Return to Jorgaldur Volume IV: Reunion

An explanation (III)

"I'm the most influential merchant in the city! I have contacts with all the top officials! I'm even friends with the Blood Queen!" she yelled arrogantly.

She smiled proudly after seeing that her interlocutor had changed her expression. The merchant believed that she had intimidated her. She didn't know that she was talking to the real Blood Queen.

"So, friend of the Blood Queen... Do you think I'm going to believe it because you say it?" Gjaki seemed to doubt, as she was trying to restrain herself.

Her icy tone was met with a mixed reception. The rhino-commander became more convinced that she was the real one, as well as the veteran who had revealed it.

"She made her angry," Eldi whispered.

"This isn't going to end well for that conceited woman," the innkeeper whispered, who had seen her friend angry long time ago.

"This's getting interesting," Goldmi was amused.

Fanhla, for her part, took it to mean that she was scared, defensive. Therefore, she decided to deliver the coup de grâce by taking out a coat of arms.

"Look at this emblem! The Blood Queen herself gave it to me for our friendship! Why do you think all the merchants in the Blood Kingdom welcome me with open arms!? You, a simple vampiress without lineage, you better kneel and ask for forgiveness! If she finds out that her favorite nephew has been mistreated, you won't have anywhere to hide!" she kept bragging.

"Emblem... Favorite nephew... So taking advantage of my name to do business..." the vampiress muttered, her lips trembling with suppressed rage.

Only those closest to her could hear her. They watched the situation expectantly, and hoped that her friend wouldn't lose her temper and attack.

In fact, both commanders and some soldiers were alert. The aura of the vampiress had become dangerous.

It was then that a commotion at the entrance caught everyone's attention. The soldiers parted to let a gray-haired ox-man pass, with profound respect. Despite his age, his muscular build and his two-meters-plus height gave him an imposing appearance.

"Rinak, what's going on here? Why have you called me?" he asked about the situation while looking around "Gjaki? Is it really you!?"

He was deeply surprised to see her. His voice was a mixture of surprise, respect and joy.

"Dilo! Why did you take so long!?" she received him with a huge smile.

"Ha, ha. Since when do you have red hair? The other one suits you better! I'm glad to see you again!" he exclaimed.

Without hesitating, he walked over to hug her. She didn't dodge him, even though he could have broken a normal person's bones. In fact, she hugged her old friend back with more strength. Clearly, she wasn't a normal person.

"He, he. I wanted to hide it a bit, but it's not necessary anymore," she explained when they let go.

Her hair then magically changed color, and took on a distinctive silver. Who was a silver-haired vampiress named Gjaki and an old friend of their general? The identity of the Blood Queen was now an indisputable evidence before all present. Their astonished faces slowly changed to deep respect, even adoration.

Although not all. The merchant and her brother were pale, especially the former. She had been bragging about her supposed friendship with the Blood Queen to the Queen herself. When Gjaki looked at her, she fainted.

"Don't tell me you've set up this little act to make me come, ha, ha. Rikala, are you in on this too?" the general accused them, as he gave Gjaki a strong friendly slap on the back. Even she felt briefly sore, and Self-Regeneration activated briefly.

"Well, not exactly," Gjaki laughed, not feeling guilty at all.

"It wasn't my idea, and it's not Gjaki's fault. They've arrested Talto. We didn't want to involve you in this, but..." the innkeeper defended her.

Dilonhor was an old friend, but they hadn't wanted to depend on him to solve their problems. She now regretted it. If they had, they wouldn't have reached this situation.

Hearing the familiarity with which the general was speaking to the innkeeper made the commander's stomach clench. Had he known, he would never have agreed to arrest the innkeeper's husband. He had gotten himself in a big mess

"What have happened to Talto?" Dilo asked, while displaying a menacing aura.

"Well..." Rikala began to explain.

As she did so, the ox-man became more and more outraged. A couple of hostile glances at commander Fonhvor had caused him to grow paler and paler. Meanwhile, commander Rinak and many of the soldiers watched the scene with interest, wonder, awe, and outrage.

The only thing that calmed the general a little was that Rinak's lieutenant brought the innkeeper after a while. He was unscathed, just somewhat confused by everything that had happened. When he had found his inn surrounded by soldiers, he had been scared. After meeting Gjaki and the general, Talto couldn't believe his eyes.

"I'll take care of the rest," Dilo assured, "but I want something as compensation for everything you've put together."

"It's your fault for not keeping your men in line..." she reproached him. "Tell me, what do you want?"

"You're right. I hate politics, and I'm not good at management. Now I understand you..." he sighed, before making his request. "My grandkids would love to meet you."

"Oh, grandkids? I'm curious! Do you live in the same old ramshackle house? I could visit tomorrow," she suggested.

"That's good! Nonetheless, my wife and children forced me to fix it, ha, ha. We'll be waiting for you! Are you coming to lunch?" he offered.

"Only if your wife cooks! It's impossible that you've improved!" she laughed.

"Ha, ha. You know me well. You're also invited!" he extended the invitation.

He had been delighted to meet the vampiress' companions. Luckily for them, they had leveled up quite a bit, had a healing spell, and the general had held back a bit.

They didn't hesitate to accept, with curiosity. They hoped to hear stories about their friend.

The companions stayed a while longer at the inn before returning to the mansion, and Goldmi to her house. The innkeeper had reserved a room, so she could set up a Gate.

Besides, Eldi had promised to bring some samples, and Goldmi her family.

Regarding the kidnapped, they weren't released until they arrived at the prison, and a certain commander was arrested. That made Rinak happy, as she didn't like him. Although, it also temporarily increased her workload. Nevertheless, she was satisfied. She had obtained an autograph from the Blood Queen.