Chapter 73

 "This is it?" Risha asked. "You are sure?"

Afternoon had just turned into evening, when she and Merees had left the theater. They had met up with Kyros and the aardvark, who had an empty burlap-sack tossed over one shoulder. At the moment, the four of them were standing in front of a wooden gate.

"Positive" Kyros said, in response to the lynx's question. "This is the address Fuchul gave me."

"Well, then" Merees said. "Let's head inside."

She opened the gate and having stepped through it, the four found themselves in an overgrown garden, surrounding a white house with a red roof. They began to make their way through grass that had not been cut for years, with Risha in the middle and the other two flanking her.

"Better check ourselves for ticks when we get back" the lynx observed. "I bet this place is crawling with the little buggers."

"Indeed", Kyros agreed. "Obviously, gardening was not high on Zevedo's list of priorities."

Risha turned to Merees.

"You've been awfully quiet. Something on your mind, hon?"

Merees stared up at the building they were headed towards.

"I spent five years of my life in that house" she said, in a pensive tone, as though she was speaking more to herself than to Risha. "And yet, this is the first time I  can remember actually seeing it."

"Are you going to be alright? If you don't want to go inside, just give me the keys. I'm sure I can convince 'your' servant that you trusted me with them."

Merees shook her head.

"Thanks, but I'll manage. Let's just get this over with."

Upon setting foot on the veranda, the trio found themselves faced with an obstacle none of them had foreseen:

"That's strange" Kyros muttered, his brow furrowed. "There's no door."

Indeed, in the place where a door would usually be found, there was nothing but a smooth wall.

"How is this possible?" Risha wondered, then a thought came to her. "Perhaps the wall isn't real? Maybe we can pass through it?"

"Let me try" Merees said.

She put her hand on the surface. As soon as she did, a voice could be heard inside her head:

"Identity confirmed. Welcome home, Master Zevedo. Is anyone else with you?"

It did not take long for the Princess to get over her initial surprise.

"Two guests" she said. "Allow them entrance, house."

"As you wish."

The Voice grew quiet. Where there had previously not been a door, one was now visible.

*****

After he had returned home, Rrelo the goblin had spent most of the day doing chores around the house. He was just about to sit down to a light dinner of hard cheese and bread, when he heard the door open. Immediately, Zevedo's servant left the kitchen and went out in the hallway.

"Welcome home, Master" he greeted Merees, rubbing his hands together. He then noticed the two males and gave the dragon a quizzical look.

"These are new business associates of mine" Merees explained, affecting a deliberately haughty tone. "They wish to take a look at my assets. Lead the way."

For a moment, Rrelo seemed to hesitate and Merees became anxious: Had he seen through her? It would be worse for him if he had. After all, she had no doubt that one of them alone would be enough to handle one goblin. Still, she would prefer to deal with this without having to resort to violence.

Behind Merees, Risha, Kyros and the aardvark all  reached for their blades. 

Before they could draw them though, Rrelo's face regained its usual sycophantic expression.

"Of course, Master. Follow me, honored guests."

Zevedo's study did not differ greatly from any other of its kind. It had a desk, a chair for visitors and a bookcase. It also had a tall, gray safe, standing in a corner. Merees took out the key and, remembering what Rrelo had told her, turned the handle of the safe upward, before turning the key. Its trap disarmed, the door to the safe swung open, revealing four shelves, each one containing neatly stacked piles of gold, pouches bulging with coins of several different values and precious stones.

"Holy shit!" Risha exclaimed in an awed tone. 

"You can say that again" Kyros agreed.

"It's like a dream come true" salivated the aardvark.

Even Merees was impressed. In all her life, she could not recall having seen a private fortune such as this. She wondered how Zevedo had managed to amass it? Probably not by honest means. Suddenly, found herself relieved that she was standing with her back turned to Rrelo, making it impossible for the goblin to see her face. Had he been able to, he would doubtless have seen through her subterfuge. After all, it was unlikely that Zevedo gazed on his wealth with the same dumbstruck expression.

