Beyond World's End

ONE: THE PARTING of FRIENDS "Are you sure you really want to do this?" Beth asked Eric for roughly the five hundredth time in the past month.As a long-time stranger to big cities, it was hard for Eric to believe that there was anywhere in New York City where she could have been heard without shouting, but this strange little tree-shaded court was somehow as quiet as a desert canyon miles outside of Los Angeles -- and just about as hot. It was September, but there was no hint of fall in the air, and the leaves on the slender maples growing in their squares of earth allocated in the sidewalk were still green. Today was one of the shimmering-hot days that persisted well into October here, and the stone of the buildings surrounding them seemed to hold and reflect back every degree of heat. The buildings also shut most of the traffic noise out, making a private oasis in the heart of the city. Beth and Kory -- and their motorcycles cum-elvensteeds -- were the only creatures on the street besides Eric.Eric looked up at the old apartment building that was going to be his home for the next year or so, and nodded."I' m sure," he replied firmly. "Things couldn't go on the way they have been-and none of us wanted them to." Then he grinned. "Besides, you aren't going to be that far away by Underhill standards. And I'm a fully functional Bard now, remember? I can come visit you any time I want to -- or any time you guys are getting stir-crazy."Beth looked as if she might want to argue that point for a moment; then, instead of saying anything, she just sighed."You certainly aren't the same Eric Banyon anymore'" she admitted. "You not only have feck, but you know what machine to buy your clues from," she said, grinning proudly. "And I brought my own roll of quarters to put in the machine," Eric shot back, grinning.Earlier this morning, the three of them had packed up the last of their stuff from the friend's place they'd been crashing at between Faire weekends. The Sterling Forest Renfaire ran every year from July to September at a site about an hour north of New York City. There was even a Nexus there, Elfhame Everforest, the only one on the East Coast, tucked away in the State Park that surrounded the Fairesite.The three of them had been working the Faire together, just like old times. Only this time it was a farewell performance, and they'd all known it. It had added a certain sweetness to the music. But all good things must come to an end.He put down his two bags to hug her. "No worries, pretty lady. I'll be fine. The kids at Juilliard are already calling me 'old man, 'and taking bets on who's going to win the confrontations between me and the administration. Odds are in my favor, by the way."' Classes started on Monday, but he'd already been up to the school several times, for Registration and Orientation. It hadn't changed much in all the years he'd been away -- schools had a lot in common with Underhill in that respect.Beth traded places with Kory, who was not at all ashamed to bestow as hearty a hug on Eric as Beth had. "You do know the way Underhill, if you need to come," Korendil appealed. There was an unspoken plea in the elf's emerald-green eyes. "Do not allow pride to keep you from seeking your friends if you need help."Eric shook his shaggy head; haircuts had not been a priority either Underhill or at the Faire, and he didn't want to do anything about the length of his mane just yet. "Believe me, Elfhame Everforest is the first place I'll head for if I get into trouble," he promised. "Now, you two -- go! If you don't make some tracks, you won't reach Sterling Forest before sunset, elvensteeds or no elvensteeds, and this is going to be your last Renfaire gig before the baby comes. I think I can manage to move my last two bags into an apartment without help -- and take care of myself once I've settled in."They'd been staying with Bonnie and Kit up in Inwood -- a comiLackey, Mercedes is the author of 'Beyond World's End' with ISBN 9780671319557 and ISBN 0671319558.