If you've seen it somewhere else, I don't own it.
It's good to be back! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but with how my schedule has been I just have not had nearly as much time and focus to put into this as I used to. Unfortunately, I don't see that changing much in the near future. I hope to maybe have another chapter up before the end of my Christmas break but we'll see what happens. Anyway, sorry for keeping you guys waiting and hope that you all enjoy the chapter!
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Ryan expected darkness more than anything. He expected the cold and dank feel of stone walls. He anticipated the smell of blood, refuse, and mold in the air. When he woke up, he believed that he would find himself in an Imperial prison cell.
But what he woke up to couldn't have been farther from his imagination. The bright rays of sunlight peaking through a nearby window, the smell of clean, fresh air drifting around him, the feel of a comfortable bed beneath him, he woke up to the sight of a home. His weary mind refused to process this at first, locked in the dredges of sleep and dull aches of tended wounds. He shifted uncomfortably in the bed at first as the light pulled him to wakefulness. He heard someone getting up from a seat nearby and quickly exiting the room.
Where am I? Ryan wondered as he rubbed his eyes. Then, a great surprise met his sight, he saw that his hands were human again. Ryan's eyes went wide as his hands quickly probed the rest of his body, confirming the sight that his hands suggested.
He looked human again.
He also felt…empty, as if some essential part of his being had been snatched away while he slept.
Samanya! his mind cried as his mind instantly darted to his bond with the green dragoness, praying that nothing had happened to her. He found their bond alive and well. Ryan sighed with relief, but it still didn't answer the question of the emptiness that gnawed at him. The answer to his question came as he tried to reach out to his surroundings with his magic, only to find that magic itself felt…different. It appeared more withdrawn, less alive, and seemed to act as if it had never held the boy before it in its warm embrace. Ryan involuntarily whimpered at the discovery, looking within himself to find out why it had done so and found the answer around his heart, literally. His Eldunarí had darkened. Where previously it glowed and crackled with magical energy now it rested in dormant silence, its energy subdued and hidden from the outside world. Even Vasir's presence was gone, a simple void marking the place where the elder's mind once resided.
What's going on?! Ryan cried as he tried to figure out what could have done this to him. He didn't have much time to think, however, as two figures came through the door.
"It's good to see that you have finally awakened", one of the figures said, the individual appearing to be a man in his early thirties, with shoulder length, dark brown hair to match his piercing eyes.
"You gave us quite the scare, young man, Castilla said it was quite the touch and go affair after we brought you in.", said the other individual, who was a woman who appeared to be about the same age as the man, his wife if Ryan had to guess. "We were starting to wonder if you'd ever get up."
"How long was I out?", Ryan croaked as he sat up, rubbing his eyes one last time to wear off the last vestiges of sleep.
"Three days.", the man said. Ryan stared at his hands for a moment as he processed the information before turning to the couple.
"Where am I?", he asked, "And who are you?" The woman chuckled for a second.
"Of course! where are our manners, I am Amiya, and this is Trevur, my husband and you are currently on our humble family farm.", she replied, patting her husband's shoulder, who replied with a soft smile to his wife. "And who might you be?"
"Ryan.", the Vardaskul answered simply, giving the couple a weary smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you.", he added, with a hand crossed over his heart and a short bow of his head. After all, he wanted to make a good first impression.
"Such good manners! I have to say that they don't seem to be raising kids so well these days,", Amiya replied happily, "and the pleasure is all ours.", she finished, mimicking Ryan's motion.
"How did I get here?", Ryan asked.
"We found you on the side of the road while we were on our way back from doing some trading in Stonebridge.", Ryan racked his mind to remember where that town was located, finally remembering that it lay almost two dozen leagues north of where he had previously been, leaving him with the question of how he got to the area in the first place. Ryan quickly jerked himself back to attention, realizing that the woman was still telling her story, "…so we stopped to check on you and, lo and behold, you looked like you had gotten on the wrong side of a grizzly bear, what with all your cuts and bruises…"
"And that brings us to my question.", the Trevor interrupted, his hard gaze locked on the Rider, "What happened to get you into such a state?" Ryan only took a moment to come up with his reply.
