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The villa of Colonel Achilles Graves was in an unusual state of uproar.

At least a dozen members of the Anatolian police were spread around the villa's front porch with their automobiles parked all over the snow covered yard. The officers, thickly clad in large woolen overcoats, were busy taking statements from the guests, while a small group of officers were leading away three of the guests. Various emotions were displayed on their faces, from miserable to murderous rage. Their paws were cuffed on their backs as they were escorted towards the awaiting automobiles.

One of them, a tiger, had to be restrained by three of the officers as he kept struggling against their grip. The feline was heavily bruised, bloodied, and had lots of cuts on his face. He snarled and tried to fight his way out twice and nearly succeeded until a boar officer went in and helped his comrades to shove the offending tiger into the police van.

The master of the house, the distinguished Colonel Achilles Graves, looked weary as he answered a few questions from the tall and shrewd labrador. The golden bands on his uniform indicated that the canine was the lead inspector.

There was an air of relief in the black panther's features as he answered yet another question.

"...yes, exactly. If it wasn't for detective Cross' quick action, that tiger would have succeeded in his attempt to stab me." He answered.

"I see." The inspector nodded, hastily scribbling the colonel's words on a notebook. He hummed as he thought his next question. "What can you say for Mr. Nikolai Vasilyev? I understand he's your guest. However, he wasn't on your guest list."

"Oh, young Vasilyev. He was standing in for his uncle, Admiral Vadim Vasilyev, who had fallen ill and couldn't come. The admiral and I had gone a long way back."

The inspector made a long, drawn out hum. "Ah, that makes sense I suppose."

"Vasilyev helped to restrain Rogers when detective Cross was struggling to restrain him." The colonel added. "Furthermore, without his help, that damned tiger and his accomplices would have managed to steal some valuable information."

"Did he now?" The labrador's eyebrow rose

Colonel Graves gestured to the two felines who were being interviewed by another police member several feet away. "See that they had sustained a number of cuts and bruises?"

"Mmm..."

The inspector continued to ask several more questions to the colonel, before he nodded in satisfaction, and signaled for his subordinates to move. Breathing a sigh of relief, the black panther turned to the cougar who was making his way towards him. Trotting directly behind the cougar was a male lynx. Both were draped in long, heavy coats and scarves wrapped their necks.

"I really cannot thank you enough for your help, Mr. Cross... I am forever in your debt." He said to the cougar.

Detective Leonidas Cross, or Leon as he liked to go by, gave a dismissive wave to the panther before he brushed off the snow that had accumulated on the top of his hat. A small smile was etched on his bruised face. Indeed, the feline looked slightly worse for wear after the small brawl earlier that evening.

"Anything for an old friend, colonel. The worst is behind us with Rogers gone." He nodded towards the tiger who was glaring balefully at them through the windows of the police car.

"I think you can sleep well now without anything burdening your mind." The detective added, pulling the coat closer around himself.

"I suppose." Colonel Graves exhaled, watching as the police shoved the bound tiger into the car and slammed the door. "Still, I hadn't thought it was Rogers of all people..."

Cross gave a comforting pat on his friend's shoulder. "At least Mr. Vasilyev was kind enough to subdue Rogers and recover the stolen plans."

The entourage of police and their cars soon drove off, leaving the villa back in its relative peaceful state once again. With the police gone, so was the excitement. The guests and servants slowly trickled back into the villa. The colonel, Cross, and Vasilyev soon followed the others, walking side by side as they headed into the warmth of the colonel's villa.

"All clear with the police?" Cross turned his question to the lynx as he handed his coat and hat to the butler who was standing helpfully by the door.

Nikolai Vasilyev looked worse for wear. His face bore a few scratches, some were bleeding openly, and his dinner jacket was in disarray. However, the feline's expression was one of immense satisfaction.

"I'm all clear once I showed them my identification and papers. Good thing the good sergeant can read Cyrillic." The lynx voiced with a small grin on his face. His voice bore almost no traces of his Rosvenian heritage. "I must apologize for deceiving you both however. It was imperative that my real identity was to remain hidden for my mission to succeed."

Cross nodded. "Yes of course. And we're grateful that you've recovered what had been stolen, aren't we, colonel?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes." The colonel nodded, absentmindedly caressing the folder that was pinned under his arm. "The Avalorian army is grateful for your help, Mr. Vasilyev."

"I'm just here to help." The Rosvenian agent gave a small chuckle.

"Well, I don't think any of us is ready for bed now." The colonel continued. "There was too many excitement for the night."

