Chapter 15

Nathan's heart was beating at a rapid pace. He panted as he tried to calm down and make some sense of the situation. One minute he was getting measured for some clothing, and the next minute he had to fight for his life. He ran his finger through his hair and the sudden thought hit him 'Someone wants me dead.'

He looked at his leg and saw the trail of blood flow slowly down his leg. With his pant leg, he wiped some of it off and walked out the room.

He looked outside the window as he held the drink in his hand. Walking toward his desk, he put the glass on the table and caressed the top of the rim with his finger. He .

A knock on the door broke him out of his state. "Enter."

One of his men opened the door "Mr. Drake is here to see you, sir. He has the equipment you asked for."

"Send him in."

"That is not going to be possible, sir. He is currently setting up in the backyard." He looked uneasy. He saw some of the equipment Mr. Drake brought with him and it made his blood run cold. 'What has this man done that he wants him to suffer so?'

He saw the look on one of his henchmen and he frowned "Something the matter, Michael?"

Michael regained his composure "No, sir." Still, his thoughts continued to float towards the equipment.

"Good. Tell Mr. Drake that I will be out there in 10 minutes."

He nodded and walked out the door.

Nathan sat in his studio. He took up his sketchbook and turned to an empty page. A tear made its way onto it and soon it was joined by another. He attempted to pick up a pencil but his hand trembled so much that it dropped on the floor. The tears continued to fall and he didn't stop them. He closed his eyes and cried silently.

The door was opened and Setsuna was leaning against the wall of the door. She silently walked over to him and wiped away the tears from his face. She kissed his forehead "Are you ok?"

Nathan opened his eyes and looked at her "No."

She caressed his shoulder "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Someone is after me. I don't know their reason, but they want me dead."

She kissed his hair "When did it happen?"

"It happened over an hour ago."

She stood up quickly and there was unfocused anger in her eyes "In the palace? How could that happen?"

"The tailor was an assassin." He saw her getting ready to leave and stopped her "He's long gone by now. I scared him off."

"Did he hurt you?"

He lifted his pant leg and showed the scratch.

Setsuna looked at the wound and shivered "I have to tell my father about this."

He nodded

She walked toward the door "I have found my fate and my happiness with you. I'm not going to go down without a fight."

He got up and touched her hand "Neither am I."

She looked at him and smiled. He kissed her hand and she walked away.

Michael watched as Mr. Drake stood a bundle of hay against a tree. He knew who the boss wanted to kill. He was asked many times to assassinate him but he refused. He couldn't kill a man in cold blood.

There was something about Mr. Drake that made him shiver. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it seemed he was pure evil.

He watched his boss walk up to him, rubbing his hands "So, Mister Drake. Let's see your wares."

Mr. Drake smiled and brought him to a blanket lying on a ground "I have some maces, spiked clubs, swords (the poisoned tipped and one that isn't) and the bow and arrow. I have poisons, spells and plagues. If anything interests, you Mr.----"

"Beagle." He gave him a fake name. If he got caught, the last thing he needed was a rat.

"Mr. Beagle. Just let me know."

Mr. Beagle's eyes rested upon a weapon. It looked like a bow an arrow, but the bow and arrow rested on a piece of wood "That weapon, what is it?"

He picked up the weapon "I made this myself. I call it a crossbow. Instead of pointing it like a normal bow and arrow, you aim the tip of the arrow to the target."

He stroked his chin "Can I try?"

He handed the weapon to Mr. Beagle. "Of course, sir"

He held it a bit awkwardly as first, but steadied it in his grasp

Mr. Drake positioned his fingers to a trigger "Just push your finger back against the trigger."

He did as he was told. The arrow flew from the bow and hit the top of the tree, just inches from the top of the hay.

"You see, it is that easy."

He nodded, and looked at the crossbow.

Mr. Drake picked up an arrow, and lit the tip on fire. Mr. Beagle handed the crossbow and he loaded the flaming arrow. He winked at Mr. Beagle "Here's a little bonus for you." He pushed the finger against the trigger and it hit the bundle of hay. The hay slowly became consumed by the flames.

Mr. Beagle watched the scene and a grin formed quickly on his face "I'll take it. Michael here will pay you."

Michael came up to Mr. Drake and gave him a sack of money.

He felt the sack's weight and smiled "It's a pleasure doing business with you." He rolled up his blanket, picked it up and walked away.

Mr. Beagle looked at scarred tree "You won't get away from me, Nathan. Not this time."

End Chapter 15

Well, it took a year to put it out. Multiple deletions of this chapter, my old computer finally dying and lack of inspiration are the reasons this took so long to get out. There's only one chapter left, plus epilogue. Hope you enjoy this.