"I ran into a group of bandits along the road. My horse got spooked and ran off and I got thrown to the ground.", Ryan lied, "I managed to escape, but not before those thieves managed to leave me with a few parting gifts."
"And you were out on the road alone? Do you realize how dangerous that is, especially in these times?", Trevur scolded, "You were lucky you got away at all, what with the war and all the criminals running about unchecked, no one travels alone."
"Learned that the hard way I guess.", Ryan shrugged.
"You certainly did.", Trevur shook his head, arms crossed as he took in the information.
"Well, we should probably let you rest. Castilla said to keep you in bed as much as possible so that's what we're going to do. I could bring up some of our leftover stew if you're interested?", Amiya said, her radiant smile still shining.
"That'd be great.", Ryan replied before remembering something, "Oh, did you find a large satchel laying anywhere nearby when you found me by chance?" He chose not mention Garzjla, however, after all, who else would have a Rider's sword except a Rider?
"No.", Trevur replied, "Should we have?" Ryan sighed in weary disappointment.
"Nevermind, I shouldn't worry about it now. It won't change anything anyways."
"I'll spread the word around, see if anyone comes by it.", the man said with a small nod before leaving the room.
"Thanks.", Ryan replied to his back. In all honesty, Ryan should have told him not to bother, but in doing so probably would've also made the couple suspicious, so he decided to go along with it.
"I'll be up with your stew in a jiffy!", Amiya chirped before also departing, leaving Ryan with an empty room and tumultuous thoughts once again.
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Recovery was slow. It took Ryan nearly a full day to completely shrug off the effects of the Creeper poison and another day to even manage sitting up on his own. The most irritating thing about the entire affair, however, was simply that Ryan was bored…very, very bored. So he counted it a blessing when he finally managed to stand and walk on the fourth day…with a little help.
That little help had turned out to be the couple's five year old daughter Julianna…or Jules as she so adamantly explained when Ryan first met her. She was an energetic kid, standing at a little under four-and-a-half feet tall, with sparkling green eyes, hair so brown Ryan could've sworn it was black, and a face that you could only adore. She was spirited too, far more than Ryan originally expected from a child of her age. Without her constant harassment and curious nature, Ryan felt sure his recovery would've taken much longer…or at the very least his mind would've wilted away from boredom.
His health continued to improve during the passing days, so much so that he even offered to help out Trevur around the farm, something he was acquainted with since he had lived on a small farm as a kid, and it was an offer Trevur quickly accepted, happy to have the help.
But just as Ryan had started to let down his guard he found new reason to keep vigilant…
…he was being watched, the evidence for that reasoning appearing when he was working in the family's barn on the ninth day of his stay. That day he found not only his missing satchel with the single egg, Undbitr, his crossbow and bolts, and all the Eldunarí inside but also he found Garzjla stashed just beside it, all of the precious objects buried beneath a stack of hay bales that Ryan had been moving. There was one other thing that he found as well, and it was what disturbed him the most. It was a note specifically addressed to him which read:
Salutations Ghosthunter,
You have accomplished quite a set of feats recently, some of which attract attention, whether for good or ill is yet to be seen. You have adapted well to what you have become…some may say too well, but that is not our place to decide. We shall continue to watch, continue to listen, and, if necessary, we shall come for you.
Who are we, you may ask? We are the sword of our Father; the arbiters of His will. We are harbingers of the night, servants of light's eternal shadow. We are the destroyers of a Legion, our home of stone stretching into the sky above. But above all, we are the souls that time forgot. But now all that we have accomplished might be undone. Our blood twisted. Our souls darkened. Our legacy lost…forever.
This cannot come to pass.
The world around you is changing, young one. The things you thought you knew altered beyond any hope of recognition. Fate has been changed. Our sight altered. You must adapt…but you shall not do so alone.
For the time is nigh and the lines drawn, the armies assembled and minds prepared, the Enemy has one last card to play…but so do we.
We await the Call…Brother.
