The Sudden tapping on her shoulder caused Risha's fur to stand on end. Cursing herself for not paying more attention, she turned around and was relieved to find that the person who had surprised her was none other than Merees.
"Damn it, Mer" Risha hissed. "You nearly scared the crap out of me."
Merees was about to apologize, when she noticed that Risha was gesturing for her to both get down and be quiet. She obeyed both instructions.
Just then, the two of them could hear the sound of a chair being pulled out and someone rising from it. The Lynx and the dragon both looked at each other and then, quickly crept around the corner of the building. They had barely done so, when the door opened and Grahm stepped outside. The Weasel looked in each direction, shrugged and went back inside.
"I'm sorry, hon" Merees said, once she and Risha had made enough distance between themselves and the pavilion. "I guess I ruined your eaves-dropping."
"It's fine" Risha said. "I think I had heard enough."
Merees gave Risha a searching look.
"The People you were spying on" she said, rubbing her chin. "They wouldn't happen to be countrymen of ours, would they?"
"I'm afraid so and they know that you're here."
"I see. I suppose my presence being discovered was inevitable. Although, I would have preferred if it had happened later rather than sooner. What else do they know?"
"Nothing" Risha said. "That's it."
She proceeded to tell Merees about her encounter with Alys, as well as what she had learnt from her snooping. As she did this, a thought came to her. It was the kind of thought that furrowed the lynx's brow and made her bite down on her lower lip.
"Something wrong, Risha?" Merees asked with concern.
"It's the Vinolians. What if they make an attempt on your life while we're here?"
Having made sure that there were no prying eyes about, Merees touched Risha's lips with her own.
"Don't worry" she said. "I am still their Princess, after all. I doubt that they will act against me on their own volition. Of course," she continued after a brief pause. "Most likely the Ambassador has sent word to Argath that I'm here and are awaiting her response."
"Then we have to make sure he does not get it". As she uttered this simple statement of fact, Risha traded the expression of worry she had worn, for one of determination.
****
Jeraddin was in the garden, practicing his swordsmanship on a training dummy, when he became increasingly aware that he was being observed.
"Yes, Flora?" He asked, without stopping what he was doing. "What is it?"
Flora was glad that her employer still had his back to her, so that he could not see her blushing. The Hedgehog had spent a minute drinking in the sight of Jeraddin's broad shoulders and chest, both of which were on full display. Her eyes had also wandered downwards, past the lynx's belly button, as she fantasized about the part of his anatomy that remained concealed by clothing; imagining its length, its girth and how it would feel in her paws, in her..."
With supreme effort, Flora banished these thoughts to deep recesses of her mind, to be plucked out and mulled over when she was alone.
"There's a message for you, Sir" she said, stepping onto the lawn. "Bearing the Royal seal."
Jeraddin lowered his blade and took the letter his housekeeper handed to him.
"Flora" he said, having skimmed over the contents of the letter. "Be so kind as to fetch me some water and a towel and take out a new pair of clothes. Thank you."
****
Jeraddin had barely set foot inside the palace when he realized that something was happening. In the hallways, people from all rungs on the social ladder huddled together in small groups and talked in hushed tones to each other. The General was about to ask what was going on, when his ears and those of everyone else, were assaulted by a woman screaming.
Ah, he thought to himself. So, that's what's happening.
Knowing what he now knew, Jeraddin was not surprised when he was shown into Argath's study and found that it was occupied, not by the Queen herself, but her right-paw.
Lorenzo was standing with his back to Jeraddin, busily feeding something into the lit fireplace. On a nearby table laid two stacks of some kind of pamphlet. Looking closer, Jeraddin noticed a name written on them:
Cornelius.
Quickly, the lynx snatched up one of the pamphlets and hid it in his coat. Having done this, he cleared he knocked on the table and got the satisfaction of seeing Lorenzo make a little jump, before turning around.
For a moment, the fox stared at Jeraddin with his solitary eye, then his face was split by a grin.
"Ah, General Jerradin" he said. "Good of you to arrive so promptly."
"What does Argath want from me now?" Jeraddin asked, not returning the smile.
"Her Majesty is sending you to Frigonia. Apparently, there's unrest brewing there and the Governor has requested your aid in dealing with it.
"I see."
Jeraddin was about to leave, when Lorenzo told him to stay.
"There's another reason why you were sent for" the fox said.
"Which is?"
"Since its size have grown exponentially in recent years, the Queen have decided that management of her army is too heavy a burden to be laid on only one person. So, beginning with your return from Frigonia, you will be sharing your power with two other Generals."
"Both of whom are handpicked by Argath herself, I assume?"
"Correct. That's all, General, good luck in Frigonia."
Having left the study, Jeraddin went in search for Nasari, to tell her the news. While looking for her, he came across Faljan, who was pacing nervously back and forth. For a moment, Jeraddin considered congratulating the Royal Consort on his imminent fatherhood, but decided against it and simply greeted him with a respectful bow.
Poor fellow, he thought,having taken his leave of the fennec. He must know that his life hangs by a thread.
