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By Root 655 0

took her throne, and the delegation crowded more closely around her. Siobhan gestured at the dark man. “I would like to introduce Lord Zacharius.” The green-eyed man moved forward, took Myrmeen's hand, and gave it a tiny lick. Myrmeen was startled, until Zacharius winked and added, “People always expect that type of thing from me.” He took her hand a second time, gently kissed it, then withdrew. “Lord Zacharius-” “Zaz, please. My name is Zaehlas Alandovos Zacharius. But then, it's been shortened over the years. Humans seem to find Zaz most appropriate. Rolls off the tongue easier.” “In this chamber, Lord Zacharius is more fitting.” “As you wish.” Myrmeen sighed. “What may I do for you?” “You have something we want. Something that belongs to us, actually. We have come to reclaim it. Now, to tell you what we have come to Arabel to find, I must first tell you something of our race. Long ago, wars were fought among the various tribes of the cats. Natural enemies struck out against one another. Centuries of bloodshed ensued.” “By 'the cats,' you mean the cat lords. Your people.” Zacharius hesitated. “Yes. Of course.”

Siobhan laughed and knelt down to scratch the ears of the jaguar at her feet. A half-dozen of the other felines meowed jealously. The jaguar yawned, then rolled its head and turned to Myrmeen. There was a startling intelligence in the creature's eyes, and the gaze was almost hypnotic… The trance was shattered when a small gray kitten broke from the pack and leaped into Myrmeen's lap, startling her. “Ah, you'd best beware,” Siobhan said with a laugh. “That's our fiercest warrior.” The kitten looked up at Myrmeen and mewled piteously. She stroked its side, and the kitten closed its eyes and curled contentedly in her lap. Lord Zacharius said, “Satsuma, a great leader of our people, gave his life to unite the warring tribes against a common enemy. That enemy, though defeated, played one last cruel trick. Satsuma's bones were stolen by the enemy's soldiers and scattered throughout Faerun. We have cause to believe that one of these secret burial chambers rests beneath the university. Allow us to reclaim our fallen leader and finally send his soul to the rest it deserves, and you will have our gratitude for all time.” “Beneath the university?” Myrmeen asked. “Exactly where beneath the university?” “We don't know. The whole structure will have to come down, of course.” “I see.” Lord Zacharius cocked his head. “Is that a problem?” “I would think so. The clerics of Tymora who staff the place are rather fond of it. So are the students.” Myrmeen frowned. “What's the source of your information? Who told you Satsuma's remains were here?” “I can't tell you that,” Zacharius said brightly. “What I've told you thus far is more than any human has ever been allowed to know about our race.” “I'm honored,” Myrmeen said wearily. “I'm also placed in a very awkward position. It took many years to have that building erected and to make it the success it is now. I sympathize with your needs, Lord Zacharius, but your request is somewhat extreme.” Under normal circumstances, Myrmeen would have rejected Zacharius's proposal without further discussion. She could not, however, get the image of Penn Othmann's savaged body from her thoughts. It returned whenever she glanced at the jaguar lying at Siobhan's feet. “I will need time to fully consider your request,” Myrmeen said at last. “I understand.” Zacharius wiggled his fingers. The gray kitten in Myrmeen's lap leaped from her and went to him. Zacharius paused at the door, waiting until Siobhan, Niccolo, Sauveur, and the cats had all filed out. “Summon me when you've made a decision. I will not be hard to find.” With a strange, enigmatic smile, he turned and left. The doors were shut behind him. Evon Stralana broke from his soldiers and came to Myrmeen. “What do you think?” The noblewoman's face was set in a scowl. "If you find as much as one cat hair on the merchant's corpse, I want Lord Zacharius and his entire entourage

brought in for questioning. In any case, find out everything you can about