Ryan read the note nigh a dozen times before mustering the nerve to act, quickly checking to see if the coast was clear before dashing out to a nearby clump of trees a dozen yards away and burying the objects under dirt and leaves.
Much to Ryan's relief, that was the only exciting event to occur during his otherwise rather tranquil stay at Trevur and Amiya's home. It was a stay that made him feel normal. It almost made him feel…human…again. So it was with great reluctance that Ryan finally decided to leave for the Varden early on the fifteenth day, and prepared for his departure the day before…
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So…lets see…food, check; water, check; bed roll, check. Ryan nodded slightly as each item was checked off on his mental list. One more quick review of the items later and Ryan gave a soft nod of decision. Another day or two's worth of food and I should be set. Ryan took one more moment to think before neatly stashing the supplies into a bag Trevur had given him and leaving the room. It was only a short walk downstairs where he found Amiya cooking the day's supper, who gave a short smile in greeting.
"Going into town again?", she asked warmly.
"Aye, I only need to pick up some food for another day or two. I shouldn't take long.", Ryan replied with an equal smile.
"Be sure that you don't," Amiya shifted her stance, pointing a wooden stirring spoon at him in jest, "I am making a perfectly good stew for later and I will not have any of it going to waste."
"I will strive to return swiftly, my Lady.", Ryan smirked, also giving a half bow in response." Amiya only laughed at the Rider's display, waving Ryan out the door with her hand. Ryan gave her one last amused glance before exiting out the door, only to run into Trevur and Julianna a few feet from the door.
"Heading off into town?", Trevur asked.
"Aye."
"Don't be too long, wouldn't want dinner to get cold.", Trevur let a small smile accompany his words. Ryan's mouth moved to reply, only for Jules to speak up before him.
"Town! Ooooo! Daddy canIgocanIgocanIgo? I want to see Auntie Castilla. Pleeeeeeeease?", she pined.
"Not today, munchin, Ryan's only going to be in town for a little bit and plus it's almost your dinner time." Trevur replied.
"But Dadddddy you promised that I'd get to see her today." Jules whined, her tone insistent. Trevur's eyes turned from his daughter to give Ryan a tired look. Ryan gave the man a soft smile in return.
"I don't mind."
"See Daddy, Mr. Rwan don't care…can I go? Pwitty Pweese?" Trevur gave his daughter on last tired look before sighing in defeat.
"Very well…"
"YAY!", Jules celebrated as Trevur returned his gaze to Ryan.
"Just be sure to get home in time for dinner.", the man added before entering the house.
"I will.", Ryan replied before turning to join Jules, who was currently skipping her way to town. He gave the child an amused look before jogging forward to catch up.
"Hurry up slowpoke!", Jules cried as he started to catch up, "I wanna get to Auntie's!"
"Aunt Castilla won't be going anywhere, Jules, there's no need to rush. There will be plenty of time for you to see her while I'm getting my things.", Ryan chided, swearing that the girl's pace grew faster even as he said the words.
"But her home is right over the hwill! It's not that far Mr. Ryan! We can go fast tha whole way! I won't get tired, I pwomise!", the child pleaded. Ryan sighed in defeat. It's not you who's going to get tired. Ryan thought with a mental smirk. And it was very true, even with over two weeks of recovery Ryan still felt a remarkable difference in his stamina and strength, although he wasn't certain how much of that was due to his injuries versus him currently using what was, for all appearances, a purely human body. If only he figured out how to change back, such a simple thought on the surface that only became infinitely more complicated as Ryan tried to do it. Finally in exasperation he concluded that it was purely a reflexive act, and thus would reverse itself once he needed it to…or so he hoped. Ryan's musing was quickly interrupted their arrival at Castilla's home, where Jules promptly broke out in a happy voice.
"Auntie Castilla! Auntie Castilla! Auntie Castilla! Where are you Auntie Castilla?!", the child cried. No answer came from the woman's home, however, one did present itself by way of a neighbor who heard the commotion and called out to them.
"She left to head to the marketplace!" the lady shouted, "Something about some town meeting or somesuch being called out of the blue for some reason, you'll find her there!"
