Chp.14: The spy and the criminal

Gerard knew someone was following him. He couldn't see, hear, or even spot his pursuer, but he knew it was there. He could clearly feel its eyes on him.

Most people were unable to tell if something was behind them unless they saw it clearly. However, they could sense some discomfort if they were chased for a long time. It was a kind of feeling, a primal instinct that remained within them in the primitive and limited form commonly known as intuition. Gerard, since the risks represented by his work, had trained his intuition to the limit; the result of weeks and weeks of work was that now it had returned to a stage similar to an animal's instinct. Just as an animal knew when a predator was approaching even if it had no way of seeing or hearing it, it too could clearly tell when someone was behind it even if it couldn't see it.

He'd had that feeling since he'd arrived in Halbug. The ship on which he was traveling had to stop for the necessary checks and consequently all the passengers had to get off and wait for the authorities to finish their work. After all, with the mysterious Dragon Rampant around, one was never too careful. The moment his feet hit the ground, Gerard immediately felt that someone was watching him very intensely, like a predator stalking its prey. The sensation had been so sudden and sudden that his hand instinctively moved towards the many knives that hung from his belt. However, rationality had soon taken control of his fear and advised him to maintain a stoic demeanor. If his opponent understood that he knew of its presence, it could become even more unpredictable.

The problem was that Gerard, try as he might, couldn't locate it. Even using his mana and some magical items hidden under his clothes, he couldn't even figure out the direction of the person staring at him. Whoever it was must have very powerful cloaking skills. Therefore, the only solution he had at the moment was to avoid being alone; he didn't know how strong his opponent was, but he doubted he would have attacked him in the middle of a crowded street. So he kept walking the streets of Halbug, hoping that the feeling of being watched would disappear, but it never happened. Whoever it was, it wasn't losing sight of him.

Just as he was walking among the people, he heard a voice in his ear. "Did you notice me, mh? You really are worthy of being the king's personal spy"

Gerard spun around, startling quite a few people. His hand went down to the weapons he kept hidden at his waist, but suddenly something stopped it; another hand grabbed his arm and squeezed it with extreme force. Yet even though he felt it clearly, Gerard couldn't see that hand; it was as if there was nothing blocking his arm.

"You're scaring people. If you don't want to be conspicuous, try to calm down" the voice whispered in his ear. This time Gerard was able to identify it better: the timbre was soft and clearly feminine. "If I wanted to kill you I would have already done it, don't you think? Act normal now, and stop attracting attention"

A normal person in such a situation would probably freak out, but Gerard knew how to master fear. Logically speaking whoever had just spoken to him was right: if she (he was sure it was a she) wanted to kill him she could have done it at any time. From the strength with which she had locked his arm she must have been at least a level adamantium, and since she could disguise herself so well as to be invisible to everyone, even him, she could have simply walked up behind him and slit his throat, or stuck a dagger in his head, and then escape without any effort. No, killing him wasn't that person's intent. "Sorry" he said to the people who were watching him. "It seemed to me that someone was following me. I exaggerated. Forgive me" and having said that he quickly walked away as if he were embarrassed. The people who were watching him looked somewhat confused, but finally, as expected, they decided to accept this explanation and go back to their business. After all, weirdos weren't uncommon in any city in the kingdom... and probably the entire world.

Gerard barely took ten steps before the mysterious voice came again. "Good. Now follow my lead"

Gerard didn't understand right away, but a moment later a woman appeared from an alley and ran towards him. "Gerard, dear!" she exclaimed taking his hand affectionately. "Sorry I'm late! Did I keep you waiting so long?"

Gerard's body stiffened. The voice was clearly the same one that had spoken in his ears, and those hands were the same ones that had touched him just before. She was the one who had followed him. "Don't worry, I've just arrived too" he said. He had understood what the woman's intent was: to make the people around them think they were just a normal couple in love to prevent anyone from developing suspicions. "I was afraid I made you wait too... honey"

"Ha ha! Always being late is really a trait we have in common" the woman said taking his arm. "Let's hurry, or the restaurant may cancel our reservation"

Gerard let the woman lead him, but he walked so that it couldn't be understood that he did not know where they were going. In a few minutes they arrived in front of a large restaurant that appeared to be of high class. As they stepped inside, music and the smell of delicious food filled her ears and nose. But Gerard was certainly not distracted by such trifles. "This is one of the places commanded by 'The spider', am I right?" he asked; since he had studied that case for months, he knew by heart the clubs and shops that weren't simply blackmailed but were directly commanded by the organization.

The woman let go of his arm and straightened her dress, and her expression grew colder. "You guessed right. As I said before, you are worthy of being the king's personal spy" she said with a smirk. Suddenly some rather tall and obviously armed men appeared under their clothes, and Gerard prepared to face them, but the woman didn't seem the least bit concerned. "Is my table ready?" she simply asked.

