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The blade sliced through the air again and again. He spun and slid it through the air once more, adding a growl after his arm went to full extension. He adjusted his feet and pulled it back before going for a few quick stabbing motions. His next turn was made with a wide swing of his tail. Anyone who had been to his side would of been slammed.

But the only person present, his finance, was sitting a bit away. Her vacant gaze was focused firmly on the sky. The clouds were quickly thickening. A storm was rolling in. It was too warm for snow, but the weather could turn quickly.

The male dragon spun a few more times, blade extended, teeth bared, chest heaving. His eyes darted to where she was sitting. He could see her shivering. They had been there in the clearing, which was dominated by the rocky outcropping, for several hours.

He sheathed his sword and went to her. He placed a hand on the side of her wing. Her head darted to the side and glared at him. He pulled back.

"Sorry," she said quietly, turning her gaze back to the sky.

"I... yes..." He panted lightly. "Optan will die. I promise you that."

She snarled and quickly moved to her feet, pulling her gear up with her. "We need to go."

"Of course we do. You go on to my family's castle. I'll go back to Zarx."

She crossed her arms and widened her stance. The vacant look was gone from her eyes and replaced with something harder.

"What?" said Otsi.

"You can't just go to the capital and stab Optan."

"The hell I can. I'm well justified. And if I make the proper challenge..."

Eca shook her head. "Justified is one thing. Able to do so without getting killed before hand is another. And I have no plans on you being put on the queen's chopping block because you killed her honored advisor. If she's not convinced of his crime it doesn't matter what process you go through before hand."

"An advisor who sent an assassin who..." he turned his head and shook. His hands were in fists. "Perhaps death is too kind."

She slapped him. Hard.

"When did you go stupid?" she yelled. "Why the hell are you... You... you...."

He reached to grab her arms but she pulled back.

"I'm sorry," he said lowering his gaze to the ground before her. "I just, there's... He hurt you. And me. If... if it was just me... but he hurt you. I promised you that..."

"I know," she whispered. "Otsi, listen, there's a right way to do this, and a wrong way."

He nodded. "What do we do?"

"We need something... The requisition, the method of payment. That monster was being paid. So that's how we proceed."

He stretched a wing. "We'll, need help."

---

The stench could almost be seen wafting out of the hole's in the poorly repaired door. The two figures standing before the saloon had paused to take in the sight of the dilapidated structure. They turned to each other and gave a nod. He was through the doors first. As she moved up to his side he was already observing the room. Several eyes looked up to the new comers. Most turned away. A few lingered for a bit longer. Many of the eyes belonged to canines and a few belonged to well bundled lizards. The bartender, a badger, was the odd one out.

She quickly moved to a table. He went to the bar and got drinks. There was conversation. Quieter after the arrival of the new comers. But as they drank, the regulars grew more comfortable. All the same, the two kept their eyes out for the contact.

They waited. They finished their drinks and got a second round. As she went to get their third, she asked the bartender, "I'm looking for a weasel named Sloj. Do you know him?"

"Don't know. Not many weasels around here though. There's a fellow who's come through here the last few days just after dusk. Usually with a skunk. Not many of them about either."

She thanked him and paid for the drinks.

"Guess we wait till sunset," she said.

They took the third round much slower. But he was obviously looking a bit impatient.

The sun light streaming through the windows finally began to fade. A younger badger appeared from the back room and began lighting the remaining lamps around the room. The doors opened and two new visitors to the saloon appeared. The skunk was wearing a long leather coat. The weasel sported a much lighter tunic and short breeches. Both were obviously packing blades and pistols.

"That's them," she whispered.

"Wasn't expecting them to be that armed."

The weasel and the skunk got drinks and sat in the far corner.

"I recognize the skunk," he said to her. "His name's Direct I think."

"A funny name," she replied.

"Weird house. Lots of unusual names. Not quite nobility but rich enough to play as such. No matter, I should say hello."

She grabbed his arm. "Good luck, don't be stupid."

He got up and moved to the table of the weasel and skunk. As he approached both put their hands on the hilts of their blades.

"Can we help you?" asked the weasel.

"Yes, I'm here to collect for some work a friend of mine did for you."

The skunk eyed the weasel. "Sit down," he said kicking the chair out for the stranger. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting a bear."

"Apolytam don't easily fit into establishments like this without a bit of commotion. And right now, that's not what he needs."

"So," continued the weasel. "The business is finished?"

The bear nodded. "I hear it got a bit messy. But I don't think Tep would have it any other way."

The skunk was looking at the bear's companion, the ringtail. "I was under the impression we'd be meeting Tep. Not two lackeys. You being here is extra odd as Tep wasn't exactly keen on friends."

"I don't need to be his friend to get ten percent. And if I don't deliver to him," said the bear grinning. "Then me and him might end up wrestling a bit."

"You'd loose," hissed the skunk. "Come on. What is this shit. Really. Who are you?"

The bear leaned back and took a drink. "Dolf. And the raccoon's Werz. And don't worry, she's only here to make sure you two have more than one target to deal with if things go sour. Now, Tep needs his coin. Hand it over, else I leave and let him know he's being stiffed."

