“The mission’s compromised. We need to get out of the Rirorni Empire now,” My‑re said, rushing, as best she could without drawing undue attention, down the long corridor of the Great Khan Karameikos’ palace with Vomarian. They each awkwardly carried a heavy, wooden chest filled with sacks of gold after involuntarily selling the mere dragon Koma to the Great Khan.
“I pushed the mission too far and placed you at great risk,” Vomarian said. “For that, I’m sorry.”
My‑re figuratively reached into her back pocket to play her ‘I told you so’ card.
In the distance, they heard a loud, ear-piercing shriek. Their pace quickened. Emerging in the courtyard, a heavily armed group of Rirorni were hauling the cart away carrying the caged mere dragon, Koma. Their Shagornan Elven crew looked confused when the wagon drove toward the palace’s inner grounds. Seeing Vomarian and My‑re emerge, relief swept across their faces. They handed them their weapons.
“We can’t lose the beast. It’s too important,” Vomarian said. He buckled on his battle axe and glanced at the mere dragon.
“I know, I know. I’m working on it,” My‑re snapped, but she had no idea how she would get the mere dragon back from one of the most heavily fortified and dangerous places in the Rirorni Empire.
Koma thrashed around its cage, but spotting My‑re, it stopped. It had a longing stare at seeing her and knew something was wrong. It issued a pitiful whimper from its throat. It disappeared within the palace.
“We’ll get Koma back. Our immediate concern is now getting you out of Rithakhar,” Vomarian said, putting his arm around her to nudge her along.
The group proceeded through the courtyard in a huddled mass, receiving more than a few glances from the Rirorni present. Approaching the main gate, a solidly built Rirorni with a flattened, broken nose stood in the middle, Re’Lan. Travelers coming and going just went around the figure.
“What do we do?” Vomarian asked.
“Wait here. I’m going to talk to him,” My‑re said. Ensuring her headscarf and veil were secured, she gripped her battle axe and approached the Rirorni.
“I’m coming with you too,” Vomarian said.
“Do you speak Rathiri?” My‑re asked, then continued after he paused, “Wait here.”
As she approached the stationary Rirorni, he placed his hands on his hips and smiled haughtily.
“I’m surprised to see the little girl back in the Empire,” Re’Lan said, turning his head and ejecting a wad of black tar chew from the corner of his mouth. A habit he still held onto.
“I’m surprised to see you too,” My‑re replied. She then added, “But I’m not a little girl.”
“I can see that,” Re’Lan said, looking her up and down. “You survived the Blood Games tournament? Impressive.” He then focused on her axe and asked in feigned fear, “You’re not going to kill me, are you?”
“That solely depends on you.”
“Tsk, tsk. Unauthorized bloodshed in the palace of the Great Khan of Khans?” Re’Lan questioned, shaking his head in disbelief. “I’d say not only your life but that of your elven friends would be placed into peril.”
“As well as yours,” My‑re snapped.
“Humph, if fates dictate it’s my time to die, there is nothing I can do about it. I have no fear of the afterlife, and I welcome Undgari's eternal embrace,” Re’Lan said and made a holy benediction to the god of the dead.
My‑re gripped her battle axe tighter.
“However, there are no crows around, so I do not think I’m destined to meet him today,” Re’Lan said and made a dismissive gesture toward her axe. “Besides, if you killed me, all that gold you are going to share would go to waste.”
“Ah, so, it’s blackmail then?”
“No, not blackmail. Where’s the honor in that? I’m a procurer of information,” Re’Lan said, folding his arms and resting a hand under his chin. “I hear things others may also be interested in hearing too. For a price.”
“I seriously doubt you have any information that’ll prove useful to me,” My‑re snorted.
“I know you’re looking for Araminth, and she passed on to the afterlife sometime back.”
My‑re scoffed, “Yeah, she’d dead. Your information is dated.”
“I’ve heard other things, too,” Re’Lan said, holding out his hands in a gesture of calmness.
“Do you know where she’s buried?”
“No.”
“Well, unless you can tell me that, you are useless to me.”
“But I do have something else of value, and along with my silence, it’ll only cost you, well, one bag of that gold,” Re’Lan said, pointing with his chin.
My‑re looked back to the Shagornan Elves standing over the two chests holding the money sacks. Shifting from one foot to the other, she narrowed her eyes. She didn’t trust Re’Lan, but her choices were bleak. He’d likely find someone interested in hearing she returned to the Rirorni Empire if she disagreed. While her axe would purchase his silence much cheaper, he was right. It would place their party at risk. Only the Khan sanctioned bloodshed within his palace. Working with him and paying him off proved the better option. Besides, maybe his information might be helpful. Grunting, she left and retrieved one of the bags. It made a cheerful coinage sound when she picked it up. Vomarian opened his mouth, but she waved him off. Bringing the bag back to Re’Lan, she tossed it toward him. The top opened, and several coins spilled out once it hit the ground. “What information of value do you have?”
Bending over and picking up the coins from the dirt, Re’Lan spoke. “Araminth had a lover.”
“Where?”
“Shadowspire.”