The Bounty Hunter

Chapter 32: Old Friends and Rivals

November 8th, 2088

In order to escape from the ceaseless chatter about Yamamoto Rin and Japans Rising Idol, I have gone to the other world.  There was currently a huge uproar occurring here as well.  The disappearance of a leading candidate to be the Dutiful Eriloms eventual successor and the simultaneous disappearance of the High Inquisitor have caused shockwaves throughout the whole of the Cult.  They are pulling overtime trying to figure out what happened.  

They have enlisted the help of the royal family as well so the entire Darkmoon Queendom has been affected.  They wont find any remains, since the first thing I did after interrogating Eual is to go back to the battle site and have Demon devour all of the bodies.  I know that theyll be looking for me anyway since I was one of the last people to speak with High Inquisitor Kovart, but I really dont feel like dealing with that right now. 

Thankfully, Terra the Peerless has the well-known reputation of mysteriously vanishing for periods of time so I can put off the eventual interrogation for a while.  With my shapeshifting, I am now a cat-kin cat-napping with Kira by my side on the roof of the Nine Lives Trading Outpost.  Eventually well go to hunt for gadgets for Kira.  Her catlike curiosity has made her into a rather accomplished tinker, so we often go together to find stuff that she can fiddle with. 

I have to work hard to keep her distracted.  Grandma Kuma has been feeling her age lately and has become feeble.  She probably doesnt have that much longer left.  Kira of course has become sad about that and thus I have been trying to cheer her up.  Letting her play with my tail and ears as much as she wants was particularly effective.  But those are sensitive areas so theres only so much I could tolerate which is why I suggested the marketplace when I couldnt take it anymore.

In the marketplace, Kira and I were walking together looking at myriad of items everywhere.  Kira was particularly enjoying herself, she tightly grasped onto my arm and held it close as her eyes darted around.  Her tail was dancing about in enjoyment.  I too, couldnt help but let my tail dance around as I took it all in.  Vendors of all species were calling out to passing customers, trying to entice them to take a look.  But I heard sounds of a commotion in the distance.  My ears perked forward and I had a bad feeling.  My intuition has always been reliable and as a cat-kin it seems to be even further enhanced, so I told Kira Lets go take a look.  She nodded in response and released my arm.  We quickly headed towards the commotion.  I soon heard a noise that sounded like the baying of hounds that have found their quarry.  

I made my way through the crowd and saw Vuser and his elite Bounty Hounds surrounding someone.  It was Veronica.  She was badly injured, with multiple wounds all over her body.  The only weapon she had was an estoc that was broken off halfway down the blade.  I could feel the bloodlust of Vuser and his boys and knew they were not taking her alive.  I whispered to Kira Clear the side alley route from Dirks smithy back to home.  Stay out of sight and when youre done stay close to the start.  Ok.  Itll take me about 10 minutes.  She replied as she easily vanished into the crowd.  Impressive, it seems like shes become reliable without me even noticing. 

I have neither weapons nor magic items, and even with magic the threat levels around a 10 if I fight straight up.  I have Demon to help out now, so its doable.  I picked up a rock from the street and tossed it up into the air casually as I thought up an impromptu plan.  What I should do is not get involved at all.  Veronica is a noble whom Ive only known for a few months, and if shes on the run from the Bounty Hounds it means theres a bounty on her.  I daresay Arinera finally managed to set her up on some false charges or some such nonsense.  There is absolutely no benefit for me to getting involved at all but I suppose since Im already here Ill lend a hand.  I smiled ruefully to myself at my tsundere like reasoning.

Veronicas POV

How did it come to this?  Im asking that question to myself as I face off against Vuser and his dogs.  I never did anyone any wrong, I even tried my best to help those that asked for it.  Yet here I am, abandoned and betrayed by my own family.  One day ago I was called into fathers study, where I was told that Arinera was pregnant.  They had consulted with a wizard with some talent in divination and were told that it was going to be a boy. 

My father then said that to smooth things over for his future son to be able to take over the household, I was to be disinherited and banished.  He did not want any part of the Queens hostility towards me and since I was of no use to him anymore it was time for me to go.  I knew that father never loved me, but I thought he would at least respect the bond of blood between us.  I thought that there was no one left to betray me, but I was wrong.  Less than 3 hours after that conversation, I was on the street with nothing but my sword, the clothes on my back and 3 silver.  I thought things couldnt get any worse as I stepped off the property.  But then they did. 

