Chapter 28

28.1

The night was bewitching. Bella cast her eyes beyond the dense dark forest lining the river. Not far from the margins of the tree-line across the water, the tall streetlights of Egodad West towered. Smothered by the minor fog, the lights appeared to dance, or swim—she wasn't sure which—but her concern was not with the dependability of her vision but whether they would succeed at this mission to unravel the possible age-old Qmalian mystery locked inside the words—Qamala Vuyiza, Ogaidan Inxhu Antwi.

Already expectant, she listened for sounds that might help point to something. Echoes of river water splashing and roiling filtered through the forest of trees. Nearby, a gentle but moist wind whispered in the bushes and scrabble. Absolutely nothing to give her a clue as to what those ancient words meant, but when they got to Ramzi's he might give them something meaningful.

She sensed the air again. Danger very likely waited; you never could be so sure of yourself in a foreign land. More than a day had passed since news of their escape had been broadcast, and the hunt might be intensifying. Ishobad, too, according to the last they'd heard, had put up a handsome amount of cash as a reward for information leading to their capture. Couple that with the fact Big Sat was nearing, and a sacrificial human would be needed, the net around them must be closing. The quest to get to Ramzi's might just be a hopeless dream.

The sidewalk kept swallowing their footsteps as they headed toward Kwaxx. Just before they reached the end of the narrow street, Bella heard a crack.

She stopped to listen. The sound had been like that of a twig snapping. What could cause that; she looked back. The darkish haze did not allow her to see far but she thought she noticed a furtive movement.

"Ed," she said, fear rising in her. "I don't think we are alone."

"Our ears might just be playing a trick on us." Ed tried to sound brave.

"Look behind us." Bella twirled to take another look.

Ed glanced back, too.

It certainly wasn't twigs cracking. It was… footsteps.

"Shall we try and run," she turned to pace faster.

"Probably not very wise." Ed held her hand. "You don't want a chase."

Bella stopped to peer back again into the haze. Now the shadowy movement took a form of its own, a woman-like figure. Clack, clack, her shoes went in measured steps. As she got nearer, Bella saw her form more clearly. She wore a long coat and loose darkish slacks. In her hands she held a handbag…

28.2

Fionn picked up the speed when she realized the two humans had noticed her. The scent of love now almost chocked her. Two earthlings, this was unimaginable. What indeed was this planet getting to?

"Stop there, I need to see your efes."

The two earthlings halted. Oh Jove, it was Ed and the escaped purchase of Ishobad's! Fionn couldn't believe it. 'My Jove, tell me if I'm seeing mere ghosts.' She whistled to herself. 'How can I be so lucky?'

"Ed, is that you?" Fionn tried to infuse her voice with as much warmth as she could feign. "What on this planet could you be doing here?"

Both Ed and the earthling woman indeed wore efes. Was that the supposed elemental spoken of on radio? How easily some people could be fooled.

"Fionn, what do you want from us?" Ed's voice carried the tang of a threat.

"KKKK, dear me," Fionn laughed it off. "Ed, now be reasonable. You know the trouble you are in and you are scaring away the best person to help you."

"We can do without anyone's help," the fake elemental woman in Ed's company bristled.

Fionn listened to her voice. It was familiar, what with the distinct American accent. "What's her name? Are you in love with her?" Fionn ignored the woman and directed her questions at Ed.

"What really is your business?" Ed was unmoved.

"You haven't told me your friend's name," Fionn continued. "She looks nice in an earthly way, doesn't she?"

"Her name is Bella, if that is what will make you leave us alone."

"No, servant, you know I'm not going anywhere yet. You and I could strike a deal."

"What deal?"

"I could shelter you two in my motel room. I will make sure no one sees you." Fionn thought of Ishobad and how happy he would be to get hold of these two. And if it was she bringing them handcuffed to the Aha's estate, the romantic rewards would be unimaginable.

"No, I don't think we can accept that," said Bella.

"Sassy, isn't she?" Fionn smiled, now actually remembering she was the one who cornered Bella and captured her. Bella had been the person in charge of proceedings in that mega club, and it had been good for a change to grab someone who controlled microphones, consoles and all the electronic gadgets that go with loud entertainment. And then little had she known this skinny but expensively-dressed captive would fall into the hands of Ishobad.

"You want to sell us out to Ishobad." Ed now trembled with unease.

"Of course not, kkk," Fionn emitted another calculated cackle. "If I meant to do that, I would have rushed back to my motel room to call the police the moment I saw you, but see I didn't." She remembered she had left in the motel the newest communication gadget in town, her mobile phone.

"In that case, please then just go where you are going." Ed's voice rose high.

"Do you really know this woman?" Bella grimaced at Ed.

"Of course he knows me very well," Fionn interjected. "I was going to be his master's wife, but I later decided it didn't suit me, so I moved on. Which is why you two must trust me. I am no friend of Ishobad's anymore."

Fionn could capture them right here this moment; she had her gun with the single bullet in it. The only thing lacking was transport. She glanced up the road to see if something could be driving this way, but alas nothing. She'd have to keep walking with them till something came up.

"So, tell us where you were going before you saw us?" Concern peppered Ed's voice.

"Just taking a walk," Fionn forced a brief giggle. "You know me well, I like to exercise."

She listened again for any sound of a coming car.

Bella glared at her quizzically.

"Let's just walk together. I have a clue where you are heading, and I actually might help you," her voice rang in the dark like a witch's.

