CHAPTER 8

The Calm Before the Storm

*3 Months Later*

The winter season's remaining snow had melted away and within a few weeks time, the earth was beginning to regain its color. The sky was clear and thus as spring came so did the flowers and leaves. The fur traders who had enriched their profit were now carrying any goods they would later sell at the next town. Most people were on their way to their family during this time. The shores ice had also melted away allowing for the port sailors to journey to kingdoms across the sea.

Derek had eventually recovered from his injuries and was able to return home wrapped in bandages. He wasn't able to be fighting anytime soon Intiser, his Commander, allowed time for his recovery. It had been almost a full month before he was facing the men that would be trusting him as one their Titan to lead them. Their attitudes towards him were similar to the ones given to Seth. Regardless of their past or what they might have done, they passed judgment and earned their place, at the very least they were giving them an honest to show we belong in the Guards.

As for Solveig, she had no intention to return to De Zio with any chance of Sugar remaining there. She soon discovered Fallow Mire had their our Blade forces and after all, living in a new city meant she needed work. Time and time again she would climb through the ranks from starting over. Sometimes Derek had his own issues tracking any leads or arrest and had to rely on her. It had its prices, and by prices, she meant doing and going wherever she wanted for the night.

In their off time, they were slowly learning about each other and keeping the other company when they needed them. The weight on their hurts that started on heavy with guilt and confusion to being light as a feather. Everything becomes more clear and connects when you're no longer misunderstood. Somehow the two had just as much as an affect on each other as they did the people around them. Every now and then someone would wave or ask how they were directing. It was when they started addressing Derek by his name that he felt the most release. When a stranger who he recognized as to once mock him asked how he was doing, he felt like he could cry, but he didn't.

Seth was always hard at work doing what he loved the most, being the ideal leader for his men and challenging fighters. Everyone in the Guards grew respect for his skill of course but his loyalty as promised remained true. There too had become more people acceptable of him for being a helpful hand from time to time when someone might have needed help. Unlike Derek, he worked to earn the approval of his worth not in gold but reliability. That sort of attention does take its toll and as much of a fighter he was, it didn't stop a few drunken brawls from happening once in awhile. He was always sober of course, it was the idiots around him that were taking their chances on blind luck and a bottle of scotch.

The peace in the city, however, would only last so long.

A dagger was stabbed in a stack of papers marked with the names of recent prisoners.

"How many does that make this week?" asked Seth.

"If we add up the reports of the family west of Kendrick road and the church priest I'd say that makes 17 clear assassinations," said Aidan.

"Don't forget just about more than half were killed in broad daylight," added Derek.

All of the Titans were in Intiser's office trying to make sense of the chaos building up in front of them. He had gathered them to learn any more information they may have learned from their time spent around the city.

"How many of our informants do we have remaining," Intiser asked them.

"Two more stopped communicating so we're down to just one," said Aidan.

"We're always just getting one step behind them before we lose our assailant, perhaps we should consider asking for the Blades help," suggested Calvin.

"If the situation continues into next week we may resort to an open discussion," said Intiser.

One of the Guards had rushed to them, his face had the look of distraught.

"One of our men was just killed, he was found with his throat cut where he was stationed," he said.

When they arrived to the prison courtyard the body had been covered up by a large cloth with two men guarding him. Derek next to them and kneeled down before pulling back the cloth. It didn't take long to recognize whose life was taken today.

"It's Akram Sir," Derek told the others.

"What the hell is going around here, first we have these assassinations among our citizens and informants now this," said Grim with his hand out pointing towards the corpse.

Intiser came up from behind Derek to identify the body himself, he never liked him too much. Always seeming to find trouble and causing them more than trouble than he was beginning to be worth. The boy's eyes were lifeless and staring into the infinite distance, and the cut was clean as if created by a blade designed for the job performed. Derek feeling a little uncomfortable with those cloudy eyes of Akram closed his eyelids, it was courtesy to do so after all.

