Elysium

Chapter 16: The Spy

We were once more escorted to the familiar three-bed room by the twins Rico and Miguel, but this time they stayed on with us, and didn't bother to lock the door.

"That was a hardcore negotiation you had with her", said Rico.

"Yeah", said Miguel. "I've never heard anyone talk like that in her presence and stay alive. Except for Ramez, of course, but he's special. He has the Princess wrapped around his little finger."

"Or vice versa", said Rico, and then they laughed. Miguel saw Lohengrin's flask in the corner, picked it, opened it, and smelled it.

We were sitting closer to the window and they were between us and the door, sitting on both sides. Yet the atmosphere was not that of them guarding us.

"What's this?" Miguel asked and looked at us with a smirk. We spread our hands and looked gullible.

"Damn Lohengrin", commented Rico. "There's some of it left, still."

He handed it over to me. "Why, have it", said Miguel. "It's for you."

"It's rum", I admitted. They both laughed. We had a round, all five, and it was finished.

"What's going to happen now?" asked Roland.

"Now?" repeated Rico and they looked at each other. "There's gonna be a major operation."

"An operation?" asked Roland. "What kind of an operation?"

They looked at each other, then smirked again. "Sorry, chaps. Resistance business. If we told you, we'd have to kill you."

"Then don't tell us", I interrupted. "We are not here for your war. When are we going to see her? Mary Darling? And the girls?"

"Soon, I guess", said Rico. "Very soon", added Miguel.

The door opened. It was Ramez the Demonslayer in all his glory, with a shining sword, a bow, and a few other weapons as far as I could see. Even the titan-made firearm, which was stuck half-hidden under his dark-green cape. Tengri the monkey was following him, peeping into the room a bit cautiously.

"Brothers", Ramez addressed the twins. "We need to go. For the special delivery. You heard her insisting on me personally."

He seemed not entirely satisfied.

"Why are you worried, bro?" asked Rico. "It's an honour from her side, like always."

Ramez cast a look at us, as if to give a hint to the twins that we weren't supposed to hear. But then he caught Max's eyes and he immediately smiled upon seeing his younger self.

"It's because of the war meeting", said Ramez. "The Princess convenes with Sandor and Mitro. They'll also try to squeeze things out of Mr Marzipan once more. I should be there. I have a feeling I should be there."

"Why's that?" asked Miguel. "We know you're the best, but Sandor and Mitro are great commanders, too. And they won't do anything, not a single operation, without you. We'll be back in no time."

"I don't know..." said the shining knight. "It's just something. A strange feeling that things are going to get out of hands. You saw her today. She wasn't her usual self." He cast a glance again at us, primarily at Max. "I know the Princess is unbeatable as a plotting strategist. And Sandor and Mitro, they're the best operational commanders we have. But I'm the tactical genius. I'm the greatest improviser there is."

"Can't deny that, bro", said Rico. I thought Sandor and Mitro were probably the two older officers who had been in the tent with Ramez.

"Anyway", said Ramez. "We've got to go. Better do it fast, so we'll be back before anything bad happens."