The Renegade: Oblivion

Ch. 11: Vengeance & Forgiveness

"So I assume that whatever was going on out there, it's all resolved?" Romotan glared at the two of them, and Aspect and Frostbite nodded numbly.

"So long as that creep's gone, I'm fine," Frostbite muttered under her breath.

"Well, then." The rat sighed and rubbed his brow. "Now, concerning Dragonscale. I've heard lots of stories about it myself. Mien, I assume you've heard the tales of treasure that lies in the temple there?"

Aspect nodded. "Yes, but that's not why I need to go there."

Romotan gave him a long look. "...I won't press you," He murmured slowly. "But I must warn you that, while I can tell you about what you could find there, I can't tell you how to get there."

"WHAT! Then what are we supposed to do?" Frostbite asked. "Do you happen to know a guide who could take us there?"

"...I only know one person who's been there," Romotan replied. "His name is Venge. Tall, muscular and surly. He's a smooth talker, but a dirty fighter. If you make him upset he'll beat you to a pulp in a matter of seconds."

"We can deal with that." Frostbite scoffed. "What's he look like?"

"Pale green with darker markings and a black 'X' mark on his hair. He wears a brown bandage over his left eye."

The Blacklai Fox's eyes widened, and she scowled. "...Crap. It's that creep from outside! Hard pass, dude. Any chance there might be anyone else you know of?"

Romotan shook his head, and Frostbite slumped forward, muttering to herself.

Aspect glanced at her sadly, and spoke again. "...She's... really shaken up from earlier, Romotan. She needs time to recover. But, in the meantime... Do you suppose you might have a room for us to stay in? We slept in the woods overnight, and we could make up for it."

The rat smiled fondly at them. "Of course. Follow me."

He led them down the hall and stopped in front of a door to one of the rooms. "Now, we're pretty full at the moment, so you'll just have to make do with what we have."

Before Aspect could ask, the rat opened the sliding door to reveal a small, simple room, with a white bed and a table beside it. A little window let in some light.

"...It's really nice, Romotan," Aspect commented. "No need to act so bashful."

Frostbite slid in beside him and smiled, taking it all in. Meanwhile Romotan was quietly sneaking off before they noticed. Something was off...

And Aspect noticed with a jolt. "Erm- what? We need two beds, Romotan. Huh?" He whipped around to find the rat shutting the door with a click.

"ROMOTAN, YOU RAT!" Frostbite snarled angrily, banging on the door. "You knew exactly what you were doing!"

"No refunds!" The rat called from somewhere outside. "Sorry, ehe!"

Frostbite banged on the door for a while before finally hanging her head in defeat. "What a sewer rat," She muttered. "First our guide is supposed to be some ruffian, then the innkeeper thinks he can play a twisted game of mix and match! Is this place only filled with lunatics?"

Aspect, who had been standing there with his face flushed red, dared to step toward his friend softly. "Frostbite, I... I apologize. I didn't know-"

"Shut up." She snarled, whirling around to face him. Then her face softened. "...There's no need to apologize. You did nothing wrong. Aspect, I... I've treated you like dirt."

Tears formed at the corners of her eyes like little diamonds, and Aspect couldn't think of anything that was more precious or saddening than the sight of them. "You've been nothing but kind to me," She continued shakily. "You were only trying to keep me out of trouble earlier, with that Venge dude. I don't deserve you, and I don't know if you'll ever forgive me. I think-"