The skunk's ear flicked as he continued to glare at the raccoon. The weasel was getting more relaxed. All three could smell skunk agitation.

"Now," said Sloj. "Tep should of told you that there is only one way I can get you the money."

The bear slowly reached into his cloak. This got the skunk's attention back to the bear for a few moments. Dolf produced two items which he placed on the table. One was a ring with a seal on it. The crest was of house Halcyon. The other object was a chunk of dragon horn. It was just the tip and was hollow.

"Mementos from both. The imprint lines on the horn should be sufficient to identify it as of his family, and unless you've gotten word that Delrotsi has been horribly injured, there's not many places such a pattern could come from."

The weasel picked up the bit of horn and inspected it. "I don't think this is good enough. I might need more."

Dolf sighed. "Look at Werz. That blade at her side. She's gotten to fancy it. Look at the pommel."

"That is his weapon," grumbled the skunk.

"You're friend seems very unhappy," said the bear to the weasel. He smiled and made sure to show a few teeth. "I'm guessing you weren't expecting your hired gun to do the deed, and that you could pocket the money yourselves. I'm tired. Let's just get on with it then. Are we going to come to blows or are you going to give us the payment?"

"Dir, give them their due," said Sloj. "If Tep shows up later to get paid, skunk him and while he's getting pissed, we'll describe these two fucks."

"What ever," said Direct as he pulled a heavy sack of coins from his jacket and slid it to Dolf. "I think I recognize your friend from somewhere. I hope its not anywhere that you'll regret."

"If you've ever been robbed on the coastal roads, you may have met her. But if so, I'll have to call her out for lying about how many she's let lives."

The bear snatched the coins off the table and slid the bag into his robes.

"I hope we never cross paths again," said the bear as he stood. "I don't often run into folks as well armed as yourselves, and knowing my luck, you'd actually know how to use those."

The skunk grinned. Dolf backed away before turning slowly. Werz was already heading for the door.

---

"So they had a skunk with them two?" said Eca as they began to eat their meager meal of bread around the camp fire. The doughy texture was hard for her to grind with her teeth, but with patience she was able to deal with it.

"Yes," said Werz. "Named Direct."

The two dragons nodded. "I know the name," said Otsi. "Schemers most of that family is. A little surprised one of them would be in on this."

"The question is," said Dolf. "Are they going to tell their employer that you two are dead."

"Irrelevant to the game," said Eca. "But useful if they do. We've been missing for two weeks now. The fact that we haven't talked to anyone, except you two of course, should be enough all the same to convince."

"I don't like it," said Werz. "I mean, they had guns. Only three types of people in Pargalo carry guns, you should know that."

"Four technically," said Otsi. "But I can't tell you about the third."

"Fine, highwaymen, the army, who ever you're talking about, and royal agents."

Otsi nodded. "They're not highwaymen. At least the skunk isn't. Soldiers are not allowed to carry weapons without their uniforms on. And they certainly don't work for me. So that leaves royal agents."

"Do you think Optan is using the queen for this wet work?" asked Dolf. "I mean, get a couple of friends appointed as specials and then send them off on a quest like this?"

"Eca..." said Otsi.

"The only alternative is that she knows of Optan's hit on us," said Eca. "Which doesn't make any sense given Otsi has been the one keeping her and the kingdom safe from just this sort of thing these last few years."

"Then this is corruption of the highest level!" announced Dolf. "And shall not stand. Lady Eca, I wish to assist in your efforts to out this fiend. I know I swore my loyalty long ago to serve your family, but the honor of helping you in this fight further is not a quest I can back away from."

"Dolf," said Werz. "Do you know anything about the kind of people we're dealing with here? Really?"

"I'm not an idiot. Murderers are nasty. Assassins more than ever."

"Then you don't," said Otsi. He closed his eyes. "Tep didn't just try to kill us. He... hurt us first." He didn't leave even the hint of a pause before jumping to the next sentence. "And as for Optan. Optan... is not normal. Every forty years, a youth is apprenticed by a special advisor of the monarch. When their training is up, they are taken somewhere, and come back different. They are sound of mind but their bodies are mangled in some fashion. At least that's the idea. Optan revels in her disfigurement in private while keeping it hidden other times. I'm only now connecting the dots, but I think her mind may have gone. Yes, I think that is the case. There's no other reason for her to do this."

"So what you're saying is that she's gone crazy," said Dolf. "Perhaps driven mad my her isolation or similar."

"Yes."

"I think, its time to get you to the queen," said Werz. "Convince her that Optan's lost it. Let her take care of Optan. I can get you in. Unwatched. But only one of you."

Eca looked to the other dragon and nodded. "It is unwise for anyone other than the queen knowing you're alive. And even then... but she does trust you." She looked off into the sky. "More than she trusts me. If anyone can convince her that her chief advisor is murderous, its you. And probably only you."

"Then we should leave in the morning," said Werz. "And that means by foot." The raccoon chuckled. "Even if you lazed it to let me keep up, we can't be having you spotted sky wise."

"I stick out worse on the ground," replied Otsi.

"Dragons are hard to disguise," said Dolf.

