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~~((The July 4th Special -- page 6 of 12))~~
Melchor and Orric stopped as well and looked back at him.

Raul could see the uncertainty on Cousin Melchor's stern face, already mixed with a hint of disapproval.

But he had to do something. He had to.

"This is a rescue mission," said Raul as he turned around to face Renart again. "We are trying to save innocent lives. Not the entire country, maybe, but that is the context of our presence here in Vantalay."

And again, no one said anything for a time.

Come on, Raul thought. He'd given a little ground, but not enough to be dangerous. These Ridgemarkers could return the favor, at least.

"...And we are trying to do the same," said Renart.

Raul took a single step forward. "We have ample reason to distrust both Abolish and the Vanguard, at the moment. Reasons that... you may have heard about?"

"...Yes," said Renart. "Rumors. Here and there. Of betrayal. On both sides."

"On one side." Raul's voice was firm as he stared at the other man.

Renart made no response.

Raul felt Cousin Melchor's hand on his shoulder, felt it silently telling him that he'd said enough.

Fine.

He'd hoped for more, but if these people weren't going to budge, then he didn't see what else could be done about it.

And so, finally, they left the boron fortress behind and returned down the smooth path that Raul had made for them earlier.

It was disappointing. And demoralizing. Raul wondered if there was any way in which that negotiation could have gone differently. Perhaps both sides were simply too stubborn.

Then he heard footsteps behind him.

Renart's group were following them.

Everyone stopped again.

Renart had a box in his hand, no larger than a basketball, and he tossed it to Raul. "Before you go, take those with you. Do with them as you like."

Those? Multiple? Raul felt a gap in the box's metallic frame, as well as a broken lock on one side. He pulled the top of the box open and examined its contents.

Rings.