The White Dove

 

Spoiler alert: READ LSODM BEFORE THIS

Written by Vinette Riddle

Grand Mage Zafira Kerias had not gotten a lot of information on what happened in Roarhaven. She only just got reconnected with her lead spy and detective, Vinette Riddle. But by then, she decided to go over herself. She already was on an airline since most of the teleporters were unable to assist her. Vinette had sent her an address after she told her the plan. She kept the real reason behind her visit; Erskine Ravel. She had always believed that the two of them had a secret and unspoken love. He had always been a tiny bit nicer to her than any other of his supporters. She wanted to believe that he loved her, she knew she loved him however. Zafira was already on her way to the rental cars. They seem backwards to the cars in America. That's how weird Ireland was. Zafira paid for her car and punched in the address, a café in Dublin. Zafira followed the automated voice to the little café and immediately saw the detective outside. She was sipping tea and checking her e-mail. Zafira circled at least 20 times around the block to find a parking spot. She walked up and sat beside the detective. "You know" Vinette began "If you don't tell someone all the details but they want you're help, you look very suspicious."
"Detective, I do need you're help. But this is a sensitive matter."
"I'm assuming you want me to properly fill you in."
Zafira nodded.
"In short, Darqusse came out and ended the battle. She didn't kill anyone truly important but ... Erskine."
"What happened to him?!" Zafira demanded
"Darqusse did something to him. He feels 23 hours of pain. He has 1 hour to do whatever but it starts up again."
"Can't they use painkillers?"
Vinette shook her head. "No. Nothing will help."
Zafira looked down at the ground. She felt warm tears roll down her cheeks. "I heard" she began "that he was dead. I wish it was that over ... This."
"I'm sorry Zaf. Must be hard."
Vinette offered Zafira some napkins. Zafira took them and wiped her face clear. She looked at Vinette. "I can take you to him. His pain-free hour is in about 22 minutes."
"Where is he?"
"Well, he's in the sanctuary's medical bay."
Zafira frowned. He was in the jaws of the enemy. To go would practically BEG to be arrested. But Erskine Ravel ... Every moment wasted is a moment she could be with him.
"Take me to him. Now."
Vinette smiled. "I knew you'd take the risk. Stay put." 
She ran off around the back. Zafira decided to look at her laptop. Most of them were e-mail's tapped. Ravel to Ghastly. Pleasant to Cain. Countless tapped e-mail conversations. That's why she was sent over here. She was the best. Vinette came back riding a motorcycle. Zafira hesitantly got on. Vinette started and she was not even remotely slow. Maybe triple but definitely double the speed limit. In a matter of minutes they arrived at the sanctuary. Vinette opened a secret passage. The two Americans walked down the corridor. After some time, they arrived. Nye was right there. Vinette pulled out a rather large wad of cash. "Tell no one Nye."
It didn't object. It walked over and began counting the money. Zafira didn't need Nye to find Ravel. He was still screaming in pain. She followed the screams into the holding cells. There he was. Laying on a prison bed, in pain. A few moments, he was still. She smiled. "Erskine."
He smiled and looked at her. "My favorite American. Hello Grand Mage Kerias."
"I had to come to see you! I didn't know how you were!"
"Grand Mage, it is good to see you. You took a great risk by coming here. If you were caught ..."
"It would be worth it. To see you again."
He sat up and went closer to Zafira. She put a hand through the bars. His hand was as cold as ice but she didn't mind. "I wanted- no, needed- to see you."
"I feel the same way." He whispered.
A moment passed and she could see every detail on his face. The faint lines on his face from all the pain and stress. The shimmering traces of tears in his eyes. An explosion. She felt an explosion in her whole body. Not of pain, but of passion. They were as close as two people could be. Another moment and they were separated again. "Zafira. We should be this close. All the time."
Zafira smiled again. She felt she couldn't stop smiling. "I agree." She paused. "Is this ... A proposal?"
He smirked. "I guess it is."
They kissed again. And again. And again. They were entwined in each other.
"I'll get you out of here. Some how, you'll be with me. In America."
"How?"
Vinette coughed. "Sorry to break the honeymoon plans but someone's coming."
Vinette drew her scythe. Zafira stood next to her, dagger in hand. Footsteps neared. Zafira knew who was going to come around without any hints. Karma was going to show its ugly face. Vex walked around the corner. "Grand Mage Kerias. And friend."
"We aren't here to fight, Vex." 
"Too late now." Vinette muttered.
Vex moved first and threw energy at Zafira. She dodged the beam but only just. She took some shadows and whipped them at Vex. Vex was hit and stumbled backwards into Vinette. Vinette used the staff part of the scythe and jammed it into the back of his neck. Vex, on the ground, rolled over a threw energy at Vinette. Vinette's shoulders were bleeded and a chunk and been blasted off. She backed away into the wall near Zafira. Vex stood up, only to be knocked over by a blue haired girl with a tray of food. "Oh, i'm sorry Vex. My mistake." The blue haired girl said as she was getting up. 
Vex was already on his feet. Zafira threw her knife and grabbed Vinette. She shadow-walked away.
Vex walked away but with a knife engraved into his leg. He went to find China. China looked upset. "Vex, what happened."
"Grand Mage Kerias and another woman broke in."
"What were they doing here?"
"Making plans with Ravel."
"Well then, we need to tighten security. Also, get some people to search the country. They may still be around."
*************************************
"They're going to come after us. Are we still going to go ahead?" Vinette asked.
"I'm not leaving him here." Zafira replied
"Operation ..." Vinette began, trying to give it a title.
"Operation White Dove. Yes."