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“I don’t think they’ll be listening to reason anytime soon,” mutters Slyth.
“Perhaps what your son needs is to let off some steam,” suggests Tikzorcu. “The Hunt will be a good opportunity for that.”
“Indeed,” agrees Shradga. “Anyway, Khatreya and I will be off for some lunch. Will you be joining us for a meal?”
“Oh, not right now,” replies Vippera. “My father and I have some affairs concerning Jalma to discuss.”
“Ah, of course. In that case, we’ll leave you be.”
The King and Queen take their leave, bowing and departing the room.
“We need to figure out what to do,” stammers Slyth, his face contorted with worry. “Things are worse now with Zalith under captivity.”
“At least they can’t possibly get any worse,” I reply. “We should –”
The doors wing open again, catching our attention as we watch hooded figures enter the room. From where we are, neither of us can get a good look at their concealed faces.
“Ah, you’re here. Very good,” beams Vippera.
“Who the hell are these guys?” I whisper.
“I don’t know,” stutters Slyth.
“So here’s what’s going to happen,” booms Vippera. “The Hunt is taking place tomorrow night, where Zalith will carry out the usual ritual routine. As discussed previously, we need him taken care of, and for good this time.”
Taken care of?
“Of course,” says the leader of the hooded figures. “We’ll arrange an accident of sorts, and take out Zalith like the plague that he is.”
“Indeed,” replies Tikzorcu. He whisks out a bag and tosses it towards the group. “Here is half of the payment now. Once Zalith’s death is confirmed, seek us out and we’ll give you the rest of your fee.”
“Very well.”
I’m frozen with fear and dread as they leave the room.
“Fuck, this isn’t good,” mutters Slyth. “Come this way!”
I’m fighting back tears as I follow him through more twists and turns, eventually emerging out of a vent into a storage room. I collapse against a wall, strength leaving my body as I become riddled with concern over Zalith.
“They’re going to kill him, I can’t believe it!” I exclaim.
“Not if we can help it!” dictates Slyth.
“What are we going to do?” I ask. “We have nothing that can prove Vippera and her father are guilty of conspiring Zalith’s demise, and we don’t even have identification on the assassins.”
“I know, but I caught their scent, so here’s what we're going to do.”
My shoulders are grabbed by Slyth as he pulls me back to my feet.
“I need you, Rory, and so does Zalith. Are you with me?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
“Okay, you’re going to find Zalith in his room and tell him of this plan. If he knows of the attempt to be made on his life, then he at least stands a chance of surviving.”
“What about you?” I ask.
“I’m going to try and track the killers and see if I can find out who they are.”
