But there was no time to linger upon her thoughts and suppositions. After they rounded the corner, she told everyone to slow down and walk. There were some minor protests from Rony and Zyn, but they were quelled quickly by Borinth who reminded them that their survival did not depend on speed, but their ability to blend in. Furthermore, five people running through the streets while everyone else was not would certainly raise suspicions. He added the suggestion that they split into two separate groups. So, after Dianali cut Borinth's rope bindings from his wrists, they divided themselves. Rony and Zyn would stay together as brother and sister while Liani would accompany Borinth and Dianali as their daughter. They had agreed to find separate lodging for the night and to meet in front of the registrar's office in the morning.
Rony did not want to leave Liani. He never did. From the first time he saw her in the goblin's cave, he always wanted to keep her at his side believing that it was him who was best suited to protect her. There was something about her, something hopeful that appealed to him. Something that called out to him to become more for her. He did not know what it was, and possibly he never would, but it was nevertheless there and, though he tried, he could not ignore it. Saying that it ate at him was a misrepresentation of its assertion into who he was. It did not take anything from him, but added a new facet to his persona and identity. He had always identified himself as a protector, trying through a humble and inadequate attempt at protecting his sister and mother. But with Liani, it was different.
It was hope. She gave him the opportunity to protect anew without the years and years of failure. She was a beginning and had stoned a new street down a freshly developed road in a newly developed area in the city of his heart. There was no doubt with her. Not in her eyes, nor in her belief in him. Even though he and his sister had grown in their understanding of each other since they had left home to find a new one, he knew she still doubted him. And why should she not? His decisions had led them to naught but trap after trap and capture after capture. Yes, they had always managed to find a way to avoid the end, but the ending they avoided simply constructed yet another path down another road that lead to another end that avoided what each of them wanted most, to return to their home - to see their mother again. And while he had lost almost all hope in that, he did not lose hope in her, and neither did she lose it in him. So, when it was made apparent that the decision granting them the greatest chance at avoiding yet another trap was for them to split into different groups, he instinctively assumed a rather non-responsive demeanor. After all, how could one respond to the situation at hand, even a grave one, if one's focus was not upon it?
Zyndalia noticed it even before they wished each other well for the night. But she understood her brother, more now than ever, so she thought it better to give him the time he needed by remaining silent as they walked through the streets. Their attempt to blend in with the other citizens had led them into the residential areas of the city, and because they were so focused on detecting the presence of pursuing guards, neither she nor her brother had mentally formed a geographical construct of their surroundings. Not wanting to appear out of place, neither of them stopped to ask one of the city folks where they could find an inn for the night. But the hour was growing late and they were soon to violate the curfew if they had not already. They needed to find lodging within the next few minutes.
"Rony, we need to find an inn and soon. Do you have any idea which direction we should head?" she asked him. If only their wolves were with them. They always had an innate understanding of not just what both Rony and Zyn needed, but the means to resolve it. She could feel her bond with Inglorca, though because she was outside the city walls and no doubt enthralled in either the hunting of prey or playing with Xunmerco, it was diffuse at best.
How she missed her wolf, though she had become more and more aware with their growth that Inglorca was not hers at all. That would imply ownership and Inglorca could not be owned. Indeed, neither could Xunmerco. They stood apart from her understanding of other animals. Yes, they were ever part of their animalistic nature, but more than that, they were separate entities with fixed identities of their own apart from any domesticated influence. They were lupine, but assigning their identities to only the connotations and suppositions associated with the word "wolf" left much of their identities unaccounted for. They were more, much more, but exactly how much, she was not sure. They certainly played a part in whatever was happening to her and her brother, but whether they be cause or effect, she did not know.
"Rony," she addressed him again as they walked past a rather large and ornate estate, "I do not think this is the way we should be going. It does not look like we are getting closer to finding any lodging." But her brother seemed to be too absolved into his own world without Liani to attend to her. After a few more paces, she punched him in the back of his right shoulder causing him to look at her with a mixed stare of challenge, bewilderment, and accusation.
"Do not look at me like that, Brother," she said as she pointed her finger at him. "I would not have had to strike you had you answered my question."
"What? You did not ask me any question!" he said as he pushed her finger out of his face.
"I did so!" she retorted as she replaced her finger right in front of his nose again.
He paused to stare at her and meet her challenge, but after he saw there was no relent in her eyes, he said, "Fine. What question did you ask?"
"I asked you if we should go another way. I do not think this is the right direction. We seem to be getting deeper and deeper in the housing area instead. If you had not yet noticed, the sun is almost down and we are going to violate the curfew soon," she said as she looked around to see if there were any guards in sight.
"I do not know, Zyn. Everything happened so fast when we saw Borinth," he let his statement trail off. "And now there is a sort of malaise that has returned to my head and stomach. It is making it difficult to concentrate on anything else."
Looking at him suspiciously, she asked, "Oh, and just where do you think that malaise is coming from?"
