With my computer being down, it is getting very hard to post, let alone finding the inspiration needed to write but I keep going.
Disclaimer: Nothing.
-Chapter5 - Next-
The nights that passed were unforgiving and bitterly cold. Frost iced the violent winds and froze the ground hooves clattered against, whether in a fast dash at morn or a slow pace by dusk. A thick, merciless ice riddled the earth as the howling gust warned the travelers. The weather worsened the further along the trails they ventured, day by day, restlessly. Nights outdoors had been hellish as storms raged and the chill nipped at their tender flesh.
The Volga River, especially the paths parallel to its length tortured with an artic malice of sharp shards and chunks of hoarfrost. Passed half way, a few hours worth of journey from Tver, the unbearable blizzard struck with the setting of the sun through the orange glow tingeing the sky. They barely arrived, banging against the doors of the Osnabruck hotel in desperate search of a room.
Greeted by the innkeeper, he ushered his hired help to attend to their stallions and helped them up to a room at a hundred rubles each. A young maiden brought them fresh linens, prepared their beds and returned with a glass of medovukha to warm their shivering souls. Not long after, under the warmth of their blankets, they fell asleep until the hours of dawn woken by a knock and a delectable meal.
''Where exactly do we find this Falcon?'' Yuuri inquired, as he devoured the contents on his plate, complements of the lodge's chef.
''Here.'' Rei replied, as he savored the rich taste of a real meal, unlike the temporary fillers they ate during the way.
A look of disbelief crossed the pale expression that arched a red fine brow at the smirk across from him, chortling before giving an explanation.
''Yes, our next associate on the list is currently somewhere in Tver. You see, this discrete assassin follows suite every year and about a month before a certain anniversary, he lingers around Moscow.''
''Does he, as well have a debt to repay?''
The head of raven nodded, getting up to stretch and crack the stiff joints between bones that still ache, despite the relishing comfort they were fortunate enough to indulge in, after several days worth of outside camping.
By midday, they thanked their gracious host and departed, asking the old man only to watch their horses and paid him an adequate sum. Walking aimlessly around town, they stopped to ask for bars that trekkers like themselves frequented, to the villagers that were kind and stopped to spare a second.
The police were scarce, though avoided to keep their presence relatively unknown. A reclusive area, snuggled up between two merchant's shops at the other end of town, was where they found the tavern so many mentioned. They had a drink as Yuuri struck up a conversation with the young bartender that came from Novgorod, as if they were good old friends.
Rei, on the other hand, kept his golden orbs vigilant, observing every new comer and all faces sitting at a table or around the counter. One visage caught his attention and as the man rose and headed for the exit, the Chinese waited a second and elbowed his companion, dropping the coins and a tip before they strolled out.
As they stalked him, in silence, not hiding whilst others as well walked the slush streets under the veiling darkness of obscurity, all he could think of were the words his father spoke to him before the armies invaded their village and the massacre, slaughter and enslaving unfolded.
''After you befriend the Thief, travel to Tver as the seasons change. Before the first day of spring, there, you will find your next ally. This murderer is cunning, rancor and malignant. He will know who you are before you find him. They do not call him Falcon for nothing, my dear son.'' He gave a name and, then, said, nothing more.
''Keep on him.'' Rei whispered and dashed down an alleyway.
A sole azure orb pragmatically glanced at the vehement figure disappearing quickly and continued his steady footsteps, digging his hands into his pockets. Up ahead, the prey turned down the next lane swiftly, causing a hurried pace from one of his predators that alerted listening ears of the approaching.
He lured Yuuri, though the boy knew of this but in his situation, without option, he would not let the male slip by. Nevertheless, within a blink of his eye, a fast tug left him shoved up roughly to the brick wall. Something cold, more solid and dangerous than ice pressed to his neck, halting any movements he dared even ponder.
''State your business with me or I will remove your head.'' The words came in a low, husky hiss, laced with venom.
