SWNOVELS Chapter CHAPTER XII
“Noas?!” Vaiqon asks astonished.
Teqqc and Uxxok merely nod. Vaiqon says no more as he observes his friends and fellow Rniti. He sees Teqqc’s eyes are burdened with heavy bags and Uxxok’s hands are very fidgety.
Vaiqon senses their troubled auras and asks, “What is it?”
Teqqc turns her eyes away from him as she gazes at the rest of the crowded tavern. The sun has begun to hang low in the sky and many have knocked off from their shops.
She turns back to Vaiqon but says nothing. Uxxok drains his third mug of ale before saying, “Its not obvious?! A murder? In Noas? That city has been in ruins for centuries. The only ones that ever visit that wretched place are scholars and archeologists. Clearly someone is targeting these intellectuals for their knowledge.”
Vaiqon stiffens at Uxxok’s drunken outburst but composes himself before responding, “Yes, I understand that much, Uxxok. But why does this latest murder have you both on edge?”
Teqqc grabs Uxxok’s arm before he can raise it to order another round. She smiles at Uxxok’s confused face and then turns to Vaiqon. “I am troubled because I cannot solve these murders. I have not slept in what feels like weeks. Uxxok has been drinking more often, that is why he is gone for the moment.”
Teqqc glances at Uxxok’s vacant stare and laughs to herself quietly. “But, Vaiqon, these murders are too sporadic for a common killer. I believe that either these murders are being committed by a group, meaning the leader must be brought to justice.”
“Or?” Vaiqon asks with a raised eyebrow.
“A very powerful person is causing these murders. Just one. With the means and lack of humanity to do so.”
“And you are suggesting?”
“Only one person I know fits that description.”
“Do not say it,” Vaiqon says with anger growing in his voice.
Teqqc glares at Vaiqon. “I do not have to if you already can sense it.”
“I sense what you are about to say, but I do not believe it.”
“How can you not?! Vaiqon, Ragefier is the only one in Munda Luna with the power to flash any and everywhere at will and the heartlessness to kill on impulse.”
Vaiqon tenses with anger coursing through his veins, “I told you not to say his name. Ragefier left the Rniti and I, Vulcan, Shark, and Rhino have been maintaining and awfully close eye of him. There is no possible way he could have performed these murders.”
“Really? An awfully close eye, eh?” Teqqc asks accusingly. “Then tell me, where is he as of this moment?”
Vaiqon closes his eyes for just a moment before smiling and saying, “Where he always is, the city of Qino.”
Teqqc looks at Vaiqon incredulously. She dares, “Are you stupid?”
Vaiqon gasps as if taken aback. He moves his jaw up and down in a dumbfounded manner.
Uxxok laughs. Teqqc looks to see Uxxok’s vacant stare has suddenly been filled and smiles. Uxxok speaks, “And you thought I was the only one bold enough to talk to you that way?” while pointing a finger at Vaiqon’s nose.
“But she is right,” Uxxok begins, “how can you be so foolish to believe that Ragefier is really in a city as Qino. A peacekeeping city? One that the Rniti brothers themselves first built? If you sincerely believe Ragefier has made a permanent residence in a city that epitomizes the very philosophies he despises, I feel sorry for those that follow your lead.”
Vaiqon cannot believe his ears. He shakes as he controls his anger. He nearly shouts but contains his voice to little more than a raised bark, “How dare you! Either of you! I am a Daijok and you are Jayyojjek!”
Teqqc scoffs, “Oh stop it, Vaiqon. We are all Rniti and as such, you need to realize when someone, or two someones, is telling you that you are wrong. Ragefier has duped you and the rest of the Daijoks.”
Vaiqon spits, “Well, if that is the case, then how do you explain this?”
Vaiqon sends a sensation of Ragefier’s aura to Teqqc and Uxxok. Vaiqon then widens the aura to sense over the city of Qino. Teqqc and Uxxok nod before breaking the contact with Vaiqon’s aura.
Uxxok says, “Perhaps Ragefier has learned how to displace his aura or even morph someone else’s into portraying his?”
Vaiqon does not want to consider the possibility but knows how powerful Ragefier is. He remains silent as Teqqc says, “Is that even possible?”
Uxxok shrugs, “I do not know. But I do know that with this last murder in the ruins of Noas, we need to act fast. Everything I have ever heard from the underground about Noas is that nothing good can come of that place.”
“I suppose,” Teqqc says, “but how can we catch this murderer if he strikes in a different city every night?”
Uxxok grimaces, “It appears we are going to have to visit Noas and examine the crime scene.”
“You have not yet visited the crime scene?” Vaiqon asks incredulously.
Teqqc shakes her head, “No, only received a mental image from one of my contacts with the Noas research party.”
“You sent a contact with a science team?” Uxxok asks, puzzled.
“Yes. I always send a contact with anyone that goes to Noas. That place is disturbed and reeks of darkness. This way I make sure nothing bad happens. My contact sends me mental images throughout the day. I cannot hold him responsible for what happens at night, however, when he is asleep.”
Uxxok smiles, “That is actually rather smart, Teqqc. Considering you cannot be everywhere at once for your Oqoponh duties.”
Teqqc smiles slightly, “Thank you.”
“Well, I would say you two need to make your way to Noas as soon as possible so that no one else will be murdered. If they are all scholars and archeologists, perhaps they are all at risk,” Vaiqon says quickly.
Teqqc and Uxxok twitch at the sound of Vaiqon’s voice and nod in unison.
“We will keep you posted at all times, Vaiqon,” Teqqc says before rising from the table. Uxxok rises as well and the pair exit the tavern.
Vaiqon sighs, thoughts swirling in his head. ‘What is happening to my Munda Luna? Where did the peace I once knew disappear to? Why is all this happening?’
Vaiqon looks down to the mug of ale he ordered when he first sat down. He grabs the handle and drains the strong, brown liquid in massive gulps before setting the mug down and rising from the table.