Gathering herself together, the dragon turned to Kyros and the aardvaark

"Help yourselves" she said, stepping out of the way.

While Kyros and the aardvark began to transfer as much as the safe's content into the sack as they could, Merees gave instructions to Rrelo:

"Go find that Captain of yours. Tell him, I'm willing to offer twice what he wants, if he's got room for three dozen more passengers on his ship."

Rrelo nodded and was just about to leave, when Merees called out to him to hold on.

"Yes, Master? Anything else?"

"Tomorrow? You are not coming with us."

Rrelo's expression was that of a child who had just come down on Christmas, only to find that there were no presents under the tree.

"I need you to remain here for the time being" she said. "Don't worry, once I've secured my foothold, I will send for you."

"Master, that could take forever."

"Well, you just have to be patient. Now, run along."

Swallowing his disappointment, Rrelo left the house.

"You know" Risha said, once the goblin was gone. "You could have just let him go."

"You think so? Risha, I don't know what Zevedo did to make his servant so slavishly devoted to him, but I'm pretty sure that if I had told him that I had no further need for his services, he would have tried to rip my throat out."

"He'd be dead before that could happen and frankly, I'm not sure if that wouldn't have been the more merciful thing to do."

"Than letting him live?"

"Than letting him live with false hope, because there's no way you're going to send for him later on, is there?"

Merees said nothing. Not that she had to; Risha could see the answer written on her face.

"Let's help the guys finish and then get out of here" the dragon said, after a moment's silence. "This place makes my skin crawl."

*****

Those who happened to be in the harbor the next day, could not fail but notice that a rather sizable group of people had gathered at pier 43. If a curious passerby moved closer, they would notice that in that crowd, there were several members of the foreign acting-troupe that had come to town recently.

"We'll see each other again, won't we, sis?"

"Of course, Leo." Smiling reassuringly, Risha put a paw on her brother's shoulder. "Until then, you and Sara keep honing your craft. I'm looking forward to many new plays from the two of you."

"You can count on us on looking after young Leorin" said Eramus, who had stepped forward.

"I know and you have my thanks."

"Both our thanks" Merees said.

At this point, a sea-lion, whose headwear immediately identified him as the supreme commander of the vessel came up from the hold. 

"All aboard!" The Captain called out in a hoarse voice. "We have a schedule to keep! Hoist the anchor! All hands on deck!"

The Siblings embraced one last time and the passengers climbed aboard. As the ship began its long journey, Risha and Merees stood on deck, one arm around each other's waists, the other waving to the people on the pier.

Chapter 72

 "That goblin who just came in..." Merees began.

"I see him" Risha said. "What about him?"

"I swear he's looking at us."

The Lynx shrugged. "Well, its not like there's a law against looking at people. Anyway, if he comes over, we can just politely tell him to take a hike."

"You tell him, I do believe  he is coming over."

Indeed, the olive-green stranger was making his way across the inn's newly cleaned floor. Finally stopping at the table Risha and Merees were sitting at. 

"Listen, pal" Risha said. "No offense, but we'd like some privacy, so why don't you...."

She stopped, realizing that the goblin was not paying the least bit attention to her. Instead, he was staring at Merees, with a look of relief and worship on his face. 

"Master" he said, kneeling down in front of the dragon. "At last I've found you."

At that moment, both women shared the same thought: Who is this guy and what is he talking about?

"You didn't return home for your meeting, Master" the goblin continued. "Your faithful Rrelo was really worried that something happened at the meeting you went to. I've been out looking for you."

Risha and Merees exchanged looks. So, that's how it was.

Rrelo fell silent. Evidently, he was waiting for his 'Master' to say something. However, Merees had no idea how to respond to what the goblin had just said.

"I'm sorry for making you worry" she muttered awkwardly.