With the expressions of agreement from the two feline companions, he continued, "Why don't we retire to the library for the time being?"

The library, which had been used by Cross to confront Rogers of his motives early that evening, had been efficiently tidied. Looking at the room now, one would not expect that a brawl had taken place inside the richly paneled and thickly carpeted room.

The servants had tidied the books back to their respective shelves in an orderly manner, the seats and chairs rearranged back into their prior position, and the colonel's writing desk had been returned to its original, upright position by the tall windows.

There were several blotches of ink on the carpet from the bottles that had shattered when Rogers slammed Cross to the desk in an attempt to escape, but the ink stains would wash off, hopefully.

As the two felines made a beeline to the fireplace, the colonel went over to pour them whiskey from the side table, which had been thankfully untouched during the confrontation.

"Thank you, Colonel." Vasilyev nodded at the panther gratefully and drank. Colonel Graves went to take the spot beside the cougar detective.

"So, you will be returning to Rosvenia soon, Vasilyev?" Cross inquired, sitting on the nearby velvet settee. "Since you've completed your objective here and whatnot."

"In a few days." The lynx nodded as he sat to the adjacent settee. "I'll be taking the train straight to Pierrograd," said Vasilyev. "My services would be needed with how the country is at this moment... What about you, Mr. Cross? You're from the Hesperican Federation, aren't you?"

The cougar took a big gulp of his whiskey before replying. "Yes, yes I am. I'll be taking the train home, all the way to Valmagne-sur-Mer in Gallia. From there, I'll take the connection to Kingshaven by ship."

"Sounds like you've got a long journey ahead, Mr. Cross." Vasilyev sipped his whiskey. "Which train are you taking? The Continental Express?"

Cross shook his head. "I'm not sure yet, but I'll either take the Continental Express or the Nightline Express back. Whichever won't deplete my wallet." He added with a small chuckle.

"Why not the Mercurius Express?" Colonel Graves chimed in. "It's the fastest, and not to mention the best train in all of Ivoria. Takes just four days to travel from here to Gallia."

"That's true, right there." Vasilyev agreed. "I'll be on that train myself. Fine meals, cocktails, and not to mention, charming travelling companions." The lynx chuckled.

The colonel gestured in agreement with his glass. "You would be right."

"However, it's also the most expensive option for me." Cross sighed. "I simply can't afford spend so much on a trip. I've used quite a huge amount of my savings to get here from Hesperica by airship." He said. "It'll be cheaper if I take the regular express trains."

Colonel Graves was quick to protest. "Oh, no, no. I can't allow that. You've helped me a great deal, Cross, and I intend to repay the favor."

"Oh, but you shouldn't--"

"I insist." The colonel smiled. "I'll cover for your travel expenses from Anatolia to Gallia. Besides, I'll be taking the train too, but only as far as Ansburg. We could all travel on the same day."

Cross blinked. "I didn't know that you're heading back so soon. Why Ansburg, pray tell?"

"There will be a joint military drill between Avaloria and Arlemania, requested by the Kaiser Albert himself." The colonel replied. "Part of his plan to smooth out relations between the two countries."

Vasilyev hummed. "I heard rumours that the Kaiser is eyeing Princess Alexandrina for marriage. Perhaps this is one of his attempts to soften relationships between his empire and Avaloria."

"Judging from the number of times the Kaiser himself has visited Avaloria, I wouldn't be surprised." Cross remarked, sipping his whiskey. "Either way... you will be overseeing the military exercises, am I correct?" He turned to the colonel.

The black panther nodded. "Quite right! And what better way to travel back with good company, eh?" He chuckled.

Cross fell into a long, ponderous silence, sipping the last drop of his whiskey all the while.

"Well then..." he gave a sigh and showed the colonel a small, amused smile. "If you insist, colonel, I would be happy to join you two."

The colonel grinned brightly. "It's settled then!" He clasped his paws together. "I say why don't you two enjoy a few days here before going back? Enjoy the rest of the week to recuperate, and then we can head to Hieropolis to catch on the Friday afternoon train next week." He suggested, standing to his feet. "And to be frank, you two don't look like you could travel without gaining a few looks."

The other two felines turned and glanced at each other, noting the bruises and scrapes on their faces.

Cross chuckled. "Yes... I think you're right, colonel."

"I could use a few days of rest." Vasilyev nodded in agreement.

"Splendid! I'll have our berths arranged." The colonel spoke again. "You won't need to worry a single thing."

Vasilyev poured another helping of whiskey to himself. "Looks like we'll have a pretty enjoyable journey ahead of us."

