The Road Ahead

Lloyd was less than happy and Sage more than surprised as the older man dragged in Ethan by his collar. The young man was in shock and looking sorry for himself upon stumbling across the two.

'Just what was it you think you were doing Master Grieve? Spying? Eavesdropping? Give me a good reason not to report you to the police right now.' Lloyd barked, dropping Ethan on his backside by the fire.

'I wasn't dropping no eaves sir, honest. And def'nitely not spying!' his eyes turned to Sage, wide and pleading. 'Don't let him hurt me Miss Sage, please! Don't let him send me to the coppers.'

'Lloyd, think this through. It's Ethan you've got here. He's the last person on the face of the earth that would ever rat us out.'

'What did you hear?' Lloyd ignored Sage and began his interrogation.

'Not a good deal sir. Well, something about a ring an' magic an' someone named Rex but nothin' that made any sense.'

Lloyd raised an eyebrow and scrutinised the young man for a moment before his face softened.

'I don't take kindly to those who meddle in the affairs of others but alas you have heard enough that you too shall become entangled. Sage has a great job ahead of her and seems to trust you above others Ethan; I want you to help her best you can. There will be people out there with the intent to hurt her; you cannot let this happen.'

Ethan nodded strongly and looked at Sage quizzically.

'Upon my life sir, and that of my old da's I'll do what I can.'

'Good. Now do us a favour and pack what you can for a long journey. Best make sure the two of you have some warm clothes. Things are going to get cold where you're headed.'

'Cold?' Sage questioned.

'Yes, I am sending you to the home of a dear friend of both mine and your Uncle's Sage. Lauterbrunnen is a place where you will find sanctuary and answers to questions. With any luck we may leave the ring there and hope the inhabitants can fare off the evil that approaches.'

'I've heard of that place I have,' Ethan started, 'Me ma told me and my brothers and sisters stories of that place when we were kids. There's supposed to be magic and elves there.'

Sage burst into giggles.

'Lloyd how hard did you hit him across the head?'

'He is right Sage. There dwell elves, great beings of light and much mystery. They will help you. But first I want you both to travel to Glasgow. There's a pub there called The Horseshoe Bar that I'll meet you at in a few days. I need to get organised now and visit an old friend. Be safe and be an inconspicuous as possible. We don't need the enemy to know your where about.

'Do not let your plans be known to anyone, not even those you trust. This is dangerous business.'

Lloyd said his goodbyes quickly and left. Sage was still in shock but not as much as Ethan. The two stood there for some time in silence trying to digest what had happened and had been said. But it was Ethan who made the first move.

'Guess we should get ready. Shall we meet back 'ere at lunch? Or later?' he asked finally as though in a daze.

'Let's leave at dusk. I'd feel safer if we travelled by the cover of night. We'll take your car too if that's fine. I think this Rex fellow will know my plates and be on the lookout for him.'

'Of course Miss. Pack what you need and I'll take care of the rest. Should have a bit of a nap too while you're at it.'

'Thanks Ethan, and for now, call me Grace. I can't go my name any more. Not until we're safe with the 'elves'.'

Ethan gave a nod and let quickly.

Sundown came far too quickly. While in theory the two of them were more than prepared, in her heart Sage was loathe to leave Bag End. She had no idea when she would get back and even less of an idea of what she was getting herself into. As far as she could tell, Rex Deimos was just a greedy oil tycoon type that would do anything he could to get what he wanted. At this point she wasn't scared for her life.

Sage met Ethan out in the front drive where he was finishing off packing his silver Ford Mondeo. It was his pride and joy next to the vast garden he'd created at Bag End.

'Well tha's everything Miss Sa… I mean, Grace.'

Sage cracked a smile and patted him on the shoulder.

'No more Miss anything Ethan. Just Grace.'

'Of course, Grace.'

The two finished up getting the car ready and found themselves less than eager to go. A car rumbled up the drive and met them. Perry and Ronen got out and looked at them quizzically.

'Where are you two headed?' Ronen asked.

'Yeah, and thanks so much for our invitation!' Perry added as he began to snoop.

'Oi, don' go touchin' anything!' Ethan all but yelled at him, slapping him across the hand as Perry made to unzip one of the more bulging suitcases.

Perry looked offended.

'I'm just looking! Geez!'

'So what's this all about? We were meant to have drinks tonight Sage, if you remember correctly.' Ronen ignored Perry.

Instinctively Ethan glanced around to make sure they weren't being overheard.

'Look, guys you know I'd love to but I've got important business to see to.' Sage explained, but her voice shook and showed her nervousness.

Perry and Ronen exchanged a glance.

'What is so important that it means ditching us?' Perry countered.

'Lloyd's asked a big favour from me and Ethan and I really need to get going. I'll see you guys soon though, yeah?'

'What kind of business could Lloyd send you on?' Ronen asked.

