What first struck Risha when she looked at her brother was how much he had grown. For the past five years, whenever she had thought of Leorin, it had been as the small kitten he was when they last saw each other, not the rather lnakly adolescent currently standing before her.
Why, he's about as tall as I used to be when we were last together, she thought. It wouldn't surprise me if, in a few years, I'll be the one looking up at him. I guess that's one thing he has inherited from our father.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Leorin wrapping his arms around her waist. For a second, Risha could feel her body tense up. Leorin must have sensed it too, for he immediately let his arms fall to his side and looked up at his sister.
"Is something wrong, Sis?" He asked, worriedly. "Aren't you glad to see me?"
"Oh, Leo, of course I am" Risha replied. "I was just a bit surprised, that's all. Come here." With that, she returned her brother's embrace; holding him closely for a few seconds, before letting go.
"When I saw you in the audience, you could have pushed me over with a feather" Leorin said. "I've been searching for clues to your whereabouts in every town the troupe has been to and then, you show up right here. Its incredible. Although, if I'm being honest, I wasn't absolutely certain if it really was you and not a very good look-a-like."
Risha could guess the reason behind Leorin's confusion. She decided to clear it up, immediately.
"Kyros is just a friend" She explained. "He's the leader of a group of...swords for hire of which I am the newest member. We've come here looking for new jobs, I just happened to see the posters announcing the Eramus troupe being in town. Both Kyros and I have an interest in theater, so we went together. Of course, my primary reason for going was to meet my little brother again."
She reached out and tussled the fur on her brother's head. Leorin immediately took a step backwards.
"Hey! He snapped. "Stop it! I'm not a kid and besides, people are watching."
"No they are not" his sister retorted. "Besides, you're only what, twelve? So, you're still a kid."
"I'm thirteen" Leorin remarked in a huff, smoothing down his head-fur. "Anyway, what about the Princess? How come you didn't go see our play with her?"
It was inevitable that Leorin would bring up Merees sooner or later, Risha had known that. Still, his question while innocently meant, made her feel as if she had been punched in the gut.
"I haven't seen Mer in five years" she replied, biting her lip and turning her head slightly.
"I'm sorry" Leorin said, in a quiet voice, all his attention focused on his shoes. "I didn't know."
Risha shut her eyes. For a brief second, she was transported back in time, once standing on the auction-block at the slave-market, with her arms, tied behind her back and a muzzle to prevent her from biting. Next to her was Merees, who had undergone the same treatment, with one addition; she had been drugged, the auctioneer was not going to take any chances that the rarest piece of merchandise, an actual dragon would break free.
The Memory caused Risha to shiver. She opened her eyes and turned back to her brother.
"Leo, during your time with the troupe, have you ever heard of or come across someone who has six fingers on one of his paws"
Leorin thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Sorry, I would have remembered meeting someone like that. Say, there must be more than one six-fingered person in the World, right? What species was he?"
"Beats me, the only time I saw him his entire face was covered by a mask which left only his mouth exposed. I know, its not much to go on."
"No, its not" Leorin said. Then, he noticed the expression on his sister's face. "I know, I'll ask Eramus. Who knows? He may have heard something."
"Thank you" Risha said, smiling gratefully at her brother.
Just then, a gong sounded in the distance, signalling that it was only minute left until the curtain would rise on the second act.
*****
Although somewhat rough around the edges and guilty of occasionally descending into melodrama, The Tragic Death of King Narash of Livoni is nonetheless an engaging story, brought to life well by a group of actors whose reputation is well earned. Considering their youth, its two authors show a great deal of promise and I for one, shall follow their future career with interest.
Those were the words written by a theater-critic whose opinion had some clout in these circles. They could be read in said critic's column the day after the premiere.
After the show, Risha and Kyros were invited backstage, where the actors were busy discussing the audience.
"Good crowd tonight" one of them said. "Except for those philistines in the third row."
"Agreed" said another. "Where do they get off booing us like that? Some people don't know good acting when they see it."
"I'm surprised you took their jeers so well" Sara said to Leorin. "Usually, he tends to respond in kind to any insult from the audience" she explained to Risha, who was giving her brother an amused look.
"Who cares what those losers think" Leorin replied with a dismissive snort. "Certainly not me."
