61 61 Espionage (1/2)

Donis and Striga were bidding Dr. Gilbert adieu after walking him back to his home. While it was a short time together, Donis still appreciated the effort the older man had gone through to help them. Sure he was literally forced to help by the RI, but it still didn't sour the mans efforts.

At the sandy, yet luxuriously clean, home that Dr. Gilbert inhabited, the trio stood.

”Dr. Gilbert, it was an honest pleasure meeting you,” said Striga with her hand extended.

”The pleasure was all mine, Striga. Hearing about what happened to ye, and then going to tell Horrigan that he's a cock was wonderful,” said Dr. Gilbert as he shook her hand in earnest.

”Thank you for your information Dr. Gilbert, it answered some questions which had been plaguing me for weeks at this point. When we first came here, I didn't actually think we'd get so much out of this entire trip!” laughed Donis.

”What did you think you'd find here? Some old coot who had no backbone?��� Dr. Gilbert said as he shook Donis's hand.

”Well, something along those lines, yeah,”

”Boy, you can't have a weak spine when dealing with Dragons. The moment you show weakness in this line of work, you die.”

”Ah,” said Donis, realizing what his profession really is.

”Tough business, I see,” he continued.

”Real tough. Anyway, you'll be gone from here soon. I'm happy that ye can leave, and I implore you guys to do so quickly. If the threat of the Sandracons is big, I don't want you guys getting conscripted. You've both done far too much already, you don't need to go any further for this town who wont even appreciate you guys,” said Dr. Gilbert, looking into both of their eyes.

”Thanks, we'll leave quickly. Goodbye Dr. Gilbert,” said Striga as she picked up her stuff and walked out of the building.

”I'm gonna go make sure she's okay. Thanks again Dr. Gilbert,” said Donis as he walked out the door chasing after Striga.

Dr. Gilbert sat down with a sigh escaping his mouth. He cleared out his desk and neatly stacked some papers in front of him, putting away his work. He looked out the window and began reminiscing of the days long gone.

Donis jogged out of the house and found Striga perched upon a stone bench. She was looking down on the floor with a far off look. Donis slowed down and sat beside her.

”So, I know I probably shouldn't be asking this, but what's on your mind cap'n?” asked Donis with a soft smile.

”Horrigan really got to me, ya know? He kicked my family out of town because of my decisions. Kinda hits your hard,” spoke Striga with a flat tone.

”There anything I can do to ease the burden on your mind? You don't have to tell me what you did, just if you wanna share, it might lighten the load,” said Donis, trying to ease Striga in whatever way he can think of.

”Thanks, but the tales old and pointless. I was young, rowdy, and totally against what the militia here stood for. They were lazy, complacent and worst of all, greedy.”

”I got sent here when I was younger to clear out a den of Sandracons, and my entire family decided to move in with me. We stayed here for a while and I decided to join the militia because at the time, they seemed to be getting things done. At least on the surface it seemed like that.”

”The town here has always had this pleasant air, but there were lots of underground deals for the more ”exotic” stuff. Like drugs, illegal ingredients, and slaves. I spoke out against them, tried my best to do my job, or so I thought. I basically caught the wrong guy, he paid off the captain of the militia, he went free and I got punished for it. I left, they told me I'd be discharged dishonourably. I didn't care, and I thought that was the end of it,” continued Striga.

”Yet here we are, years later finding out that my entire family got cast out for my actions. Fuck the lot of them, but my brother was the only other good person amongst them. Unfortunately, my parents and I didn't have a good relationship, and I lost all contact with them. So, I have no clue where my brother is, or how to help him,” sighed Striga.

”Hmm...” hummed Donis.

Donis sunk into thought for a brief moment, contemplating on how to help his captain. He could do many things, but solve personal issues that may be decades old is not in his repertoire.

”What if we went to your house and looked for clues?” perked up Donis after a few moments of silence.

”I'm literally banned from this town. If I get caught sneaking around in private property I could get into serious trouble Donis,” sighed Striga again.

”What if we went to your house and looked for clues, but sneakily?” smiled Donis.

Striga looked up from the floor and directly at Donis, unable to hold back her laughter when she saw how serious he looked.

”Fine kid, but if we get caught, I'm ditching you,” she laughed.

”Deal!”

***