Fae's Duty: An Ultimatum
Well, if his mind's made up... I guess I have no choice. I turned away from him and began gathering my meager belongings together.
"What are you doing? I won't give up any information about this place, I promise!" He tried to pull me down onto the bed, but I pulled away.
"How much pain can you withstand, Fiyero? Do you really want to find out? They could and would torture you, and it's too much of a liability for you to keep seeing me."
And if the Wizard has anything to do with it, he'll take us all down.
"I love you too much to give you away. How could I? Stop, you really don't have to do this!"
I pulled out my only bag and started putting everything into it. "Yes, I do have to do this. The law of our organization says that no two members may know each other. If they do, they cannot know their present locations. Even you, as a new member, should know that."
"Who says we have to play by the rules? We already broke the rules… You ran away from school to go undercover, and I am committing adultery. What's to say it can't happen again?"
There's much, much more at risk this time, Fiyero my love... "It already has to the extent that we are here discussing it. Either leave the organization, or I'm moving."
He looked sadly at me. I could tell he was seriously considering my ultimatum. I closed my bag with a snap and turned to him. "Well?"
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Once Fiyero left, I went into town to buy dinner and a newspaper. Sure enough, front page news covered the death of an official of Oz; I didn't know him, but I had to assume he had been our target.
I flipped to the real estate section. I preferred to find an abandoned den, but if there were an apartment handy, I would take that. I needed to get out of my current habitation as soon as possible; Fiyero wanted to move in.
Fiyero was out in the open too much, living at an inn, in the middle of Oz. He had asked me if he could move in, and while I thought it was dangerous, I allowed him to do so.
Hmm… all of these are too obvious, too open. Maybe I'll have to go for the abandoned approach after all.
I headed for a street corner where I knew one of the organization's officers could be found. We had been instructed to come to the corner and leave a note for him when we needed instructions or any help.
I had already written the note:
I am in need of a new hideout as soon as possible. The newest member has taken over my old one and it is too dangerous to remain there. Any help you could provide would be welcome. I greatly appreciate the information, and I await instructions for our next mission. I will return in approximately 24 hours and check here for your response. Your humble servant, Fae
I folded it up and slid it between the bricks of the house on the corner. I hoped he could get back to me quickly, as I couldn't afford to be exposed in any way, but I had to give him at least 24 hours.
I couldn't return to Fiyero's hideout; it was too risky. I was hampered by my belongings, but I could at least find a room at a local inn for the night. Spending more than one night would, of course, be exposing me.
As I walked down the road, it started to rain lightly. All I could do was wait and stay dry until the inn's rooms were ready…
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RS: I didn't leave you with too much of a cliffhanger there, did I?
Elphie: Not really. I guess I'll be bored for the next few hours until the inn opens up, anyway.
A/N: I'm not sure how much time I'll have to write over the next month. It may be a while before the next chapter comes out. I'll do what I can, but don't hold your breath…