Under normal circumstances, Leorin would have reacted to negative feedback in the way his girlfriend had just described and at first, when the first few jeers began to sneak up among the applause, he had just been about to do that. Then, he had looked up towards the balcony where Risha was: Seeing his sister on her feet, enthusiastically applauding his and Sara's play, instantly caused Leorin to disregard the rest of the audience, regardless of whether they were booing or not. To him, there had only been one person in the theater, whose opinion mattered.
"We intend to go out and celebrate" said Eramus. "The Two of you are, of course, welcome to join us."
"A kind offer" said Kyros. "Unfortunately, I shall have to decline; I'm going to rejoin the rest of my party and see that they do not get into trouble. Besides, I don't want them to think that I let our newest member monopolize my time. They might get jealous." He paused, then turned to Risha:
"I'm sure you and your brother have a lot of catching up to do. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Boss. Oh, and thank you."
"Not at all. It was my pleasure."
After Kyros had left, Eramus begged Risha to excuse him and the others, while they washed off their make-up and changed into their regular clothes. Meanwhile, the lynx went to retrieve her weapon, which she had left by the desk at the entrance, the carrying of weapons inside the theater itself being punishable by law.
A moment later, she was standing outside the theater, along with Leorin and Sara, neither of whom had needed to change. Leorin kept throwing interesting looks at the short-sword hanging by his sister's side.
"Can I see that?" He asked.
Being in an obliging mood, Risha took the sword out and held it up. Its blade gleamed in the moonlight.
"It looks new" Sara remarked.
"It is, I bought in the last town we passed through and I have not had the opportunity to use it, yet."
"Let me hold it, Sis" Leorin begged. "Please."
"Fine" Risha said, having given her brother's request a moment's consideration. "But you have to be careful" she warned, handing him the short-sword. "It's not a prop."
"I will" Leorin promised. He took the sword, surprised over how light it was. As he held it in his paw, Leorin imagined himself as a lone hero, surrounded by dozens of fearsome opponents.
While her boyfriend lost himself in his imagination, Sara engaged his sister in conversation:
"Risha, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, what is it?"
"What's it like?"
"Being a sword-for-hire? Its fine, I guess. I haven't been at it for very long, but it certainly beats what I used to do until fairly recently. Its not the most secure career, but it is exciting and I do like to travel."
"Are there any other women in the party you are in?"
"No, I'm their first female member."
"That must be tough. Don't get me wrong, most of the guys I know are great, especially your brother, but I can't imagine not having other girls around to talk to."
Privately, wondered if that wouldn't be particularly hard for a woman with Risha's proclivities, but decided not to ask.
"Besides, aren't you worried that they will try something?" She wondered.
"None of them would dare. When I joined, Kyros made it clear that anyone who hurt me in any way would answer with their life. Not that I need his protection; if any of my new comrades get frisky with me, I'll.."
Before Risha could clarify what she would do, a sharp cry rang out, cutting her short, followed by a clattering noise. She and Sara turned around and saw Leorin, clutching his paw. The Sword itself lied discarded on the sidewalk.
"Leo, what happened?" Sara asked.
"I cut myself" he winced, tears of pain began to form in the corner of his eyes.
"I told you to be careful" Risha admonished her brother, though there was far more worry than anger in her voice. "Let's have a look at it."
Biting his lower lip, Leorin held out his bleeding paw for inspection.
"Poor darling" Sara, whose nurturing side had kicked in instantly said. "Shall I kiss it and make it better?" She asked, leaning forward with a saucy look on her face.
"Grab his wrist, Sara" Risha commanded. "Its not a deep wound but we should clean it, to avoid infection. Fortunately, I have what I need, right here."
From a pouch in her belt, she took a tiny flask, uncorked it and poured its transparent content over the wound.
"Ow!!" Leorin cried out. "That stings, damn it!"
"Don't be such a baby" Risha scoffed.
She took out an unused red handkerchief and bandaged the wound with it.
"There it's done" she said, observing her work. "Hieronymus himself couldn't have done it better."
"Feeling better?" Sara asked, compassionately touching Leorin's arm.
"A little." He turned to Risha, who had picked up her weapon and was busy studying it. "I hope I didn't damage it for you" he said, apologetically.