Hearing this, the goblin frowned. 

Shit! Merees thought. She and Risha both bit their tongues in unison. That was obviously not what he had expected to hear. What if he begins to suspect something? 

She cleared her throat and looked at the goblin through half-closed eyelids. 

"I mean" she said, smiling contemptuously. "That I'm sorry to hear that you have such a lack of faith in your Master. Personally, I find it...troubling."

Rrelo held up his hands and shook his head vigorously.

"No, no, Master. Rrelo meant no offense. Please, forgive your poor servant."

"Very well. Oh, and stand up, will you?"

Rrelo immediately got to his feet.

"Master, I have good news to tell you."

"Oh? What is it?"

"I've found a ship, whose captain is willing to take us to one of the places you wish to go, Master. So that we can begin working on your plan."

"And what kind of plan is that, exactly?" Risha asked.

Rrelo looked at the lynx, as if he had only noticed her just now. He turned back to Merees and whispered something in her ear. 

Risha could not hear what was said, but she could see Merees' face darkening. Standing up, the dragon slapped Rrelo in the face, with such force that the goblin staggered backwards.

"Never" Merees growled, grabbing Rrelo collar, "let me hear you talk about her that way, again. Understood?"

"Y-yes, Master" Zevedo's servant replied, not having expected this type of reaction.

"You will accord her the same respect as you do me" Merees continued. "Is that clear, thrall?"

Rrelo's head bobbed up and down. 

"Good." Merees relaxed her grip, letting him go. Rubbing his cheek, the goblin turned to Risha.

"A thousand pardons my Lady" he begged, in a nasally whine. "I had no idea that you and the Master were so...close."

"That's...fine" Risha said, completely taken aback. "Apology accepted." She gave Merees a look of what the Hell was that about?

"Now then" Merees said. "Why don't you answer the Lady's question? Tell her about the plan."

"Your plan, Master" Rrelo replied. "Of course,your wish is my command."

And so, the goblin told Risha and Merees about Zevedo's plan, the nature of which is already known to you, dear reader (should your memory fail, you can always go back a few chapters). The Lynx and the dragon both listened with interest, though that of the latter was greater than the former's.

Once Rrelo had finished, Merees asked him about where the ship was located and when it would depart.

"At pier 43, Master" the goblin replied. "It leaves at noon, tomorrow, but the captain will need an answer at least one hour before that.

"I see. Thank you."

Rrelo looked as if he had just won the lottery.

"One more thing" said Merees. "My silver-key, you know which one I'm talking about, don't you?"

"The One that opens up your safe, Master?"

"Exactly. I can't recall where I saw it last. Do you have any idea?"

"You took it with you when you went out, Master. As usual. You didn't lose it, did you, Master? Not that it matters, only the two of us know that you need to turn the handle upwards in order to deactive the trap inside the safe."

"Of course" Merees said, with studied nonchalance. She made a show out of patting her clothes. "Ah, here it is."

"Master,  do you have any further need for your servant?"

"Not as of now. Why don't you return home and wait for us there."

Rrelo bowed and was just about to leave, when he made halt and looked at Merees with a beseeching expression.

"Master?" 

"What is it now?"

"When Vinoli is yours, you won't forget my reward? Right, Master?"

"Of course not. Now, off you go."

Merees waved her hand dismissively and Rrelo, satisfied with the answer, left the tavern.  Once the goblin was gone, Risha voiced her opinion of his character:

"What a sycophant" she said, rolling her eyes. "By the way, what did he say that caused you to lose your temper like that?"

"Nothing worth repeating, I can assure you. Why don't we talk about the plan instead?"

"Fine by me. Mer, you do realize that this plan will lead to a lot of people dying, right?"

"Of course I do", Merees replied. "Believe me, I don't like it anymore than you do, but I can't see any other way to bring Argath to justice."

Risha did not say anything, but one of her eyebrows moved to a more elevated position on her brow.

