Chapter 7 – Ambush!

The smog cleared, four unconscious bodies lay across the Training Grounds.

"Take them to the interrogation unit." Ordered Malcolm, a black parasol slung over his shoulder.

The other two figures began dragging the unconscious hunters to the exit of the house. Waiting for them, was a familiar looking carriage, with two Guild Knights seated inside, and a tall, rugged driver. The two parasol-clad figures started lifting the hunters, one by one into the carriage.

"This one is heavy." Groaned Anna, clutching a pink parasol.

At this moment, footsteps were heard, then a Maid dressed in the traditional costume appeared.

"What's going on in here?" Cried Helen.

Edward raised his parasol as if he were aiming a Bowgun, Helen looked up at the man, perplexed.

"Get down onto the floor." Ordered Edward.

Helen hesitated for a brief moment, then lowered herself flat against the floor.

"Give me the keys to the house." Demanded Edward.

Remaining flat, Helen searched her pockets, then pulled out a jingling item.

"Good. This won't hurt a bit." Murmured Edward.

Shocked, Helen began to rise up from the floor in a state of panic, a distinctive click was heard, followed by faint whistling, Helen fell against the ground once more.

With some effort, the hunters were all placed in the carriage, Edward, who possessed a white parasol, gave a nod to the driver. The rough carriage driver exchanged one back, and began tugging on the reigns of the Aptonoth-driven carriage. The two dark figures scurried back to the Training Grounds, visible only by the moonlight.

"Take their weapons to the black market, to be sold." Commanded Malcolm.

At once, Anna and Edward began crawling around the Training Grounds, grabbing the weapons. Edward began examining the weapons the weapons close up, they were rather rare, sure to sell for a pretty penny.

"What do we do with the maid?" Asked Anna.

Malcolm was the first to reply. "Don't worry about her, it'll take days for anyone to figure out what happened here."

"Come on, we want to get there by dawn." He continued, staring out into the horizon.

The assassins darted through the Training Ground like a Velociprey hunting its quarry.

Waiting for them at the end of the back-gate, were three Velociprey's, each of them had a muzzle, which prevented it from biting anything. They also had their claws trimmed and dulled, so that they could not cut with them. Finally, they were each equipped with saddles and reigns.

As soon as the Training Ground was clear of any movement, a small furry being stepped out from behind a potted plant. Trenya sneezed at the thick, dusty air, before rushing over to Helen, who was still flat on the ground. During the frantic rush, Trenya tripped up over himself, spraining his paw.

"Mmmiiiaooww!" He cried.

"Helen…? Are you okay…?" He continued. But received no response.

It was very unusual to have a Velociprey under the control of a human. Each assassin mounted upon a Velociprey and tugged at the reigns. One of the Velociprey was struggling to carry Anna and a large Gunlance at the same time up through a mountain pass. It kept slowing down every few moments.

"Gah, this Velociprey is struggling to keep up, it's carrying too much weight!" Called Anna.

"Maybe you shouldn't eat so much then." Scoffed Edward.

"Shut up!" Barked Anna.

"I'm getting rid of this Gunlance" She continued.

Anna tugged on the reigns until the Velociprey halted to a stop. She then held it above her head, looking for a suitable spot to discard the Gunlance. She launched the Gunlance down a cliff.

"No one will find it now!" She yelled, somewhat satisfied.

She tugged on the reigns once more and the Velociprey began to catch up to Edward and Malcolm. The assassins noted the amazing night-time scene from a mountain peak, even the Lighthouse of Urbanius was slightly visible at this distance.

Eventually, the outer walls of Schrade could be spotted, the Sun was just beginning to rise at this point, fractions of light poured into the landscape, filling it with a serene, yet, creepy feel. Before long, the assassins reached the outer gate, Schrade was surrounded in a water mote, the drop-bridge would need to be opened.

Two guards were sighted, leaning against a wall, one with a Maelstrom Bowgun, the other guard had a large pointy Lance. As the assassins approached, the guards, Malcolm gestured towards the drop-bridge.

