In a tea shop not far from the forest, Seth and I sat in a booth near the window. I was sipping on tea and Seth was devouring a chocolate muffin. I keep forgetting that humans have to eat more often than we do.

Seth swallowed and put down his empty muffin wrapper before speaking. “So, you’re saying that you and your team were falsely accused of murder by your old commander named Enyo because you have some dirty secret on her that would ruin her career. You also are three thousand years old.”

“That is a crude way of putting it, but that is correct.” I replied, taking a sip of my rose tea.

“That you died over three thousand years ago in ancient Egypt, and because of your godly mother’s blood you will never age.”

“Yes.” I put down my tea, and looked at Seth.

“And you think I am some kind of help sent from your mother, the cat goddess, because you saw her name burning on a tree over my head.” Seth glanced at me from across the table looking for verification of this seemingly insane reality.

“That is correct.” I sighed.

Knitting his eyebrows, Seth continued. “How exactly am I supposed to help someone who has super powers?”

“I was hoping you could tell me.” I said picking up my tea, and downed the now cool rose flavored liquid. “Well we could start by looking at my map.” I pull my map out and spread it across the table. “Here are the places I have been. Each “X” is a prison I have searched.”

“Have you only searched prisons?”

“Yes. Where else could they be? They are some of the best trained killers Duronya has ever seen.” As soon as I asked this I saw my logical error. Of course they could be kept somewhere else. To think Enyo was so predictable was an assumption I shouldn’t have made.

“I mean… this Enyo doesn’t have to keep your friends in only prisons. Is there anyone you know of that she trusts? Anyone who could house your friends in secret.”

“I….. Well there is this weasel named Aurelio. He is close to someone in Enyo’s innercircle. He might……” I shuddered. “The thought of seeing him again.” I felt cold. I stared at the map hoping it wasn’t true. I couldn’t go back and see him. Seth must have read my expression because he looked concerned.

“What is it about him that is so repulsive?”

“It doesn’t matter now.” I said shaking my head. “He is our best bet.”

“So that’s where we’ll start.” He said with a grin folding the map.

“I guess so.” I said shaking my head. “But….” I paused rethinking the plan.

“You know I’m right. If this Enyo person is who you say she is, she would keep your teammates somewhere you wouldn’t dream of going. Am I wrong?”

I grimaced. I did not like where this was going. To meet with Aurelio was suicide. He was known to deal in the black market and would do anything, sell anything, for a price. That along with his underground passtime, this is an encounter I am not looking forward to. I sighed.

“Fine! I’ll talk to Aurelio, but before that, you could use some work on that smell.” I pinched my nose and smiled. “You reek.”

“Hey!” He smiled and lightly punched my arm.

“But seriously. You smell horribly human. A shower, a change of clothes and you could pass as a newly diseased demigod.”

After Seth washed off in a nearby lake and changed his clothes into ones I found, we went out and looked for a place we could set up camp. We settled for a place on the beach. It was slightly hidden by boulders surrounding a dip in the shore. Seth and I decided to sit on some rocks and discuss our next move.

“If I am going to talk to Aurelio, I am going to have to go into town first. I have an old friend that would know where Aurelio is. So you stay here and….”

“Wait a minute,” Seth retorted, throwing his hands up to interrupt me. “I want to go with you.”

“No, it’s too dangerous.”

“But.”

“No buts about it. You are staying here. I can’t afford to lose you. If you are the help I've needed for the last century, I cannot lose you. Besides I won’t be long.” He crossed his arms and pouted. Then finally threw up his hands in defeat.

“Fine! But what am I supposed to do until you get back? If you hadn’t noticed all that’s here is sand, rocks, and water.”

“Read a book.” I turned and made a portal. He looked around.

“What book?” I snapped my fingers and a pile of books appeared at his feet.

“What?!”

“There, books to read. I’ll be back before dark.” With that I stepped into the portal and disappeared.

Seth picked up and looked at one of the books. It was an old cracked book, and was very thick. It read Egyptian Gods 101. He sighed and turned to page one.

***

I arrived at a village in the middle of a desert. It was a small village, and by the looks of it, it was too big for the number of people who actually lived here. I approached a house that stood in the middle of market square. Sand was covering the drapes and floor. The house I wanted was more of a hut made of compacted sand. Pulling a cloth door back, I entered to find it full of assorted dishes. At the back of the hut I located someone who was working here.

“I am looking for Aadish.” The girl nodded and went into the back. I turned to the dishes and turned one over and looked at the price tag, then it turned to dust in my hand with the tag fluttering down. Looking up I saw a sign with a hand and a red circle with a bar across it. I heard a rustle of beads behind me, and a small voice addressed me.

“He will see you now.” She said with a small bow. I whipped around and nodded. She held the beaded curtain back and I entered a dark narrow hallway. She squeezed past me and, holding the candle aloft, she led the way. She finally stopped at a small hatch at the end of the hallway. Stooping down she pulled the hatch up with a horrible screech. She looked at me and pointed down the pitch black hole. Looking down I could barely see a ladder leading down.

“Do I get a light?” I asked.

“No” she replied as she stepped past me, and the only light source in this cramped hallway walked away. I entered the black abyss quickly, while I still had some light. I descended the steps slowly, but I still managed to miss a step and fall flat on my back. Groaning, I picked myself up and surveyed my surroundings. This new hall was somehow smaller and pitch black. The only thing I could see was a small orange light coming from under a door a few feet away. I made my way to the door and entered. It was a small room with a table in the center. On the table there was a candle, the only light source in the room, and at the table sat my old friend Aadish.

When he saw me enter he got up with a smile on his face.

“Ah! Old friend! Please, come, sit down.” he motioned to the spot across from him. “So, What brings you here? Not to break my plates I hope.” He grinned. As I flushed with embarrassment.

“No. I’m here for information on the location of Aurelio's new market.”

“What do you want with that man? Not to join his little club I hope.”

“You and I both know that will never happen. I would rather return to prison.” I crossed my arms.

“Never say never old friend, and let’s keep you out of prison. You are more helpful here.” he smiled, then he grew serious. “You shouldn’t have come here. You need to leave.” He got up and started looking nervously around the room.

“Aadish.” I said raising an eyebrow and getting up. “I just need the location, and I’ll be on my way.” he grabbed my hand to shake it.

“I’m sorry old friend, I don’t know his location. It has been a pleasure seeing you again. Say hello to your new companion for me.” My eyes widened. How did he know about him so soon? He looked at me seriously. That’s when I understood that word travels fast here, if he knew, then Seth was in more danger than I thought.

“Goodby Aadish.” I said and ran out of the room. As I did I looked down at my hand. There a piece of folded paper rested, I pocketed it and ran faster.