"Thanks!", Ryan answered in turn before an impatient Julianna grabbed his hand and dragged him further into town. Ryan offered little resistance to the child's pull, finding it easier to just follow the child down the town's streets. They passed several of the local residents all heading the same direction. A few of them gave a nod and a polite smile as the two passed by, which Ryan attempted to return as best he could.
The marketplace was already packed by the time they arrived, with most of the inhabitants of the town proper present. Ryan noticed the fact that none of the farmers from the outlying areas were present…which was strange as any town meeting of any significance would require all under its jurisdiction to attend. He shrugged it off though, after all he had no idea what it was all about anyway. The beginning of an answer to his question came as small groups of Imperial soldiers began to arrive as well, their armor and swords still glistening in the evening light. The sight made Ryan even more suspicious, although he still remained silent and motionless as he observed the happenings. A few more minutes passed as the remaining stragglers made their way into the square and a more ornately armored soldier, obviously a captain, made his way to the podium at the center of the square, which was often used for executions and public announcements like this one. Ryan could hear the nervous and suspicious murmurs that spread through the crowd at the sight of the captain's presence, they were afraid of the man…and how he could so easily disrupt their lives. Ryan turned to Julianna, his voice serious with concern and suspicion.
"Jules?"
"Yep, Mr Rwan?", Jules replied, her previously lighthearted expression far more subdued from the tense air around them.
"Get back home. Tell your Mum and Da that some trouble may be brewing in town and that I might be back late."
"But I want to see Auntie Castilla?!", the child whined.
"Jules. Go. Now.", Ryan commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. Julianna seemed to consider pressing the matter further before the tone of Ryan's voice sank in. One more second passed before she gave a nod of acceptance and started to push her way back out of the crowd, back home, and…hopefully…out of harm's way. With Jules out of the possible danger Ryan turned his attention back to the Imperial Captain who had just raised his hands to silence the crowd.
"Quiet! Quiet! Everybody settle down now.", the people began to quiet at the man's command, only taking a few seconds to leave the square as silent as a graveyard.
"Respected citizens of the Empire! I come bearing news from our esteemed King Galbatorix!", if the square was a graveyard before those words froze it into a tomb of fearful anticipation, " In accordance to Imperial decree and in response to the state of emergency that has befallen the land, all eligible men of adequate age and physical condition…!", the crowd's murmurs began to grow again, "…are hereby to be conscripted into the Imperial military…!", the mumblings grew, anger and discontent beginning to simmer within the voices, "…with their periods of service to last…!", the angry whispers rose, unifying to a low roar, "…until this national emergency has passed…!", Ryan could hear a few distinct voices rising in the crowd, shouting angry denials at the man, "…or upon the arrival of the harvest season!", the voices quieted for a moment at this information, digesting the news as they determined their course of action, "Furthermore! Any man who refuses his king's call…!", the roar of voices returned, "…or resists his honorable induction into the Imperial military…!", it seemed as if the entire town was shooting insults and catcalls at the man, who continued his speech unfazed, "…shall be considered an enemy of the state and shall be dealt within the full allowance of the law!", Ryan could see and hear the riot that festered within the townspeople's hearts, held back only by the threat of Imperial steel, " All eligible men are hereby directed to assemble around this podium…!", the voices began to die down, the people's anger still present but buried as they realize the futility of resistance, "…where my Lieutenants will take down your names and assign you to a section leader! Thank you for your compliance and service to our great nation!"
The man stepped down immediately after finishing, the crowd only slowly moving to follow the man's order. Ryan scanned the area anxiously, looking for any way that he could manage to slip past the ring of soldiers arrayed around the square. There was none. Even as the townsmen made their way towards the podium, the women and children herded themselves to the outer edges of the square, wanting to leave but kept inside by the perimeter of soldiers the blocked the streets and the two archers that stood on the rooftops. The reason for this was obvious…hostages. If any of the men, or even the whole town, resisted, their own families would be in harm's way, a great deterrent to even the most incensed of men. Unfortunately this made immediate resistance unadvisable and slipping away impossible so, just like the dozens of other townsmen, Ryan slowly made his way towards the center of the square. As he made his way forward, however, he found himself pushed further and further forward until he ended up near the front of the line.
