Page 6 of A Fable of Riddles and Redemption

Zorina stormed off, trying to keep her frustration under wraps. She also took a roundabout route home after the encounter, just in case he changed his mind and opted to follow her instead. An overzealous but foolish city guard was not something she needed or wanted to deal with.

By the time she approached the hidden vine-covered shack, her feet ached from the day’s work and the longer walk home. The small structure was tucked into the woods and buried in leafy vines, making it hard to see. After glancing all around to ensure Herrick hadn’t followed her, she ducked through the doorway.

Once she kicked off her boots, Zorina prepared a quick and easy meal before settling in for the night. With any luck, she wouldn’t have to deal with that blasted guard again.

Herrick

Herrick frowned as he watched Zorina walk away. Despite her reassurances, her dismissal of his offer to escort her home seemed more than just dislike or disinterest.

No, the woman had something to hide; he was sure of it.

But then again, so did he.

Would her secrets, whatever they were, prove problematic for Adael? Were they something he needed to poke at and investigate?

Or were they deep-seated hurts or mistakes from her past, like his were?

And why had her rejection bothered him so much? It’s not like he had any plans to court the vexing woman!

Grudgingly, he admitted to himself that she was beautiful, with her long blonde hair and flashing blue eyes.

Herrick shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He’d only wanted to ensure her safety as part of his profession as city guard. Darkness would soon descend, and a lone woman walking at night made an easy target for criminals.

He should know as a former criminal himself.

Shoving the uncomfortable reminder away, he continued his patrol. He was tempted to follow Zorina, but it was not his current duty. She had refused his offer of escort, and he would not impose on her. Unless he had due cause to suspect her of anything, or knew of a viable and immediate threat to her safety and well-being, he had no legal reason to trail her.

So why did he want to anyway?

It was madness.

Herrick dismissed the idea as he monitored the area, keeping an eye out for anything troubling. He did see several red pandas rummaging around, particularly in back alleys, but they primarily kept to themselves. There was no way to tell if one of them was the ‘thief’ from earlier. Since none of the ones he noticed on his patrol were smashing up pots and searching for gold, he suspected the culprit from earlier was not among them—if the potter and his shop girl were telling the truth, that is.

All the same, there was a disturbing amount of wild red pandas invading the streets of Adael rather than staying in the forest where they belonged. While the animals’ presence itself wasn’t necessarily problematic, the mess they left behind was.

A kind of mess Herrick had more experience with than he cared to admit. He certainly hadn’t told Zorina that he’d stepped in it on previous occasions before his current investigation—nor would he if he ran into the maid again. It wasn’t exactly the kind of thing a man would discuss with a pretty young woman, in polite society or otherwise.

And conversation with Zorina was certainly otherwise.

I’m not sure she knows the meaning of the word polite. Not that I’m any better myself.

He was well aware that he was not the friendliest of men, nor did he wish to change that aspect of his character. Avoiding interactions with others as much as possible was his preference.

Herrick systematically patrolled the streets until Metin, a fellow guard, approached to relieve him. With a nod of acceptance, he passed the duty off to Metin and returned to the barracks, ready for a meal and some well-earned rest.

Chapter three

Invasion

Herrick

At the urging of concerned citizens, Adael’s foremost leaders, Duke Armand and Captain Firmin, held a meeting to discuss the invasion of red pandas throughout the city. As one of the many guards on duty, Herrick watched the drama unfold.

Duke Armand, the nobleman tasked with Adael’s care even before Jolan’s royalty had disappeared, seemed weighed down by the challenges that beset him. He sank into his seat with a sigh and ran his fingers through his graying brown hair. “Let’s get this over with,” he said quietly to Captain Firmin.

Herrick couldn’t agree more. Captain Firmin, captain of the city guard, nodded. Apparently, he felt the same way.

As the meeting began, the most boisterous voice in the crowd was Jurian Atkins, the strange potter who foolishly hid gold coins around his shop. “These red pandas are a menace! One of them broke into my shop, smashed several of my pots, and ran off with my gold!”