It was early. So early that the sun was quite shy to show itself over the horizon, and that was good. They were tired of walking on baking hot sand, so they left as early as possible so as to minimize the sun tiring them out while they carried several heavy bags of gems.

Along the way, Opal talked more openly with Mike to pass the time. She explained about the cave's whereabouts, and how she knew their location. She even spoke about her tribe, how they lived and thrived amid the scorching desert. And lastly, she explained about how some gems could be a material for utility use, such as Fire Stones (Only one of many types!), and the peculiar Chargestones, which could glow by themselves and be tapped into for vast amounts of electricity. No doubt, they were yielded in their haul.

The trio finally arrived at Gambitville, and made a stop to Agave Sundries to drop off the gems with Opal as she entered the store. After thanking them so much, she left a single bag of the haul to Syrup and Mike as payment for their escort. Mike promised to visit Opal as much as he could, and then Syrup dragged him away from her to go to Donahue's Saloon for a victory brunch.

….

"Khaw! I knew saving those last two Vibrava for ya to fry up was the best idea! What'd you call these again, Donny? Tem POO rah?"

"Ah, it's tempura."

"Whatever, it's still tasty as all heck! Yannow, Donny, if you weren't so prickly, I'd have married ya just so you can cook everything for me! What do ya say, Mikey-boy, wanna have a cactus for a father?!"

Mike didn't say a word, he didn't appreciate Syrup's loud humor with so many people around the saloon hollering and by looking at Donahue's face, he didn't appreciate it either.

"Aw whatever! Eat yer tempoorah already, an' see if you could sneak in Opal's room! I bet she'd love to see you in her bed all ready for her when she returns from a hard day's work!"

"Mom!!"

"Ah... you two know of Opal? Then would you happen to know what went on in her room last night?"

"Huh? What'cha talkin' about Donny? We were out last night an'--"

Suddenly the clamour around the saloon came to a halt as Opal bustled through the entrance with tears in her eyes. "Ahh! It's terrible, just terrible!!"

"Kheh?! Opal, are you okay?! What's happened?!" Mike jumped up from his seat and instinctively went to embrace Opal for comfort.

"Oh... ah, it's just terrible, the store owner... he's dead! And it's all Gold's fault! He left this note on top of the body! Here, look!" Opal handed the paper to Mike and he read it. It was barely legible, to the point where Mike couldn't even read most of it, but the last words were clear:

IM COMIN FER U PEARL

"Mm... this looks bad." Syrup said over Mike's should as she peeked at the note in his claws.

"Ah... so, that probably explains the intrusion into your room last night..." Donahue said, as he began to cower underneath his counter.

"My what?!" Opal quickly jolted to her room. In the few minutes it took her to investigate, Mike and Syrup could hear the Gambitville residents murmur of distrust towards Opal.

"Ugh, great. Now the town's not going to like her around anything anymore. It's like Gold poisoned her status in one fell swoop..." Mike walked up to Opal's room to see how she was doing, and was astonished by what he saw.

Almost everything was scattered or torn in the room. Opal was searching fervently until she found what she was looking for. "Ah... Michael, I'm so glad. At least he didn't take this, look..." Mike walked up to see what Opal had. Dangling from the end of her tail was a chain with a deep purple heart. It looked like a masterfully crafted gem of sort.

"Wow... this is incredible, did you make this?"

"Yes. It was the very first jewel I crafted. I made it for mother, but Guld wanted to take it from me to sell for money before he left. It means a lot to me, Michael..."

Syrup was already by the entrance of the room, shouting at its two guests. "Hey! You two, I think we oughta git'! Is there anythin' of importance you need with you Opal?" Opal tucked the piece of jewelry into her only garment and then shook her head.

"Alright, let's go then!" Syrup walked out, and then Opal began to follow her. Mike was surprised to see her follow Syrup so reluctantly, and trailed behind the two.

As the three reached the middle of the saloon, Syrup stopped and turned around towards Donahue. "Oh yeah, hey Donny-boy... sorry to let ya clean up everythin', as usual, but could ya do this for me again?"

"Ah... of course."

"Thank ya hun! Oh an'... Opal never came back last night. Ya'll hear me?!" Syrup stomped the wooden floor as hard as possible, and captured everyone's attention. "Yup... Me an' Mike took Opal out so I can give Mike the taste of Seviper Stew. An' it was pretty delish. No need for anymore trouble, right?!" Everyone was silent. "...good, I'm glad ya'll unnastand me! Now we'll be off!"

As the three left the saloon, Syrup went toward Agave Sundries. "Best to pick up our haul before we leave for our home... an' maybe some extra cash an' food. They'll blame Gold for it all anyhow, khaw-haw!" Mike breathed a heavy sigh as Syrup helped herself to make the best of the situation.

======

Part 15 of "Reprieve" by

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