GEDDOE - prologue

Geddoe stared at the letter on his desk, no longer reading it but letting his fingers glide over the dry ink absently as he went over its contents in his mind, but he was also thinking of its writer.

It had been a long time since he had seen Queen. A lot had happened in the past five years. His thoughts often drifted to the events of the past, but he couldn't say he missed the way things used to be.

Glancing out the adobe window of his dojo in Caleria, Geddoe caught sight of his lover and smiled. No, he wouldn't go back to the way things were for any prize. Jacques was all he needed now. Queen's letter disturbed him, though, and with a tightening in his chest, he realized that just one of many nightmares was coming true.

They'd always known that his having possession of-or rather, being possessed by-one of the 27 True Runes would end up hurting them somehow. He wanted to stay with Jacques, always, but if he didn't age, and Jacques did, then eventually...

Their old friend had written to him hastily, her words scrawled across the page, but whether from excitement or fear, Geddoe couldn't say. Yet Queen had clearly been distressed to relay the news: Sasarai was dead.

Maybe I should just go on alone, he thought, but the notion was dismissed as quickly as it had crossed his mind. Jacques would never let him leave alone, and would follow if he'd tried. Besides, Geddoe knew that he didn't want to live without Jacques. He couldn't.

Sighing, he left the letter on his desk and walked out of his small office to the main room of the dojo. He was glad for the heat keeping everyone away. It didn't look as though he'd have to worry about disappointing any gym rats today. He opened the wooden double doors and lifted the green welcome mat that signified he was open, giving an approaching young man a flash of a smile in apology before ducking back inside, rolling the mat and leaning it against the wall. Making sure he had his key in his pocket, Geddoe stepped outside, locking the doors behind him as he went to break the news to Jacques that they must soon leave their home.