AN: The puppies will be spared!
But seriously. No more puppy threatening. It's getting on my nerves.
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. I just write about it.
Chapter 110
Not Just Us
[Cobb]
It was at the cusp of returning from our triumphant rescue that everything turned against us.
Not only had the guards tailed us to Ines', but they already had her, as well as Soul and Lenz, captured. Exhausted and facing down nearly a hundred guards, we had no choice but to surrender, and…
Naaaaah, I'm just kidding! We made it back just fine.
Luck and fortune had little to do with it. Both the Berserkers and the guards had been called in to quell the flames engulfing the bazaar tree. They didn't have enough men to look for us. And, while I felt horrible knowing Soul and Lenz were responsible for Kingdom-wide arson, I couldn't deny it covered our escape nicely. A fact Jade pointed out repeatedly.
"I mean, it's almost scary how well this was planned out." She gushed from beside me. "We could be waltzing to Ines' without worrying about getting spotted."
"Yeah, well, let's not tempt fate." I reined her in. How she still had so much energy, I had no idea. Both of us went the whole night without sleeping. I was certainly feeling the exhaustion, and I had been passed out for a bit. Passing out counted as sleep, right?
But Jade? She still looked raring to go, and it showed in the swing of her hips and the light in her eyes.
I was sluggish by comparison, wanting nothing more than to fall into a pillow and sleep for a day.
That happy dream was in sight when Ines' house came into view; the door sticking out of that thick root just waiting to be opened.
I pointed it out to Floyd, but then held out a hand to stop Jade from following. I pressed a finger to my lips while Floyd wasn't looking and inclined my head towards the doorbell. Jade caught on quickly, flashing an amused grin before schooling her features when Floyd looked back.
"What are you guys waiting for?" The blue-nette asked.
"Nothing. Nothing. Just ring the doorbell." I said with barely restrained laughter. Floyd just shrugged and pressed his finger to the button…
And then the stairs fell away and he plummeted.
"What the shiiiiiiiiiit!" Floyd cursed as he fell away. The stairs replaced themselves shortly after.
Jade and I shared a laugh at Floyd's expense. It was only fair, seeing how the rest of us fell for Ines' trap earlier.
And she was right! It was a lot funnier watching someone else fall for it.
Meanwhile, Jade and I took the secret entrance that Ines had pointed out to circumvent the trap entirely. A simple ladder hidden amongst some shrubs. We climbed down into the equivalent of Ines' living room and found Lenz and Soul awaiting us.
Soul looked up immediately, but then frowned when he saw who was missing. He opened his mouth, ready to accuse, but I just pointed to the place where the redstone head was.
He put two and two together, realizing what we had done to Floyd, and cracked a smile before leaving to fetch his paralyzed and water-logged friend. Was it mean? Yes. Would Soul have done it? Definitely.
"I am glad you all made it back." Lenz nodded with a small smile. "You were taking quite a while. I was worried you had been captured in that prison."
"Oh, Floyd wasn't at the prison." I realized. "He was at the Berserkers' Headquarters. We got him out anyway." I explained without missing a beat. Lenz's jaw fell to the floor. "We got any cake?"
"This isn't a bakery." Ines appeared on the other side of the room, looking appraisingly at the pair of us. "And did you really outmaneuver the Berserkers? Not an easy feat."
"Well, there was a certain FIRE to blame for that." I stressed, causing Lenz to shrink into himself. I was directing it more towards the returning axe-wielder carrying a disgruntled and soaking-wet Floyd in, but Soul just shrugged uncaringly. "Seriously, though. That was pretty reckless, even for us."
"We didn't have a choice." Soul lowered Floyd to a chair before Ines pressed a milk bucket to his lips to cure his paralysis. "We got the emeralds, but the Berserkers identified us. We had to defend ourselves."
"By committing arson? This isn't something that won't have repercussions."
"Look, I'm sorry 'burning things' is the only option in these scenarios. First the forest around Ringwood, now this. But we managed!" He folded his arms and scoffed. "I'm sure you lovebirds had a barrel of fun covertly sneaking Floyd out."
Jade and I blushed at the comment, causing Soul to bark a laugh before ducking the bobber I hurled at him.
"Our adventure wasn't the cakewalk you think it was." Floyd said as he recovered feeling. "We had to escape the Berserkers' stronghold. Second, Cobb, how dare you trick me into ringing that doorbell." I hid a snicker before Floyd offered a wicked smile. "Third, lovebirds? Don't tell me the King is thinking with his penis?"