The city guard promptly came to arrest me for the crime of treason.  I had apparently already been tried in absentia and found guilty, with testimony coming from the Fell house that I was plotting an assassination of Feneris in order to become the Crown Princess.  There was additional evidence provided by the royal family during their investigation of the claim.  It was so obvious that Arinera had gone to plot with my dear aunt to get rid of me permanently.  I was already going to be tossed into the street alone and penniless, but apparently that was not enough for these two women who bore such a deep hatred for my mother. 

They wouldnt be satisfied until I was enslaved and my mothers line ended.  That thought made me furious and I easily broke out from the guard station.  Since then I have been on the run for the last 20 some hours.  A bounty had apparently been posted for me dead or alive, and so here I am surrounded by the Bounty Hounds.  They most certainly remember our last meeting in Malkith, so the best that I can hope for is that they kill me without raping me first.  I no longer have the strength to fight, Terra was right when he said that the elites and Vuser are strong. 

But as I prepared myself for the end, a rock flew out from the crowd that had gathered to watch.  It hit Vuser right in the back of the head, eliciting a yelp of pain from him.  A voice then yelled from the crowd You filthy mutts!  Mutt is a taboo word to call a dog-kin.  At those words, all of the Bounty Hounds turned to look at the crowd to find who yelled and threw the stone.  But as they turned, a blur sprinted forward from the crowd past them and towards me. 

They picked me up in a princess carry and leaped high into the air, soaring past the tops of buildings almost as if they were reaching for the sky.  I couldnt help but grasp my rescuer more tightly as we flew into the air.  A golden light then enveloped me, healing my wounds, restoring my strength and even relieving my mental fatigue.  My rescuer than spoke Youve ruined my vacation.  How are you going to take responsibility? 

I know that voice, Terra, is that you? I asked as I looked at his face.  My heart couldnt help but skip a beat and a small gasp escaped my lips.  He was ridiculously handsome with nothing short of perfect features.  Those stunning dark green eyes were staring right at me and his dark brown hair was fluttering in the wind.  Two cat ears tipped with black were flicking back and forth on top of his head and I could see his matching tail blowing every which way in the sky.  Hmph, who else would it be? Terra responded. 

Awowowowowo!!!  A large amount of barking interrupted our conversation as the Bounty Hounds realized I was getting away.  Terra landed on a rooftop with a bang, denting it to the point where I thought it was going to break.  He then proceeded to run on rooftops as he tried to lose the Bounty Hounds.  But even when they lost sight of us, they were able to quickly find us again. 

I tensed slightly as I thought we were unable to lose them.  Terra noticed and quickly explained As expected of dogs, their sense of smell is excellent.  Dont worry, theyre only keeping up with me because Im letting them.  Enough time has passed now, we should be good.  He then took a sudden right turn and accelerated to an unbelievable speed.  He easily left the Bounty Hounds behind and then suddenly dropped off the 3 story building we were on, landing in a side alley.  Throughout all of this, I was held with such gentleness and tender care that I didnt experience one bit of discomfort.  I could hear his heartbeat and feel his warmth no, I should focus! 

Terra finally put me down and an adorable cat-kin girl appeared in the alley.  Is everything ready?  Terra asked her.  Yes! Its all set!  The girl happily responded.  Terra then turned to me Follow Kira here to a safe location.  Ill catch up in a bit.  Why are you staying behind?  I asked.  I plan to take care of the Bounty Hounds.  Otherwise theyd eventually sniff you down.  Their specialty is tracking after all.  He responded airily.  What!? You said they were too dangerous to take on alone!  I exclaimed in concern.  I dont think Ive been this animated in years. 

At this Terra let loose a smile that made my heart stop momentarily.  His hand started glowing as he patted my head I am a wizard after all, I dare say I can handle them.  Now go. I looked at myself and realized that I looked like a cat-kin.  When I looked up again, Terra was gone.  Kira pulled on my arm Its just an illusion spell.  Lets go, you dont want to waste this chance do you?  Shes right, I can sort out my emotions later.  I followed this Kira and we quickly disappeared into the back alleys.