Having made up his mind, Lorne returned to the Wiz Antique Shop.
To his relief, Xize told him that the mysterious lady was still in the shop.
He put on the pure white mask and followed Xize back to the study.
The lady in the white mask was still sitting quietly beside the broad desk, as though she had remained in that same position since yesterday, reading in silence.
This time, Lorne got straight to the point.
"Ma'am, I've decided. I'd like to leave tonight. Would that be possible?"
Cattleya paused slightly as she turned a page. She raised her head and studied Lorne in silence for a moment.
She seemed to be weighing the risks involved in his request to leave tonight.
After a moment, she slowly nodded, agreeing to his request.
"As for the money," Lorne continued, "I can pay half as a deposit. I'll pay you the remaining half once we arrive safely at Damir Port."
Cattleya nodded again.
"That will be fine."
Then she motioned for Lorne to wait and summoned Xize.
"We need to draw up an agreement," she told Xize.
"Of course, ma'am."
With practiced ease, Xize retrieved a yellowed sheet of parchment from a hidden compartment in the study. It looked quite old.
A Mystical Item with a binding effect... the Notary the captain once mentioned? Lorne wondered as he watched the parchment, which emanated faint spirituality.
A short while later, a concise, straightforward agreement was drawn up with all three of them present.
Lorne took it and read it over, finding no obvious traps in the wording.
"Do we need to sign it?" Lorne had some reservations. I can't expose the name Lorne Dysenk, and Monkey Brando is too famous now. Would a name I make up on the spot work? "No,"