He received the message clearly enough late at night while taking a moment's rest at the inn. The signal was meaningless to those not familiar with the Tunnelers, and his return signal just as mild to let them know he would meet them presently.

Things were normal enough at the inn, and he observed the growing affections of strangers and friends with mild amusement or honest approval depending on who it was. That eased his mind, and lifted one weight from his shoulders. He could keep himself apart, shred feelings with duty, cast them aside as careless scraps of nothing. It was good to see, and hear, things were not becoming more complicated. He could do with a little less complication.

A flight of a raven from a nearby tree drew his gaze, its body black against the grey of the cold clouds. He watched its passage; a kinship flickered in a thought. He turned away from the street and walked to the back door of the store. Dagger drawn, he held it with the blade up just to the height of his chest, tensed and ready to block the inevitable blow that came when he stepped inside the stock room.

The ring of metal against metal was sharp, and the strike jarred the muscles of his shoulder. It was not merely a threat. Any unprepared would have their head or chest hacked, depending on the height. A nod to the guard who gave a grin, ?That dagger?s gonna be chopped away some day, master.?

?Might not be a bad thing,? Ewan offered coolly, only to spy the Master Tunneler approach from a side passage in the gloom of the poorly lit back room.

?Now, now, young master,? he softly crowed, ?what good would that do any of us?? His hand moved to Ewan?s shoulder to usher him further inside.

They walked down a short hallway and the Tunneler pressed upon a panel that opened to a room that could not be properly called a room. It was a closet, or small pantry, concealed surely. A man already inside pushed away from his lean against one close wall as Ewan and the Tunneler arrived.

?Master Corinsson,? he greeted. Ewan smiled and bowed. ?Your name is becoming a little too well known.

A laugh, Ewan asked, ?Because the more I move the more I sink?"

Both men joined in the brief laughter, but Compass spoke, ?No, because there are depths to you that can be very dangerous and you are still and quiet on the surface.?

A sobering expression, Ewan returned to the matter at hand, ?What is it that I can offer you that you would bring me into your confidence? What are these resources you desire??

?Hear that, Maze? This one does not waste time.? Compass grinned, then gave a sharp nod, ?You can teach us your skills, bring us respectability but keep us secret. We?re men of the city, we?ve our daily duties to tend to in the above ground, but we need someone in power who knows we?re here to help, as we always have, and to do so in the secret ways of our little group.?

Ewan understood clearly, ?You refer to that offer of security advisor to the governor?? Both men nodded, ?I have given clear reasons why I cannot take that position.?

?One of which is that you would be then too well known. I fear that is something you cannot avoid now. Your name whispered in corners, mentioned, albeit briefly, in various inns. The shadow and the man can not be separated for much longer.? Compass barely hesitated to mutter about the closeness of the room before going on. ?The other reason, no doubt, is that you have much weighing on your time, and this would add more. But rely on the Tunnelers to lessen the burden.?

?You are not fighters.? Ewan chided.

?No, not all, but some. We are eyes and ears and quick escapes.? Maze offered.

?And of my other reason? That I may be pulled away at any moment?? Ewan accepted at this point that Compass had thought through each point and knew his way through this conversation.

He had spoken with Sylvia first in the morning, of course. After the first few minutes of absolute unsettling silence, she had merely sighed, nodded and mutter something like ?You need to get yourself a girl and put off these foolish heroics.?

That was a good sign. If his liege lady was in the mood to tease him, then she must have only her normal concerns for his choices. ?You know me, Sylvia, always placing my heart in the wrong spot.?

?I did not say you always picked bright women to cast your affections,? she snarled, but then rested back in her chair at her desk and let him continue.

?Anyone I?ve cared for has always loved someone else. So let me throw my passions into another arena and let my heart be still.?

Her hands cast upward in frustration then fell to her lap, ?You?re a mortal man, Ewan. Has too long a time among immortals and those that come back from the dead given you some sense of invulnerability??

?Of course not, but Mistress Death and I still have a merry dance to step through. She will claim me one day, but I?ll not hide from her just because this is her court and she makes the rules.?

He watched her think through so many things as he stood there, relaxed, knowing full well that he risked much in the asking, but that this time it was worth that risk.

?I think, though, I would rather you have this position. Maybe you will get some sleep if you learn to delegate. It was something I had difficulty learning, but you are already on that path. Perhaps it will not be a problem for you.? They shared a smile, before she dismissed him with saying, ?If you,? she stressed that word, ?need help, we are here for you.?

So with that knowledge, he made his way back to town. Zesperis was glad for the night ride, whickering pleasure at the canter and the feel of the cool air as they went. He trusted her to warn him of danger, and let his mind wander through the myriad paths and connections realizing how much his heart ached behind the walls he built when a memory rose up.

?What will it take, my friend, for you to be that impetuous young man again? You?ve aged too quickly.?

He offered a smile to her, knowing he blocked her ability to read his emotions. Their time had passed, and now his love was better placed in friendship. Of the people he confided in, she was where he confessed his heart. What sense was there in hiding it if she dare pressed, she would learn. ?It will take someone else making the first move.?

She had laughed at him, ?How shrend, Ewan, but rather forward thinking for a man of your upbringing. Unfortunately, the women you favor are not of the kind to do so, and the kind that are to do so, you do not favor.? She lent him a perfected pout even as her eyes turned green with humor, ?What a sad situation.?

Ewan laughed low and shook his head at the memory and the truth of it. A sad situation indeed and he would ignore it. The more he moved in that realm, the more he sank, and there was nothing there to rescue him.

The city began to build up around him as he rode Zesperis into town. He made his way to the inn to find Kitty, or perhaps she would be dueling this night and he would have to make his way to the Arena. Wherever she would be, he would find her and see if she still wished him to serve.

He would rescue himself.