The ship belonging to Eramus' acting troupe was currently anchored in tropical waters and even at night-time the air was balmy. As he stood on deck, dressed in the nightgown Sara had given him for his last birthday, looking out at the ocean that stretched out endlessly before him, Leorin thought of his old home, far far away and of his parents: His father hoisting him up in the air. His mother smiling kindly, as she bent down over his bedside to kiss him good-night. Mostly though, Leorin thought of his sister and what had become of her. Would he ever see her again?
Leorin's vision blurred and he felt something wet on his cheek. The Sound of approaching footsteps, lightly treading the deck planks reached his ears and in the next moment, Sara, wearing her own nightgown, was by his side.
"Trouble sleeping?" The Porcupine-girl asked.
"Yes" the black cat replied. "Sorry If I woke you" he added, apologetically.
Sara shook her head, as if to tell Leorin not to worry about it.
"You were thinking about Risha, weren't you?" She asked.
Leorin nodded.
"Do you think they are still out there?" He asked. "She and the Princess?"
"Of course." Sara looked at Leorin with surprise. "Don't you?"
"I want to" Leorin sighed. "Its just...sometimes I can't help but fear the worst."
"Its not like you to be this pessimistic" Sara remarked. She moved closer to Leorin, taking care not to accidentally prick him with her quills and took his paw in hers.
"Listen, I may only have met them briefly but both your sister and her girlfriend struck me as two people who can take care of themselves. You'll see each other again, have fate."
Leorin looked as if he was considering Sara's words, then he nodded slowly.
"You're right" he said. He turned to Sara, a smile brightening up his previously gloomy features. "Thank you, I feel better now."
Sara shrugged.
"Think nothing of it."
As the two youths stood there, looking into each other's eyes, raindrops began to fall. At first, there were only a few of them, but soon the sky itself seemed to open and whole legions of drops rained down on the deck. Still holding each other's paws, Leorin and Sara hurried back inside.
*****
Following the directions that had been given to him, Jeraddin arrived outside Shasham's Tea-House. Stepping inside, he was immediately approached by a well-fed hyena wearing a fez and a welcoming grin.
"Welcome, General" the cat said, bringing his paws together and bowing. "I am Shasham, it is an honor for me to have such an honored person as yourself as a guest in my humble place of business. Follow me please, she is waiting for you."
Having returned Shasham's greeting, Jeraddin followed his host through the tea-shop. As they walked past the tables, the lynx noticed several pair of eyes turning on him; some expressing interest, others thinly-veiled hostility. One customer leaned forward and whispered something to neighbor and Jeraddin could clearly hear his own name being pronounced.
They probably think I should go back where I came from, Jeraddin thought. Believe me, there is nothing I'd rather do.
"Here it is General", Shasham said, as they made halt in front of a curtain which kept one part of the tea-house separated from the rest. He pulled the curtain aside and beckoned for Jeraddin to enter.
"Hello, Dad" Risha said, smiling at her father as he entered the small room.
"Hello, Risha" Jeraddin replied, smiling back.
He decided not to comment on the hookah-pipe next to his daughter, but simply sat down opposite her at the low table standing in the middle of the room.
"I haven't kept you waiting too long, I hope?" he asked. "If so, I apologize."
"It's fine, Dad. I'm just happy that we can sit down together, the two of us. After all, we haven't seen much of each other since I helped you take Guanaca."
That's true, Jeraddin reflected. The Two of them had been busy this past week; each keeping to their own schedule, sometimes only passing each other briefly, like two ships in the night.
"So, what have you been up to?" He asked.
"There's a caravan leaving here in four days" Risha said. "It will pass through where Miriam comes from, so she and I will join it."
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Jeraddin asked. "If so, you know you need only to tell me."
"Thanks, Dad. I know I can count on you, but I have everything I need."
Just then, Shasham entered carrying a tea-tray which he put down on the table.
"At last" Risha said eagerly. "Shasham makes the best tea in the World."
"Is that so?" Jeraddin said, raising his left eyebrow slightly.
"Ah, General" Shasham said, holding up his paws. "Your daughter exaggerates. Nonetheless, I am flattered that she should think so highly of my work. I hope it shall please you, as well."