"Alright! That's enough!" My voice cracked as I waved my arms. Jade turned away, covering her face and disguising it as an attempt to talk with Lenz. "We all had to endure a lot of hardships last night, but we made it back safe and sound."
In fact, this was the first time we were all together since entering the Kingdom. We had gotten separated so early and easily. But now, we were back, and stronger than ever.
"Yeah, it is pretty nice." Soul agreed, looking between Floyd and Lenz. Though his eyebrow quirked when he saw what little armor Floyd had. "Geez, what didn't those bounty hunters strip from you?"
"Ah, actually, it was the guards who took that." Floyd's eyes suddenly widened. "Wait! They have my map! That's how they're tracking us—"
"Relax, we know." I calmed him down. "We stashed our other maps in an ender chest. They won't be able to find us."
"Though one person managed to." Lenz chipped in, pointing to a waving Jade.
"What…?"
"She was our wayward stalker." Lenz explained, earning a scowl from Jade. She was still touchy about that word. "She has been helping us out since we became wanted men. She got her map from the newbs—"
"Fresh spawns!"
"—fresh spawns, we aided at the Origin."
"Non-violently, I might add."
"Ah, yes, non-violently." Lenz amended, though he looked rather troubled. I think he shot Soul a glance once or twice.
"That reminds me…" Soul reached into his pack and held out some diamond gear to the blue-nette who gratefully accepted. "Better to have some armor than none, right? It's enchanted with Projectile Protection, too. Try it on."
Floyd quickly complied, the blue of the diamond matching well with his hair. "Thanks! Now I don't feel like I'm made of glass anymore. Where'd you get this gear anyway?"
"The Berserkers. The ones we had to fight off." Soul stressed, to which Lenz looked away. "They dropped some potions too. Figured they wouldn't need them."
I looked between Lenz and Soul. Maybe it was just subtext, but there was something between them. Something they weren't telling me. Though calling them out on it wouldn't get me anywhere. Floyd had armor and we had potions. What was wrong? Better to let it drop.
I felt Jade slide up to my shoulder and give it a small bump. Her eyes darted between the gathered men and me, and I suddenly realized I had to make an announcement.
"Hey, guys, since we're all here now, can we vote on whether or not to let Jade join the Beginners?" I began, getting all of their attention.
"Oh, we're doing that now? Okay." Soul shrugged before leaning back in his seat. Lenz looked politely interested and Floyd looked on seriously.
"So, given her trial period was helping us bust Floyd out, I think she did a phenomenal job." I noted. "Better than phenomenal. She thought on her feet, demonstrated excellent infiltration skills, and she's a parkour master."
"Oh, stop!" She waved off, though I kept going.
"She had every opportunity to fall back and abandon us, but she stuck to her role and even cared for us while we were unconscious." I made a point to look at Lenz and Soul when I said this, trying to convey that she could be trusted. A bounty hunter would have captured us in any other circumstance. Jade was legit.
"You'll get no argument from me." Floyd was the first to raise his hand. "It'll be good to have someone else watch our backs."
"This guild is a sausage-fest enough. We need a female member." Soul, ever the voice of reason, spoke up with a raised hand. "I say, welcome aboard."
Jade beamed at the two approvals before turning her attention to the engineer.
Lenz adjusted his glasses. "While I admit your methods of finding us are a tad… alarming, I cannot fault that your aid has been integral in setting our compatriot free. Therefore, I have no qualms with allowing you membership into our humble guild."
Jade tilted her head in confusion. "Which means…?"
"That's Lenz's way of saying 'yes'." Ines smirked, patting the engineer on the shoulder.
"Then it's unanimous." I announced with an air of authority. "By the power vested in me by the rest of you not wanting to be leader…"
"Oh, what a splendid power it be."
"…I announce the Beginners' newest member: AceOfJades."
Lenz and Floyd clapped politely while Soul offered a whoop. Really, how much could four people celebrate something?
"Hey, so..." Floyd piped up after the subdued cheers were over. "Why were there a lot of people in a cage back there?"
"Oh, that isn't anything worth mentioning." Ines tried to wave off.
"And you are…?"
"This is Ines, my pen pal." Lenz quickly explained. "She was generous enough to offer us her abode, though I promise we will not infringe upon your hospitality for much longer."
