From the Desk of the Editor:
A daring rescue operation was performed yesterday, as a squad of our capital's finest, under the command of Corporal Dorn (38), liberated General Jeraddin (47), from the cellar in which he was held prisoner.
Most of the credit for this rescue must go to a certain Salsky (29), a former soldier, recently returned from Guanaca. According to Salsky, he was in the vicinity when he noticed two men wearing the uniform of our city-watch step out from a carriage. He noticed immediately that the two were carrying a third person between them. A person which the sharp-eyed water-rat immediately recognized as none other than Jeraddin himself.
"I was suspicious, of course" Salsky told the Vinolian Gazette, "so I rushed to get help and, well, the rest you know."
When asked whether or not he expects a reward, the young Frigonian merely replied that he had only done his duty as a citizen.
Such modesty does a body credit and we have no doubt that General Jeraddin will want to personally thank his rescuer, when the opportunity presents itself.
We must report, however, that the General sustained some injuries at the hands of his abductors and is currently recuperating at home, under the care of his housemaid.
Regarding the culprits, they have been taken into custody and have been identified as the Captain and crew of the ship the Maelstrom, which was damaged in a fire recently. Is there connection between this event and their abduction of one of our nation's most prominent citizens? Hopefully, all will be revealed during the upcoming trial...
In his cell, Cerewan stopped reading the paper one of the guards had slipped under his door. He was not too concerned by the trial. After all, he was not the only one who had profited from his business-venture. Soon, he would be summoned to the interrogation room and when that happened, he would talk. Oh, yes, he'd give them every name of his associates and silent partners, in exchange for as lenient a sentence as possible.
In a way, I suppose I am fortunate that the other ledger was destroyed in the fire. If not, I wouldn't have anything to bargain with.
With this thought, the tiger stretched himself out on his bunk and drifted off to sleep, unconcerned about the fate of his crew and untroubled by any pangs of conscience.
He woke somewhat later, by the sound of a key turning into the lock. With a yawn, Cerewan sat up, just as the cell-door swung open and his jailer appeared in the doorway. To Cerewan's surprise, however, the rhino did not motion for him to get up, but instead stepped into the cell and shut the door behind him.
Growing suspicious, Cerewan unsheathed his claws...
*****
The Trial took place the next day and in light of the evidence provided, it was concluded with haste. Each sailor who had served on the Maelstrom were sentenced to fifteen years at the galleys, plus five years imprisonment, should they live long enough.
Among the accused, there was one who was absent from the trial: On the same morning, Captain Cerewan had been found dead in his cell. The Prison's doctor was quickly summoned and, having examined the body, ruled that the deceased had died of an apoplexy.
A week later, Argath's ship sailed into the harbor. That evening, a banquet was held at the palace, to celebrate the Queen's return and to welcome the new Royal Consort. Jeraddin, was there: He could not exactly refuse to be present, considering his position and besides, it would give him a chance to see his wife again. As soon as court-etiquette permitted, the lynx went off in search for her.
He found her in the palace-garden, sitting on a bench and staring up at the moon. Stealthily he crept up behind her and whispered "Guess who?" Softly in her ear.
She turned around, his name passing over her lips and the two of them embraced.
"So, how was the journey home" Jeraddin asked, sitting down next to Nasari.
"Terrible" the black cat sighed. "I'm glad to be back home. What about you? Has anything happened while I've been away?"
"You can say that again", her husband replied. "Let's see, where I should begin?"
And so, Jeraddin told Nasari about everything that had transpired during her absence. Starting with Albert's death, the news of which made Nasari wet her husband's shoulder with her tears.
"How awful" Nasari gasped, once she head learned of Jeraddin's treatment at the hands of Cerewan. "Are you sure you are fine?" She asked, concernedly.
"Don't worry" Jeraddin smiled, "I am fully recovered."
"And the Captain's death? Do you really think it was a natural one, as they claim?"
Jeraddin shook his head.
"No, Cerewan had become a liability to too many people. No doubt one of them decided to get rid off him."
"Well, whatever the reason, I'm glad he's dead. Good riddance!"
"I agree, although I would have preferred it if he had been punished by the law, rather than by one of his peers."
"I don't care, let the villains of this world devour each other."
"Speaking of which, you should have seen the Queen during the banquet."
"Well, she is eating for two now. Or three."
"To be honest, I can't picture her as a mother."
"Me neither." Nasari paused and when she spoke again, there was bitterness in her voice. "I hope she dies in childbirth. I hope that kid kills her."
"What if she has a miscarriage?"
The Word had come out of Jeraddin's mouth, aided by too much wine. He immediately regretted its utterance.
Nasari gave him a look.
"I hope not. Its a terrible thing, to loose a child" she said. "I wouldn't wish it on any woman, not even Argath."
"You're right. I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking."
Nasari's nodding was meant to convey both her agreement with what Jeraddin had just said and to show that she accepted his apology.
"Let us talk about something else" she said. "Now that Albert's gone, who's looking after your home? Or do you do it yourself?"
"No, I have a housekeeper. Her name is Flora."
"Is she a diligent worker?"
"She's yet to give me cause to complain."
"And is she fair to look at?"
"I suppose. Yes, yes she is. Though not as much as you."
Nasari gave Jeraddin a playful nudge.
"Flatterer. Tell me, if its not too discrete a question, have you...?"
"I have not shared my bed with her, if that's what you ask."
"Why not? If you're worried about how I would react, than don't be. I don't mind and even if I did, it would be awfully hypocritical of me to begrudge you a lover."
"It's not that, I'm her employer and I wouldn't want to take advantage of my position."
"Somehow, I doubt that most people would let that stop them, were they in your position."
Before he could answer, Jeraddin's mouth opened wide in a deep yawn.
"Feeling tired?" Nasari asked.
"Actually, yes. Too much food and drink, I suppose. Or maybe age is gradually starting to take out its toll."
"Why not lie down for a spell?"
Jeraddin thought that this sounded like a good idea. He laid himself down on the bench, resting his head in his wife's lap, where he fell asleep to the touch of Nasari caressing the fur on his head and the sound of her voice, singing softly.
