Bound securely to a rough, splintery stick, Karnel and Randy were carried the short distance to Capo’s imposing residence. The journey was bumpy and undignified.
“What is this place?” Randy whispered, twisting his head to get a better look.
“Capo’s palace,” Karnel replied grimly, his usual spark extinguished as he stared at the ground. For the first time since Randy had met him, the rat looked utterly defeated. “This is unfortunate, Randy. If you’d come alone, maybe you could have reasoned with him. But with me, he’ll see you as my accomplice. He’ll have us both executed. I’m sorry, Randy. Truly sorry.”
Capo’s ‘palace’ was, in fact, a once-grand hotel, now slumped on the city’s grubby outskirts like a forgotten, decaying giant. Rusting barbed wire sagged around its perimeter, and the building itself bore the scars of long neglect — cracked windows, crumbling facades, an air of general abandonment. It looked creepy, haunted even, which probably explained why humans gave it a wide berth.
Their Invincible escorts cut the rough ropes binding them before marching them through a set of imposing, heavy double doors that groaned in protest. Inside, the decaying grandeur continued. The vast lobby, now serving as Capo’s audience hall, was dim and echoing. Faded frescoes peeled from the high ceilings like ancient sunburn, revealing patches of crumbling plaster. The marble floor, once polished to a mirror shine, was now dull, cracked, and stained. Menacing shadows pooled in every corner.
At the far end of the hall, raised on a makeshift dais constructed from cigar boxes, sat Capo upon his throne.
The throne itself was a repurposed plush leather wallet, gaudily encrusted with pearls and gold trinkets — opulent, yes, but it looked undeniably uncomfortable. Despite his small size, Capo radiated an aura of formidable power, perched high above everyone else. His sharp eyes swept over Karnel with undisguised contempt, then shifted to Karniga. who stood rigidly beside the throne. Capo’s expression was stern, cold, and utterly unforgiving.
“Why do you bring him here?”
Karniga fidgeted, his usual military composure crumbling under Capo’s glare. “The prisoner… he claimed to have a valuable proposition, Your Excellency. I thought that—”
“Oh! You thought?” Capo interrupted with icy sarcasm. “Isn’t the Golden Rule perfectly clear on this matter, Karniga? Or was my decree somehow ambiguous?”
“I — I — ” Karniga stammered, his eyes darting nervously around the hall, avoiding Capo’s stare.
“Or perhaps,” Capo continued relentlessly, “your fraternal love outweighs your sworn duty?” His gaze bore into Karniga, sharp and accusing, leaving no room for defence or explanation.
“May I speak, Mr. Capo?” Randy interjected, pitching his tone as soft and innocent as he could manage.
Capo’s attention shifted. His eyes settled on Randy for the first time. A strange, unsettling expression of familiarity, crossed his face. “And who might this be?” he asked, tilting his head slightly. “I don’t believe I know this mouse, and yet his face is familiar to me.”
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“My name is Randy, sir. I’ve come from far away, a place called Villagloriosa. I met Karnel purely by chance yesterday, and I only asked for his help to find Randal the Rat. You see, Randal has something that belongs to me.”
“Villagloriosa…” Capo murmured the name, a thoughtful expression briefly softening his features. Then he smiled, a wide, sudden smile that revealed a full set of deeply unsettling gold teeth. Randy blinked. How could he have gold teeth? Were they fake like Will’s?
“Daring,” Capo continued, the smile fixed in place. “Very daring indeed, little mouse from Villagloriosa. But I’m afraid your journey has been in vain. Randal paid his tribute and left earlier today. He won’t be back this way for another moon.”
Randy’s heart sank.
“I shall spare your life, little mouse,” Capo declared magnanimously, “as I believe you were merely tricked by this treacherous miscreant.” He gestured dismissively towards Karnel. “But I’m afraid the Golden Rule must be upheld. Karnel knew the penalty for returning to the city was death. He violated that sacred rule.” Capo nodded curtly to the Invincibles flanking Karnel, signalling them to take the rat away.
“Mr. Capo, wait!” Randy interrupted in desperation. “Please, I don’t know what terrible things Karnel may have done to deserve death. Perhaps he deserves it. But since we met, he’s been nothing but kind to me. I believe whatever wrong he committed is in the past, a regret he must surely live with every day. If you would allow me… I believe I have something valuable I could use to barter for his life.”
Capo leaned forward slightly, his gold teeth glinting, his sharp eyes fixed on Randy with renewed interest. “Go on…”
“We both know of a human candy store,” Randy said, taking a deep breath. “A place bursting with sweets. If you allow us to lead you there, perhaps we could arrange a generous tribute.”
Capo scrutinised Randy for some time. The silence in the vast hall stretched, thick enough to choke on. Then, he spoke.
“Very well. I cannot trust Karnel, that much is certain. But I will give you, little mouse, a chance to prove your loyalty.” He leaned back slightly. “Karnel will remain here, confined to a cell. You will accompany two of my most trusted rats to scout this candy stash. You will assess the location, the risks, the potential for extraction. You will report back to me.” He fixed Randy with a hard stare. “Normally, I would never make such concessions. So I warn you: Karnel’s life now depends entirely on your performance. And, of course… so does yours.”
Randy gulped, the lump in his throat making it hard to breathe. He nodded emphatically. Yes. He understood.
“Karniga,” Capo commanded. “Take your brother to a cell. And find this mouse a suitable room. Ensure he is comfortable.” He paused, then added, almost as an afterthought, “And make sure he joins us for dinner later. We should learn more about our esteemed guest from Villagloriosa.”
As Karniga’s Invincibles roughly dragged Karnel away, Randy watched him go, a wave of guilt washing over him. Just before being pulled through a side door, Karnel turned his head; his eyes met Randy's in a look of resignation. Randy felt a sharp pang of remorse, knowing he had, perhaps inadvertently, sealed his friend’s fate.
Randy was then escorted away, led by two different Invincibles through a bewildering maze of dusty, echoing corridors. He was shown into a room — once, perhaps, a luxurious suite — now stripped bare, empty save for some rags that might serve as a bed. A heavy sense of apprehension settled over him as the door clicked shut, leaving him alone in the haunted room. Who was Capo, really? And why did he seem to recognise Randy’s face? These were questions he desperately hoped dinner might answer. But he knew, with a chilling certainty, that he would have to tread very, very carefully indeed.