"This place. That," he paused, "thing we felt earlier. I know it is a demon, but it felt much heavier than the others," he said as he too looked around. "Zyn?" he asked, "what is happening?"
It was uncharacteristic for her brother to ask her advice on anything. She supposed he did not because to ask advice was to admit an inadequacy of knowledge, and as her only father figure, he had to possess the knowledge she did not. For him to actually ask her something allowed her to see that he was indeed as lost as she. "I do not know," she answered as their tension melted.
"Do you think mother is ok?" he asked her.
"I am sure she is," she answered. "And least I hope she is," she added.
"It seems all we can do is hope. What happened to our simple lives, Zyn? How did we get here, worried about escaping, demons, and things beyond our understanding? What happened to us?" he said as his gaze returned to meet hers.
"I do not know, Rony. I do not know," she said as the growing tears in her eyes matched his.
"You there," said a voice from behind them, "You are in danger of violating the curfew. You had best return to your homes before the sun fully sets." His deep voice startled both of them. They turned quickly betraying their elevated anxiousness.
"Easy now, I am not arresting you yet, but if you do not return soon, I will have no choice." said the man again.
"Excuse me sir," said Zyndalia.
"Captain," interrupted the man.
"Captain," affirmed Zyndalia. "We mean no offense, but we are only newly here and without adequate lodging for the night. Could you direct us to the proper district?"
"Newly here? Did you not visit the registrar yet?" he asked looking suspiciously a them.
"I am sorry, we did not. We are just passing through on our way to Pretago Cor," she said.
"What business do you have in the Silver City?" asked the captain.
"We are traders and trappers, Capta
in. We were bringing our goods to sell, but we were raided while we slept on the road. Our carts were stolen with all of our supplies. We had not intended to enter the city when we first set out, but because of the raiders, we had no choice," said Zyndalia, trying to conceal their true intents.
The four guards the captain had with him had slowly reached for their weapons to be ready should the Captain give them the order to arrest the two self-identified trappers. Zyndalia could see he did not fully believe them, but she did not know what else to do or to say. "Where are you from?" asked the captain.
"We are from a small village many miles from here. I would tell you the name, but I do not think it large enough for you to have heard of it," answered Rony. But he could see the captain's belief in their story was dwindling with each of their answers.
"Perhaps, perhaps not, but I would still have its name," insisted the captain.
"Why there you are!" exclaimed a voice from the distance. "I have been looking all over the city for both of you!" the voice said again. All seven of them, four guards, one captain, and brother and sister turned toward the sound of the voice to see an elderly man hustling to approach them. His clothes were unmistakable as was his long beard and mustache. It was the man who had given them the silvery liquid that helped them to rescue Borinth.
"Where have you been? The letter from my sister said you would be passing through this morning. At first, I was waiting by the gate, but when the noonday sun arched past its apex and you had not appeared, I feared the worst," he said as he embraced them both in an affectionate hug as if they had known each other on a familial basis for years. "Well, how is everything? Did you bring a few bushels of those wonderful furs you always seem to catch?"
"You know these two?" the captain asked the elderly man.
"If you mean do I know them because they are the only son and daughter of my only sister, then yes, indeed I do know them. But if you mean can I answer for why were delayed in their arrival, I am afraid I cannot. However," he said as he turned his attention back to Rony and Zyn, "I expect it to be related to some sort of mischief no doubt," he said with an almost imperceptible wink. "Why, I do not believe I have ever told you the story of how they ended up knee deep in a mud pit swiping wildly at a roused nest of hornets! Now that was a sight, I tell you," he said as he pulled each of them in for another large hug.
After the man hand finished hugging Rony, he turned back to the guards and asked, "Now, what can I do for you, Captain?"
"You can verify their identities?" he asked.
"Of course, I can. They are my niece and nephew as I have said. Now, if you no longer have any further questions, may we be on our way. We do not want to be in violation of the curfew," he said turning both Rony and Zyn in an attempt to walk away.
"Wait, there is just one more thing," said the captain. "For formality's sake, I will need to see your registration papers."
"My papers?" he answered as he lightly stroked his long mustache. "That may be a problem. I do not believe I have them on me. But if you will permit, I will search for them."
The captain indicated the man do as much. Without hesitation, he began searching through the multiple pockets sewn into his robes. He pulled out several sheets of paper from each of them, but none of them were his registration papers. Then, after indicating they must be in his final pocket on the inside of his robes, he pulled out a large bundle of papers and clumsily dropped them. During his fumble, there was a particularly strong gust of wind that sent all of his papers flying in the wind spreading them out over a large area. With much ado, his frazzled nature beckoned the guards to assist him in their retrieval. When all the papers had finally be collected, he looked at them only to find they were not his registration papers either.
"On my," said the man apologetically, "it appears as though I do not have them at all."