'I bet its boring archaeological stuff.' Perry mentioned under his breath loudly, meaning to be heard.

'You could say that.' Sage agreed, trying to speed them away.

'Naturally you can count us in then.' Ronen smirked. 'Beats hanging about here.'

'Yeah, all of our mates are busy this weekend. Why do you think we made plans with you dear cousin.' Perry added.

Sage frowned. Things were meant to be on the down low and she couldn't think of a good reason to get rid of her cousins.

'Look, we haven' got time for you lot to pack your stuff and Miss Sage needs to leave now.' Ethan stepped in growing frustrated.

'That's ok Eth, can't be going that far if you're driving. Got a jacket I'm sure we'll survive.' Ronen said nonplussed.

Ethan looked at Sage who shrugged.

'I guess it won't hurt for them to come as far as The Horseshoe, Ethan. If anything they can drive your car back here.' Sage offered.

Ethan was less than happy with the arrangement. They'd only been on the road for an hour and already the two young men were annoying him. In between arguing over the music and the fact that Ethan refused to play any Jay-Z (Perry's current favourite artist) or the fact that Ethan drove too slow for Ronen's liking amongst other things, Sage found herself stepping in frequently and called for silence.

'So I forgot to ask, where exactly are we taking this little road trip to?' Ronen asked, breaking the peace.

'We're heading to Glasgow. Lloyd's going to meet us there.' Sage replied, staring out the window.

'What's in Glasgow? Aside from nothing?' Perry asked.

'He wants to meet us at a pub there.'

'Always knew I liked Lloyd. Good man that one.' Perry approved with a wide smile.

'Actually guys when we get there and from now on for that matter, do you mind not addressing me by my name. Lloyd thinks for my safety I should go by the name Grace, ok.'

'What do you mean for your safety? Sage, why's he sending you there?' Ronen probed, now concerned.

'Secret archaeological business.' She insisted trying to avoid too many more questions.

They travelled for another few hours in silence. It was well and truly the dark of night by this time and the streets were much quieter. As they pulled up at a set of lights Sage looked in the side mirror and noted a black Mercedes stopped a short distance behind them. There were no discernible licence plates and the windows were tinted heavily black. For some odd reason it sent shivers down her spine and left her ill at ease. When the lights turned she tried to ignore the feeling they were being followed but after nearly an hour of keeping her thoughts to herself she finally spoke up.

'Ethan, how long has that car been behind us?'

'What car?'

'The black Mercedes. I've noticed it there for at least an hour now.'

Ethan looked worriedly at Sage.

'Can we take a detour? Just to be safe?' she asked quietly, trying not to wake Ronen and Perry who were sleeping in the back.

'Sure.' Ethan agreed but his voice shook and betrayed his confidence.

At the first available moment he took a left turn down a laneway and followed it to the end then turned back right so they weren't so far from the road they were meant to be on. Sage didn't see the black car following them, as she kept her eyes glued to the rear view mirror but all too soon she saw it pull out onto the street behind them.

'Ethan, it's back!' She whispered in a panic.

As the light ahead turned yellow Ethan floored it, revving the engine and barely making it through the light before it turned red. The Mercedes had the same idea and had no interest in slowing down and was catching up quickly.

Ethan took the next right hand turn, taking them onto the main road again not bothering to slow down and sent everyone in the car flying. Ronen and Perry woke up with a start.

'Oi! I know I told you to put your foot down, but this is crazy!' Ronen protested.

'Shut up!' Ethan yelled, concentrating on the road.

'They're still behind us!' Sage cried.

'Who is?' Perry asked, turning around seeing the car behind us.

'Don't know, but I'm sure they're no friends of ours.'

'I'm runnin' low on fuel guys, we need to stop somewhere safe.' Ethan interjected.

Sage got her phone out and immediately got onto Google Maps.

'Find the UN!' Perry squealed.

'Find the cops Sage. I don't think the UN can help us Perry.' Ronen said. 'Lloyd didn't mention the possibility of car chases did he?'

'No.' Sage admitted. 'Ethan, follow the road ahead to the roundabout and get off at Carleton Avenue.'

Ethan pushed the accelerator down hard and weaved in and out of a couple of cars ahead before making it to the very large round about. At the speed they were travelling the four could feel the back tyres fish tail slightly, but the Mercedes did not fall far behind.

'Turn right ahead!' Sage said, raising her voice over her cousin's panicked bickering.

Again Ethan spun the wheel but slowed down enough they would not over turn the car. They followed an empty street lined with trees and under the highway before they saw the building loom ahead. The Mercedes slowed down almost to a stop as they neared their destination. They stopped out front of the large building doors locked and ready to honk the horn like maniacs if need be.

Ronen turned to Sage, white as a ghost.

'Ok, Sage, what in god's name is going on?'