17 The Delegation from Savitro Zhan

/'I was sent here to Valencia by my clan princess to find two women from the Hakorhi clan,'/

***

Iria was very calm. She stroked her chin thoughtfully and then gently traced the line of Rudolph's jaw, whose head was laid on my lap, fast asleep.

"Savitro Zhan," Iria murmured, "Northern Border. Hmm. Do you recall father mentioning that ever?"

I shook my head. Father was not one who discussed his work as clan prince with us children. I remembered him as silent, distant and reserved. Also brave. And strong. He never ever lost his cool, even when faced with danger. The last time I saw him...he was duelling six expert warriors singlehandedly....

"What's the matter?" Iria snapped.

I checked myself.

"What's wrong with you, Nei?" she sighed, "ten years and you're still tearing up--"

"I'm sorry, but it hurts. You... you don't know what I know,"

"Don't talk rubbish. We were there together. We ran together,"

I sighed.

"You need to think now, Nei. Not cry. Think,"

So I thought. Still, I did not remember Father talking about any other clans.

"You -- wait..." and I remembered. Gently lifting Rudolph's head off my lap, I stood up from the bed and went to an iron box in the corner of the room which held my belongings. Even though we had fled Hakorhi without any possessions, some things that I wore on my person that night was kept in this box.

My clothes. They had been soiled with blood and dirt and other grime when we left, but they were not in bad condition now. A dagger given to me by my uncle -- who was not in Hakorhi at the time of the slaughter.

"Iria!" I rose from my kneeling position, clutching this dagger. "Do you think uncle might be the one?"

Iria looked at me. I could not decipher the look on her face.

"Uncle?" it came out forced, like a scoff, "who father banished?"

I frowned. I had not recalled the event surrounding uncle's absence, but now I did, hazily.

"Was he banished?"

Iria tapped her knee impatiently.

"Yes. He was banished. Father arranged his marriage, and he refused in defiance. So he was banished. You wouldn't remember. You were only five,"

"And you were six," I pointed out.

She smirked.

"Hella great difference. I still understood what was happening better,"

My hopes dwindled. I looked at the dagger, with a handle that had a cap which could be opened and powder stored inside. I decided then that it was time to start carrying it around with me.

"But what if he's still alive?" I asked Iria. She looked away.

"I'd redeem him." she said, "he was really nice to us,"

"Yes," I agreed, "and Iria--"

"I know," she raised a hand for me to be quiet.

"So what do we do? Do we meet the delegation?" I asked.

"We have no choice,"

"Where will we meet them?"

"You do your magic, Nei. We meet in your head. Can't risk those IBO catching us,"

"The Investigation Bureau Officers?" I laughed, "don't worry, Iria. I'll do my other magic. Can't let you meet in my head,"

....

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