It was the last thing he wanted. No time to plan. No time to find a hole. No time to escape. His heart raced, his palms sweat, his mind raced in a dozen different directions and then ran around them again. His anxiety only grew as the gap between him and the Imperial recruiters closed to the last few men…
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/SABER, THIS IS CUTLASS, ENEMY SOLDIERS HAVE CORNERED SENTINEL AND A NUMBER OF CIVILIANS INSIDE THE TOWN SQUARE. SITUATION IS VOLITILE. ENEMY FORCES ARE USING OTHER NONCOMBATANTS TO COMPELL OBEDIENCE FOR A RECRUITING CAMPAIGN. REQUESTING ORDERS?/
/CUTLASS, SABER, WHAT IS THE DISPOSITION OF THE ENEMY FORCES PRESENT?/
/A LINE RINGS THE OUTSIDE OF THE SQUARE WITH A FEW LACED IN POCKETS INSIDE THE SQUARE, THE CAPTAIN AND MOST OF HIS STAFF ARE ALSO PRESENT ON THE CENTRAL PLATFORM. THE SOLDIERS MAINLY CONSIST OF SWORDS AND SPEARS WITH A FEW AXES, ONLY TWO ARCHERS MANNED THE ROOFTOPS. TOTAL COUNT ADDS UP TO FIFTY HOSTILES PRESENT./
/THE ROOFTOPS?/
/THEY'VE BEEN CLEARED./
/YOU'VE TAKEN THEIR POSITION?/
/YES SIR. SPATHA AND I HAVE OCCUPIED THEIR POSTS./
/HOLD POSITION AND WAIT FOR THE ARRIVAL OF RAPIER AND I. PREPARE TO ENGAGE./
/YES, MA'AM, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT?/
/ELIMINATE ALL HOSTILE THREATS. IGNORE THE CIVILIANS. EXTRACT SENTINEL.
/ROGER, CUTLASS OUT./
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Ka-thump… Ka-thump… Ka-thump… Ka-thump…was all Ryan could hear as he focused on his beating heart to calm his nerves. It wasn't working. He see no immediate way out of the situation without causing harm to the others around him and the weapons of Imperials assured that that harm would be lethal.
He didn't know what to do. So he stood there, awaiting an epiphany or a miracle to bail him out of the situation. His nervous suspense, however, was interrupted by a commotion coming from the central podium. It was the Captain, again trying to gain everyone's attention…and he got it, the eyes of the assembled crowd drawn to the young man sitting on his knees at the captain's feet.
"Future soldiers and faithful citizens! I bring before you a traitor to us all! This man has refused his patriotic duty to this great nation. He has refused his rightful place in defending his land and his people.", the captain pointed his finger at the man in emphasis, "This man is a disgrace to us all! In this time of great crisis we must all sacrifice for the common good to prevail. Is this man different? Should he be given 'special' treatment? Should he be allowed do defy his lord and king in this dark hour? NO!", the captain's face reddened with evident anger, his voice pausing for a moment as if in contemplation, "But, I have yet to let this man speak in his defense," he spoke to the kneeling man now, "go on, boy, enlighten us as to why you are more special than the others that stand before you."
The young man stared into the captain's eyes, anger and defiance glowing in their depths as he spoke, "Angvard take you."
The answer was met with an armored fist, the impact sending the man to the ground. The captain then dragged him back up before delivering yet another punch, this one breaking the young man's nose and sending blood streaming from his face. Two other soldiers then hauled the young man to his knees again, the captain's sword sliding from its sheath with a metallic ring as the man's head was forced down. Ryan's eyes darted around helplessly as the ring of Imperial soldiers drew their own weapons and closed in, forcing the townspeople closer together and making any evidence of dissent instantly lethal. Sobs and screams from women and children began to fill the air as they were pressed in with the men. Ryan could smell the fear, hopelessness, and despair that radiated off the people. The captain's sword rose, glinting in the sun as the man smile in maniacal glee. But what finally held Ryan's eyes lay behind the captain.
