Zoldia: The World Beneath

Part 0 - Prologue

Zelynda read the letter again, for the third time in a row.

Harlin,
I can't do this anymore. All these years, I've closed my eyes on many things. I've forgiven you more times than I could count. I've done everything I could to save us, to save our relationship. But this time, you've gone too far.
I never want to see you again.
Farewell, Harlin.

"Interesting," she thought out loud. "Very interesting."

Zelynda packed her stuff quickly. She must leave before he returned.

She went out and called a taxi. A few seconds later, it landed just in front of her. An arm came out of the trunk and picked up her suitcase. The passenger door opened and she went in.

"To the Central station," she said.

"Understood," said a robotic voice.

She had to escape Finap if she wanted to have a chance to escape him. When he found out, he wouldn't be happy. And he wasn't the kind of person who easily accepted other people's decisions, especially when they impacted his life. She knew the rumors about him, and she also knew there was no smoke without fire. She had thought of going there, of course, but it would be harder to hurt her in Pacifia. The security systems were too advanced, even for him.

At the station, she bought a ticket for Pacifia. The ride took about an hour and half. When she arrived, she sent her suitcase to her hotel, then took a flying taxi to Borshar Bank. It would be safe there. Minutes later, she was in front of it. She told the taxi to deliver her suitcase to the Starlight Hotel and exited. She entered the bank.

"Good afternoon, Madame. How can I help you, today?" asked the clerk.

"I need to talk to my banker," she said.

"May I know their name?" asked the clerk politely.

How cheeky of him, she thought.

"Don't you know who I am?" she asked impatiently.

"I'm afraid, I don't, Madame."

"How comes?"

The clerk started to look uncomfortable.

"I... Huh..."

"Madame Wooper!" exclaimed a plump man with a moustache, walking fast toward them. "It's nice seeing you again. Please follow me to my office," he said, gesturing her to follow him.

Before doing so, she turned to the clerk one last time.

"I am Zelynda Wooper. You'd better remember for next time. I could have you fired in a minute."

"I am truly sorry," said the clerk, his face decomposing.

Zelynda turned on her heels and followed the plump man. They walked through a long hallway. The walls were pure white. The only pattern was a golden thread that run all the wall's length. It was real gold, of course.

They reached an office at the end of the hallway. A sign indicated 'Office of Mr. Dolus'. They entered.

"Please, have a seat," said the man, pulling a velvet seat for Zelynda.

After she had sat down, he went around his massive round desk and sat in his chair.

"What brings you here today, Madame Wooper?"

"I have something very special to entrust to you."

"What kind of thing? Gold? Trade secret?"

"Much better."

She pulled out the letter from her purse and put it on the desk. Mr. Dolus read the letter and widened his eyes.

"So, the rumors were true... He had... I mean, your respectable husband-"