"It looks fine, don't worry about it. What's important is that you didn't hurt yourself badly."
Just as Risha put the sword back in its sheath, a few more members of the troupe, including Eramus, Rufus and Griselda came out from the theater and joined them.
"The Others will be along shortly" Eramus told them.
Both of the men had noticed Leorin's bandage, but did not comment in it. Griselda, on the other hand, did:
"Goodness, Leo!" She gasped. "What has happened to you?"
"Its nothing, just a flesh wound" Leorin replied, smiling bravely. "I sure could use some food though."
"You have been here before" Rufus said to Eramus. "Any place in particular you recommend?"
"When I was last here" the faun replied, leaning on his walking-stick. "I ate at a very nice family restaurant. Of course, that was before any of you were born. Who knows if its still there?"
"Who knows? It wouldn't hurt to check. Do you remember where it is?"
Eramus nodded. Soon, the others appeared and, following their leader, the troupe (and Risha)headed out on the streets.
******
The Restaurant that Eramus remembered was still there. However, when inquiring for a table, they were told that there weren't any available and so, they had to try to find another establishment that could satisfy their bodies increasingly loud demands for sustenance. They found one eventually. There were no long-tables, but the white rabbit who was the inn-keeper, suggested that they put some tables together. Everyone thought that this was a good idea and soon they were all seated.
"I shall inform the cook of your arrival. In the meantime, do you want something to drink? We have rice-wine, beer and fruit-juice or iced water for the children and any eventual teetotalers among you."
As soon as everyone had ordered what they wanted to drink, the inn-keeper bowed and left, his guests stared at him with puzzled looks on their faces.
"He just headed straight for the kitchen" Leorin observed, with a frown. "Isn't he going to show us the menu?"
The Others wondered the same thing and turned to Eramus for an explanation.
"Zafolian restaurants are different from those of other countries", he told them. "Instead of getting a single dish that you order, you get several small ones that come out one at a time."
Unexpectedly, this revelation only raised further questions, all of which Eramus answered patiently:
"What if you don't like any of the food? (Leorin)
"Have no fear, I guarantee everyone will find at least one dish to their taste."
"How many dishes are there?" (Risha)
"Last time I was here, it was usually twelve dishes. I have no idea if they have changed it since."
"What if you become full before the last dish is served? (Sara)
"Notice that there's a red candle in front of you. When the first dish comes in, the waiter will light the candle. When you feel that you can't eat anymore, simply blow the candle out."
Just then, the waiters began to walk around the table, filling the glasses. Shortly thereafter, the first dish, which turned out to be a clear vegetable soup, arrived. It was followed by dumplings, filled with a red bean paste.
The Dishes (I shall not list them all) succeeded each other with regular intervals and everyone ate with good appetite. As usual, the troupe did not eat in silence and soon the tables were abuzz with talk. Risha was talking to Leorin and Sara, discussing the play and if the two had planned on writing anything more, when another conversation some seats down from her, reached her ears:
"I tell you they must have had inside help, its the only explanation" said one actor, a wolf. "Perhaps from someone who had remained loyal to Faljan and wished to see him restored to the throne."
"Even if that meant selling his nation out to a foreign power?" Said the mandrill he had been talking to, skeptically. "As romantic a notion as your idea of secret Faljan loyalists is, I find it improbable. No, in my opinion, the person who allowed the Vinolians entrance to Guanaca was either someone with a grudge against Bashar or a simple opportunist. Some people will do anything for power and money."
Risha had not planned on getting involved, but the more she listened, the harder she found it to remain aloof. It was especially the mandrill whose arguments she wished to refute. He sounded so sure that his theory was correct that he came off as arrogant, something that irked the lynx. She turned to the two of them:
"If you don't mind, gentlemen" she said, putting on her most pleasant smile. "I have an idea of my own that I would like to present to you."
"Oh?" Said the mandrill, "and what, pray tell, is that?"
His expression as he asked was one of smug condescension and caused Risha to fantasize stabbing him with her fork.
"Freedom" she said calmly, taking a sip of her wine. "That is what this person was after. At least" she added with a shrug, "that's my opinion."
The Mandrill and the wolf both looked at her and then at each other.
"She may have something there."
"No, no, I think not."