A small shadow sat on one of the rooftops overlooking the square. Ryan could feel its gaze as it drifted over the people below. It felt…heavy…foreboding…and dangerous. Ryan could feel his instincts bristle defensively at its presence and intimidated by its sight yet...the shadow made him feel self-assured, confident, and secure. He could sense the figure's gaze shift to him as he continued to stare, analyzing him as if judging if he was worthy of its attention. Then, at the moment that the Captain's sword began to fall and the shadow's gaze began to turn away…Ryan's instincts rose to the surface…
"Chrrrrrrrp! Chrrrp! Chrrrp!", came the distressed cry. Ryan glanced around, confused as to the source of the sound…only to see over a dozen people staring at him in astonishment. Oh shit… Ryan thought as the Imperial captain ordered a couple of his men to seize him…
An earsplitting screech rent through the air in response to his cry. The entire square cringed at the sounds, covering their ears and yelling in pain as the sounds ripped through their eardrums. The sound stopped almost as soon as it began and barely another moment passed before a volley of arrows struck down the Captain and nine other soldiers in rapid succession. Ten soldiers, five sets of two, two archers, his mind analyzed, over three seconds and all instantly lethal, impressive. His mind didn't remain on locked on the feat for long, however, as the two soldiers the Captain had sent were still coming at him, now with intent to kill.
The first man came at him quickly, attempting to finish him so that the two could return to facing the real threat of the cloaked attackers. That mistake became his last. Under threat in a body that his instinctual mind, the Hunter, deemed insufficient, the cloak that had contained his true form under the guise of humanity fell. His claws extended, his eyes burned blue, his armor clicked into its proper place, and, accompanied by a loud roar, his Eldunarí reignited, the intense concentration of magic surging around it once again. The soldier's sword came down at him, a decapitation strike that only met air as Ryan simply stepped to the outside, grabbed the man's overextended arm, broke it at the elbow with a quick strike, and thrust the sword back through its owner's heart.
The man dropped like a stone, shock frozen on his face. The entire encounter only lasted a mere half-second.
The second man was easier. Still in shock from seeing his partner fall and afraid of whatever demon fate had set before him, the man barely reacted until Ryan was already on top of him. A swift bite to the neck and a bone-shattering jerk was all it took to take him down. Then Ryan took in his surroundings. The Imperials were falling fast, half within his field of vision had already been taken down and as he watched three others fell with arrows through their hearts, spines, or heads. He could see one of the archers, clothed in black armor from head to toe in a fashion he had never seen before and it figure seeming to absorb the light, making it difficult for even Ryan's enhanced eyes to properly identify its form. The archer's hands were quick, his bow scarcely empty, and its shots very lethal, every target it fired at…died. A slight pressure pushed at his mind as he looked at the individual, confusing Ryan for a moment as he analyzed it only to find that it originated from the black armored archer.
Perhaps the attackers wish to speak to me? he thought. He gently prodded the intrusion, granting it access to his mind. What he heard, however, was not what he expected. Four voices spoke, not to him though, but to each other.
"…cleared from the south side. The civilians are already beginning to escape through the gap." Ryan glanced in that direction, seeing the townsmen collecting their families and pushing them in that direction.
"Roger that, Spatha, Rapier and Cutlass have the center almost clear and I have eliminated all opposition by the northern entrances. Move back into the town center and assist Rapier in finishing off the last few individuals while Cutlass extracts Sentinel.", the townspeople had moved into a swift run now towards the southern entrance, making it difficult for Ryan to see clearly through all the bodies. An Imperial soldier appeared next to him and swung…
"Roger, moving to assist.", the man's sword was deflected by Ryan's bracer. The man overextended and was met with a knee to the stomach, knocking the wind out of him…
"Roger, Cutlass moving to extract.", Ryan gave the man no chance to recover, three bone-breaking punches launched into his chest, the crunching of bone and gurgle of blood confirming to Ryan that the man's ribs had broken and punctured his lungs…a mortal wound. A battle cry rang to Ryan's right. He jerked his head around, seeing another soldier coming at him, this time with no possibility of Ryan stopping him. An angry screech met the man's voice before a black blur crashed into him, the figure moving so fast that Ryan's eyes could scarcely follow as a short sword slashed across the soldier's throat and the blur arched over the body before landing on its feet.