The tightly clenched blade, shaped like a talon pushed more against the exposed flesh, ripping but a faint line as a trickle of blood rolled down his throat. He barely had time to think, as the menacing glare from a pair of hazy silver eyes stared at him intently. The countenance was as pale as his was, adorned by gray locks that fell short of those intimidating eyes.
''Your business is with me Kyznetsov.''
From the other end of the passage amid buildings, Rei neared with a smug look as his ponytail swayed with his hips, through the fog eerily rising. Only a single orb spared him a glimpse, the blade slowly retreating from its victim's gorge that released a relieved sigh, in the process.
Ocher gemstones slit with a fine stripe of ebony as he lunged; only dodged when his prey stepped backwards, back onto the empty road. Daggers were ready at each side as the assailant ran after him and as the next pounce occurred, a fast swipe to his left arm tore through his jacket, down to the tan skin that leaked his blood onto the snowy ground, from his fingertips.
''My father was right about you, Boris.''
''On.'' He grunted in remembrance as the ghosts of his past returned to haunt him. ''That man is dead.''
''But your debt is not.''
''It died when he did.'' Boris spat, cleaning the remains that stained his weapons as he slid them back into the sheaths, at either side of his waist.
He turned his back on the Asian that growled a deep and feral sound when he began to walk away, in dismissal.
''How dare you betray him.'' He accused, only to receive a shrug.
''He's dead now.'' The reply came coldly, almost as frigidly as the weather that commenced to fall from the clouds again, layering the region in a thin pristine blanket.
''I am here to claim the due for the secret he brought to the grave.''
The faint crunching that grew louder with every second from behind him made him spin on his heels, a scornful and refusing look etching his features that quickly dissipated to one of surprise when confronted by Yuuri and not On's child.
'' Dobroy nochi (Goodnight).'' The marine surfaces glinted defiantly as his hand reached out, brushing past the animal fur lacing the collar and locks.
His fingers applied an immense pressure above the strong collarbone prior to the jerk that removed them but it was too late and an ominous darkness clouded his vision. With a thud, Boris collapsed to his knees, unconscious to the world.
''That was for cutting me!'' He sneered at the lifeless form, ignoring Rei's frantic cursing in his native tongue.
Someone was going to be very enraged when he would wake.
Sunrise loomed in the peaks of the mountains as the duo rode to the dim light cast down on the immaculate veil they trudged through. All remained quiet, apart from the ragged breaths of the horses, until a rather groggy groan sounded. Both heads turned to the last raven mare and its comatose rider, finally waking from the long, induced slumber.
They stopped, all three beasts standing in line as the captive opened his eyes to the morn. The first thing he saw, to his left was the sight of the redhead smirking as their gazes locked in unison.
''Dobre Utra.(Good morning)''
Boris would have throttled him and rung his neck if it had not been for the rope binding his wrists to the saddle. Instead, he narrowed his orbs perilously, tugging at the cord to loosen it and free himself.
''Boris- please. Listen to me.''
His head snapped to the right, the same look of sheer malevolence regarding the new speaker to do so hastily before his hands would be freed and daggers would emerge in bloodshed.
''My Father was killed by your emperor-'' A grunt of distaste interrupted him.
''He is not my emperor. That disgusting human being is lower than scum and more vile and revolting than any man to live or breathe.''
''He butchered our village in absolute carnage before my Father could enlist either of your help. His dying wish was for I, his heir to finish what he could no longer and to do so and honor that promise, I ask of your help, Boris Kyznetsov.''
It took a moment, an uncomfortable one of vulnerability for words to be formulated in a retort facing the dilemma. ''Agreed.''
The rope fell from the callous hands that undid the knots and reached for the reigns, ready to begin his repayment for the acts of his past, in the present as he promised many moon ago.
-TBC-
You can all guess what is coming next, more introduction development. Yes, after the next chapter we get into more action and new settings. This is taking forever isn't it?