Cross couldn't agree more. "Looks like we will." He smiled at the lynx, and asked to refill his glass.

* * *

Richard Caine took a large drag of his smoke and blew, looking down to the open air palm court from the balcony of his hotel room several floors above. Tables and chairs had been arranged by the hotel stewards so that the guests could dine under the fine, clear night. He could see a few guests had trickled out from the adjacent dining room, clad in dinner jackets and elegant gowns. Some of the ladies braved to bare their shoulders and arms even though it was quite a chilly night.

Nights in Misarya could be very cold, especially in winter, contrasting to its daytime temperatures. It baffled Richard to no end how extreme temperatures could shift in the desert.

The wolverine continued this idle activity of observing the servants and guests for a few more minutes before he flicked the butt of his cigarette and headed back into his room. Closing the doors behind him, Richard went to check his reflection on the nearby mirror, straightening his collar and bowtie, before he went to grab the black tailcoat hanging by the open wardrobe.

There came a knock on the door just as he was straightening his dinner jacket.

"Yes?"

"It's me, Rick." Came his uncle's voice from the door.

"Just a second."

Richard went to the door and turned the lock open. His uncle was standing just outside, sporting the small grin that seemed to be permanently plastered on his face.

Like Richard, Simon Caine was dressed in a dinner jacket, which was slightly stretched over the wolverine's large, but sturdily built figure. His salt and pepper hair was neatly combed back, and Richard thought his uncle looked pretty dashing for his age.

"Well, well. You look strapping, as always." The older wolverine smiled appreciatively, before he blinked and made a small gesture with his paw.

"Your bowtie is slightly off." He told his nephew. His fingers were already reaching for the tie. "Do you mind if...?"

Richard had a bemused smile on his face as he shook his head. "Not at all."

Simon made a short work to straighten his nephew's bowtie, and took a few more seconds to make sure the younger wolverine was presentable. "There. Perfect."

Richard chuckled and beamed. "Thanks, uncle."

"You're welcome!" The older wolverine smiled. "Oh right, these just came in." He then pulled out several enveloped from inside of his jacket.

"Oh?" Richard quickly flipped through the letters and tore them open.

The first two was from his alma mater, the Stainbridge University in Avaloria, inviting him for an alumni spring reunion. The second one was a letter from his archeology professor, asking about his recent expedition to the Misaryan Great Tombs.

The third envelope was a telegram, sent from a hotel in Hieropolis, Anatolia, dated today, and it was sent just about an hour ago. The name of the sender was his friend, whose letter Richard had been waiting for a few days now.

Opening the envelope, Richard's eyes fell to the neatly printed letters which read,

'FOUND NEW INFO ABOUT THE BOX = OLD BIRD KEPT ASKING ABOUT THE TRINKET = WILL HEAD TO AS-QAIR & MEET YOU AT THE HOTEL IN TWO DAYS'

"Was that from Warren?" Simon inquired when Richard folded the telegram back to its envelope.

The younger wolverine nodded. "Yeah. Sounds like Trent had finally found a lead on our nifty little trinket here." He said, turning his head slightly to the corner of the bedroom.

"Oh, really?" Simon hummed. He followed his nephew's line of gaze, looking at the large, solid black trunk nestled right next to the end table. It was heavily secured by three locks with a combination number on each lock. Opening them would also require a special key, which the two wolverines always kept on themselves.

Getting that little souvenir from the Great Tombs had been quite the grueling task, and not to mention the permits they had to apply to get it shipped across the country. The ancient and valuable trinket they found held a few surprises... if not shocking.

Richard didn't want to risk it being lost or stolen after all the trouble he and his uncle had been through. Especially not when their client had promised a large amount of payment for that artefact.

"Well any information about that strange box there would be good. What did he say?"

Richard shook his head. "Nothing, really..." He handed the envelope to his uncle. "He said he'd meet us here in two days, and that's all."

Simon hummed as he read the letter. "Looks like your client is getting more impatient to get his souvenir."

Richard let out a soft snort. "Ainsworth is too impatient for his own good. We'll give him the box when he's given us the payment."

"Of course, boy." The older wolverine chuckled. "Well, let's head down. They've rang the dinner gong a while ago."

Nodding, Richard went to lock every windows and doors before he followed his uncle to the hallway outside. Simon's paw was on Richard's shoulder as they headed for the elevator lobby, pulling the younger wolverine close. The elevator brought the two down to the ground floor and they made a beeline towards the dining hall just off to the side of the lobby.