The sight that met Ryan's eyes was one he thought he would never see outside a mirror or his dreams. The individual that stood before him was a Vardaskul but not just any Vardaskul, the pitch-black and blood-splattered armor, the glowing red eyes, the white inverted V with the black eagle inside…the Vardaskul was an Assassin. Ryan barely had a moment to process the sight before the Vardaskul snarled and shoved him aside, throwing a knife that darted between two fleeing families before imbedding itself in another Imperial's neck.
"Saber, Cutlass, Sentinel secured, moving to the rendezvous point. Is the area clear?", Ryan stared at the Assassin before him as it…he…Cutlass? Ryan thought, spoke.
"Negative, Cutlass", another voice replied, this one obviously female, "five…" Ryan could almost feel a blood splattering squelch from the other end of the connection "four remain, Rapier and I shall dispose of them. Regroup with Spatha at the southern entrance and we'll meet you at the rendezvous point." The Assassin swiftly grabbed Ryan's arm and pull him along, effortlessly weaving them through the stampeding crowd as he moved them towards the exit.
"Roger that…", Cutlass managed to say before being cut off.
"Saber, Rapier, be advised a platoon strength force is moving towards the square from the north ETA thirty seconds, over.", a new voice added, this one also male but a tad deeper than Cutlass'. A little older maybe? Ryan thought.
"Roger that Rapier, let's clean these last few up then eliminate the reinforcements. Cutlass, your orders still stand, move!" At the order, Cutlass pushed them faster almost seeming to make them dance through the throngs of frightened people. Ryan did bump into a few though, and those that took notice of the pair quickly grew more frantic in their efforts to escape, no one wanted to be near something that could easily resemble a vengeful demon. The two pushed forward for a few more seconds before Ryan noticed the crowd parting a few feet ahead of them to reveal another Assassin with two dead Imperials at its feet, the wider hips and softer scent marking this one as female. With a nod of greeting to the two she tossed a very familiar object at Ryan. Ryan easily caught it and stared at the sword in his hands, it was Garzjla, which he quickly drew and clipped the scabbard over his back. Ryan could still hear the other two Assassins speaking in his mind as they tore through the Imperial reinforcements.
"Nine down, enemy is concentrating fire on me, changing position.", the male, Rapier, said.
"Roger, eleven hostiles down at my position and I'm out of throwing knives…", Ryan could briefly feel a ripping of flesh on the other end of the connection, "and make that twelve hostiles down."
"Saber, Cutlass, we have met up with Spatha and are moving to the rendezvous point.", Cutlass reported.
"Roger Cutlass, give us sixty seconds with these walking corpses and we'll be on our way, Saber out."
The three Vardaskul finally emerged from the town square and, with a slight nudge on Ryan's back, they broke into a run, seeming to move through the streets in a westward direction where Ryan's knew a forest began naught half-a-league outside the town. Ryan's mind also finally began to catch up with the situation as they ran.
"Where's the rest of my things?", he asked.
"Hidden in the forest at the rendezvous, we'll pick them up before we go.", Cutlass curtly answered, not even glancing back to acknowledge the question.
"What of the family I stayed with?"
"Rapier and Spatha passed the little girl you had with you on their way in, the family will most likely be in hiding. Do not worry for them.", came Spatha's businesslike reply as they passed the halfway point to the treeline.
"Where did you…", Ryan tried to ask before Cutlass interrupted him.
"We cannot answer everything now. Wait until we are safe and secure, then we can talk.", the treeline loomed before them. The Vardaskul didn't even slightly slow at the sight, if anything they only ran faster. The Original was amazed as the Hunter moved them effortlessly through the thick foliage, his armor instantly changing a dark green to camouflage their body and his swift movements arching them around trees and plants with ease in order to not give away his position. The Original had to admit, this environment felt more natural to him. His instincts told him that this would be a prime hunting ground if it were not for the town nearby. He knew that the branches above him provided excellent cover and ambushing points that he could use. Although most of his focus was taken up by ensuring his swift movement through the foliage, Ryan could still sense the other two Vardaskul beside him, though he could only sense them through their scent and mental presence as their movements were soundless…and Ryan felt as if they were actually moving slower than normal so that he could keep up with them. The thought made the Hunter growl mentally from his wounded pride…which made the Original laugh.