The captain looked to his guards and back to the old man. He was about to speak when he was interrupted, "Unless," said the elderly man as he let his complete thought go unfinished. He bent over, lifted up the bottom of his robes slightly to reveal a pouch that had been secured to his calf by two leather straps. He reached in and triumphantly produced two dingy colored papers. "Ah ha!" he exclaimed. "I am sure you will find them all in order, Captain. And thank you for your indulgence and patience. You do represent the new regime with tolerance and peace."
The captain closely inspected the two sheets of paper. After he was satisfied that all the pertinent documentation was in order and that it was not a forgery, he handed them back to the man who was still absently stroking his long mustache, "Very well Ordinjos," but before he could finish, he was interrupted.
"It is pronounced Ord - in - yos," he said with emphasis on the "Y" sound, "not, Or - din - jos."
"My apologies," said the captain, now clearly agitated. "As I was saying, everything appears to be in order. But make sure you take your nephew and niece directly to the registrar in the morning. I do not believe they will be granted clemency another day."
"Thank you, Captain Thomin. Your assistance and understanding are much appreciated!" said the old man. "Now, by your leave, we had best be going. We do not want to be stopped by another patrol who is less understanding than yourself." The captain nodded, not noticing that the man used his name, which had never been offered in their conversation. Perhaps the captain would notice later, after reviewing his day, or perhaps he would not, but regardless, the three of them were off and making their way purposefully toward proper lodging before it would ever be realized, one way or the other.
When they were out of sight of the captain and his patrol, Rony stopped and turned toward the man named Ordinjos, "Alright. We thank you for everything you have done, but we will go no further without an explanation of who you are and why you are helping us."
The old man turned, looked at both of them, squinted his eyes, and exhaled a shallow breath. His hand raised to his long mustache and he began stroking it slowly. "Very well," he said. "But first, I must ask you a question."
"That was not the deal," replied Rony,
"Deal, we made no deal. I simply said I would answer your request as a condition for your continuance. But a condition of mine is that you answer me this question first: how long have you been having dreams?" he asked.
"Dreams? As long as I can remember," answered Rony through a contemptuous chuckle.
"Those are not the dreams of which I speak," said the man whose gaze had shifted from a jovial excitement into a forced penetration in less than a moment.
Sensing this Ordinjos knew more than what he let them initially believe, Zyndalia answered, "Ever since we found the wolf pups."
"Interesting," said Ordinjos to himself more than to them. "Very well, let us be off to find you proper lodging, and soon." He glanced to the sun which had just completed setting below the horizon. "It looks like we are already in violation of the curfew. Follow me."
He set a very deliberate and purposeful pace, but the same could not be said for their direction. Both Rony and Zyndalia assumed the path of the purposeful man would be as direct as his pace, but that was not the case. It appeared as though they were walking a rather random pathway filled with several twists and turns. They even walked down several darkened alleyways running behind several store fronts. After the last turn, almost a full half hour after they had begun. Zyndalia had resolved herself to speak up, but before she could, Ordinjos stopped and abruptly announced, "Well, here we are, and none too soon either. This is where my journey ends and yours begins. Well, at least begins again of a sort." Before the two of them could offer thanks to Ordinjos, he walked purposefully away in the direction of an oncoming patrol of guards. Brother and sister darted inside the door to their right just as Borinth, Dianali, and Liani had gotten up from their table to walk across the entryway and up the stairs to their room. Both groups were so focused on avoiding detection by guards that they did not allocate the proper awareness to avoiding each other. Consequently, they nearly collided. Had
it not been for their expert agility, at least one of them would have begun their reunion upon the seat of their pants.
As stunned as they were to see each other at this particular inn at this particular time, they were very careful not to betray their knowledge of each other. After a brief period of settlement, as one would normally expect from almost running head long into unknown people, they continued on their way, Borinth, Dianali and Liani up the stairs, and Rony and Zyn to the tavern bar to inquire about lodging. After answering a few of the inn keeper's odd questions, she said, "Why yes, I do have a room for you. It was reserved for you this morning."
"What do you mean?" asked Roy, looking suspiciously to Zyndalia.
"I mean to say that it has already been paid for. But just one night," she said as she checked her ledger for confirmation.
"Paid for?" interjected Zyndalia.
"Yes, dear. Paid for," said the inn keeper.
"Paid for by whom?" ask Rony.
"Well, by your uncle, of course," she said as she extended her hand offering them the key to the room.
Rony and Zyn looked at each other only to see a mirror reflection of their bewilderment. Not because neither of them was not fully aware of who was responsible for their reservation, clearly it was Ordinjos, but because, once again, they could not fathom the how or why of it.
They were tired, the sort of tired that causes one to forget everything except the need to rest. So, they did not question the inn keeper any longer and accepted the room without any further hesitation. A short, bearded man lead them upstairs to the first room on the left. He left them the key and bid them a good evening. They both walked over to their beds and collapsed upon them, voicelessly and breathlessly, Ronialdin on his stomach, and Zyndalia on her back.
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