“Yeah. Well, to put it shortly, then. Ruby and I were discussing possible plots regarding the nation, when we were forcefully drugged and about to be killed. Somehow our executioner decided to save us, and then whisked us away to safety in his original home of Grizz. We spent far, far too long leading some simple lives among a nice bearan family, but we were chased away when we found out that Grip had control over the nation, and was paying for any stray citizens of nobility of Rising that happened to be traveling. We escaped, ended up tangling with more bad people in various ways, and finally managed to make it to Hallum. The queen there is Ruby’s older sister, so she made arrangements for us to be escorted home. And so we’re back, safe and sound, though completely worn out,” Va’il said.
“And all that required you to be away for almost a year? That’s not nearly enough!” Zeick said, though he was teasing, the only thing he could do when confronted with something so incredible.
“I agree, absolutely. There should’ve been at least four more life and death struggles, right? I can only count, one, two, three, four, maybe five, depending on how you count certain situations,” Va’il said in response to the jest. Though Zeick had dropped his smile at the count.
“Really? You mean your life was in danger that much?” Zeick asked with seriousness.
“Yeah. We met a few bad people. But it really wasn’t that many. But I’d rather not talk about it, now that I think about it. It was enough,” Va’il said.
“No, I understand. And it’s getting late. But you said some things, and you have me thinking. You said something about plots regarding the nation?” Zeick asked.
“It was only guesses, but Ruby and I thought there was something strange about the regent Jin. I don’t know about him all that much, but we kind of heard his name when we encountered people from Grip a long time ago,” Va’il said.
“The regent? Involved with Grip? That’s a large accusation!” Zeick said. He instinctively looked around to make sure no one else was around or could hear them.
“Maybe, we really don’t know. It could all be a coincidence even, or maybe just someone else with the same name. Maybe he does work for them. Or maybe he’s being forced to, or tricked. Or who knows. But we’ve been away for a year, and the city still seems to be Rising. So whatever we were thinking of back then, who knows if it had anything to do with us being taken away. We never were told why we were supposed to be killed. Captors tend to be silent in real life, unlike in Kelin’s books, I’ve discovered. And then the next time we encountered people from Grip, they were keeping Ruby alive, even traveling back this way. So I don’t know. So many things happened, and yet I don’t have any answers as to why they did. Even the guy who saved us didn’t tell us. It’s annoying. But at least we lived. And returned. So I can be a little happy,” Va’il said.
“That’s disheartening. I mean the sad parts. It’s great you’re back. But you’ve given me a lot to think about. And, I don’t know if there’s a connection or not now, but I think I have something serious to talk to you about,” Zeick said.
“Oh, we’re just now getting serious, I see,” Va’il said, laughing slightly.
“I wish I could joke. But national matters are important. And people treading on the nation’s safety must be held accountable. And if the people who say that the people threatening the nation’s safety are in fact the people that are the worst for it, then we have to do something,” Zeick said.
“What’s going on?” Va’il asked, sensing the change in Zeick. He also noticed a flash of pride swell up for a moment in Zeick.
“I have a question for you, friend,” Zeick said.
“Friend? Yeah, go ahead,” Va’il said, becoming puzzled.
“I’m sure you recall the man Darius, the commander of the royal guard,” Zeick said.
“Yes, of course,” Va’il said. Inside he was thinking there was no possible way he could forget Darius.
“Then let me ask you, from everything you know about him. Was he a good person?” Zeick asked.
“He is a good person. He’s upright, loyal, and honest,” Va’il said.
“He certainly appeared that way. But how well did you know Darius? Was he really a good person? I’m asking this honestly, not with a preconceived answer,” Zeick said.
“I know him in other ways. I mean, Ruby talks about him too. Apparently they are pretty close. She trusts him more than anyone else, I’m sure of that. I know, without a doubt, he’s a good person. I would have some hesitations about dealing with him, for various reasons, but I know that he’s good,” Va’il said.
“You sound as if you really did know him. But if that girl could trust him that much, and if you’d vouch for him as well, it makes me wonder. All right, Va’il, I hope you’re right. How long has it been? Yes, tomorrow is fine. Tomorrow, I need you to come with me somewhere. They won’t question if they think you’re a provisional helping out on that day. Okay, yeah,” Zeick said, speaking half of it to himself.
“Tomorrow? What do you mean? Can it wait until I’ve met with the rest?” Va’il asked.
“This is important. I’m not sure why, or on what basis I can go with, but I trust this part of myself when it says something is wrong. My instincts are telling me that I have to do this. So trust me. Stay here tonight, and I’ll give you my backup suit tomorrow. It should fit you just fine. Yep, I’m still older and slightly taller, it’ll be fine,” Zeick said.
“Fit me? What will? What’s going on, Zeick?” Va’il asked.
“I want you to come with me on my job tomorrow. It’s at a different time than usual, though that doesn’t matter. There’s something you can help me with. And there’s something important I think you should see. Maybe you’re not the right person, but I have a feeling about it,” Zeick said.
“About what?” Va’il asked.
“It’ll be easier to show you tomorrow. Let’s just sleep for now. Tonight, get a good rest without worrying about tomorrow until it comes. I’ll explain what we’re doing in the morning. And I’ll show you something special after that. I don’t know if I should, but maybe it takes someone uninvolved to see things clearly. I just hope,” Zeick said.
Va’il shrugged and decided to wait on Zeick’s explanation later on. Va’il spent the night in Zeick’s house, and slept on a comfortable guest bed in another room. Va’il did end up sleeping, but it took him a while to fall asleep that night. Mai’ou was gone, there were still so many questions he had, and there was still a strong sense of anxiety present. It hadn’t left him, unfortunately. As he lay there thinking, worrying, he thought of Ruby, and realized she could’ve been in the same situation. Happy at returning, but still feeling anxious, as if something was still missing. For Va’il, he could definitely tell what it was. Mai’ou wasn’t there, and all the support she could give Va’il was gone. And yet, there was a second support missing. He hadn’t expected it to be like this. After all, he had to deal with it when the men of Grip had interrupted their journey. He’d tried so hard to prepare himself, yet now the feeling of separation was worse, and barely a day had passed. It wasn’t good to think of, so Va’il tried clearing his mind and allowing himself to drift to sleep.