"Derek and Seth, report to the Elders there's been a breach in our ranks, Seth will have a select few men remain on post with them at all times. Be sure to go by the Blades on your family, setup up negotiations for the blades assistance, understand Derek?"

"Aye Sir," he replied.

Derek raised up to study Akram for a little longer before heading towards the gate with Seth.

"Come on now, don't just leave this here go bury him," they heard Calvin barking at the two guards.

The two walked through the central street that led to the mountain side of Fallow Mire. Their first stop would be at the Blades quarters at the end of the city. Merchants and travelers were seen moving along the roads and customers buying wheat and fruit at some of their stands. The pub in which they usually drank was in the middle of unloading whatever foreign alcohol they've been bragging about coming in for the past month.

"Perhaps when all this is over we should see if that stuff is all talk once we're finished with this mess," laughed Derek.

"Derek, tell me do are you thinking what I'm thinking," ask Seth.

Derek continued to walk without a change in pace before he came to his conclusion.

"Sugar has some influence that's for sure, I don't have any doubt in the least that there's the possibility he's behind this."

"So you're saying he has helped in doing this," Seth added.

"Exactly, but again this is just a theory and without having a single one of those assassins caught we have even less to go on. So for now, let's just focus on getting through this alive with our own heads on our shoulders. Besides, right now we're heading to speak to the Blades but you're looking surprisingly calm."

Seth felt a bit of a slap to face that remark, "I may hate the bastards Derek, and feeling has been mutual, but right now there are bigger things at works than the both of us and I don't intend to let our squabble pull everyone else down."

Derek raised his hands in defeat, "Alright I get it, I'm sorry I misjudged you for being more than a man with fighting being the only thing on his mind. You should make more time for yourself, perhaps find a companion," he smirked.

"Perhaps you should start minding your own business," he frowned.

*Knock Knock*

The door to the Blades encampment within the wall of the mountain came open with a black haired man with dark eyes, well fit to fight even Seth. He had his hand on his sword that was put away more likely due to reflex, friendly or not.

"State your business," he said.

"I'll do the talking," Derek told Seth before he continued, "Hello my good man, might any of captains be available to speak to?"

The Blade more or less unconcerned with Derek turned his attention to Seth who he recognized from the raids on comrades.

"What the fuck is that son of a bitch doing here?! You better run if you know what's good for you dog!" he yelled at Seth.

"What? No, that's not a good idea," said Derek trying to divert the attention away from Seth but it was too late.

He was shoved out of the way with the Blade storming over to Seth ready to dig his sword into him. Seth didn't flinch or move but stared the man into the eyes and spoke, "This isn't the time Damion. We're not here to start a fight."

"Well you're a little too late for that now," said Damion as he swung his blade down towards Seth. He managed to catch him by the wrist before he could strike him. The two were in a tug of war trying to get the better of each other. Damion reared back and kicked Seth in the chest throwing him off long enough for him to charge back at him again. Seth had almost fell ducking away from the attack, it only caught his cheek. With Damion's arm now in the open from the swing, Seth grabbed him and threw him over his shoulders slamming him into the ground.

"God damn it, Damion, I can't keep wasting bandages on you if you're just going to keep fighting everyone!"

Both Seth and Derek turned towards the voice, it was a girl they haven't seen before within the Blades. It wasn't a sight you see every day, she was a girl not far from Solveig's height, brunette hair but her left eye was covered by a patch. She carried with her a satchel that based on her outburst was probably her supplies. The expression her face was one of disappointment and Derek didn't want matters to get any worse.

"We're sorry about your friend here, he just-"

She cut him off, "No no don't be sorry, I'm actually glad for once someone actually put that lousy oath in his place. Mister ummm..."

"Seth, just call me Seth madam," he told her.

She smiled at that, "Alright gentlemen so what can I do for you today?"

Finally, they could get things underway.