The magnificent hall, two stories high and lined with windows on two sides, was already filled with guests. The orchestra was playing a lively waltz to which several couples were dancing to on the marble lined dance floor. Wall to ceiling glass doors opened to the palm court outside.

It would seem most of the guests wanted to enjoy some fresh air tonight, Richard noted as he and his uncle were shown to their table by their waiter. They weren't lead outside, thankfully, but it would seem their table had already been occupied by a single guest.

He was a tall, broad shouldered grey wolf with a stern looking face and a predominantly black and white fur, with shades of brown spread evenly along his robust figure that was clad in impeccable set of tails. The wolf's sharp amber eyes flicked between Richard and his uncle for a moment before he gestured to the empty seat with a flicker of a smile.

"Good evening." Simon greeted as they sat down. "I'm Simon Caine."

"Heinrich Luther." He introduced himself. His tone carried the slight guttural, Arlemanian accent.

Richard introduced himself as well before he picked up the menu card and looked through the list of food that was offered that night. For some reason, he felt that Luther was scrutinizing him and his uncle a bit too closely. When he went to glance at the wolf, the canine's gaze was already somewhere else, casually so.

It would seem that the wolf was studying a pair of lions who were dancing slowly with the music, Richard thought as he followed the canine's gaze. Honeymooners, judging by their expressions on their faces. Richard thought that the lioness was very beautiful in her simple, but undoubtedly expensive black dress. An impressive necklace was draped over her neck, consisting of huge, intricate golden beads and beautiful sapphires.

The lioness' husband was also very handsome, with strong jaw, a dazzling smile, neatly trimmed auburn mane, and brilliant grey eyes. His white dinner jacket fitted his athletic frame perfectly.

"Those two made a really good pair." His uncle remarked thoughtfully. "Oh, isn't she Eliza Baxter?"

"She's Mrs. Elizabeth Meyer now." Heinrich Luther intoned.

Simon Caine regarded the wolf with interest. "Indeed? I didn't know she's married. That Meyer is a lucky bastard." He chuckled.

"And she's a very lucky girl." Richard remarked, eyes fixed on the couple.

"Undoubtedly." Luther nodded, drinking his wine. "News of her marriage was all over the newspapers in Avaloria for the past week."

"Ah, I see. My uncle and I had been busy with the excavation at the Great Tombs for the past month, hence why." Richard chuckled. "She's a big star then?"

"I tell you, nephew, Elisabeth Baxter--or Meyer as she is now, is one of Avaloria's richest women." Simon Caine explained. "I was well acquainted with her father. Julius Baxter was a brilliant businessman. He also invested a lot on theatres and cinemas at the Cross End. We've been to one of his theatres a few years ago, actually." He chuckled. "Remember, Rick? It was a performance for Wilhelm V."

"Oh, really?" The younger wolverine nodded slowly. "Oh, right, right. That theatre was quite opulent, and I remembered it was quite the brilliant play too. And... did you say Julius Baxter was a brilliant businessman?" He added.

"He had passed away two years ago." Luther remarked in his guttural baritone. "Mrs. Meyer now holds his businesses."

"As it is expected." Simon nodded, drinking the champagne which had been poured by the waiter. "I heard she's also a shrewd businesswoman."

The wolf nodded. "That she is. How well are you acquainted with the Baxter family, Mr. Caine?" He asked, levelling his gaze to Simon.

The wolverine blinked. "Just quite, actually. Me and Julius were schoolmates. We shared the same dormitory and classes, but never really talked to him that much outside homework and school projects. I've also made a few business deals with the late Mr. Baxter, with his obsession on ancient artefacts and such."

Luther nodded with a hum. "I see." He uttered, before his attention was drawn to the waiter who had come around, bringing another person to their table.

It was a male Akita with handsome brown coat with black markings. He looked pretty young, perhaps in his early twenties. However, despite a hint of nervousness tugging on his smiling muzzle, the canine had an air of ease about him, like a well-seasoned traveler.

"Hullo. Spencer Calius. Pleasure to meet you."

Richard blinked, not expecting the fluent Avalorian, if not slightly inflected with a hint of an accent, coming from the Akita's lips. His name itself suggested that the canine wasn't wholly oriental in his origin.

"The pleasure is mine, young man." Simon Caine shook his paws with the Akita, giving a very wide, if not a rather too friendly grin.

Richard nudged his uncle slightly.

Simon Caine quickly cleared his throat and toned down his smile. "Travelling all by yourself, Mr. Calius?"

