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Chapter 14:

Quinn? Is That You?

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Jaff passed the gated stonewalls and entered Tazwiir’s commercial district. The crowded metropolis looked exactly as it had the last time he was here. A blocky skyline, marble roads, merchants on every corner, and the worst humidity in all of Midaharia.

The best part about passing through the commercial district was the aroma of freshly baked bread. He lowered his tagelmust to take in the welcoming smell. Any other time he would stop and fill his bag with a month’s supply of it. There was no time for that today.

Jaff entered an open door tavern. He looked over the room, searching for a familiar face. He spotted her seated at a corner table, but she wasn’t alone. He was tall and dark. Some would say handsome, as well, if they preferred the hairless type. The man wore civilian clothes, but anyone that spent time in the capital would know one of the Emporer's five generals when they saw them.

The general's name was Lahan.

Jaff ducked back outside. “I knew I couldn’t trust her,” he whispered to himself. His thoughts drifted back to the moment he first laid eyes on her beneath the streets of Khalm.

It seemed like ages ago when he used a Rebirth to shapeshift into Quinn. When the Ahrman hit him with lightning his heart stopped and his rune left him. Without it, he shifted back to normal. If Farah hadn’t been there to resuscitate him, he wouldn’t be standing here today.

He thought he could trust Aiden in her care until they met again in Tazwiir. Now he wished he hadn’t. “Farah! If you’ve handed Aiden over to the emperor..!”

He stole another glance at the two then returned to hiding. They were too far away for him to overhear their conversation. He needed to get in unnoticed. As he looked over his surroundings, a gray tabby cat rubbed against his legs.

Jaff opened his right palm and stared at the glow of the Rebirth of Transformation. In an instant he morphed into an orange cat, scarring the tabby cat away.

Jaff casually walked over to an empty table next to Farah’s and hopped in a chair.

“I hope you’re not lying to me, Farah,” general Lahan warned.

“I assure you, he’s real,” Farah insisted. “I planned on bringing him here with me, but I could not.”

“You tell me he’s dead. Where’s his body?”

Jaff straightened his ears.

“I’m not sure. I searched the river, but I couldn’t find him.”

“You must have hit your head when that chariot crashed. You’re not thinking like a Khalina.”

“What?”

“You said you saw the boy will a Rebirth into being. If that’s true, then all of those runes are at his disposal, including the Rebirth of Death. I suggest you go back to that village and find him before the Ahrman.”

“They do have control over that area, don’t they?”

“For now,” Lahan said, leaning back in his chair. “You know, I’m going to have to inform the emperor about this Farah.”

Farah reached forward and placed her hand on his. “Lahan, I was relieved when it was you who responded to my letter. You’re the only one of the five generals I consider to be a friend. As a friend, I’m asking you to not tell the emperor about Aiden.”

“Farah, I’m obligated by the crown to inform the emperor,” Lahan replied, putting his other hand on top of hers. “Just as you were obligated by your clan to kill the boy the day he was born.”

Farah lowered her gaze. “You know I tried.”

“Out of respect for our friendship, I will leave your name out of my report to the emperor.” Lahan rose to his feet. “Now, I must be heading back to the capitol. Be well, Farah.”

Jaff watched Lahan as he left the establishment. Once he was out of sight, he jumped out of the chair and morphed back to normal. “I don’t know why I thought I could trust someone like you,” he said, thumping his hands on Farah’s table.

“Jaff, where have you been? We were supposed to meet hours ago.”

“Where’s Aiden, Farah?”

Farah sighed. “Maybe in a fishing village not far from Nabiil. I can show you where.”

“Forget it. I’ll find it myself.”

“Jaff, I’m coming with you. I told Aiden I would protect him. I have to honor my word.”

“You just threw him to the wolves!” Jaff paused. He looked around the room at the curious eyes that were staring at him. He sat down at the table and lowered his voice. “How are you going to protect him from the emperor’s generals and their Rebirths?! I’ve tried hiding him from these people all of his life! Now, they know where he is all because of you!”

Farah stood up, locking Jaff in a stern stare. She walked over to the entrance and stopped. “If we want to reach Aiden before the generals we need to leave now,” she said, turning to Jaff. “Are you coming with me this time, Quinn?”

Jaff threw his hands up in frustration. He met Farah at the entrance. “Don’t call me that. Quinn died in Khalm,” he said, leaving the bar.