Mystery 


"But you have fulfilled your master's words."  Adaz spoke in a subdued 
voice.  "The timely entry of Celene into the war turned the tide.  It 
is only a matter of time until Ee is defeated.  Your destiny and his 
met and, by you, he failed.  There is no need to do more."  
	Sutekh shook his head.  "The war isn't over yet.  As soon as 
Fax falls, all forces will converge on Stoneheim.  I must be there.  I 
must face him."  Adaz, her eyes downcast, slowly turned and moved a 
few steps away from him.  
	Sutekh was very confused.  Adaz had not been her fiery self 
lately.  For the last few weeks she had simply followed along behind 
him, doing what was asked of her and little else.  Her eyes, once wide 
and curious, had become downcast and humble.  
	Adaz drew a deep breath and slowly let it out, reaching a 
decision.  She turned back to Sutekh.  "I will not be able to go with 
you on any more scouting trips."  
	Sutekh wondered what she was getting at.  "And why is that."  
	"You won't let me."  Adaz glanced briefly into Sutekh's eyes, 
reading puzzlement.  Taking both his hands in hers she continued.  
"Sutekh, I don't know how or why," then she met his gaze, "but I'm 
pregnant."  
	After a long silence Sutekh finally asked, "Does the father 
care?" 
	Adaz bowed her head, squeezing her eyes shut to hide the tears 
she felt rising.  "I do not know how it happened, literally," she 
forced the last word, then she dropped his hands and turned her back 
on him, walking away to a nearby wall of the garden.  
	After Sutekh overcame the shock he came up behind Adaz, 
slipping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her 
shoulder.  He could think of nothing to say, so he simply stared at 
the wall while Adaz's weeping tore at his heart.  
	Sniffing, Adaz spoke.  "I had such dreams for us..."  Her 
voice broke on the last word.  
	After several minutes she spoke again.  "Sutekh, I love you, 
no other.  There is no one else.  How could there be in this country?  
With the exception of the queen and Federick, the elves are too 
haughty to even recognize that I exist.  You are the only reason they 
tolerate my presence, and a good many them are still more than willing 
to slit your throat."  
	Sutekh longed to tell her that he loved her, but he could not.  
The way things were going he would face Ecthalion before the end of 
the month.  He knew he would not survive that meeting and he believed 
that, if Adaz was given any hope now, she would not recover from his 
death.  
	"I'm so scared," Adaz said after more silence.  "You are the 
only one who I can be close to, yet, since Bernaldo's death, you have 
thrown yourself into battle as if you want to die.  Sutekh, please 
don't leave me alone.  Not now," she pleaded.  "I cannot face this 
alone."  
	"I promise you that I will stay out of danger until our armies 
reach Stoneheim," Sutekh replied hesitantly.  "But then I must face 
Ee."  
	Adaz was silent, though her body shook from time to time from 
her silent crying.  Sutekh could only hold her tight.  Thinking of 
nothing to say, he let his mind wander over their times together.  By 
the time Adaz had relaxed he was remembering how they had first met.  
"Some days you just walk past the wrong alley," he sighed.  
	"What are you talking about?" Adaz said as sharply as she 
could, looking for any distraction.  
	"Our first meeting.  You happened to pass by an alley in which 
I was doing a little work.  Those sharp ears of yours picked up the 
sound.  Then, even though I was invisible, you trailed me to a nearby 
roof top where I was inspecting my prize."  
	Adaz sniffed again, but smiled none the less.  "I didn't need 
my sharp ears, you did a terrible job.  You're just lucky that someone 
else didn't happen by."  
	"So I had to hit him four or five times.  He was drunk, I 
doubt he felt it until the next morning."  
	With a single laugh Adaz turned to Sutekh.  A genuine smile 
lighting her face, she threw her arms about him and squeezed her love 
tight.  Holding him as if she would never let go, she heaved a great 
sigh.  "Sutekh, I'm so scared."  
	"I know, Adaz.  I know."  


						Jeff Stehman