"Yeah, I am. I had friends actually, but we parted ways awhile back," said Spencer. "They wanted to go back to Columbia and I would like to explore the old world a bit more so, we agreed to split up here." He explained with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Understandable. However, it's rather taxing, travelling by yourself, isn't it?" Richard went to ask.

Spencer hummed. "Hmm, that's true but it's rather refreshing actually. I got to sightsee every interesting part of Misarya with my own, leisure pace. My friends could be rather excitable, really."

"Of course." Richard nodded. "So, you've toured the Nahail River then?"

"Oh yes, it's quite the adventure!" The Akita said with a wide grin. "I've seen so many interesting ruins and sights. My fellow passengers were quite interesting too. Professors, archeologists, novelists, honeymooners... like those two over there," he nodded to the Meyers couple, "and uh..." He turned to Luther, tilting his head to the side. "Huh... didn't we meet on the boat?"

The wolf's response was rather noncommittal. "We might have."

"Ah? Er... alright then."

Dinner proceeded without many comments. However, Richard did engage Spencer in a small discussion about their excavation work at the Great Tombs and what they found. It certainly drew interest from Akita, who had apparently visited the location during his tour down the Nahail.

The Meyers had gone to occupy the small table next to theirs, and Richard couldn't help but admire the couple. They looked truly in love, especially Theodore Meyer. No doubt, his new wife had truly captivated him.

However, aside from the cheerful music and the splendid food, dinner progressed rather uneventfully. Heinrich Luther offered a curt "Evening," before he stood up and left, making his way towards the bar that was outside the dining hall.

As the waiter brought out the desserts, Richard watched as two guests rose from the table across the room and made their way towards the Meyers, hand in hand. One was a young lioness with her hair curled into fashionable waves, and the other was a rather boyish looking leopard.

Both of them were quite good looking, but they didn't quite stand out. Richard guessed that they were another newlywed couple, or perhaps recently engaged. He couldn't be sure. However, the strange, intense expression on the lioness' face was quite startling for him.

"Oh, Eliza! I didn't know you're staying here. What a pleasant surprise!" The lioness exclaimed.

From the expression on Eliza Meyer's face, the surprise was indeed a pleasant one. Theodore Meyer also looked quite shocked.

Eliza quickly stood up. "Cathy! I didn't know you're staying here!" She turned her attention to the leopard standing beside Cathy. "Oh, and who is this?"

Cathy pulled the leopard by his arm, smiling rather brightly. Too brightly at that. "Zachary Hale. Meet Eliza Bax--I mean, Eliza Meyer. And I'm sure you knew Theodore Meyer?" She nodded her head to the lion.

Theodore Meyer nodded wordlessly. He was still staring at Cathy and Zachary Hale, but mostly Zachary Hale, in surprise.

"Oh yes. We met a couple of times," said Zachary Hale. The leopard smiled somewhat shyly at the lion in question.

Theodore Meyer gave a small, if not nervous smile. "Yes... we studied at Bridgeford together."

There was an unreadable expression in the lion's grey eyes, which was reflected by Zachary Hale. However, the leopard turned his attention to Cathy who had continued speaking.

"Well, I just wanted to tell you, Lizzy. Me and Zach are engaged!" Cathy practically exclaimed to her friend.

"Engaged?" Came the astonished reply from the Meyers.

Richard quickly turned away from the conversation, knowing how women liked to gush and gossip, especially when they were going to get married, or during their honeymoon.

His attention was completely drawn away the next moment, as one of the waiters came down towards him with a small tray bearing an envelope.

"Telegram for Mr. R. Caine." The uniformed bear announced.

"Oh, that'd be me. Thank you." Richard went and took the telegram from the waiter. He quickly opened it when he read that it was sent by Trent Warren.

'CHANGE OF PLANS = DEPART MERCURIUS EXPRESS NEXT FRIDAY 5 PM HIEROPLS. CENTRAL STATION = OLD BIRD WILL BE THERE WITH THE GOLD = REPLY PROMPTLY = YOUR PAL TRENT'

Folding the telegram, Richard made a mental calculation in his mind. Travelling from Misarya to Anatolia will take half a day by air. Two if they were delayed by the weather. If they left the day after tomorrow, there will be still time to catch up with Trent and take the Friday train.

He turned his head to his uncle when the older wolverine nudged him softly.

"Something urgent?"

Richard gave a slight shrug. "Well, sounds like it. Looks like we'll have to meet up with Trent in Anatolia instead." He said.

"Why the sudden change?" His uncle voiced his confusion.

