Within three hours, Brian was walking through the streets of Via San Carlo, following Howie to an opera house; the Teatro di San CarloTeatro di San Carlo Teatro di San Carlo Teatro di San Carlo. They had already stopped at a shop along the way, where Isleen had gone inside and bought them all clothes to wear for the trip. They were now casually dressed, yet in clothes sturdy enough to withstand all the travel, both physical and magical. A part of Brian was still amazed that they had made this trip in three hours, magic or no magic.
He paid no attention to the beauty of the area. It was lost on him, his mind centered on only one goal. When they reached a large building, Howie took hold of both their arms and strolled around it, heading toward the back. Brian could feel a small pulse from Howie. “What are we doing? You said they were in there.”
“Yes, they are.” Howie said patiently, still moving around the building. They walked along a small path, through beautiful trees. It created a nice, park like setting in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of a busy street. He led them to a small bench, where they took a seat. “But, if we walked in there without a warning, they’d most likely flee. What I did was send them a greeting, so to speak. It carries my trace all over it, so they know that it’s me, and lets them know we’re out here. Give it time. They’ll come.”
It wasn’t even ten minutes later that a couple came strolling towards them. Hand in hand, they looked ready to head to a ball. The gentleman had dark hair, and was on the taller side. His features and coloring were obviously Italian, as well as that of the woman’s. Her hair was just as dark, and piled on top of her head in an elegant up-do that was obviously done for the stage. Howie had said the two were opera singers. The woman was small, almost petite, and her face was wreathed in smiles when she saw Howie.
She moved away from the gentleman and stepped forward, taking Howie’s hands in hers and kissing him in greeting. “Howi, it’s so good to see you!” she gushed. She moved over to Isleen, giving her a hug as well as a kiss. “As it is you, Isleen! It’s been far too long!”
“It has, Sofia.” Isleen said softly. She turned to the gentleman, holding out her hands. “Marzio. You look well.”
“Grazie, Isleen. You look good, as well.” Marzio kissed her cheeks, offering her a smile. His head lifted, looking around them. “I see you bring a new friend.” He said, grinning. He stuck a hand out, and Brian took it, thinking to shake. It surprised him when he was pulled in for a one armed hug and his cheek was kissed. Then Sofia was hugging him, kissing his cheeks, and chattering on in what he assumed was Italian.
It was Marzio who struck on the head of things. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at them all, and their tired faces. “Cosa c’è? What is wrong?” he asked.
Howie sighed, one hand coming out to rest on Brian’s arm, offering him support. There was no easy way to say this, and it looked like Howie was having a hard time. Brian lifted his eyes, staring at the two. He had to be hard. Hard as steel. If he wasn’t, he’d never be able to do this. “Roth has Alyck.” He used AJ’s real name, figuring these two would know it. He assumed that, by the shocked looks on their faces, and the gasp that came from Sofia, he was correct. “Roth had captured me, and tortured me. He’s found a way, using spirit, to keep an immortal alive, yet hurt them as if they were mortal. He can control everything, from your healing to your magic. Everything. Alyck traded himself to Roth in return for my freedom.”
There was no hesitation as Sofia rushed to him, wrapping him in her arms. He felt oddly comforted by this pixie of a woman. “But of course, we must go and free him!” she said, turning her head to the others. “A lui si deve. We owe him our lives.”
“Of course.” Marzio said, reaching to take Howie’s hand. “We will help in any way we can, amico. But what can we do against one so strong?”
“This one here, Brian, he’s almost as strong as Alyck is.” Howie explained, gesturing to Brian. With all of us combined, and him, we should be able to at least break the hold that Roth has over Alyck, long enough for him to get out of there.”
The couple moved back together, holding tightly to one another. There was no doubt, no fear or hesitation on their faces. “Then there is no time to waste. We shall leave now.” Sofia said, her partner nodding in agreement.
Brian felt his heart lighten. Two more on their side. Only two left to go.
“Has anyone reached Geoff yet, or Richard?” Sofia asked. When Howie said that they hadn’t, her face grew thoughtful. “I can try to reach Geoff. He carries a cell phone more often than not.” She said. “As for Richard, we could go and get him. You said this one here is new. Your time might better be spent trying to teach him the basics, and allow me to go and fetch Richard.”
“You, ma chérie?” Marzio asked, looking calmly down at her. Sofia was nodding. “You have more strength and years than I. There is much he could learn from you. I will take Isleen; we will cover the distance fast.”
Everything after that seemed to happen in a blur. The group of them moved as they made their plans, and Brian felt as if he was caught inside of a whirlwind. Within the hour, Sofia and Isleen were on their way to fetch Richard. Geoff had been called, and was rushing to meet them as quickly as possible; and Brian, Marzio and Howie were out on the boat, pushing out and anchored down at sea.
They wasted no time in settling Brian down on the deck. They knew that they had no hope of teaching him to master weaves, but they wanted to teach him how to protect his center as best as possible.
As he sat there, practicing his breathing and staring out at the waves, hope blossomed in his chest. They might actually be able to do this. I’m coming, Alex he thought to himself. Hold on, please. I’m coming for you.