I'm so sorry about the long wait. Life happened, I've been busy! Again! I'm super sorry! I haven't given up on my stories!
Chapter 36
Nyal pressed her back against the wall. Minke stood beside her. Annaska and Grassrunner crouched behind her, Larquin and Cumba behind he, and Russet was off taking care of the guards. Nyal peeked around the corner. Guards milled around the control room, grabbing keys and returning them, a bell rang. Guards came their way. Nyal grit her teeth and darted to a storage door, her friends rushed in after her, she peeked around hoping for Russet and Valkyria to arrive but there was no one, she could only hope Russet would get to a hiding place in time. She closed the door silently, and crouched for a few minutes.
When she heard no one out there she crept out. Grassrunner tossed his head, Minke glided on-wards. Larquin had her bow cocked in case things turned for the worse. Minke gave a high all clear call. Nyal and Larquin both heard it, but Annaska didn't. All warnings they got would have to be relayed to her.
Nyal ran forwards quickly, her footfalls were soft on the hard floor. Larquin and Cumba's were soft as well. But Nyal winced as Annaska's shoes slapped the ground loudly and Grassrunner's hoofs clacked against the stone floor. Peering around a corner she saw a guard she was standing guard for that hallway. Beside her stood a bile-controlled lion. It's mane was flowing and beautiful, but it was a slave to the guard. She pushed away the sadness and anger. It would do nothing to help the lion, who was already to far gone.
Instead she tapped into Minke's powers. Her vision grew sharp and her seahawk landed on her shoulders, now her vision was a that of a hunters, sharp, quick. She spotted an area in the guards armor where it had obviously been battered during training. It was right on her knee. "Left on the right knee, loose armor." Nyal told Larquin and Cumba.
"Cumba, you and Grassrunner face the lion, Minke will cover you from the air. Minke, go for the eyes, don't permanently hurt it, but block it's view. Larquin, Annaska, and I will take the guard. Target the loose armor Larquin." She paused and when everyone was ready she gave the signal.
Nyal leapt forwards, Larquin close behind and Annaska farther back, looking nervous with her dagger that Nyal had given her. Cumba and Grassrunner charged the lion and Minke dove after them, snapping open her wings and shielding the lions view and raking his face.
Larquin leapt and kicked the guards knee on the broken armor. She must have been aided by Cumba because it popped right off, the guard yelped, shocked by the surprise attack and fumbled for her sword. Nyal pushed the guard back with her wind and drew her mace. As she danced around the guard, quickly defeating her, a red shape shot past her. Valkyria. Russet was close behind, her swords draw. She got a disappointed look as she saw that the guard had been defeated. An angry yowl told Nyal the lion had been taken down as well. Perhaps they could do this after all.