Part 15 (1/2)
Max hadn't lain long before he grew restless. He could barely wait for tomorrow to come to set out on his first mission. On top of that, he had his father's box with its mysterious contents. His mind raced trying to guess at what it might contain. Next to him, Eve rolled onto her side.
”Can't sleep either, Maxy?
”No, not at all.”
Eve giggled. ”Good, now I can tell you what I learned yesterday at Mr. Penna's. We've more in common than you think.”
Max rolled over to face Eve as she started her story.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
Eve watched Max and Sgt. Kallis leave Melody at the gate and head north before Neysa pulled her into the house. Mr. Penna followed them in, closing the door behind him.
”Well, that was certainly interesting.”
Eve and Neysa turned.
”Why do you have papers for me, Mr. Penna?”
”Chiros, why didn't you warn me you were coming home?”
Mr. Penna held up his hands. ”Ladies, please, there is plenty of evening left for explanations. It has been a long trip and I would like to sit down to a nice meal first.”
Neysa shrugged her shoulders. ”You haven't changed much Chiros, but you're out of luck for a good meal. There isn't much to eat.”
Eve looked around the house and saw only a single rickety chair next to a small wooden crate that sat in the middle of the floor. ”Or places to sit.”
Mr. Penna surveyed the room himself. ”Hmm, I know I am getting forgetful, but I do recall having more furniture than this.”
Neysa bowed her head. ”I'm sorry, Chiros. I had to make do while you were away. I didn't always get the money you sent, nor could I get any legitimate work without you here to vouch for me.”
Mr. Penna embraced Neysa's hand. ”That is fine, my dear. I am to blame for leaving you the way I did. In any event, if you have kept the vault safe, none of the other trappings matter.”
”It's safe, or else we would not have found Evangeline's papers.”
Eve bounced up and down, annoyed that Mr. Penna hadn't answered her question yet. ”Why do you have papers for me?”
”All will be answered tonight.”
Eve stomped her foot in frustration. ”Oh, come on!”
Mr. Penna smiled. ”I am going back down to the market. I need to give the mare to the stablehand. I will buy some food for us while I am there. In the meantime, you two get washed for the evening and relax a little. I have the feeling that our adventures are only starting.”
Neysa joined Eve in her frustration. ”What do you mean by that?”
Mr. Penna opened the door. ”Tonight,” he smiled and slipped outside.
”Uhgg, gone eleven years, and he hasn't changed at all. Come on, Evangeline, the bath is one thing I made sure to keep.”
Eve followed Neysa, laughing. ”You can call me Eve.”
Two hours later, the three sat on the floor around the lone crate, food stacked between them. While they ate, Mr. Penna told Neysa all that had taken place since he and Peter had left Moenia so many years ago. Eve lost interest in the conversation. She let Spook out to run around the empty room, occasionally coming back to Eve to snag a piece of food out of her hand.
”Eve!”
Eve jumped, not realizing Mr. Penna had finished telling his story. Both he and Neysa looked at Eve with bemused expressions on their faces.
Neysa shook her head. ”Even for our kind, Eve, having a pet mouse is a little strange.”
Eve smiled mischievously. ”Why, thank you.”
”You're right, Chiros. She is definitely an odd one.” Neysa's smile faded. ”I hope it's enough for what is to come.”
Eve grew concerned. ”What's that supposed to mean?”
Mr. Penna sighed. ”I suppose now it is time to answer some of your questions, Evangeline.”
Eve bubbled over with excitement. ”It's about time! Why do you have owners.h.i.+p papers for me? Do you really work for the Protectors? Why is...?”
Mr. Penna motioned for Eve to settle down. ”Whoa, whoa. You are getting ahead of things Evangeline. The story starts long before you come into the picture.”
Eve let out a deep sigh. ”Fine.”
She s.h.i.+fted herself into a more comfortable position, preparing for one of Mr. Penna's long stories.
Mr. Penna chuckled. ”I will try and make it as short as possible. I promise.” Taking a sip of tea, he began.
”Years ago I worked as an inspector. Things were different then. Most of the lacarna that came into the cities, having found a human partner, wanted to live in Moenia. Others simply found the city life more interesting, though not many.”
”Any lacarnian that chose to live in the city had to have their claws removed. It is an old law meant to bring peace in the villages. Now it only gives the Protectors more power. In any event, the inspectors were tasked with verifying, and if necessary, removing the lacarna's claws along with keeping a written record of all whom they admitted.”
Eve starred at Mr. Penna in shock. ”That's what you did?”
Neysa put her finger to her lips. ”Shhhh.”
Eve huffed, but shut her mouth, allowing Mr. Penna to continue.
”Unlike your claws, Evangeline, the claws of those that came to the city were brittle and of little use. Few even had them. The collars are what they hated, and rightfully so.”
”We placed the collars around their neck to show they were certified by us. A strange stone mined from the southern mountains was then split in two with half placed in the collar and half given to the lacarna's partner, or kept with us. This stone had the odd property of pulling itself together when its pieces came near each other. This gave us a way to validate who the lacarna belonged to.”
Eve, about to burst, raised her hand.
”Yes, Evangeline?”
”I can't believe anyone would want to live in the city bad enough to give up their claws, even if they weren't that effective. And when did the collars change?”