Two Betrayed Chapter 2

Racker ordered an ale and oatmeal for his breakfast. He sat down at a table that was tight to a window, it would give him quick access to an escape route should the need arise. It took less than 10 minutes for his breakfast to arrive and he flipped the waitress 10 silver coins in payment which gave a reasonable tip. You don't want to be too generous, or too stingy with your tips, service staff remember both, and in their line of work he needed people to never remember him.

After he finished his breakfast, two burly men entered the tavern, for some reason they glared at directly a Racker, do they know me from somewhere? he wondered.

"Who are you thinking about?" Suqqu asked.

He told her about the two men who had just entered the establishment and with sour expressions on their faces were headed his way. She popped her head out of his pocket so she could get an eyeline on the men.

"This is not good, they plan on attacking you."

"Do they know me from somewhere?"

"No I think the waitress told them about you and about the money she believes you have."

Damn, he thought, I didn't think I gave her that big of a tip.

He got up from the table and the two men who intended to rob him pulled knives out, the dark-haired man said, "Give us all your money right now."

Racker laughed, "I don't think so bud."

The dark-haired man tried to do an ice pick style stab that Racker blocked and followed up with an elbow strike to the man's chin sending him to the floor unconscious. His partner, tried a slashing attack which Racker also blocked follow it up with a roundhouse kick to the man's leg breaking it.

He left the man on the floor screaming in pain, and went to the front of the tavern, said to his waitress, "Hey you got a bit of a mess to clean up that there." he then stuck his finger in her face, "I know what you did, you're lucky I don't have time to deal with you."

As he stepped out onto the road he tapped Suqqu on her head and asked, "You didn't get injured there did you?"

She scurried up onto his shoulder, kissed him on the cheek, "Not a single scratch you were great there."

Good news he thought as she scampered back down into his pocket. They still had three days travel by foot to get to their home and collect payment.

2 hours after leaving the tavern, the Intrepid duo of the 200 pound human male and 12 ounce Pandor female, jumped off the side of the trail and hid behind a rock large enough that Racker could keep himself hidden from view. The man had heard a familiar voice, a man he knew well, Marcellus Oberdan, he was travelling with his wife Janelle. The husband and wife bounty hunter team, were they after him? Racker wondered.

Suqqu spoke up, "I can find out if you'd like."

Racker agreed that would be great. His tiny little partner scampered out of his pocket and into the palm of his hand where he placed on the ground. Like a little mouse, which she was about the size of minus the tail, she scurried amongst the leaves, scaled a tree and walked out onto the branch that was hanging over the trail. She was barely inches away from the large human, of course compared to her everything and everyone is large.

She directed her mind's eye at the man and woman below. She could not detect any thoughts from them about her protector and as they continued their trek down the trail she did hear them say something about how he would likely be passing by this way sometime soon so perhaps they should set up an ambush. They didn't mention who he was, but it did seem suspicious.

Suqqu hurried back to Racker and told him what she gleaned from their thoughts and told him about their plan to set up an ambush for someone.

"They didn't say anything about me?" he asked.

"Neither said nor thought anything about you, it might not be you they're after."

"Then again it might be," he answered.

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to go home and collect our payment then we can both retire."

She kissed him on the nose and got herself back in his shirt pocket. Suqqu also wanted to retire, if only it were possible for humans and Pandor to be lovers, for she loved this man more than life itself. But he was one of the good humans, and promised her that on his property he would make a sanctuary for her people. A place they can call their own and not be seen as pestilent creatures. Free to live their lives in peace.

When they once again began their journey to home both of them thinking how lucky they are to have each other. For her having a human as a protector is almost like a dream come true. For him having someone who can read the minds of others helps with his job, especially since no one knows that he has her as a partner. Most humans would think that he wouldn't have one of these creatures as a partner.