We can't be the best at everything. the Original chuckled. An angry mental snap of the Hunter's jaws was his only reply. The three ran for another minute or two before Ryan felt the other two give him the command to stop. The Hunter gracefully front-flipped them over one last fallen tree trunk before sliding to a stop.
Ryan found himself standing in front of a thicket of vines that ran between a closely packed group of five trees. The vines were long and thick, leaving only small gaps in between each strand and showing that the thicket must've grown over quite a few years without disturbance. One slightly larger gap in the thicket's coverage, however, revealed that the inside was actually hollow, the perfect place to hide someone…or something. Spatha chirped at him to get his attention, pointing at the thicket and speaking…
"Your things are in there, grab them and get ready to move, we'll be leaving as soon as Saber and Rapier get here and we will not stop until we have quite a few leagues between ourselves and this place." Ryan nodded in acknowledgement and moved to follow her orders, the Hunter acknowledging the superior strength and authority that she radiated.
"Saber, Cutlass, we are at the rendezvous point. What's your ETA?", Ryan heard Cutlass ask.
"Cutlass, Saber, ETA fifteen seconds.", came the reply.
"Roger, Cutlass out.", hearing this, Ryan quickly darted into the thicket and found his duffle bag, crossbow, and bolt quiver before quickly strapping them into place and moving to stand close to the two Assassins. He barely made it to their sides before their heads jerked back in the direction they had come from. Ryan's eyes darted to the same direction, ears straining to hear the slightest sound that would betray someone's approach…he heard nothing. But apparently the two Assassins had noticed something, as not a second later two other Vardaskul appeared in the clearing. The first of the two, a female, who was obviously Saber, made the Hunter shudder with unease just at the sight of her. The Original couldn't blame him, everything his instincts were screaming at him told him that the seven-foot tall individual before him was not a power to be trifled with and he could feel the strength and foreboding presence that she seemed to radiate. Her partner, Rapier, was smaller, about Ryan's height…and Cutlass' for that matter…Are females usually bigger? Ryan thought. But even though Rapier was physically smaller, Ryan felt even more cautious around him. He had seen what the Assassin could do with the powerful black bow that hung in his left hand and the magical strength that he emanated far outstripped Ryan's own. All in all, Ryan knew he was in the presence of four highly competent, trained, killers…ones who were not to be trifled with under any circumstances.
Saber seemed to study him for a moment after they arrived, her gaze seeming to bring all the weight of the world upon his shoulders as the red lights that marked her eyes bored into his soul. Finally, her gaze passed and she turned to the others with a satisfied huff.
"Mission successful, however, we have no time to waste. Give another few hours and this entire area will be crawling with enemy soldiers. We need to be long gone before then.", she turned back to Ryan, "Are you ready to go?" the Original felt the Hunter squirm in discomfort at her gaze.
"Yes, ma'am.", Ryan answered.
"Good.", Saber's gaze turned towards the west, her eyes seeming focused on a far away place, "Then let's move.", at her command the five set off at a run, restarting their dance through the trees.
"Ma'am, where are we going?", Ryan asked as he ducked beneath on of the many tree limbs.
"We are heading west, young one, to return you to your allies…to the Varden.", Ryan gave a slight smile at the answer, happy to be finally able to be making some good progress back. Another question surfaced in his mind and he began to give voice to it before he was stopped in his tracks by Saber's mental command. "It will be several hours before we are clear of most of the danger. We will stop then. I must ask that you hold your questions until we can have a proper conversation, understood?", with Ryan's mental acknowledgement Saber's voice ceased and the five continued onward, their bodies darting among the trees as the sun began to glow orange and fall over the horizon…
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R&R!