ravnican fondness for drink and cards had infected Ajani, and his frequent visits to the tavern had begun to draw a lot of interest. He was good, but somehow Teferi almost always bested him. This time, though, it would be different. With a fanged smile, and conscious of all the onlookers, Ajani laid down his hand and sat back in the chair, his white fur-covered arms crossing over his broad chest.
Teferi sucked in air between his teeth. "Well, my friend," he said, his tone suggesting loss. "It looks like I'll be getting my drinks for free tonight."
Ajani's eye grew wide as he watched his old friend lay down a royal flush. As Teferi rose and laughingly began to scoop up the pile of coin from the center of the table, Ajani's eye flashed in fury, and he slammed his fist on the table as he jumped to his feet. "This is not fair! You cheat!"
Teferi looked at Ajani in surprise and stood back with his arms crossed. "How long have we known each other, Ajani? I would never cheat, and you know it."
"You win the best two of three every time! Now, I am sure you are cheating!"
The onlookers watched with keen interest, perhaps hoping for a fight. It would likely not have gone to such an extreme between the two friends, but Jace's sudden appearance—standing right beside the table, as if he had been standing there invisible for quite some time—seemed to diffuse the situation, at least partially. The onlookers started at his sudden appearance, but Ravnicans were used to magic and they quickly lost interest.
"Jace!" exclaimed Teferi, clapping him on the shoulder. "Finally decided to come for a night out, eh? How long were you observing?"
"Not long," said Jace. "Good game?"
"No," growled Ajani. "He cheats."
"I do not cheat, Ajani," insisted Teferi. "I've just been playing this game a lot longer than you."
"He wins all the time and I always have to pay for his drinks!"
"Guys," said Jace, keeping his cool, "there's an easy way for me to solve this. Teferi, would you mind?"
"Not at all," said the ancient-but-youthful looking time-mage, holding out his arms. "I have nothing to hide."
Jace turned to Ajani. "If I find he's not cheating, do you trust me to tell you the truth?"
"I trust you," said Ajani. "You have nothing to gain from siding with him."
With a nod, Jace turned back to Teferi and stood still. His eyes began to glow that soft white-blue color they always did when he drew mana to direct into a spell. When their minds connected, he could see clearly how Teferi's mind worked when he played cards.
He gently broke the connection and turned to Ajani. "There's no sign of dishonesty, Ajani. No cheating. Teferi wins fairly every time."
Even his leonin features could not mask his displeasure as Ajani crossed his arms over his chest, and growled, "Fine. I will accept this, but I still don't like it."
"Aww, come on, Ajani," Teferi teased. "Don't be a sore loser. You win some, you lose some."
"Yeah, well this time, you won a lot. That was all the money I had left on me, other than what I'll need to pay the tab."
"Maybe you shouldn't have gambled it all away," suggested Jace, logical to a fault.
Ajani was about to object, but then he remembered Jace was a mind-reader, so it was pointless. Instead, he held out his arms in a helpless gesture, and said, "All right, fine. Maybe I have a bit of a gambling problem. But I blame him."
He pointed a clawed thumb at Teferi, who chuckled heartily. "Okay, I may have opened something I shouldn't have. How was I to know you would take it so seriously, my friend?" Then he pulled out a few coins from his winning pile, and offered, "Here, I'll pay this time. But you take the coin up to the counter and settle it for me."
Even his leonin features could not mask his displeasure, as he growled, "No, a deal is a deal. I will not have you take pity on me."
He stalked off, grumbling.
TEFERI
When Ajani walked away, Jace turned to Teferi, and said, "Remind me never to play cards with you."
"I would think one could never win a match against you," said Teferi, honestly surprised by Jace's compliment.
"Well, I could cheat easily," admitted Jace. "A younger me would have done so without any qualms. But playing honestly, I don't think I could outwit you on this one. You have an incredible mind for this."
"As I said," Teferi said with a laugh, "I've been playing for a very long time. Ajani's good, though. He's a quick study and he's beaten me a number of times. I expect one of these days, he'll outplay me for good."
Jace smiled faintly but said nothing. Ajani was just coming back, and saying, "All right, Teferi. I've paid your tab and mine. Next time, though. Next time, you'll be the one paying. Just you wait and see."
"On that day," said Teferi, his hand over his heart, "I will gladly pay my dues. I won't go easy on you, though, old friend. You don't learn to become a better player by people going easy on you."
Ajani nodded in apparent understanding. Then he turned his one blue eye on Jace, and said, "It is good to see out of the house, Jace. But what brings you here? Surely, you did not come to watch Teferi destroy me in a game of cards."
While his face reddened a bit, Jace admitted, "I'm…just a little bored…."
"He's lovesick," Ajani purred in amusement, his clawed hand raised as if to hide what he was saying from Jace. "Never thought I'd see the day!"
Teferi smiled. "Indeed. Usually, you have plenty of things with which to occupy your time. That bad, huh?"
Jace let out a sigh. "Well, you know…it's not that I don't have things to do. I just…" he shrugged, "like having her around when I'm working, I guess."
With a chuckle, Teferi said, "I remember the feeling. It's good to feel that way sometimes. And I'm afraid I can't speed up time for you…"
Ajani gave him a look. "You make that joke a little too often…"
"It never grows old," Teferi quipped.
Ajani scowled.
Then Teferi asked, "How long will she be gone?"
"Three days," Jace sighed. "She has to…administer the final exams to her students and take care of some administrative duties while she's there."
"That's rough," said Teferi, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder. "I sympathize with you, my friend. It's never easy being away from the woman you love."
A reddish hue spread across Jace's cheeks again, and Teferi decided it was time to change the subject. "Well, come and sit with us. Let's have some drinks and enjoy a night out for a change."
Ordering drinks for all three of them, which he paid for using the money he had won at cards, Teferi distracted Jace and Ajani from their woes by telling them stories of his travels. They had heard some of the tales before, but there was always more to share. After all his time in the Multiverse, Teferi had a lot of stories to tell.
Eventually, after a few beers and a couple of stories, Jace had stopped moping and actually seemed rather jolly. Teferi was glad to see him cheering up. A forlorn Jace was not a very useful Jace, and his brooding always put a cloud over everyone in the house. Teferi often wondered if Jace was aware of the way his moods affected everyone else—something about the way his mind was so interconnected with theirs, the way he could so easily link up with them, seemed to have some sort of bleed-through effect.
Taking a long drink from his mug, Jace said, "This is very good beer. How have I never drunk here before?"
"Best in Ravnica," said Teferi. Then, with a smirk, he added, "And believe me; I've tried it all."
Jace chuckled and lifted his mug. "To the best beer in Ravnica, then."
Teferi and Ajani both lifted their mugs and echoed his sentiment. After taking a drink, Teferi lifted his mug again, and added, "And to the Gatewatch. May we have every success when the time comes that we must prove ourselves worthy again."
"To the Gatewatch," Jace and Ajani said together. Then they all drank a second toast and began discussing their next plans for when the twins arrived.