"He didn't say, but it sounds like he found some new leads." Richard replied, lowering his tone slightly and handed the telegram to his uncle. "Well, we can catch up with him if we take the airship in two days."

"Ah, that's rather sudden, isn't it?" Simon remarked.

"I suppose so." Richard sighed and stood up. "I better reply to this telegram, so please excuse me." He added to the guests on his table.

"No problem!" Spencer gave the wolverine a nod. "It sounds urgent so I don't mind. Perhaps we might even meet in Anatolia later on." He chuckled. Evidently, he had heard about their part of conversation.

Simon smiled rather tightly as he turned to the Akita. "Oh?"

"I'll be going back to Columbia after this. A friend of mine was kind enough to book me a passage on a train."

Chuckling, Richard straightened his jacket and made his way out of the dining room, intend to find the telegram office in the hotel. He was sure he saw one this afternoon, close to the lobby.

* * *

Several hundred feet above the vast, arid desert of Eravia, a silvery airship was sailing lazily through golden dunes with several dozen passengers housed within its cigar-shaped hull. While not being the largest airships, the Adhara was one of the fastest with the most comfortable, finely appointed accommodations with affordable price.

It was that sole reason that Dr. Hector LeFevre took the Eravian airship on his return trip to Anatolia. From there, he would take a transit flight back to his home in Gallia.

The badger, short and robust but also unusually tall for his species, was seated by the airship's small, but cozy lounge. A cup of chilled sweet tea was wrapped around his paw. The doctor's attention wasn't directed to the drink or even the view outside the wide, picture windows of the lounge. Instead, LeFevre was fully engrossed with the newspaper before him. It was the international edition of the local papers that had been printed and translated to Gallian.

"Là là." He muttered in annoyance as he read the headline on the third page, which announced that weather conditions in northern Ivoria had worsened.

Weather forecast predicted that snow will come down heavily in the next few weeks. All flights to and from Avaloria, Hesperica, Gallia, Arlemania, Rosvenia, and Norvdal would be canceled until further notice.

"Looks like I would have to take the train instead." He said to particularly no one.

"Perhaps you should, old friend."

LeFevre stood, let out a delighted exclamation, and went to give the sabertooth that had been standing right behind him a friendly hug.

"Armand, mon vieil ami!" LeFevre beamed. "What brings you here? Come, come, sit with me."

Armand Förstner was a sabretooth tiger of middle age with a friendly demeanor. A single silver plated false fang was in place of his original right-side fang. His bright brown eyes were energetic and playful as he gave a good-natured slap on the badger's back (who was a few heads shorter than him) while grinning brightly.

"I am here on business, LeFevre. The usual duties of a director: monthly supervision and other nonsense." The sabertooth replied in his usual, slightly synthesized voice as he sat down.

LeFevre could see the mechanical collar that wrapped around his old friend's neck partially hidden under the feline's shirt collar. It assisted the sabertooth's speech since Förstner had his vocal cords damaged during an accident a few years ago.

"Ah, you're overseeing the grand project to connect your train lines from Southern Ivoria to the East?" LeFevre guessed. "You've been monitoring the progress in Evaria then?"

"Quite right my friend." Förstner nodded. "Progress is slow, but the Ispania-Misarya-Anatolia-Eravia railway would be completed by the end of next year if favor is in our side."

"And soon your gleaming trains will thunder through the sandy deserts, eh?" LeFevre grinned. "It would be a dream come true for your bosses, no?"

The sabertooth nodded with a small smile. "Quite right. Trains bearing the Mercurius Ferroviaire name would soon be rolling through this new route. I'm thinking of naming this route as the Horus-Aerion Express."

"The Horus-Aerion Express? After the Horus Mountains?" The mustelid doctor tilted his head slightly.

The sabertooth smiled. "Naturally! The new train route will pass through the mountain range." He revealed. "The company had decided to extend the Aerion Express' route from Ispania onwards so I think it's the most fitting name. This new line will be our most profitable one, I'd wager."

"That is a pretty fitting name, I agree." LeFevre chuckled. "And I'm sure it will. This rail will link all of your company's train routes, doesn't it?"

"Why of course!"

The two continued to talk about Förstner's new train project as the day slowly passed, discussing about how the new line would connect all of Förstner's train services throughout the continent. When fully completed, the Horus-Aerion Express could take passengers from Madrino City, Ispania towards Misarya, and then all the way to Asaddia, Eravia where the train will continue towards its terminus in Hieropolis, Anatolia.

"I didn't get to ask," said the sabertooth when he and LeFevre were strolling around the glass enclosed promenade deck, "what business have you in Eravia? I've never known you'd like to travel too far away from home."

