Chapter 8: Update on Current Events

"You look very beautiful in that dress Beatriz." Minikio said as she goes into the large kitchen to make some dinner, Runi keeps Beatriz company and shows her to the living room of the tavern to watch some TV. The rainbow-haired girl figured Beatriz is still shaken up from earlier,she wanted to make sure she was comfy and cozy.

"I appreciate all that you two are doing, you barely know me and yet..your going out of your way for me. I..sniff..really don't deserve any of this." The girl says as tears well up,she begins to cry and sob uncontrollably. Runi comforts her and giggles. "Think nothing of it. We may have only just met ya but take it from me. I know what it's like to feel..unwanted,be a outcast and even being a burden." Runi said with a somber smile.

She knew from experience that Beatriz feels something possibly similar to her. The two were quiet for a moment and just watched the television. Local news of the recent Red Palace was being reported at the moment. Minikio, Beatriz and Runi all decided to listen in on any sort of major updates. "We interrupt your regularly schedule program with the latest news of Planet Neo and her most recent set of affairs." Says the anchorwoman.

"The Red Palace that was once said to be the residence of our dear Lady Nea,has now been relocated to Neotic land,however the primordial evil deity known as Lord Fafir has taken upon himself to bring Her Greatness' domain to us mere mortals, recently a ragtag group of criminals, merchants, city dwellers and the unlikeliest of characters actually sent Lord Fafir packing." The anchorwoman affirmed.

"Well..yeah we know that already,me and Mini were already there,hey I was even a prisoner in Faffy's little " palace" pssh..absolutely ridiculous garbage." Runi chimed in. "Ssssh the anchorwoman has more to say on the topic." Minikio whispered hushing her friend.

"More news in accordance to Lord Fafir,the ruined Red Palace and those that were imprisoned and escape. Lord Fafir himself has yet to be found. Rumors have stemmed from continent, city to city of were he could possibly be. We urge all of you who are not in Hexus taking refuge or with Lady Nea. PLEASE. DO NOT ENGAGE HIM. You will die if you try. Keep your children, grandchildren,love ones and friends away from him." The anchorwoman warned strongly.

The three girls sit in silence and see the anchorwoman look off to the side. Several male voices inform her of updates. Her eyes then widen as the camera crew sent in very interesting yet precarious video footage. "Breaking News!! Breaking News!! It seems as we here at Neo Times News 480 have receive some interesting info that may leave a clue. Live video footage shows an room within the ruined Red Palace,there appears to be a large sarcophagus of sorts..At this time we are not sure what it is,but it could turn the tide that's for sure." The anchorwoman mentions.

"Wait..a sarcophagus? Hmm..didn't Fafir have a daughter?" Runi asked the two girls. "According to Luna and everyone else that knew her. Her name was Destiny. She was said to have died by Luna's hand,but I know that's a load of poppycock. Oh excuse my language." Beatriz said. Minikio and Runi were taken aback by the blue-haired girl's sudden disdain for Fafir,but it was to be expected, especially after what this monster tried to do to her.

"If you pause it at just the right frame..then you'll see that..it's..empty. Wait a minute the dang thing is empty?!" Runi exclaimed. "Strange were could Fafir have taken his presumed "deceased" daughter's corpse too? What if..no way..that lying snake." Runi said angrily.

Beatriz looked at her in confusion while Minikio sighed at the same time."Yes...Runi...What are we gonna do?" Said Minikio looking at the rainbow-haired girl.

Beatriz and Minikio looked in horror."I have a bad feeling about this.." Minikio muttered softly as Runi nodded with her fists clenched. "I think we need to tell people what we saw. And soon!" She said to her two friends.

"What will telling anyone possibly do Runi? Fafir more than likely is out there doing Nea knows what. He could be molesting women and killing the innocent like the mongrel he is. We can't just go out there all willy nilly. We need a plan. Luna isn't gonna always be our warrioress in fluffy capes and silk. She needs us as much as we need her." The pink kobold says to her friend. Runi gets up from the couch and starts pacing back and forth she does come up with one plan.

"Perhaps the Brigands of Dalidstad? They helped last time and only lost a few good warriors along the way. Maybe we can tell them?" Runi asked her two friends. "Yeah let's do it." Minikio said. Beatriz nods with approval,they needed some form of distraction and if they had to involve the enemy then so be it. Runi turns to face her two friends again and says "Let's go to the base. Hopefully Clandestine isn't too angry at us for disobeying orders. Hehe. Beatriz softly nodded her head and followed suit. She figured maybe while she journey with her new friends,her own memories of the past would return.

"Good to see your in good spirits Beatriz,just stick with us. We'll take you to our friends. Also a warning they may seem kinda odd and harsh,don't take offense, that's just how they are. Now let's head off. Mini your flying me there. Um..can you fly Beatriz?" Runi asked the girl.

"I'm not too sure, but I'll try." Beatriz says shyly. "Alrighty,let's get moving." Minikio says excitedly. The three girls head off to the sky. Turns out Beatriz can fly she just had to spread her arms apart and imagine herself as light as air. The trio fly high above avoiding detection from a lurking Fafir. They aren't far from Dalidstad, but figured maybe it'd be best to take a more stealthy approach once they land.

