Disclaimer: You know it.
Warnings: Nothing.
A/N: Hm…. What to say about this chapter? Well, nothing really…I think it got kinda boring-ish again, but this is one of those random chaps that are needed for the plot-ish thinger. Again. ^^; Yeah, we like these chapters a lot. Um…yes, and sorry about the lack of a post last week…my brother came home (he's in the Navy) for a week and kicked me off the computer. *scowls* Evil brother.
Chapter Five: In Which They All Prepare
The sun rose along with the occupants of the ex-Warlords' castle. As Dais looked around him, he saw only the obvious signs of an oncoming battle. An unspoken tenseness filled the air. Cale and Anubisu were sparring with their long no-datchis. The Kayuras were watching. Sekhmet, with the help of Naaza, had managed to round up his snakes (Dais grinned as he remembered the curses that echoed through the castle when Cale had found one in his bed.) Sekhmet was now playing with his armor. Strata appeared to be in a trance, sitting unmoving on the edge of his chair. Amanda also seemed fully recovered as she plucked the string of her bow and carefully inspected her quiverfull of arrows. Naaza's humming, and the clanking of pots could be heard from the kitchen as he prepared their breakfast. Only Denice was nowhere to be seen.
"We seem ready," Rajura stated calmly after approaching Dais.
"Yes, we are. If only we knew more about how to fight Tobraea and his gang," Dais sighed, shaking his head.
The fluttering sound of wings proceeded light footsteps as the dark-winged girl entered the room.
"We must leave now, if we want to rescue the Ronins and Troopers," she announced.
Everyone looked up and began to gather their remaining supplies. Naaza brought in the breakfast, which was devoured within minutes.
With a slight frown, Dais asked Denice, "Why now?"
"Why wait?" she returned with a sneer. "Your friends are being tortured in Tobraea's dungeons. It's better to try to sneak in in daylight then in darkness, when they will be more watchful."
Dais shrugged. "Okay. If you say so."
"I do."
"Well, let's not wait any longer! I'm ready!" Sekhmet declared with a smile the size of one of his katanas.
Denice rolled her eyes. "Alright. Teleport about ten miles south-west of here. I saw smoke in that direction, so it's a good place to start looking."
Amanda nodded. "We'll meet you there in a few minutes, so stay out of sight until we arrive. We'll come up with a plan from there."
"Bad guys, here we come!" Sekhmet shouted.
"Some heroes we are," Cale muttered, looking at his grinning companions.
"Let's go," Kayura said. And they were gone. Denice and Amanda stood alone in the castle. Both spread their wings and soared into the morning sky.
"Looks like we've got the right place."
"You think?" Cale asked sarcastically in response to Sekhmet's comment.
A place that could only be described as "Tobraea's Fort" loomed gloomily ahead. Even the bright morning light seemed dimmed as it shone on the dark shadows of its walls.
Rajura muttered something in Japanese to Naaza, earning him a frown from Kay.
"Now what?" Dais' question spoke their thoughts.
"We wait," Kayura said firmly.
"Shouldn't we scout around a little, look for entrances, for guards or something?"
"No, Cale. We wait." Kayura was unmovable.
"…Oh."
"How long until they get here?" Rajura asked.
"A few minutes."
Silence again came over the group.
After a long pause that seemed an eternity, the familiar sound of fluttering wings filled the air around them. Cale released the breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Everyone ready?" Amanda asked as she and Denice closed their wings and glanced around. At Kayura's nod, she continued. "Good. We have a plan to get inside, so it's well that you waited for us."
"Why do we need a plan?" Sekhmet suddenly spoke up. "I mean, we can get inside no problem. It's finding the dungeons that we have to worry about."
Denice and Amanda exchanged uneasy glances.
"I don't think you can et inside…," Amanda began carefully.
"What? Why not? I can go anywhere in the Dynasty I want!" Sekhmet glared at her.