"That's right" Merees continued, her voice sharp. "I said justice, not vengeance and believe me, I do know the difference. I want my si...Argath on her knees. I want her to confess to the murder of my father and all the other crimes she may have committed and then, I want her tried according to Vinolian laws. As for those I have to sacrifice to make that happen? If there's an afterlife, I will ask for their forgiveness and accept whatever punishment is in store for me, once I get there." 

As she spoke, the Princess' face turned into a storm-cloud, while her eyes flashed like lightning. It was a terrible sight, but Risha did not flinch. She faced it placidly, waiting for Merees to calm down.

Which did not take long. Suddenly, Merees felt embarrassed of her outburst. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself to relax.

"I'm sorry, Risha" she sighed, trying to keep her voice steady. "We just got reunited and suddenly this whole thing is dropped on us. Part of me wants to ignore it all: Forget about the plan, forget about what happened, but I can't. Not while she remains unpunished."

Reaching out over the table, Risha took Merees' hands in her paws. As she held them, she could sense them trembling slightly.

"You don't have to carry the burden of responsibility yourself, you know" she said, mild reproach mixed with kindness in her voice. "I'm with you, all the way. We'll take that bitch down, together."

"Thanks, Risha" Merees said, a smile illuminating her countenance. "You are the best."

"Thank you. I already knew I was the best, but its nice to hear you say it."

"Modest too. That's another quality of yours that I've missed."

At that moment, the sound of someone clearing their throat close to their ears, caused the two women to look up. Another member of the party, an aardvark, had appeared at the table.

"Hate to interrupt you lovebirds" the aardvark said, "but the Boss just showed up. He's about to hand out everyone's share of the reward we got from that red panda and its only you we're waiting for."

Both Risha and Merees looked towards the long table where the rest of the party had gathered. Indeed, Kyros was standing at the head of it, with two pouches filled with coin placed in front of him.

"Well, time to get what's coming to me" Risha said. 

She and Merees left their own table and went to join the others. One by one, Kyros called out the names of those present and they all went up and received their share.

"I'm curious; how is the money you earn divided between you?" Merees asked in a whisper.

"It's based on how long you've been with the party", Risha explained. "Kyros is the founder, so he gets the biggest cut."

"That makes sense, I suppose. Wouldn't be any point being the leader if you didn't get any perks. So, that would mean that your share...."

"Is the smallest, correct."

Merees was about to ask Risha if this was something that bothered her, when it became the lynx's turn. 

"Good job, Risha" Kyros complimented her. "Here's your share."

He gave her a pawful of coins, Risha looked at them in surprise.

"This seems bigger than my usual share" she observed. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Something extra with compliments from our latest employer" the mountain-lion said, with a wink. "He thought you deserved it, since it was your plan that rid him of nemesis."

"That's great, hon" Merees said, while Risha undid the strings to her own purse and let the coins disappear into it. 

"May I ask what the two of you are going to do now that you are together again?" Kyros inquired. "Of course, both of you are welcome to remain with us,  as long as you wish."

"Actually, there's something we'd like to discuss with you" Risha said. She looked around the crowded tavern. "Preferably between six eyes."

*****

"So, what do you think?" Risha asked Kyros. "Are you in?"

The Three of them were standing in a back-alley, outside the tavern. Merees had just finished informing Kyros about their plans for the foreseeable future. 

"Well, you have my interest" replied the mountain-lion, thoughtfully stroking his chin. "I will have to discuss it with the others though."

"Really? Merees raised an eyebrow. "I thought you made all the decisions?"

"When it comes to ordinary jobs, such as protecting caravans and what we have done here, yes. However, this is not an ordinary job, I would say. Incidentally, much as I like both of you, I am not running a charity. How do you intend to pay us?"

In response, Merees took out the silver-key.

"Oh, we won't be paying you" Risha explained, to Kyros' wondering expression. "Zevedo will."