The world was just as he remembered it—only more peaceful and with no Impies in sight.

  Herun Dhen had not lied. The pilot had dropped them off on Rimzana a mere three hours later. Now they were on their way to the Regency to drop off that damned package.

  “Aren’t you curious what’s in there?” asked Kaine.

  The girl looked up at him with that serious expression he now knew so well.

  He sighed. “I guess we should respect Corvwah’s instructions.”

  Though if Ondine knew who Talak Atvan was, she might feel differently. Despite the healer’s assurances that there was nothing illegal here, Kaine was still concerned it could be a weapon, or some other device intended to do harm, and he didn’t want to have something like that on his conscience. After all, weapons were not technically illegal. For all he knew, Corvwah could be the man behind those recent Regency bombings.

  He glanced at the package again. Could they be delivering a bomb? Was this how the explosives had been set in those places? It was a chilling thought.

  Ondine’s little hand squeezed his, and he turned to look at her serious face.

  “No,” he lied, “I’m not worried. What gave you that impression?”

  She frowned, and he knew the girl could see right through him.

  He let out another sigh. “I just don’t like not understanding things, is all.” Which was true enough.

  As they turned at the next corner, he saw their destination loom above them: a rectangular structure with glass walls that shimmered under the sun.

  “Looks like we’re here,” he muttered. “Let’s go in.”

  Inside was much like every other Regency he had ever visited: crowded, with numerous rooms for various activities.

  He headed toward the reception desk and leaned to make sure no one would overhear him.

  “Hello. I brought a package for... Ah, well, for Talak Atvan.”

  The woman at the desk blinked when she heard the name. She looked around, then lifted a hand. “One moment, please,” she said as she tapped on her wristpad.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  A couple of minutes went by as she kept her fingers pressed against her temple, using her vircell to communicate with someone. Her hand finally dropped to the desk as she looked up.

  “They are waiting for you at the Vista Lounge. It’s on the third floor. Just follow the signs.”

  “Can’t I just leave this with you?”

  The woman waved her hands in front of her. “Oh no! No, no... Please follow protocol.” She pointed toward an elevator. “Third floor. Please.”

  Kaine sighed and nodded. “Very well. Thank you.”

  He took Ondine’s hand and they headed toward the elevator.

  “Still not curious?” he asked as they went in and he pressed the button for the third floor. “We could find an empty room and take a quick peek...”

  She stared at him.

  “Fine,” he muttered.

  It did not take them long to find the Vista Lounge—Regency signage was always effective.

  The room was spacious and filled with couches and low tables. Through the glass walls, one could see vast expanses—a sea to the north, mountains to the south, a lush forest to the east, and beautiful hills and valleys to the west. Looking up, one could admire the stars through the ceiling.

  This was not unlike the observation deck on one of those giant cruise ships.

  “It just occurred to me that the woman did not say who we should talk to...”

  Kaine looked around at the crowd. There were many people here, how would they know who to approach? Everyone seemed busy, none paying attention to them.

  He felt Ondine squeezing his hand and looked down. She pointed behind him.

  Turning around, he saw a counter ran along the back wall. One of the employees there was staring at them. She nodded when he caught her eye and motioned for them to approach.

  “I hear you have a package for us?” she asked once they were close enough.

  “Depends who ‘us’ is.”

  “You named a name, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. Tal—”

  She lifted a hand to stop him.

  “Please. Not here. Too many prying ears. Just give me the package.”

  “Alright.” He made to grab his bag but stopped mid-gesture. “How do I know you will deliver it to the right person?”

  She blinked. “Are you serious?”

  “Well, I don’t know you. Anyone could—”

  “Sir. Please. Do you know who we are talking about? Do you really think I—or anyone else, for that matter—would do anything to upset him?”

  Kaine grimaced. “When you put it that way...”

  Again, Ondine squeezed his hand. He looked into her serious eyes.

  “Yes, yes, I know, he said to just drop it off here... I suppose the rest is none of our business.”

  With a sigh, he pulled the package out and handed it to the woman.

  “Do you know what’s inside?” he asked.

  The woman grabbed the box but grew alarmed at his words.

  “What? No, of course not! Nor do I want to know. Do not tell me. Please.”

  “Relax, I don’t know either. Am just curious.”

  “Oh.” She seemed relieved for a moment. “You had better forget all about it. That’s what I plan to do. No point fretting.”

  “I suppose you’re right. Well, it’s in your hands now.”

  “Don’t remind me,” she muttered.

  “Guess we’ll be on our way. Goodbye.”

  They turned and headed off.

  “Well, that was easy,” he said as they got back in the elevator. “Perhaps even too easy, no?”

  He looked at Ondine, but the girl only shrugged.