"Well—"
"Go ahead and let him try," Denice interrupted with a grin.
"But it might trigger an alarm!" her other half argued.
"It seems as if we can't go on until we prove a point," Denice returned, looking at the confused faces around them.
"Okay, fine. Sekhmet, try to teleport inside."
"Where inside?" the green-haired boy asked.
"Anywhere, just try it!"
"Okay." Sekhmet winced at her angry glare before trying to teleport.
Nothing happened.
"Hey! What—" Denice slapped her hand over the startled Sekhmet's mouth. They all listened and looked around uneasily.
"Nothing," Amanda said with visible relief.
"Uh…. What's going on?" Dais broke in.
She turned to answer him. "A shield protects this castle from teleportation of invaders. We were lucky. It appears that he hasn't set any alarms to tell him when someone is attempting to enter."
Cale shook his head. "So how do we get in?"
"Our plan."
"…Oh.
"So what exactly is your plan?" Kay asked, looking skeptical.
"Well…," Amanda started, "silver warriors are known for their treachery…."
"You mean she's likely to turn on us?" Dais yelled in surprise.
"I'm not. But others in my clan have," Denice claimed with a twisted look of amusement.
The Warlords exchanged glances.
"Would she really?" whispered Dais.
Cale shrugged. "I don't know…but I trust Amanda. And Denice definitely wouldn't turn on her."
"I guess." Dais decided to keep a close watch on the dark-winged girl, just in case.
"So your plan is that she pretend to secretly conspire with Tobraea—" Kay began to confirm.
"And then I find out where the prisoners are kept and let you all in to rescue them, of course," Denice said.
"Of course," Kay muttered.
Amanda noticed their increased looks of distrust. "Look, we want to put Tobraea out of power as much as you do. I will vouch for Denice. You have my word that she won't turn traitor. And if she does," Amanda shrugged, "you may kill me."
"None of this is necessary. No one is going to turn traitor," Cale declared, trying to smooth the conversation over.(1) "Denice will go to Tobraea, trick him into believing her, and we'll get the Ronins and Troopers out. No problem."
"All we need is a believable excuse for her to want to join Tobraea," Rowen spoke for the first time.
All eyes turned to him.
Rajura, looking thoughtful, nodded, "Yes. Power-hungry men like Tobraea can only think on terms of greed. Denice can say that, after Amanda returned to their village to look for survivors, she joined us and tricked us into trusting her. Then she decided to go to Tobraea to offer her services to him, in exchange for a portion of the Dynasty to control."
Denice also nodded,(2) "He will believe that because of my people's reputation. I will pretend to leave to kill you all. Instead, I'll meet you here, and we'll rescue the Ronins and Troopers."
"Maybe we shouldn't be so close to his castle," Kayura suggested.
"I know a good spot to hide that's not far," Amanda said. "Denice, meet us at The Oak's Circle."
Denice nodded then turned to the castle, disappearing in the darkness.
A/N: Yes, I know the chances of Rowen and Amanda being fully recovered after a single night are very slim. Well, of Rowen at least. Amanda only needs a few…er…hours? or something to recuperate. I'm not too sure how much time is needed to get back to…er…having all the blood you're supposed to…. Um. Yeah. Anyway. Next thing!
Oh, and I'm not sure if I ever bothered to go back to this one and spellcheck it…so if you find a ton of mistakes, you know why. ^^;
(1) And failing miserably, I might add.
(2) Because, hey, nodding is "in" these days!
Thanks to:
Nell- Well, to chibi werewolf remie cub. Tell Nell to try actually reading the fic! Just skimming. *pouts* Nell mean! Oh…and I'd love to take you, but…*sighs* Me not sure how other people might appreciate it, and me not wanna get in trouble.
Harry2- Hmm…I might look her up. Thanks for the info. ^-^ *blinks* Um…I haven't seen the cheesy announcer guy in a while. *looks relieved* I'm not sure if I could handle him right now….