"It was a patient's request, you see," replied the badger. "A Gallian diplomat had fallen seriously ill after a trip to the local excavation site. I won't bore you with the details, but I had to perform an emergency surgery on him. He's in fine condition now, but I had him sent to Gallia for better treatment ahead of me. He'll be arriving approximately tomorrow morning in Luciere."

"Ah, that's good news then." Förstner nodded. "Still, it was surprising that you would fly all the way this far south."

The doctor chuckled with a nod. "Life can give us some few surprises, yes. Like the news of the cold front brewing in the northern regions for instance. No doubt a telegram informing that my airship to Gallia is cancelled would be waiting for me in Hieropolis." He lamented.

Förstner gave a slight hum. "Well, when airships couldn't make it due to bad weather, trains or boats certainly can. At least, I'm confident my trains could go through the cold weather with no problem. No problem at all." He chuckled at that. "You're heading back to Gallia then?"

"Yes I am. I must see my patient, after all."

"And you haven't booked a berth on a train or a ship?"

LeFevre knew where his friend was going, but he humoured him nonetheless. "I haven't, yes."

"Well then, as the director of the line, let me provide you with a berth on the Mercurius Express, my friend. No, no, it won't be a problem. It'll be a pleasure, travelling with a friend, yes?"

With Förstner's insistence and persuasion, the badger doctor finally agreed, much to the sabertooth's delight.

"I owe you, my friend." He said.

"Consider this a debt repaid. After all, you did save my life during the Great War." Förstner was practically purring pleasantly.

LeFevre responded by giving a warm pat on his friend's shoulder and a small smile. "You flatter me." He added with a slight chuckle. "You will be joining the train then?"

"Oh yes, but only until Obersthaven. I'm personally overseeing that some important guests will have a comfortable journey to Arlemania." The sabertooth said. "Like Dirk Thorstein, the famous Columbian violinist who's in this airship with us right now. He and his two friends had just completed their tour, playing for the Eravian sultans. In fact, I think I saw him and his group right there."

Following the sabertooth's line of sight, LeFevre saw a tall, broad shouldered arctic wolf standing a few ways away, leaning over the promenade windows. He had a rather sophisticated but approachable and charming air. Standing close to the wolf were his fellow musicians, as it would seem. One was a ram whose curled horns caused him to have the impression that he towered over every everybody else, and the other was an gangly, lean, male leopard.

All three were in the company of sophisticated, important looking people, conversing about their latest performance and whatnot. However, Dirk Thorstein was talking with a rather unassuming wolf with a predominant dark grey fur.

"You said you're also a violinist, Herr Schroeder?"

LeFevre heard the wolf spoke as they walked past the two canines.

"Yes I am, but I've fallen out of practice, unfortunately." The grey wolf replied. "I used to have a tutor from the... Ansburg Philharmonic. I am not as good as you, Thornstein, I must admit."

"It takes time and practice." The Columbian violinist replied amicably. "And a tutor from the Ansburg Philharmonic? Really? Well, I say that was quite the distinction!"

"Hmm, where did you say Dirk Thorstein was from again?" LeFevre finally asked as Herr Schroeder replied in a humble manner, adding that his tutor was talented but quite the slave driver.

"I didn't say." Förstner hummed. "Also, I'm not quite sure. I knew he debuted in Centropolis a few years back and gained prominence in Columbia as a brilliant soloist. He had even toured around the world a few times."

LeFevre nodded. "I heard of that as well. I do believe he has a bit of an accent... Norvdallian perhaps?"

"Still have an eye over the details I see!" The sabertooth chuckled. "Well, Columbia is a big melting pot of a country, my friend. One living there could have any strange accents from all over the world."

The doctor pondered his friend's statement. "I guess you're right." He said. "Well then, tell me more about your special guests you have to escort."

"Gladly! We have a few celebrities beside Thornstein. There's Diana Adler, the famous Cross End actress; and also, Arturo Lazzari, the world-renowned opera singer. I heard he's going to tour the North Columbian continent for the season... Ah, aside from the celebrities, there's also Count Viktor Konstantinov and Duchess Natasha Nikolaevna of Rosvenia who will be travelling back to their home. No doubt they would be needed in the royal court with the current political turmoil in their country..."

The day quickly turns to night and along came a very satisfying dinner in the airship's wide, and cozy dining hall. Even though it was somewhat simple, the meal was extremely delectable, thought LeFevre. The badger soon found himself strolling along the promenade once again, intent to get a little exercise after the hearty meal. He couldn't do to sleep with a full feeling in his stomach.

