"Mr. Stripe, I thought about it and I'll take the deal but only if my brother stays here in Remus," Obran said.
"What?" Erkin said.
"Great, young fellow," Stripe said. "Have some more wine while I'll arrange a few things. You all get to know each other and we'll hash out the details tomorrow. Tonight, enjoy the festivities."
Stripe left them. Obran wasn't completely sure why he agreed to help Stripe. But he wanted to stay in the inn as long as possible and maybe Stripe, who Obran now guessed was probably involved in all sort of activities, could help them hide until Armenus arrived. The praetorian officer would probably not come back so this place was as secure as any other in the city. Besides, he might be on the run after he escorted Tori to Genoa and need the money to hide or to help Erkin and the others if Collatinus was unable to guarantee their safety back in Roma. But at least he was happy the praetorian had not mentioned his brother or any of the others.
"Why did you change your mind?" Katrina said.
"Yeah? Why?" Erkin added.
"Uhm...I figured we could use the money," Obran said.
"If we are gonna travel together then we should agree to be honest with each other, okay, about everything," Katrina said.
"Okay, I will, I promise," Obran said; he knew Katrina deserved that much.
"Were you able to get a ride with those two?" Katrina said.
"Not yet; the Roman interrupted so I'll go talk to them again," Obran said.
"I can help you bargain if you want'; I'm pretty good at it," Katrina said.
"Just give me a moment first," Obran said.
Obran walked back to the other table; Tomas, Tori, Zico, and Mara all looked a bit rattled but proud in their performance.
"Are you all okay?" Obran said.
They all nodded.
"He was searching for me and Tori but I think we are okay for now," Obran said.
"Obran, I think I might have seen him before, with Macro or Gaius or was it Drusus; I'm not sure but I'm really glad he didn't recognize me," Tori said, with her blonde hair in a bonnet she really was almost unrecognizable.
"Then we were lucky," Obran said.
Gaius! Could he be in the city? Obran thought. If he were really in love with Tori he would probably come after her. But either way everyone likely knew Tori had fled and was with him too.
"Should we keep going north, just you and me?" Tori said.
"The gates will be closed at night and Armenus said to wait for him," Obran said.
"Armenus also said to continue north if he didn't arrive tomorrow," Tori said.
"We will wait til tomorrow but it might be risky for all of you to go back to the inn," Obran said.
"I can fly to the inn and see if any Romans are there?" Mara said.
"Darling, I don't want you to take any more risks than you have to. Tomas and I can go," Zico said.
"The first thing we all need to do is order more wine," Obran said.
They all looked at him with surprise.
"This bar is deemed clear, so for now you are all better off here than in the inn," Obran said. "Tomas, Zico, you two will go back at dawn, with Mara as scout. Since the soldiers are only looking for me and Tori, I think it should be okay. If the place is clear, get your things and the wagon and return here. Me and Tori will go scout the northern gate before dawn. But for now we might as well relax, drink, eat, and enjoy the last day of celebrations," Obran said.
They all just nodded and smiled; he'd worked it all out and was now giving orders like a general. Obran remembered he wasn't in the army anymore.
"That is if you all agree of course," Obran said.
"Of course, gremlin leader," Tori teased and they all chuckled.
Obran laughed as well and poured the wine when it arrived. He explained to them that he and Erkin had also met Katrina and that she might travel with him and Tori up north. Soon he invited Katrina and Erkin to come join them. Katrina greeted Tomas and Zico again and Tori and Mara were pleasant enough to her. The barmaid also brought them weed stew, pork, and cakes—Obran was just happy that they all said his weed stew was much better and they all ate and drank their fill. They didn't tell Katrina much, only that she would travel with Tori and Obran in a dwarven caravan part of the way. Obran told her he'd explain it all to her and Stripe tomorrow. Katrina agreed and didn't looked surprised but soon went back to the abbey, saying she'd prepare for their trip and return the next day—she seemed really excited to leave Remus. Erkin offered to escort her but she insisted he stay with his friends, so the rest of them stayed in the tavern, enjoying the festivities, singing, playing games, and dancing long into the night. They even joined in a few toast to the King's health. Oban was reminded of their parties in his gremlin burrow, when it seemed they had no care in the world, just new friends, and merry times but now he knew there was no hole deep enough to hide from their troubles.
Obran also told them he would ask Stripe to help Erkin, Tomas, Zico and Mara while he was gone, as part of his payment. Of course they all could help Stripe too; they were quite a talented group: Mara's had her charisma, voice, and fairy dust, Zico's his cooking and trading skills, Erkin and Tomas could construct and repair anything and seeing his luck, Tomas could even run a games and card table too.
***
Before dawn, Tomas, Zico, and Mara prepared to go back to the inn.
"Mara, fly in first and check out the whole neighborhood, especially all the windows facing the inn and any nearby stables," Obran said.
"Of course," Mara said.
"Zico, Tomas, stumble around a bit as if you are both drunk," Obran said.
"No problem there," Tomas said.
They were all a bit drunk at that point.
"Mara, if you see anything suspicious, drop everything and all of you come back as fast as you can," Obran said.
"And don't take any unnecessary risks," Tori said and hugged Mara goodbye.
"See you soon," Tomas said.
"Why don't you make us a real breakfast while we're gone; I'm sure that Stripe will let you," Zico said. Stripe had returned and greeted them all but told Obran they'd speak alone in the morning.
"Yeah, I'll talk to him," Obran said.
After they left, Tori, Obran and Erkin sipped some more wine and picked at some fruit. The tavern was mostly empty with only a handful of gremlins left, probably those who didn't mind the sun too much.
"Sorry, both are not gonna get a chance to sleep much tonight," Obran said.
"It's okay. I don't feel tired," Erkin said.
"Me neither," Tori said. "So what do you both think of the gremlin quarter?"
"It's nice," Erkin said.
"I wish I got to see more of it but I'm glad there's a place gremlins can live openly, without fear," Obran said.
"You know I even saw a gremlin girl kissing a man," Tori said.
"I saw that too," Erkin said.
Obran had seen several pretty gremlin girls but he realized they hadn't entered his mind.
"Uhm...I didn't notice," Obran said.
"I'm sure you can find a girlfriend here, Erkin," Tori said.
"I'll keep my eyes and ears wide open," Erkin said.
It must be the wine talking, Obran thought.
"And Tomas too. He's still a bit shy but he's so smart and tall he should find someone in no time," Tori said.
"Hmm...yes, now that his wife is leaving him," Obran teased.
"I doubt he will be heartbroken long," Tori said.
The sun would rise soon and Obran remembered he'd have to leave with Tori and might not see the others for a while. It was nice to celebrate one last time.
"Tori, let's go to the northern gate before sun up. I want to see if you recognize anyone there. We'll keep a good distance away," Obran said.
"But I can't see in the dark, Obran. I don't have giant yellow eyes like you," Tori said smiling.
"Just try your best and the gate is usually lit," Obran said.
"Okay, I'll try," Tori said.
"Is it safe for you two to be walking around alone?" Erkin said.
"Don't worry Erkin, we've been hunted by far worse than Roman guards and I'll be sure to keep your brother safe," Tori said.
"It will be okay bro, just wait here. Take a nap, Stripe said he would give us beds," Obran said.
Nearby, some gremlins were passed out, drunk.
"Okay, I will. You two enjoy yourselves," Erkin said.
Did my brother just wink at me, Obran thought? 213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXmpMhOs84