With that, the portly hyena bowed and took his leave. Risha poured some tea into a cup and handed it to her father.
"Here Dad, see for yourself."
Jeraddin accepted the mug and, took a sip. His eyes widened slightly.
"You were right" he said, nodding appreciatively. "This is excellent, easily the best tea I've had in a long time."
"Told you so. You know, Dad, along with getting to see you again, the taste of Shasham's tea will be one of the few genuinely pleasant memories I'll take with me from this city."
"How exactly did you find out about this place?"
"Once my former master decided that I could be trusted not to escape again, he occasionally allowed me to leave the palace grounds and venture forth into the city. Accompanied by an escort of armed guards, of course."
Jeraddin looked at his daughter as she sipped her tea. There was a peacefulness about her that had not been there when last they had met and it warmed the lynx's heart.
If she wants to tell me about the past five years then I shall listen to her, with all the sympathy a father can offer his children, he thought to himself. But, if she wishes to forget it, then I shall let her to do so. The Important thing is that I get to spend time in her company, something I had almost begun to doubt that I would ever do again.
As for Risha, her thoughts were at the town plaza five days ago, the day of Bashar's execution. She had stood in front of the crowd, so close that she could look directly into the fennec's dead eyes as he knelt on the scaffold. When the axe fell, Risha's soul had leapt with joy. At last, she was free. Never again would she be summoned to Bashar's bed, those nights were gone forever, henceforth to be reduced to nothing but unpleasant memories. Then and there, she vowed that no man would ever have that kind of power over her again.
"How's Mom doing?" She asked suddenly.
"Your Mother was doing fine last time I saw her" Jeraddin replied."She misses you and your brother terribly though."
"I miss her too, Dad and I know Leo does as well. Wherever he is now."
At this point, the cups had been drained, but there was still some tea left in the pot.
"Do you want a refill?" Risha asked.
Jeraddin thought for a second, then shook his head.
"Thank you, I'm good."
Risha reached for the tea-pot, then changed at her mind and withdrew her paw. She raised her empty cup and twirled it around, staring at it intensely, her mouth a thin line.
"Is something troubling you, my dear?" Jeraddin wondered.
Putting the cup down, Risha looked at her father.
"Dad" she began, after a moment's hesitation. "I have a confession to make: I did not just invite you here for tea. There's something I want to tell you, about myself." She paused and shook her head, a bitter smile on her face. "It's stupid, I know that this may be my last chance to do this and yet now, as I stand on the threshold, I find myself hesitating to step over it."
Reaching across the table, Jeraddin put his large, strong paws on top of his daughter's
"Risha, let me tell you something: Twenty-two years ago, the midwife came out of the bedchamber and told me that I had just been a father for the first time; that Nasari had given birth to a healthy baby girl and when I first saw you I could hardly believe my own eyes: It seemed incredible that I, who, in the service of my King and country, had taken so many lives had now helped to bring a new one into the World. You are my precious daughter; there's nothing you can tell me that will make me stop loving you."
"Do you promise?"
"I promise and if your Mother was here, she'd tell you the same."
Feeling reassured by her father's words, Risha took a deep breath and then, she stepped over the threshold.
"I had originally planned on telling you this five years ago" she said afterwards. "I had finally gathered enough courage, but then the King was murdered and everything changed."
"I'm glad you told me now. Does your brother know?"
"He does, he actually figured it out himself, believe it or not."
"After you left Vinoli, did you and the younger Princess become a couple? Back in the camp, I realized that you called her by her name and not her title."
Risha nodded.
"Dad, I've missed you and I miss Mom and Leorin, but I miss Merees the most. Without her, I feel...Incomplete."
"You'll see her again" Jeraddin said, comfortingly. "I'm certain of it."
"Thanks Dad. You always knew exactly what to say."
****
Four days later, the caravan was at the city gates, ready to embark. Risha and Miriam were there, both dressed in travelling clothes and wearing daggers in their belts.
"Take care of yourself, Risha" Jeraddin said, as he embraced his daughter.
"You too, Dad."
The Gates swung open and the caravan began its long, long journey. Jeraddin climbed up on the walls and stood on the parapet, looking at it as it gradually grew smaller, until finally, even his sharp eyes had trouble distinguishing it.
