Sara and Leorin exchanged a quick look, before turning their attention back to Risha.
"Sis, are you saying that this person was the Princess' doppleganger?" Leorin asked, hoping that this would turn out to be the case.
"The Dragon in the park knew Risha's name" Sara pointed out. "Kyros heard her say it."
"So?"
"Think about it, how would a doppleganger know what her name was?"
Leorin had to admit that his girlfriend had a point.
"I wasn't making myself clear" Risha said. "That was Merees in the park."
"But you just said..." Leorin began to protest, only to be silenced by the look his sister gave him.
"I know what I said. Let me put it to you this way: The Person in the park was Merees. She looked like her and when she spoke, it was with Merees' voice, but at the same time, it wasn't really her, are you following me?"
"What are you saying, Sis? That Merees is possessed or something?" Leorin asked and though he tried to hide it, it was clear that he found this hard to believe
Risha noticed it and was just about to answer, when the doctor appeared in the doorway.
"I'm afraid that this is all the time I can allow you, at least for today" he said. "The Patience is in need of rest."
Leorin nodded to show that he understood.
"We'll come back" he said, giving his sister's paw a light squeeze. "Do you want us to bring you something?"
"Something to read would be nice."
Once she was alone, Risha leaned back against her pillow and stared up at the ceiling.
I suppose I can't blame my brother for being skeptical, she thought. Had I been told this same thing, I would most likely feel the same way. Still, I know that I'm right: Merees, my Merees would never do anything to hurt me. She wouldn't.
She. Wouldn't.
*****
The Clientele gathered in the shady tavern looked up from their tankards and stared at the person who had just stepped inside.
Their surprise was understandable, this was not the type of establishment frequented by women, except for those belonging to a certain line of work and even then, they were usually accompanied by a man. This woman was alone and, judging from the way she dressed, not a member of the world's oldest profession. Furthermore and this was by far the most notable thing about her, she was a dragon.
The Dragon made her way confidently up to the bar, where the patrons, usually not known for gentlemanly behavior, made room for her. One of them tentatively reached out to touch the area below her tail, but thought better of it and withdrew his paw before it made contact.
"What's yer poison?" Asked the boar behind the bar, he seemed to be the only one unaffected by the stranger's presence.
"Absinthe" came the reply.
The Dragon got her drink and downed it in one gulp. She then put down the required amount of coins next to the empty.
"Anything else?"
"As a matter of fact, there is. I have a problem that needs to be taken care of. I have heard that this is a place where you can find competent problem-solvers. If you catch my drift."
She put down another coin on the table.
The Bartender was not about to ask were the dragon had heard these things. Instead, he let the coin disappear into his pocket and pointed to a lone table at the other end of the room. Without a word, the dragon headed towards it.
Some time later, Zevedo left the tavern and began his walk back home. As he traversed the steets, he thought back on last night. He had to admit that the appearance of the lynx had taken him by a surprise. Last time he had seen her had been five years ago, at the slave-market where he had purchased the body he was now making use of.
At the time, he had been completely unaware of the relationship between the lynx and the original owner of his new body. Though the words the lynx had screamed after him when he left the market with his purchase, should have given him a clue. He had never expected to see the lynx again, so he had not taken her threats seriously. As a matter of fact, they had sounded like music to his ears at the time, the impotent menaces of some female who would no doubt end up in a brothel somewhere. So, what circumstances could have lead to her ending up here, on a completely different continent and, judging by appearance, a free woman?
He would have killed her last night and he had almost succeeded, but had been prevented from doing so. From out of the darkness, a group of ruffians appeared, carrying weapons in their paws. No doubt it was Fuchul who had hired them in order to intimidate him.
On the subject of Fuchul, apparently that well had run dry. Of course, it was bound to happen eventually, but it was a shame, nonetheless.
Since he was still getting used to his new body, Zevedo had decided not to take the risk of partaking in combat against several foes at once. Fortunately, he had made it a habit to always carry some homemade flare-bombs on his person. By the time Fuchul's hired thugs had regained the use of their eyes, he had already disappeared into the night.
It was not only outside interference that had saved the lynx's life. At first, Zevedo had rejoiced at the ease with which his new claws had pierced her fur, flesh and bone. However, his joy swiftly gave way to another sensation: One much less pleasant.
Although he was in full control of his new body, Zevedo knew that he was not alone in it. Its former owner was still there. Usually, her presence could barely be felt, but last night, he had sensed it grow stronger. It had only lasted for a brief moment, but it had been enough to cause Zevedo serious concern.
Doubtlessly, the lynx's comrades had taken her to a hospital. Zevedo knew that he had to take her out, before she had the chance to recuperate from her wounds and go in search for him again. Of course, he could not do it by himself. For one thing, even if he was successful, there was a high possibility that killing the lynx with his own hands would cause the former owner to awaken and regain control of her body. He could not allow such a catastrophe to happen, especially since he had already disposed of his old form.
A good thing then that he knew at least few waterholes in town where one could find people who was willing to do anything for the right prize. had only taken him a few minutes with the assassin he had met at the tavern to realize that this was the person for the job. He had paid half in advance and would pay the other half upon confirmation that the deed had been done.
Afterwards, he would leave this town. There was nothing left for him here and besides, there was a whole world out there and now, he had many centuries ahead of him in which to see and eventually own it all.