Chapter 29

29.1

Aha Ishobad couldn't remember ever having been afraid. Sure, there were times he'd been gravely concerned about things—like the time his wife fell sick and died—but to be terrified for himself, no. Up till now he didn't know how fear felt; it was only something he saw in the eyes of the victims he slayed for organs. Now he began to feel terror's tentacles wrapping around him, and his brow moistened. Getting called to an emergency meeting at night—that was serious.

Lord Kayo, the stern archbishop, sat opposite him, enthroned in a regal chair that was placed behind a huge polished Qmalian Teak desk. His golden fleece wig, part of his ornate regalia, was draped on his head. His deputies, the four of them, sat beside him, two on each side, and Ishobad was the only one on this side of the desk, the cold side.

"Anything meaningful to report from you," Lord Kayo almost snarled. "The police haven't given us anything we can work on."

"Same old, I'm afraid," replied Ishobad, suppressing a burp whose tang reminded him of the forensic liquors he'd taken this morning. "But all indications are that the fugitives may have gone to hide west of the Egodad."

Lord Kayo gazed concernedly at his watch. "Big Saturday is only what, two days?"

"We shouldn't be long in catching the two. The elemental will be made available before then." Ishobad's heart pumped.

"My worry is the lax way in which such a prized human was guarded. How could she have been allowed to escape?"

"My error, lord," Ishobad suppressed another alkaline burp. "My misplaced trust in my lying, scheming slave caused all that."

"But how could you have trusted an earthling to guard another earthling? That's like asking a monkey to imprison another monkey."

"My most heartfelt apology, sir. I swear the elemental will be delivered within a day," Ishobad felt a stab because he knew he was lying. The escaped purchase was actually no elemental; Ed had tricked him. But now to let the hierarchy know that. It would be the most shameful thing…

"Am I excused?" he heard himself ask.

"Not quite, Aha, not quite. You know this is an emergency. We promised Jove a sacrifice and we have to honor that."

"I hear you, lord." Ishobad quaked. "I will do something about it, you have my word."

"You had better mean it or else…"

29.2

Egodad West, the sign glowed in yellow. Slasher parked his trike then took off his helmet. The gentle but moist breeze greeted his face. His plan tonight was simple—to just wait here and keep his eyes open. You never knew with fugitives; they could dare go anywhere. And even if he couldn't strike tonight, the satisfaction he'd get from knowing he'd at least tried would be great. What was the point in staying home and sleeping like a sissy?

Leaving his machine behind, Slasher padded toward the station building. The rough ride on his trike had again ignited those steel hammers in his head—and a dull ache sang in his shoulder—but the sound of Nsuka was great. The feel of his sheathed knife against his hip gave him an even greater pride. Winning against the two wretched earthlings was the only thing he wanted.

The station was perhaps a little busier than he had forethought. Commuters hustled and darted about, their rain streaked faces glistening in the night light. Many had an umbrella in one hand while the other clutched a handbag or dragged a carry-on case. Slasher heard the squeal of castors on the hard pavement. Diesel-powered buses idled near curbs, and Slasher picked up the rumble of strained pistons. A tail pipe or two emitted plumes of smoke that rose into the lit, spitting night.

A train came, whistled, and then the station became a cacophony of steel wheels grinding and creaking. All that didn't matter to Slasher. He kept his eyes on the commuters coming and going, hoping perchance his knife contained in the sheath on his waist could see some action tonight.

29.3

'Fionn,' Bella thought she remembered the name. So this indeed was the Qmalian damsel who'd cheated on Ishobad. Was she to be taken as a friend, and was the promise to help she'd made something to be depended on? No, Bella didn't think so.

She listened to Fionn speak to Ed. It was obvious the two knew each other well but there was something about Fionn that she didn't like. Scared her, if the more accurate words would be used.

They turned into Kwaxx, which was more brightly lit. Bella looked at the alien woman and shivered a little. Slightly tall, with thin chiseled features, she could, on earth, pass for a model starting to age, but her looks weren't what worried Bella. There was just this something that said it wasn't her first time to see the woman. Where had they previously met? At the airport, when she was being hustled along by Ishobad, no? Maybe she was making a mistake, but the lilt of that voice was something she had heard. Maybe in a dream or somewhere.

"If you are tired, honey, you can give me your backpack," Fionn offered, as they were approaching the Kwaxx bridge.

"I'm good, thanks," Bella answered.

"You guys don't have to wear efes if you are with me. I'm here to protect you."

Bella gave her a silent once-over. What was she trying to get by playing nice like this?

"We are doing just fine," Ed answered.

A little traffic flowed on the bridge, and now and then Fionn would glance at the cars as though she were trying to spot a police cruiser. That scared Bella.

When they reached the bridge's middle, a yellowish truck passed by, driving slowly. Fionn raised her hand and as though she would hail it down. Bella's heart jumped. The truck did not stop, thank God.

"That wasn't Ishobad who drove by, in case you thought it was him," Fionn said mystically.

"What did you do that for?" Ed frowned.

"It's far to walk, don't you guys need transport?"

"No, we don't." Bella thought they now should get rid of Fionn. Couldn't she and Ed throw her off the bridge?

Bella had the paranormal eye in her backpack. Maybe she should bring it out and try to use it. Perhaps by some magic it could just cause Fionn to choke to death. She unslung one of the backpack's strap off, but Fionn saw this fast.

"Sweetie, what do we have in that bag?"

"Nothing," Bella slung it back, quick.

"Don't tell me you guys got a gun." Fionn stopped and clutched her handbag.

"Where would we get one?" Ed nudged Bella to be careful. "Let's just go."