CHAPTER EIGHT

Rolf continued staring at Yumi's back as they walked among the blood berry bushes. She had insisted on taking point and would hear no arguments otherwise. It was clear they had little choice but to let her get her way or else they would never get anything done that evening.

And so he set Sven to watch the rear. No sense in having two tanks in the front.

Rolf wondered how Yumi was able to keep on her feet and steady at that, what all the alcohol she had consumed. He had fully expected her to fall off her horse the moment she got on it and yet here she was. She had made it all the way to Severin's plantation without any issues whatsoever.

To boot, she appeared to have make quite the remarkable recovery. Aside from the stench of the vapors emanating from the pores of her skin, she didn't look like the hopeless drunk that she was a couple of hours ago. It really was amazing. No unsteadiness. No stumbling. No slurring. No incoherent babbling. She appeared to be in complete control of her faculties.

“So, what's the plan?”

Rolf glanced back at Sven.

“Well?” the man inquired. “Do we just walk around at random and hope we get lucky or what?”

“We could do that,” Rolf replied, “but we don't have the luxury of time. Morning deadline if you recall. Plus, I really want to get this done quickly.”

Sven pursed his lips in thought. “What?” he evenually commented. “You getting one of your bad feelings again? Can't say I blame you. Even I'm getting it. That old weasel's up to something.”

“So what's the plan then?” he asked again.

Rolf replied, “I figured we'd look around for some damaged blood berry bushes and go on from there. Those things are bound to be easier to find than whatever it is we're looking for. And who knows? They might still be around.”

“Huh.” Sven paused. “Wait. I thought we were looking for dire goats.”

“That's what Severin's hoping for at least. We don't really know and that's the problem. It could be anything. Dire goats. Goblins. Could be thieves. Or economic saboteurs. It could even be thugs sent by an unscrupulous competitor for all we know.”

“Aw, not to worry!” Yumi declared. “You can leave it up to me, guys! I've got it all figured out!”

Rolf and Sven looked at each other and then at Yumi, who had swung around and struck a pose. Grinning from ear to ear, her battle axe resting against her left shoulder, she was pointing at her chest with her right thumb.

After a while, Rolf turned towards Sven and said, “So I was thinking we head on over to--”

“Oh, come on, Rolf!” Yumi protested. “I'm being serious here! I really do have a good idea. It's a great idea in fact!”

Sven chuckled and Rolf could not help but smile. Even sober, it was so easy to get a rise out of the girl.

“Fine, fine,” he said, raising a hand in apology. “We'll hear you out.”

“Great!” Yumi exclaimed. “I'll show you! I'll show you all! Mu-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!” An evil glint flashing at the corner of her eye.

She caught herself and coughed.

“Okay,” Rolf thought. “That was new.” He gave Sven a sideward glance. Sven was probably thinking the same thing.

When she had finally recovered enough composure, she said, “It's really quite simple, you know. It's so simple even an idiot can figure it out. You know the old saying. If you wanna catch a thief, you gotta think like a thief.”

Rolf stroked his mustache, resisting the urge to say anything. He may not have been that deeply acquainted with the girl but he knew enough to know that Yumi and “thinking like a thief” as she put it went together like water and oil. Honest to a fault that one, that it hurt like hell to watch her tell a white lie.

Sven opened his mouth to say something but then thought better of it.