Humming a little tune, the Gallian doctor greeted a couple of passengers who had went to have a nightly stroll just as himself. Most had turned in for the night. The sky outside was calm and cloudless, he noted. Stars shone through brightly in the inky black sky and there's no moon in sight. It was almost poetic, LeFevre mused as he continued his stroll and rounded through the hallway that would lead to the other promenade on the other side of the Adhara.

Just as he was approaching the entryway to the staircase, he heard hushed voices, almost like a lament. The doctor slowed down his steps as the noises became slightly clearer.

"I wish I'm strong enough to get through this..."

A pause, a light, almost inaudible gasp, followed with a sigh.

"You are strong. Why did you ever think otherwise?"

"If only I could." The first voice said again. It was Herr Schroeder's voice, LeFevre realized. Only, he sounded not like himself.

"I just..."

"You can, and you will. We'll get through this... together." The second voice, which LeFevre had identified as the firm voice of Dirk Thorstein, intoned.

"After that... nothing can touch us..." Schroeder agreed softly, before it abruptly stopped.

LeFevre turned his head away from the doorway where he had caught a glimpse of the two wolves standing closely under the staircase. Both men seem to be frozen in place, and the doctor could feel their eyes following him as he walked past.

"The stars are very bright tonight," he thought to himself absently as he continued on his stroll, smiling lightly to himself.

When he came around to the staircase landing again, the two wolves were nowhere to be seen. Nor the doctor could see the end of their tails in the corridors as LeFevre returned to his cabin on the lower decks of the airship.

The sky was clear and blue the next morning, with a blanket of white covered the hilly fields that surrounded the city of Hieropolis. It marveled the badger doctor on how snow could even fall in a country known by its humidity and heat in the summer.

During breakfast, LeFevre was reminded of the conversation he overheard last night as he was seated right across Dirk Thorstein. The arctic wolf was alone, while Herr Schroeder was sitting a few tables away, apparently engaged in a conversation with a family of huskies.

The Columbian violinist was barely eating his food.

Schroeder would occasionally glance to Thornstein's direction, but the musician didn't give him any signs of acknowledgement. Within a blink, the grey wolf's gaze was directed to something else entirely.

It would seem that the two wolves were keen not to acknowledge each other today. LeFevre observed that the two men merely gave each other curt, polite greetings as they walked pass by.

"This is a funny little drama I'm witnessing." The doctor thought to himself when he saw the two men standing side by side by the lounge windows a few hours later. None of them spoke a thing, appearing to be very lost in thought. Or perhaps they were just amazed by the sight of the snow covered, sprawling city of Hieropolis that loomed underneath them.

Thoughts of the two wolves eluded the Gallian doctor's mind as the Adhara finally landed at Hieropolis International Airfield. LeFevre was wholly distracted for the next few hours, as he had to mind his large number of luggage during disembarkation. He barely even noticed when Herr Schroeder bumped past him as he and the other passengers descended down from the airship.

The Arlemaninan wolf was apparently in a hurry, as LeFevre quickly lost sight of him in the crowd.

After getting through the immigration checkpoint and making sure that he had all of his luggages with him, LeFevre found Förstner by the airfield's entrance. The sabertooth had took it upon himself to escort the doctor to the Continental Court Hotel. Apparently, the hotel was operated by a subsidiary company to Förstner's train company that managed hotels which would provided quality accommodations for passengers of his train, before and after their train journeys.

Perhaps it was a coincidence that LeFevre had booked a room in the hotel in advance beforehand, but he found it really convenient that the hotel would provide a shuttle service to Hieropolis Central Station on the day he and Förstner would have to depart.

Not a few hours after he had checked into the hotel, a telegram from the airship company came for the doctor. It confirmed LeFevre's prediction that his flight to Gallia was cancelled due to bad weather.

The sabertooth was quick to book LeFevre a berth on the Mercurius Express when the doctor told his old friend about the news.

"The earliest train would leave this Friday afternoon." The sabertooth had said as he rejoined his exasperated and bemused friend on the hotel's bar. "You will be berthed in the finest first class compartment onboard, and your expenses will be on me. All in good will of course."

LeFevre's polite protests fell on deaf ears.

"Like I said, you won't need to worry about anything," said Förstner with a broad smile. "I had the nuisance of the ticketing and registration taken care of. You'll only need to sit back, relax, and enjoy your journey back to Gallia."

"If you say so, mon ami." LeFevre nodded to his friend with a small smile. "If you say so."