"I got some ideas," said Werz.

"Dolf, while they're taking care of that, there is the matter of the backup plan," said Eca.

All three looked at the dragoness.

"Elaborate?" inquired Otsi.

Eca paused before saying anything. "If she's unconvinced, we need an alternative to waiting for the next assassin to appear, yes? I'd rather do things within the rules, but if that proves impossible, we should make sure there's someone who can make sure Optan can't hurt us any more."

Werz almost said something in response, but held her tongue. Otsi glanced away from the group. Eca continued her gaze upward.

"I think I get your drift," said Dolf. The bear looked about. "That kind of work is risky when targeting someone like Optan. Get caught and you're dead. And perhaps your entire clan is dead, if not by force, but by influence from on high."

Eca nodded. "Dolf I'm not asking you to do anything like that if that's what you're thinking. You either Werz. We go a ways back, and I'm not keen on losing either of you two in this business. I know someone who I don't mind losing if it comes to that, but who might be convinced to do it all the same."

"Out with it love," said Otsi dragging his eyes back to the group. "Who. I don't want you wandering off and getting abducted by someone we shouldn't associate with."

"You should know more about threats of the realm, I'm thinking someone who hates everyone," said Eca with a grin. "Who else than the current Dershig, Carn." She tossed the last of her bread into her mouth and gulped it down whole.

"You want Carn's help?" asked Otsi with narrowed eyes. "You can't be serious. That vicious inbred trash chewer not only is a terrible person who can't be trusted but also happens to hate me. What more his family has some history with yours."

"Who's family doesn't have bad blood with the Dershigs?" asked Eca.

"Hold on," said Dolf. "Let me get this straight, you want a broke old buck with no friends for help to off Optan. I'm not seeing it being possible even if he did want to help."

She gave a sigh and crossed her arms before explaining. "First off, Carn's family still feels they were wronged for what happened when Carn's grandfather was denied the crown by the parliament of lords."

"That's because Swiv was deemed unfit for such if I recall," said Werz, her smirk showing a bit of amusement. "Something about him killing his brother to get on the throne himself."

"Lead to some big changes in the laws since," commented Otsi

"So there's been a bit of animosity between the Dershig's since the election of Rollvox the tenth and the rest is history there. But that animosity, though some of it is on my family, is mainly on the current family up top. They see them as pretenders, and though they'd hesitate to move against the queen directly, they'd be happy to make life difficult for her. And if I can convince Carn that Optan's death would be just that, then well, we have someone with motivation."

Werz nodded and added, "And Carn has enough children looking to please him that he wouldn't mind losing them for such a plan. They'd be happy to do it."

"Exactly," said Eca. "What more, Carn is not as stupid as he likes to play. I've had to deal with that fellow far too often to be taken in by his show. If he thinks Rollvox and Halcyon are at war, even if by proxy, he'll be quite happy to see us killing each other."

"I don't like it," said Otsi.

"Of course you don't," said Dolf. "You're sensible. I'm sensible. But you two," he said while pointing to the ladies present. "Must be in on one of those games gals play on men or something. If Carn finds out you are playing dead and no one knows you're alive, he'll happily keep you in a dungeon for a decade."

"Dolf, that's why you'll be there to protect me."

"Well shit," he said standing up. "If that ass comes near you, I'll rip his arm off." He punched the air.

Otsi groan in dissatisfaction. "Do what is needed. Just don't get killed you two."

"Oh, like sneaking into the palace is less dangerous," said Werz to the off put dragon.

"You know, it is more dangerous. Doesn't involve assassins. And is an attempt to work within the law." The male dragon growled. All three could hear his horns buzzing with unregulated charging. "But... fine... yes... if I fail. Make sure Optan dies."

---

Werz pulled another strap tight. Otsi grimmaced.

"Any tighter and you may... just break my wing."

"Good, they'll be easier to fold then," she said before giving another pull. The dragon yelped in response. "So they bought that the horn piece was yours. But it obviously isn't given yours look rather pointy still and not, you know, shattered."

"It belonged to Ivortral, my great grandfather," said the dragon.

Werz tied the strap and took a step back. The dragon looked quite silly. His wings were looking less like wings, given the cloaks and ties involved, but they'd need to finish the illusion with more gear. The large hat covering his head was dealing with his horns and keeping his mane in check. The makeup would come later.

"Well, what happened to him?" she asked.

"Killed by king Lilumeleate II."

"That, that was," said Werz trying to recall details. "The name is familiar, well yes, it should really..."

"The second of the two dragons to rule Pargalo, thus far. The evil one who killed lots of people. Smashed my great grandfather's head to pieces."

Werz returned to messing with the dragon's outfit, adjusting a few of the pieces to make him look more in shambles. "That doesn't sound good at all," she said. "Why did you have it?"

"I'd rather not go into it, but the short version was a promise to my father who gave it to me."

Werz looked up at him, her expression distorting the mask of fur on her face.

"I guess me giving it up means I'm breaking that promise. I... can we talk about something else?"

"Sure, do you know how to move like an iguana that's been hit with the ugly stick? Because you'll need to know before we hit the road."