"Certainly, ma'am. A private room, as you requested" one of the men replied respectfully. "Please follow us"

Gerard narrowed his eyes. Now he had the absolute certainty: that woman was definitely a member of 'The spider'... indeed, from the way she was treated, she was probably one of the high members. The armed men led them up some stairs, until they came to a corridor with several doors; they opened one and revealed an extremely luxurious room, full of decorations and with mosaics on the walls. The room was square and perfectly symmetrical, and the wall opposite the door was replaced by a small balcony that overlooked the room below, where instead there were numerous tables with people eating and a stage where some bards and dancers were performing. Right next to the balcony was a table for two, already prepared and with a steak on each plate.

"We'll be outside in case anyone wants to come near" one of the men said, after which they all walked out and closed the door, leaving only the woman and Gerard in the room.

Left alone, Gerard and the woman said nothing for a few moments. She calmly sat down and began to eat. Gerard stood for a moment, then he sat down as well. "How should I call you?" he asked her.

The woman barely looked at him. "You can call me Sisna" she replied. "I'm here on Haku's behalf"

Obviously, the woman was none other than Sisna, who had taken possession of the avatar Maleficent left behind in the city. He had no problem revealing her name: after all, there were thousands of Sisna in the kingdom, and she had also changed her usual appearance so as not to be recognized and modified her vocal cords to change her voice. Gerard could never connect her to the person who ran 'The dragon's shop'.

Gerard clenched his fists at the mention of Haku's name. "So it's true… he controls 'The spider', just like I assumed" he murmured.

Sisna smiled in amusement. "Haku had left you some rather obvious clues. He would have been disappointed if the king hadn't understood them" she replied. "He was sure that he, or someone investigating on his behalf, would be able to put the pieces together. And thanks to your investigation, which exposed you despite the precautions you took, one of my collaborators was able to trace you back. Now I know that you are in the direct service of the king... and therefore you are exactly the person that Haku hoped to find"

Gerard inspired deeply. He didn't expect that while he was investigating the strange events happening in the realm, someone else was investigating him. Though, in retrospect, now that he knew who the real instigator was and what he was trying to do, it was pretty obvious. If Haku's purpose was to contact the king in great secrecy, to the point that he had left messages understandable only to a person who had eyes in the whole kingdom, then it was obvious that he would be looking for someone who was incorruptible and definitely connected to the ruler whose last he trusted. "Where is that dragon now?"

"Do you expect me to tell you?" Sisna laughed. "Haku is where his presence is currently needed. You aren't such an important pawn as to require his direct involvement. I'm enough for this"

Gerard had expected it, but he didn't give up. "What is your relationship with Haku?"

"I don't have to answer you. It is enough for you to know that he and I have known each other for a long time" Sisna replied putting down her fork and crossing her arms. "Now, do you want to keep asking questions you already know won't get answered, or would you rather get straight to the point?"

Gerard grit his teeth. "All right. In the messages the dragon left us were the words 'betrayal' and 'Carrion'. What does that mean?"

Sisna's smile widened. "Very simple. In this exact moment the valiant and acclaimed high royal general Carrion is trying to cause an uprising in the until recently Baudonia City Alliance"

Gerard's eyes widened slightly. He had assumed that was the situation, but hearing it to his face was another thing. "Why would he do that?"

"Oh, there are different interests behind it, and many people involved. Let me explain in detail..." Sisna quickly told him the whole situation: the involvement of the nobles and slave traders and the extremist religious faction, the intensive exploitation of the peoples of the lizardmen, tigermen and lionmen, Carrion's plan to provoke an uprising and then suppress it and force the king to take drastic measures. She didn't leave out any detail.

When she finished, Gerard was extremely worried. If everything Sisna was saying was true, the king could soon find himself in a very precarious position. While using drastic measures to deal with a conquered nation that had already tried to revolt was not uncommon, it would still have disastrous political consequences and the Jurao Kingdom's position within the alliance of nations would be jeopardized. "Do you have proof of what you say?"

"Oh yes. And you already know what they are" Sisna answered. "Rhaegal Neytirison, the man you have been looking for. He will be in the city of Inbruck in a week. Go there and look for him. He will personally show you what is happening in the Baudonia City Alliance, beneath the veil of lies that Carrion and his they created. Find him, and he'll show you the truth. As for what to do next..." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "... we'll talk about it when it will be the time"

Gerard grit his teeth. So he was right… not only 'The spider', but also the party 'One day' was at Haku's service. How deeply did that dragon control the kingdom? "Do you have anything else to tell me?"

Sisna shook her head. "Not at the moment" she answered, then pulled a bell from her dress and rang it. The men who had been guarding the outside of the room immediately entered. "My guest and I have finished our conversation. Please escort him outside. He has a lot on his mind, I don't want to keep him any longer"

"Yes ma'am. Please follow us" one of the men said to Gerard. The spy knew that meant he could ask no further questions tonight, so he did as he was told. Before leaving the room he turned for a moment to look at the woman, who gave him such a deep look that she seemed to stare directly into his soul. Gerard felt a thrill when he saw it. Once out of the restaurant he walked back towards the ship; before returning on board, he would write a very detailed letter to the king and send it to him through one of his trusted employees. The situation was too delicate and it was appropriate that the sovereign knew everything, even now that Gerard still hadn't completely solved the mystery.