The Courier’s Collection

Chapter 8

8

Rasha and Lu placed the sleeping Sidoan princess on the bed that dominated the small room at the inn. There was also a chair and a lamp, but the room had no decorative ornaments. Not the first place royalty would take refuge, Rasha noted. But if she had wanted to travel in style, she wouldn’t have picked a crate. She was beautiful. Rasha looked her over as they laid her on her back with her arms at her sides. Her skin was so black it was almost blue. She wore a blue gown. Her tumble of hair framed her face. She wore a crown of colored gems and jewelry everywhere from her from neck to her ankles.

Lu must have been admiring her too, because he said in a half whisper, “She’s beautiful isn’t she?”

“She’s trouble. If we don’t figure out what happened and fast, we’ll be up to our eyeballs in trackers and assassins.” Rasha paced back and forth. “I need to contact Central.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Lu fidgeted from one foot to the other.

“Someone needs to know what’s going on.”

“When has Central ever cared about what happens out here in the field?”

“This is different. Someone in the Courier’s Keep might be able to help us. My record is perfect and clean, they might listen to what I have to say.”

Lu watched her apprehensively, with a fingernail between his teeth.

“Courier Jenchat-42769 speaking,” Rasha said into the thin communicator square.

“Voice identification confirmed. How may I help you?” The automated voice spoke in a clipped and impatient manner.

“I need to speak with someone about a fetch discrepancy.”

“We deliver: we don’t ask, we don’t tell, the—”

“Courier always delivers.” Rasha tapped on the square, impatient to get a real live person. “I’m aware of the code, you robotic pumseed. No, this is above and beyond the code.”

“Please enter your job number.” Rasha sighed.

“Fetch & Drop Assignment 2-4879, confirmed, in progress, requested and accepted.” The computerized voice droned.

“Incorrect, not requested. I demand an audience with anyone in the Courier’s Keep. I don’t want to talk to an artificial—”

“Fetch & Drop Assignment 2-4879 requested by Luduru Moren, accepted by Rasha Jenchat.”

“Requested? No, there must be a mistake.”

“Voice confirmation of Luduru Moren-62513 received.”

“We didn’t ask for humanoid cargo.”

“Transport of humanoid cargo is cause for immediate dismissal and license revocation for all couriers involved. Moren-62513 and Jenchat-42769 licenses are now void. Thank you and have a nice—”

Rasha switched off the device with the tap of her thumb. She slipped the clear square back into her pocket before turning to Lu. He backed up but not fast enough. Rasha hauled him up hard by his vest and slammed him against the nearest wall.

“What in the yahtz did you do?”

“Wait, I can explain.”

Lu’s boots dangled a few inches off of the floor and Rasha dropped him, only to pull him a breath away from her face. She had to look down to look him in the eye.

“How do you explain transporting humanoid cargo and losing our licenses?”

Lu gave up resisting her and hung his head.

“Ladi.”

“Your sister? What does she have to do with this?” Rasha asked, letting go of his vest.

“Remember the night I had to take care of something?” At her nod he continued, “Ladi was in jail, again.”

“Poobari’s.”

“Yeah, and he was like a stone wall this time. I had to give him something to get her out.”

“I’m sure the ungrateful wretch didn’t even thank you.”

“No, I gave him the money she’d earned, and I promised him I’d take this job. She was less than pleased.”

“I’m glad. She should pay for her own mistakes. Why didn’t you tell me all of this in the first place?”

“I knew what you’d say.”

“That she should rot in jail like the little fangledort she is?”

“The plan was to be back in Adalu before it even came up. I’m sorry. I’m already working on a way to get our licenses reinstated.”

“You don’t get it, do you? Without our licenses, we don’t have access to any of the privileges that come with being couriers. We’re on our own. Not to mention all our courier payments are subject to investigation.” Rasha wanted to punch something but Lu’s face was the only thing close, and that wouldn’t do. He was still her friend, and they’d need each other now more than ever.

“Get rid of that all-terrain vehicle and use the money to get two beasts and bring the rest back. We need supplies.”

A startled scream got their attention, and they whirled around and saw the princess staring at Temi. He crouched on her chest, ears back and growling six inches from her nose.