Of Cats and Men
Chapter 8
Schwenk didn’t stop until he was back in his room, the door double bolted. He was breathing heavily and he still felt sick. Aurelio was on the hunt and it was only a matter of time before he came back to the room. He needed Lani’s help, and fast. But before he did anything else he checked the crystal, it was safe and secure even from a goon like Aurelio. He then checked his sidearm, it was fully loaded. It wasn’t going to leave his side in future. He then considered his options, unlocked the door and went looking for Lani.
He trotted downstairs. “Lani? Laaannnni….” He called but all was quiet. He tried her office, the door was unlocked and he went in. ”Lani…you here?” but clearly she wasn’t. He was tempted to root through the paperwork on her desk….but he liked life and two sibling lions after his blood wasn’t a pleasant prospect. He shut the door and sat in the breakfast room….pondering his next move. He thought back to the library and the texts, he still needed to speak to Jaada, but he knew that somewhere in the vicinity Aurelio was on the prowl. His hunger was sated for possibly a day or two, Digger would’ve filled that ‘gap’ for a while, but it wouldn’t last. He checked his sidearm again then walked out of the front door, onto the street.
He walked back to the White Horse and sat at the bar. Gaynor walked over with a smile. “Beer? Wine? Conversation?” she asked softly
“Beer please….oh……has a nasty lion been in here….snooping around…” She frowned. “Nasty lion? Aren’t they all?” she winked “But no….nothing special to report, hun…” “OK….” He sighed. “Thanks anyway…….” “Trouble?” Gaynor asked. He snorted. “Only if he finds me……..” “Who?” “A big goon called Aurelio….bad news……be glad you’ve never met him…..” “I don’t recognise the name…..but I’ll keep my eyes open…..” she smiled. “Oh…..he’s a man-eater too……” Gaynor screwed her nose up. “One of the few then……” “Thankfully……but he counts as more than one!” “That bad?” “Just eaten an…..acquaintance……it’s probably my fault!” he sighed “How would that be your fault?” she pulled a disgusted face “Long story…..best you don’t become involved….” Schwenk shook his head. “OK……..well, if you change your mind…….I’m always here….” She gave him his beer. “That’s reassuring……..” he nodded and sipped his drink. “So….you here to get drunk or to visit Jaada?” He smiled. “Jaada this time and let’s see how it develops…..” he winked. “She is with a client at the moment so take a load off and take it easy……you’ve earnt it…..” she went and tended some other customers. Schwenk slipped off the stool and took a booth table and enjoyed the half decent beverage in his mug. The bar area was semi-busy, with the usual hustle and bustle augmented by the upcoming festival period. Schwenk became sullen. Digger’s demise, the festivities and the fact he was still alone all pushed down on him. Aurelio would be unstoppable now there was only one chance……to plead with Gaius directly. This did not appeal to him for two reasons. Firstly, Gaius was a pompous, arrogant man would make Schwenk suffer for begging to him. Secondly, there was at least a fair chance Aurelio would be there or close by.After another beer Schwenk went up to see Jaada.
“Another massage? Something more, maybe?” she cooed seductively.
“Erm…..neither…..” he smiled sheepishly. Jaada raised an eyebrow. “Is it me, or are you getting weirder??” Jaada asked He chuckled. “Sorry……it’s your vast wisdom I’m after….” “Nice recovery, human…” she smiled “how can I help?” “That crystal……..it’s from a Shaman’s staff…” “Oh……really?” she replied “Yeah…..and here’s the tricky bit. Have you ever heard of the Tyrus tribe?” “Tyrus? Hmmm……can’t say it rings any bells…..” she was deep in thought. Schwenk sighed. “Pity……it seems there are more dead ends than anything else……all the other books are in ancient or other tribal languages….hey…..if I get them out, maybe you could have a look….I’ll pay!” “awww……” she stroked his jaw. “You don’t need to pay…..but I’m very busy up here and I can’t promise I’d get time to leaf through some boring dusty books!” she said. “OK……sorry, I should’ve known that……” he sighed. “Now how about that massage?” she offered “Thanks for the offer but I’ve got places to go and people to see……” “OK……oh, do you still have the crystal?” “Yeah……well hidden now….just in case…….” “You keeping it in your room?” she frowned “Yeah, don’t worry………..it won’t get found….” “You just keep yourself safe……” she grinned. “I shall….don’t worry….” And with that he left. He checked the streets thoroughly and, with a heavy heart headed for Gaius.