“The mission’s compromised. We need to get out of the Rirorni Empire now,” My-re said rushing, as best she could without drawing undo attention, down the long corridor of the Great Khan Karameikos’ palace with Vomarian Fae, captain of the flying ship the Unsinkable III. 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 put you in great risk,” Vomarian Fae 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 was hauling the cart away carrying the caged mere dragon, Koma. Their Shagornan elven crew looked confused as it was being driven towards the palace’s inner grounds. Seeing them emerge, relief swept across their faces. They handed them their weapons.
“We can’t lose the beast. It’s too important,” Vomarian Fae said as 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 was going to 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 look in its eyes at seeing her and knew something was wrong. It issued a pitiful whimper from its throat as it disappeared within the palace.
“We’ll get it back. Our immediate concern is now getting you out of Rithakhar,” Vomarian said, putting his arm around her to move 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 lean Rirorni in his mid-thirties stood in the middle. He wore a traditional fur cap with form fitting, brown leather clothing with white-wolf fur outlines around the collar and shoulders. Travelers coming and going just went around. My-re knew him and he knew her. It was Relan and a person who was present at her arrest, and subsequent banishment from the Empire, when she killed a prominent warrior, by the name of Dokas all those years ago.
“What do we do?” Vomarian Fae asked.
“Wait here. I’m going to talk to him,” My-re said. Ensuring her headscarf and veil were secured, she gripped onto her battle axe and approached the Rirorni.
“I’m coming with you too,” Vomarian Fae said.
“Do you speak Rathiri?” My-re asked and then continued after he paused. “Wait here. I can take care of myself.”
As she approached the stationary Rirorni, he placed his hands on his hips and smiled with haughtiness.
“I’m surprised to see the little girl back in the Empire,” Relan said turning his head and ejecting a wad of black tar chew from the corner of his mouth. It was a habit he always had.
“I’m surprised to see you as well,” My-re replied. She then added, “But I’m not a little girl.”
“I can see that,” Relan said looking her up and down. “you survived the Blood Games tournament? Impressive.” He then focused on her axe. “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?” Relan questioned shaking his head in disbelief. “I'd say not only your life, but that of your elven friends would be put into peril.”
“As well as yours,” My-re snapped.
“Humph, if the 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 eternal embrace,” Relan 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 believe I’m destined to meet him today,” Relan said and made a dismissive gesture towards 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? I have one thing to say to that.” My-re then uttered a curse in Rathiri, which loosely translated to go procreate without the benefit of a partner.
“Language. No, not blackmail. Where’s the honor in that? I’m a procurer of information,” Relan 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’s dead. Your information is dated.”
“I’ve heard other things too,” Relan 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, then you are of no use 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,” Relan said pointing with his chin.
My-re glanced 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 Relan, but her choices were bleak. If she didn’t agree, he’d likely find someone who was interested in hearing she was back in the Rirorni Empire. While her axe would purchase his silence much cheaper, he was right it would put their party at risk. Only the Khan sanctioned bloodshed within his palace. Working with him and paying him off was their best option. Besides, maybe his information might be useful. Grunting, she left and retrieved one of the bags. It made a cheerful coinage sound as she picked it up. She then waived off Vomarian as he opened his mouth. Bringing it back to Relan she tossed it towards him. The top opened and several coins spilled out as it hit the ground. “What information of value do you have?”
Bending over and picking up the coins from the dirt, Relan spoke. “Araminth had a lover.”