by Romano Ventura
THE STORY SO FAR:
Avventura sped down the highway in her red convertible. Away from the capital to the Deceran-Guardia border. At the check-out point she found her good friend Januario who greeted her with the widest of smiles. “Hello, doll,” he drawled as he leaned on the car door. “What’s the deal?” “Long time.” “You know the drill.” Januario went back to the booth and returned with a portable scanner. “Passport please.” Avventura poked around in her bag and pulled out her passport. Flipping it open, Januario ran the scanner over it. He then turned it on its side and saw all her details come up on the monitor. “All’s clear.” She put her passport away and turned back to see him leaning on the door again. “Doll, how’s about dinner tonight?” She smiled. “Each time I cross the border…” “You can’t blame a prodecura for trying.” He was 45. Younger than most Elitos who retired to take Prodecura positions.What possessed him? She asked that very question, it had slipped off her tongue before she could stop herself. Januario’s green eyes turned to red rage. “Long story.” “Maybe I’ll take you up on that date some time, and you can tell me all about it.” “Now that’s a date, doll.” He winked and waved her on through.
Tarus returns to Decera Castle to discover what Queen Margeta is up to. He uses the Elitae and what he finds is betrayal. Queen Margeta has hired Stara Zaran to stop Romala from finding the Deceran King. Avventura wants in on Romala’s mission as she is about to face her own betrayal.
