“I didn’t ask for your help, and I’m not even sure that was truly helpful. I think you may have pissed them off even more than I did.” Finn snapped as he searched the room quickly for Fiona. The last thing he wanted was one of his own left behind at that assembly.
“She is safe in the Darklands, but not in here. I didn’t want to listen to her. Fiona has such a sour disposition these days.” The woman sighed and sat up straighter in the throne. “I may have pissed them off, but I gave them plenty to think about, and with me at your back they won’t be so quick to trouble you again.”
“Who are you?” Finn demanded in exasperation. Everything had moved so quickly since she had arrived he felt like the room was still spinning. He really couldn’t say what he thought of the entire situation, but he was fairly certain it wasn’t good.
“Exodus. Forgive me for not introducing myself. I thought beginning my act with introductions would steal a bit of my thunder, and I needed my presentation to leave them spinning in their seats.” Exodus smiled apologetically and shrugged at him.
“Exodus.” Finn repeated dumbly as he tried frantically to determine what Aspect the woman must represent. “Why did you help me and what do you want in return?” he asked in a calmer voice.
“I helped you so you would help me. As to what I want…” her voice trailed off and for the first time since she had arrived in the sand pit she seemed unsure. A slight frown creased her full lips and she rose from the throne. “I have power amongst the Aspects, but as far as my followers go… Well they are not powerful in a worldly sense, but more of a personal sense. They are capable individuals, but no one of significance in the grand scheme of things. You however have very powerful allies in the sunlit world.”
“Jala.” Finn concluded with a frown. He didn’t like where this was going at all. With a sigh he nodded for her to continue, but he doubted he would like what she had to say.
“Jala and Nephondelvayon, and others.” Exodus agreed with a quick nod. “You see the problem is this. I have many of my followers locked away and they pray to me to save them, and I can’t, I’ve tried.” Her voice cracked with genuine pain and she shook her head quickly fighting back tears. “Each prayer from them is like a knife in my gut and I have tried everything I can to save them short of a personal rescue, and you saw how the Aspects react when we get personally involved in mortal affairs.” She waved a hand toward the man still sitting on the stairs and stared at Finn with a look of pleading on her face. “Nix is the finest of my servants and he is the most capable sneak I know and even he hasn’t been able to free them. He has tried half a dozen times to answer their prayers and I’m afraid if he continues trying I will lose him. You must understand, Finn, Nix is my Seth, I cannot part with him. I would be utterly lost.”
“And you think Jala or Neph can succeed where he has failed?” Finn asked in confusion. Neither of his friends were the least bit sneaky and the thought of sending Jala into danger was not one he would even consider. She lived with enough danger in her life and Finn wouldn’t ask her to endure more.
“I believe they have enough political power to pull strings in the mortal world. I am truly desperate here or I would never even consider resorting to something as distasteful as the legal approach.” Exodus explained. She rubbed her face and turned away from him as she paced toward one of the walls. “Close to a dozen of my most devoted and one of my most powerful followers are rotting away in chains and with every day that passes their faith in me diminishes. If you cannot help me with this I will go myself and to hell with the Aspects opinion on the matter. I’m not even sure how much longer Charm will last in captivity. He has been there so long and his prayers are so weak now. If I delay much longer he may be in your domain soon.”
“Charm?” Finn repeated and the image of the wiry little Fionaveir sprang to his mind almost instantly. A faint smile creased his lips as he realized what Exodus was asking was something he could help her with, but she was requesting the help of the wrong people. Shade Morcaillo was the ideal person for the job. He was friends with Charm and he owed Finn whether he realized it yet or not. “It’s amazing how everything seems to just fall into perfect place at times.” He murmured as he relaxed against one of the pillars lining the room. “Let me make sure I have this perfectly straight before I go any further with this. You are the Aspect of Thieves and you have a dozen or so cut purses locked in a prison that you can’t breach. You want me to send one of my friends in to rescue them. Am I correct in what I have deciphered from your words?”
Exodus nodded slowly. “More or less I suppose. I am the Aspect of Elusion, the Patron of the rogues and the Mistress of the clean escape, but most consider me just as you have by only one of my virtues. And yes, you have understood me perfectly.”
Finn smiled at her and nodded once. “Just so we are clear for the future. You didn’t need to bother with the theatrics. Had you simply asked for help I most likely would have helped you.” He paused and his smile grew wider. “And I will help you with your problem, but it’s not my friends you need for this job. The one this requires is most certainly not my friend, but he owes me.” He snorted with amusement and shook his head. “A favor to repay a favor to repay a favor. What a complicated mess.” Finn added with a sigh. “Give me time to settle things in my domain and I will see that your people are freed. Just one thing Exodus.”
“What’s that?” Exodus asked in a brighter voice. It was obvious his words had done wonders to lift her spirits.