Minikio landed on a tree branch and turned around to face the other two girls. "Okay we're here. We should be able to sneak into the base." Runi nodded in agreement and got down from Beatriz's back. Beatriz landed next to Minikio and looked around at her surroundings. The Brigands weren't hard to spot, they are all wearing armor and carrying weapons. Runi takes note of the number of guards around the base. There's also one man in black leather armor standing nearby,his helmet obscures his face so it is impossible to tell if it was friend or foe. The trio snucked through the trees until they reach their destination,they were surprised when they arrived and saw a massive wooden door. Runi took a deep breath to calm herself before gently pushing it open. After the coast was clear the three ladies tiptoed inside and gently closed the door back. "Nice we just gotta find our rooms and voila. We're in the clear. The Brigands will know what to do from here on out." Runi shouted.

This triggered a wandering Brigand they followed Runi's voice and immediately held the three up at gunpoint. "By order of the Brigands of Dalidstad and Aether herself,state your business and how you snuck in past our guards!!" The Brigand demanded. Afraid for her life Beatriz panicked and whimpered, Minikio was fumbling on her words trying to alleviate the situation while Runi was as calm as a cucumber. "Girls relax..it's just a fellow Brigand okay hehe. Now listen miss. Were all part of the same family you and I now were is Clandestine?" Runi ask softly.

"Keep your hands up. All three of you NOW!! YOU BLUE HAIR!! STRIP NOW!!" The female Brigand ordered. Embarrassed by this Beatriz looked at Minikio and Runi for help. "That's a bit unnecessary don't ya think?" Runi asked. "KA-CLANK" The female Brigand cocked back her gun while she placed her finger on the trigger. "She obviously has weapons in that dress of hers. She can either take the dress off or I'll shoot." The impatient woman threaten.

"O-ok fine..I'll remove my dress. Just please..s..spare us." Beatriz pleads. She removes her boots and slips off her dress dropping it around her ankles. The female Brigand holds the gun up to her face and motions her to turn around. "Bra and panties too. I'm gonna pat you down as well. Your hiding something,whatever it is. You better pray to Nea I don't find it." The woman said as she forced Beatriz to the wall. Runi and Minikio were angered by this,they could do nothing as the Brigand woman called for two new recruits to hold them as well against the wall.

"Hmm..polka dotted panties. Green and black even. Cute combo. Wait that's a thong. Makes sense when wearing such a tight dress. The bra is simple yet appealing. Now spread your legs trash. " The woman says as Beatriz obeys. She fears for her life. Tears stream down her face,embarrassed and humiliated even. She clenched her teeth and fists as this stranger of a woman groped her from every crevasse and crease. The Brigand woman also order her recruits to strip Runi and Minikio as well.

"What..hey..get your hands off my pants!! Hey let goo!!! "Runi shouted as the two recruits did as they were told. With little struggle Minikio and Runi were also naked and the Brigand woman search them as well.

"Everything seems to be in order here. Welcome back Runi and Minikio, you know it's against Brigand code to bring in a outsider, that's why I ordered this surprised inspection. As a punishment, you two will have to roam the halls in the nude for three days and three nights. You are free to cover yourselves but only with your hands. As for you miss blue-haired crybaby. Here you can have your underwear and dress back. Turns out your just blessed with amazing genetics. What's your name?" The woman asked a relieved Beatriz.

" M..My name is Beatriz. I thank you for returning my clothes to me. But I ask. Will you be gentle to my friends?" The girl shyly asked. "Of course. Hmm..you remind me of a Neotic animal called a minx,their skittish and timid, just like you I'll call ya Minx for short got it?" The Brigand woman laughed slapping Beatriz on her back.

"I..I actually like that nickname. I do got it. Thank you very much." Beatriz smiled as she wiped her tears and blew her nose on a handkerchief she had with her.

"Mm..well what about us Hmm? We were kind hoping to talk with Clandestine." Runi interuppted.

"Oh well fine. Grab your clothes and take Minx here with ya,treat her right. This girl looks like she'd break if there was any more pressure applied to her." The woman says as she has her recruits follow her. Runi and Minikio get dress. Beatriz covers her eyes until they are done. The trio goes to a long hallway and knock on a large black wooden door.

"Hellooooooo. Clest anyone there?" Runi sanged. The trio waited and waited and waited for a good ten minutes. "Maybe she isn't home at the moment? Perhaps we should head to the living quarters and rest." Beatriz suggest.

"Nah..she's in there. I can hear her on her cell phone. Trust me she'll come just you wa.." The door open causing Runi to fall forward on a partially dressed,wild haired,tired, annoyed Clandestine. Runi landed on the tall woman's tummy and pushed herself back to her feet. "It's three in the morning Runi. What's so urgent to where ya have me standing in a black tank top and pale yellow panties huh?" The redheaded woman asked.

"Eh..nice panties by the way. Um..mind if we three come in. We got some serious stuff to tell ya. You might wanna hear this." Runi says assuring the redhead woman.