437 Belatora (1/2)
”Where's Darsi,” Wind asked?
”I'm assuming she is staying wherever Aledo is. Let's check for sure.”
[Direct Contact: Darsi]
A life-sized holo of Darsi appeared on the balcony.
”Hey, Trip-7.”
Nix could see that she was in a room of some sort. ”Where are you?”
”The Iron Boar in Zags. I watched Aledo and his group come into town, they are staying here also. They changed into army uniforms just outside of town.”
”We need to find out of he's playing both sides or supporting the rebel forces.” Nix considered the situation for a moment before making a decision. ”I'm going to send Ducky in. What room are you in?”
”Room 22 on the second floor. Going to grab a bite to eat, so tell her to look in the dining area if I don't answer the door.”
”Thanks, Darsi. Join us tomorrow, we'll make contact with General Remis then.”
Darsi nodded. ”Got it.”
Nix closed com and then summoned Ducky. The Water Witch was wearing a blue dress that matched her hair. She smiled at the pair and hugged Nix from behind.
”Special mission?”
Nix nodded. ”We intercepted some caravan raiders earlier today, although we didn't engage them their identities turned out to be soldiers rather than rebels.”
Ducky pursed her lips slightly. ”Maybe they are trying to make the rebellion look bad?”
”There are a few possibilities, which is why I want you to question Aledo Remis.”
”Sure. What can you tell me about him?”
”He's the son of General Remis. It was Aledo that was leading the raid today. Find out everything you can.”
Ducky nodded. ”Where is he?”
”He's in Zagingba, which is slightly southwest of here.” Nix pulled up his hud and zoomed out until he found the city. ”Locals call it Zags, Darsi is staying at the Iron Boar room 22, our target is staying at the same inn.”
Ducky studied the hud for a moment and then stepped away. ”I'll bring Fey if that's okay.”
”Sure, want me to summon her?”
Ducky shook her head. ”I'll do it when I get outside of town.”
Nix stared at her for a moment. ”You can summon Fey?”
Ducky nodded slightly. ”Fey and Soup, but not Morti.”
Nix's face creased into a smile. ”I didn't know that. Can you summon me?”
Ducky returned his smile and hugged him tight before stepping back. ”No, only Shae and Morti can do that.”
Wind watched the interactions without comment. He had the King, which was the ultimate trump card. It would be nice to pick up a few more companions. ”I've seen Shae summon you, but I didn't realize Morti could do it.”
Nix shrugged. ”Neither did I.” He could sense that his bond with the Titan cub was constantly growing stronger. Recently, when they grouped together, Nix received strength and stamina boosts while Morti's elemental resistances climbed upward. ”Doesn't surprise me, because of his age we formed a closer connection.”
Wind turned his chair slightly and placed his feet on the rail. ”Think Ronnie and Bali are staying out of trouble?”
Nix grinned and shook his head. ”How would that be possible?”
*******************
The two companions walked down the boardwalk leading away from the Belatora market. Several stares from both men and women followed them. One was a slender archer with dark skin, her hips swayed from side to side when she walked and she wore a bright smile on her face that seemed to welcome conversation. Her companion was nearly a head shorter, her platinum blond hair held up in a ponytail, pretty blue eyes filled with mischief were constantly darting as if she felt the need to see everything.
”They don't sell any art supplies here.” Bali bit her lower lip. ”I'm going to make a new painting of Captain Locas.”
Ronnie threw an arm around the ranger's shoulder. ”Locas has a girlfriend now.”
Bali shrugged, she kept sketches of both Nix and Locas next to her bed. She admired both of them but never really considered why. ”Locas needed a girlfriend, sooner or later I would have stepped up, maybe in a year or two.”
Ronnie nodded knowingly. Her friend didn't have experience with either gender, but she wasn't shy about expressing her feelings. ”Woah... check that out.”
Bali stumbled slightly, pulled off balance by Ronnie's grip. She turned in the direction her best friend was pointing to. ”Horses?”
A team of horses pulling luxurious looking coach pulled up next to the Inn where they were staying. Their black coats shined in the late afternoon sun, rippling muscles moved just beneath the surface.
Ronni stared at the horses, her smile widening. ”Those look fast, right?”
Bali shook her head and pointed to a nearly identical team just ahead of them. ”I think the brown ones look stronger and that coach is a bit sleeker.”
Ronnie frowned at her friend and walked to the side of the coach. ”No driver.”
Bali nodded in agreement. ”Brakes on, the driver must be helping with the bags?”
”A disagreement between friends... only one way to handle it.” Ronnie extended her hand toward the Dhassi Ranger.
Bali shook the offered hand. ”It's a race.”
*******************
Nix fell asleep under the comforting rays of the last few minutes of sun, it was Wind who shook him away a few hours later.
”Someone's at the door, Nix.” Wind rubbed his eyes slightly, it was obvious he'd logged some bunk time.