The Road From Lost

They were called the "Trenchcoat Brigade" after they lost their horses.

"We can't really call ourselves the four horsemen if haven't any horses," Death mumbled as he picked at his cucumber tea sandwich.

And he had a point. Horses were just not going to cut it in today's modern world. A blaze of fire, perhaps, or motorcycles as Joe liked to daily suggest.

A young woman walked over to their table. "Excuse me," she said, "But I need to know something."

The four magicians of the Divine Order of Odd Fellows & Recreational Destructionalists looked over nonchalantly.

"Try the club sandwich, it's delicious," smiled Neil.

"Look," her words were clipped,"I know what you are doing here."

"Oh?" Neil leaned towards her,"And what's that?"

"You're here right on schedule, actually. You're here for the End," she leaned towards the lanky fellow. "I want to make you a deal."

Silence. Followed by polite chuckling.

"I have a goblin demon problem, and I wanted to offer you a trade. I lost Love," she began..."Boring," yawned Death.

"Not your version... not that sickly saccharine human version..." her face reddened, "Not that televised reality rendition or the lusty pole version...I lost it to a Shadow."

The men were silent.

"I know who you are. I know why you are here. I know that you know why I am here. And I can't do that if I don't have Him here...So I will make you a deal ...."

She felt a hand on her knee. She dug her heel into his shoe.

"I believe Love got lost..And You need to help me get him back"

The Deal

The man grimaced slightly.

"What could someone like you possibly want with love? What business do you have with him?" He grumbled as he looked towards the horizon.

"My business is my business," was her only reply.

"Fair enough, but are you aware of the perils you face on this journey? This is not an easy road. Travelling from Lost to Found is a path that very few have ever finished."

"I'm aware of the risks invloved, but it's a path I must take," she stared at him with wistful eyes.

"How much do you have?" The man's eyes twinkled at the thought of making a profit.

"All I can give you is all that I have."

"Lucky for you," he chuckled, "that's exactly what it costs."

"When do we start?" she seemed to say.

"We'll start right now. Leave all of your weapons here. They are not allowed where we're going. If you slow us down, we'll leave you behind. There is no chivalry on the road we'll be taking."

"I can handle myself," she replied as she wondered if she was convincing the men, or just herself.

"Please excuse our transportation," as he motioned towards five black horses that had suddenly appeared, "we're currently reviewing several new options."

"Have you ever thought about riding on the wind?"

"The wind? No we hadn't. Great idea, really. I'll bring it up at the next lodge meeting of the Divine Order of Odd Fellows & Recreational Destructionalists.

"She took one last look at all of the familiar things around her.

"Oh...and little lady: Consider this your first and only warning."

"What's that?" she glared at Death itself.

"The next time you step on my foot..." his face turned white and his eyes disappeared, "...you'll become a victim instead of a partner."