Book 3, chapter 35

Zee, Bastion, and Greg jogged down the street, their drab brown cloaks hiding much of their distinguishing features. Even still, many of the allevark in the streets got a look at their faces. Humans were not an uncommon sight in Carden, but humans carrying weapons were.

As for why their passage didn't cause much commotion, it was the emblem emblazoned on their cloaks, proclaiming them to be of the Tesh and co company.

Still, they received some dirty looks for their rushed pace, which wasn't a big deal, as Zee didn't really care what the average civilian thought. Drakus's ominous words were enough to spur her on, towards Malden's estate on the far side of the valley.

It was early noon, the sun rising high in the sky, casting its warm glow down on them.

"Do you think he was telling the truth?" Bastion asked, breathing evenly as he weaved between the numerous people walking on the street.

"Yes, I doubt he would have bothered to risk his neck if it wasn't urgent," Zee said.

"But why would he do that? There doesn't seem like much to gain for him. In fact, he has a lot to lose if people discover he tipped us off," Bastion said, his feet drumming along the cobbles.

"You know Duke Drakus as well as I do. That wily kitty must have an ulterior motive, though I can't for the life of me figure out what it is," Zee replied thoughtfully.

Rounding a sharp corner, Bastion leaped to one side, narrowly avoiding being crushed by a lizard-pulled cart. He gave the driver a rude gesture, which was returned with a litany of creative swearing in Allevarky back at them from the driver.

"He might just be doing this to spite a rival or something," Bastion mused.

Zee shrugged. "Hard to say. I guess we will figure it out in a few minutes, that's Malden's estate up there on the corner," Zee said gesturing to a three-story mansion built up against the sheer wall of the valley.

The guard standing at the front gate noticed their rapid approach. "Ralfy, good to see you again," Zee said, waving to the royal guard she had saved all those months ago while traversing the sandy dunes.

Ralfineous nodded in greeting, "You are late. Come with me, they are waiting for you inside," Ralfineous said, opening the front gate and jogging up the walkway toward the front door of the estate.

He lead them inside, down several flights of stairs, deep underground into a wide basement.

Four people already waited for them, standing on the edge of an incredibly intricate array, etched into the stone floor and ceiling.

Malden, Drakus, Yukna, and Allison. "There you are, about time," Allison said, her expression anxious.

Zee cocked her head, confused. "Princess? I thought you were off having a meeting with King Alex?" Zee asked.

Allison glanced over to Drakus. "There was a change of plans, one of the spymaster's informants cut me off and directed me here before I could meet with my father," Allison said.

Spymaster? Zee glanced over at the young duke. Things suddenly made a lot more sense. Duke Drakus was not just some duke. No, he was the spymaster of the kingdom. No wonder he had spies everywhere, and knew so much.

Malden stepped forwards, looking unhappy. "This is all quite urgent. News of your deeds, as well as your affiliation, have already spread. We can no longer protect you. You need to leave." Malden said, gesturing towards the center of the array.

"But, where will we go?" Zee asked.

"I have access to a core planet of the Kelvish dominion called Tartana. It's a very rich planet that is like a trading hub near the Colic cluster of the wormhole network. The population there is very diverse, with millions of humans for you to blend in with. It's a D-grade planet, so an E grade warrior will just be one of the masses, completely forgettable. From there, you might be able to find transport to another world, maybe even out of the Kelvish dominion, " Malden said.

Zee glanced over at the princess who gave her a reassuring smile. "Well, I promised you a way off the planet. So, here it is." Allison said.

"Are you not coming with us?" Zee asked.

Allison shook her head, disappointment crossing her face. "Yuky and I need to stay here," Allison said.

Zee's stomach leaped in her throat. She walked over and gave the princess a crushing hug. Their relationship had definitely had its ups and downs at the start.

Yet, now she couldn't help the flood of emotions she felt at the thought of never seeing Allison again. Allison patted her back fondly, smiling.

"I never thought I would be sad to see you go after all the trouble you have caused me," Allison said, a hitch in her voice.

"Sorry about that. I know I can be difficult sometimes," Zee said.

"Hah, Sometimes?" Allison asked.

Zee smiled, pulling away, and glancing over at Yukna. The woman's mousy brown hair fell across her face, tangling with the frame of her glasses.

Zee gave the spindly woman a crushing hug, "Thanks for everything Yukna. Please keep Allie out of trouble, while I'm gone," Zee said.

Yukna laughed, tapping the symbol of her company, still splayed in Zee's breast pocket. "Always. I know he is not responsive yet, but, when Dern wakes up will you give him this?" Yukna asked, handing Zee a fist-sized metal cylinder.

Zee nodded, putting the object inside her spatial storage. She wiped the Sweat from her eyes, and moved onto the array, standing next to Greg and Bastion.

Allison gave Zee a reassuring smile. "Don't look so down, I am sure we will meet again. Yukna and I are going to do some traveling off the planet in the future. She wants to grow her business and skills. Who knows, before long you might start seeing that logo on your chest spread all across the Kelvish dominion," Allison said.

Zee cocked her head. "If that's the goal, then Yukna, why don't you just come with us? You could start setting up your business in Tartana." Zee said, not wanting to leave her friends behind.

Yukna glanced over at Allison, her expression hesitant, but also hopeful. "I mean, I could. With my father running the company here, I am not really needed. We have plenty of skilled workers that can do the job nearly as well as I can," Yukna said.

"Are you sure? It will be at least half a year before I can come to join you?" Allison asked.

Yukna reached up, nervously fidgeting with the frame of her glasses. "I think I do want to go. Think about the opportunities in Tartana, and the rare resources flooding there from the wormhole network." Yukna said.

Allison nodded slowly, glancing over at Zee. "Will you help her?" Allison asked.

"Is that even a question? Of course, we will help her," Zee said instantly.

Allison strode over and picked up Yukna in a crushing embrace, delivering what could only be described as a very passionate kiss. Setting a flustered Yukna down, Allison handed her fiancé the spatial storage Zee had given her.

"Here, take my share of the loot from the planar space with you. That combined with your share, should be enough to start up a business and supply enough funds for a year or so until you can get things rolling. I will bring more supplies when I follow in the next few months," Allison said.

Yukna took the ring and held the princess for a bit. Zee pretended not to hear their mumbled words to each other, letting them have the illusion of privacy if not the real deal.

It's not like she could just turn off her spatial ripple skill. The damn skill picked up everything around her even if she didn't want it to. Yukna joined them on the array.

"What do you want me to tell your father?" Allison asked.

"Tell him I will get him that dinner date he wanted when I am able to come back," Yukna said.

Allison nodded, her expression stoic. Now that the goodbyes were done with, Malden moved over to the edge of the array, placing a paw on a small etching that appeared mid-air.

"Any last words before you go?" Malden asked as the etching lit up, humming to life, the array twisting space to form a spatial tunnel.

"Oh, one thing Malden. I burned your bed," Zee said, just as the portal formed beneath them. Malden's eyes widen, a look of bafflement crossing his feline face. Zee grinned, it was totally worth it.