On board the boat, Méirle glanced at Bruideil and Gearan, "So, think you can do it?" he growled, glancing over to where the other hunters listened as they kept the boat on course. "Oh please, two little ones? It'll be easy." Gearan snorted, drawing carefully hidden smirks from Méirle and Bruideil, as he clambered to his feet and went to test his weapons. "Yeah, but they'll be guarded by the Toa, not to mention Undel's bane. We've been reading up." Milltear commented. Snaig nodded, then glared over his shoulder when another snort came from Gearan, "Oh sure, by the sounds coming from your quarters you've done nothing else for the past week."

"Save that nonsense for when we get back." Méirle growled, his eyes glowing with annoyance as Gearan continued needling the other hunters, Milltear muttering something about the older hunter being jealous.

Roughly two hours later, the Dark hunter on the tiller guided the boat into the lee of a small islet, hiding it from the boat Bruideil had sighted. The group watched silently as Lariska's boat sailed past, the Dark huntress scanning the sea ahead of her. Her gaze briefly passed over the islet where the Dark hunters were hidden, but she didn't notice their well-hidden boat.

Waiting until Lariska's boat had vanished from sight, Méirle grinned viciously, "This is gonna be fun." he snickered, signalling to Gearan to take them out of hiding and back on course.

…

As evening darkened into night, the boatload of Dark hunters glided silently along the coast of Ta-metru until they found a suitable berth close to where their quarry was living. Fastening the boat to a outlet pipe, Milltear was first onto the metru and scanned around for trouble while the others followed then all looked to where Méirle stood. Silently he instructed them to stay close then headed towards the home of Turaga Lannair.

...

Sitting in the twins' room, Lannair was reading to Sàraich and Farran as they nestled together listening eagerly to the story. The Turaga's voice floated out of the slightly open window, reaching those lurking outside.

Shifting closer in preparation of entering the room and grabbing the twins, Bruideil brushed against a bush then froze with a silent curse.

Inside the room, Farran tilted her head having heard something near by. She then scrambled from where she was lent against Sàraich and as her sister followed her, moved to stand beside the fiery Turaga.

"Little ones wh...?"

There was a huge crash as two of the Dark hunters smashed in the windows and scrambled in, two others having made certain that both entrances were covered while Gearan stayed outside the window and leered at the ashen masked Turaga. Before she could do anything, the dingy mottled green hunter drew a blowpipe and spat a dart at her. A whimper escaped Lannair as the dart caught her under her collarbone and the sleeping draught coating it took swift effect.

"Lanna!" the twins cried out as Turaga Lannair silently crumpled to the floor and the pair of Dark hunters advanced towards them. Pulling out their wooden daggers, Lariska's daughters crouched protectively in front of the Turaga, screaming at those approaching them to leave Lanna alone.

Moments later, they too fell to the floor, stunned by cuffs to their heads, and were scooped up by those in the remains of the room, "Let's go." Méirle growled, crushing the toy daggers under his foot as he clambered out the window, knowing they needed to leave as swiftly as possible before they were discovered. Unknown to the rapidly retreating Dark hunters, several shadow twins had alerted their real selves and were taking them directly to where the Dark hunters boat was moored.

"You see the way they were gonna take you on? This pair will make great Dark hunters." Snaig murmured as the group approached the area where they'd left their boat, shifting the youngster laying limply over his shoulder as she moaned her sister's name. An answering whimper came from Sàraich as she bounced uncomfortably against the back of the dull green Dark hunter and wondered if she was going to be sick.

They were nearly at where they'd left the boat when Méirle gestured to the group to stop. Listening intently they heard a rhythmic tapping sound approaching, then a couple of the Dark hunters snickered as the small form of a Turaga moved out from the shadows and turned to face them. Behind her, several Toa appeared, all glaring at the Dark hunters and their captives.

Anuenue stepped forward a pace, her eyes glowing with red sparks, and glared at the one who'd darted Turaga Lannair as she growled, "You hurt my sister."

Before any of the Dark hunters could make a snide reply, the rainbow hued Turaga launched herself at the one she'd been glaring at, her staff swinging to collide with his mask. The dingy mottled green hunter stumbled back under the unexpected barrage of blows before snarling and pulling out his rusted sword to retaliate.

While this was happening, the Toa had moved to surround those carrying the twins and Aili stepped forward as the Dark hunters growled, knowing that if any harm came to the youngsters, or they returned without them, their lives would be unbearable for a long time to come.

"Give them back." the orange hued Toa snarled as Farran began crying for her mother, Kokua and Malie, "No." Méirle snarled drawing back to grab the sobbing seven year old from Snaig while Gearan tightened his grip on Sàraich as she began wriggling, not realising that she was looking for a weakness in his armour.