"Everything work out?" Asked the guard with the Maelstrom strapped to his shoulder.

"Yes." Replied Malcolm, sternly.

One of the guards paced towards the bridge mechanism, the drop-bridge descended slowly.

The Velociprey took caution in crossing the bridge, after all, it is unlikely that they can swim, and they wouldn't want an accident. The Sun was beginning to rise, morning was not far away. Fortunately, the Castle Schrade could be seen, the journey was almost finished.

The azure Velociprey scales began to sparkle in the light, as the assassins rode up near a large building near Castle Schrade.

"We're here!" Claimed Edward.

Malcolm, Edward, and Anna dismounted their Velociprey, then chained them up outside. Noticing a familiar carriage parked up, with an Aptonoth attached to it. They then proceeded to enter the building, it looked run down and old, which gave it an ancient feel. But it was rather modern inside.

"Good, now, you are dismissed." Exclaimed Malcolm.

Anna and Edward left the area as Malcolm entered a cell then closed the door behind him. Strapped to a chair inside was Katto, still unconscious, various sinister looking tools were placed along a shelf. Malcolm began searching through the tools, the rattling noises woke Katto up.

"What? Who are you? And where am I?" Murmured Katto, perplexed.

"That's not important. What is important is that you will answer every question... without hesitation." Said Malcolm with his cold stern voice.

"Or… I'll be forced make this less boring." He added with a malevolent grin, as he grabbed a small, double-edged dagger, which glinted in the morning Sun.

"First of all, what do you know of the Lao Shan-Lung fight, roughly twenty years ago?" He continued, slowly approaching Katto.

"My memory is a little hazy, uhm, there were four great hunters in the final battle, one of them being the Unseen Demon…"

"What else do you know?" Barked Malcolm, waving the dagger around.

"…Lao Shan-Lung was repelled by a famous explorer." Whispered Katto, eyes glued to the dagger.

"What do you know about this explorer?" Asked Malcolm.

"Why?" Replied Katto, bluntly.

"I'll ask the questions here!" Yelled Malcolm, who planted his fist into Katto's stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

"Now, what do you know about this explorer?" He continued, turning his back to Katto.

"H-He died, sud- huff suddenly. I believe he was killed." Said Katto, still trying to regain breath.

"The explorer had a son, what do you know about him?" Asked Malcolm.

"Who are you and why am I here?" Replied Katto, ignoring the question.

Malcolm began to get impatient, he began flashing the double-edged dagger.

"Ugh. The faster you co-operate, the faster you can leave." Grunted Malcolm.

"So then, what do you know about the explorers son, namely Kyle?" He repeated.

"Not until you tell me where I am!" Shouted Katto.

Malcolm had lost his temper, and lunged towards Katto, dagger in hand. Katto squirmed in pain as a moderately large cut along his cheek began to bleed.

"You're not in the position to be asking questions!" Cried Malcolm.

"So, do you know of any… Weaknesses that Lao Shan-Lung may have?" Croaked Malcolm.

"No. I don't." Replied Katto.

"I thought not." Sighed Malcolm.

"Alright, so what do you know about the ancient tower?" He proceeded.

"It's a famous ruin, that's all I know." Murmured Katto.

"Sounds like you're hiding something." Argued Malcolm, as he approached with a large needle.

"No. I'm not lying I swear!" Screamed Katto, squirming about.

Malcolm held the needle close to Katto's neck.

"No! Please, don't!" Cried Katto.

Malcolm grunted and backed away from Katto, then silently left the cell. Moments later Edward and Anna entered the cell.

"Malcolm said we got to have a bit of fun, so you're going to play with us." Snickered Edward.

"Malcolm?" Questioned Katto.

Edward and Anna began raiding the box of torture devices, ignoring Katto's questions. But they were interrupted by a loud crash.

"Go out and investigate." Ordered Anna.

"Fine." Replied Edward.