"It's fine." Ines smiled. "Heck, I got to leave this Kingdom anyway before I get arrested, so I don't mind renting it out for some fellow miscreants."
"So are we just ignoring the fact that she has caged up Crafters in her home?" Floyd asked with a bit of confusion. "I feel like we should be making a bigger deal out of this."
"Meh, we're all criminals here." Soul shrugged.
"She only imprisoned them because of some… neglected taxes… and she has every right… to… to… Comparators, I cannot justify this in any way." Lenz finally gave up. "Ines you are a warped soul."
"Hey! Don't call her a warped me!" Soul turned his attention back to Floyd, Jade, and I. "Tell us more about your adventure at the Berserkers'. I want to know all the sordid details."
"Sordid? What kind of depraved things do you think happened?" I defended with a flushed face. "All we did was rescue Floyd."
"Well, how did you rescue him? Weren't you pursued? How did you get away?"
"With my exceptional parkour skills, of course." Jade boasted, placing a hand on her chest. "We crossed the branches of the Gift Tree and boarded an airship, where we—Cobb, why are you shaking your head and making a shushing motion?"
I slapped a hand to my face. Judging by how Lenz's eyes widened so much I could see them past his tinted glasses, he had heard.
"An AIRSHIP!?" He suddenly shouted, crossing to me in quick strides before bunching my hoodie in his trembling fists. "The Berserkers have an AIRSHIP!?"
"Er… yes?" I replied nervously. I had never seen Lenz like this. He tore of his glasses and transfixed me with his eyes. He spoke between hissed breaths, each word rising in volume.
"So. You three. Had the pleasure—nay—the hallowed opportunity! To set foot! On! An! Airship!" Lenz sucked in another breath before finishing, "Without ME!?"
Lenz didn't need an answer. My guilty face told him everything. He quickly released my hoodie and ran to the exit.
Soul and Ines responded faster than I thought possible, snagging the engineer by both arms and holding him back. He struggled in vain as they lifted him off his feet and carried him back to his chair. His legs kicked in the air as he spouted what sounded like the ravings of a madman.
"Let me go! I have to see it! To pilot it! To see the miracle of redstone with my own eyes! Airship! AIRSHIP!"
"Hold him tight!" Ines warned. "In this state, he's like a rapid squirrel trying to get his acorns!"
"Lenz, you can't go check out their airship." I tried to calm him down, though the last word only made him struggle more. "If the Berserkers see you, they'll lock you up!"
"If anyone sees him like this, they'll lock him up." Soul whispered under his breath before finally hefting a kicking and screaming Lenz over one shoulder. He was quite demented.
It took several minutes to calm Lenz down, and only after many reassurances that he would have his own personal airship to do with as he pleased AFTER we got to Zeppil. Even then, the engineer went into a fetal position, rocking back and forth with muted whispers of 'airship'.
"Geez, Lenz. It's only an airship. Not the love of your life." Soul shook his head.
Lenz sprang back to life. "You take that back! It is not just an airship! Though I would not expect you to understand…"
"I understand." Ines patted Lenz's shoulders reassuringly. "There is no greater pleasure for a redstone engineer than to pilot an airship."
"Well, we better get to Zeppil, then." I brought us back on track, seeing as how we needed to make a plan of escape. All of Jolin was out hunting for us. The sooner we left the jungle Kingdom, the better.
"It shouldn't be too hard." Jade reasoned. "Jolin has too many exits. The guards can't possibly monitor them all."
They could only cover the toll gate in the middle, and that was only because there were no other routes up the trees. The base of the Gift Tree was the only entrance. Well, that and the Bough Terminus route I had discovered.
As a matter of fact, I bet we could use that to get to the outskirts more easily. Or we could wait until night rolls by and sneak away with the roots covering us. We have options! Safe, glorious options!
"W-wait."
My internal musings were cut short by Floyd's hesitant stammering. He stood up, glanced aside with a conflicted expression before visibly steeling himself.
"We can't leave."
The room went silent, the others sharing confused looks while I just stared at Floyd.
"What do you mean?" I asked calmly. "Why can't we leave? There's nothing keeping us here."
"I know… but…"
"We secured enough funds." Lenz said.
"We rescued your ass." Soul said.
"I joined your guild." Jade said.
"So what else is there?" I asked.
Floyd closed his eyes. "You didn't hear Dahlia's plan, but she approached me with it first. She and the Berserkers are willing to do anything to keep hold of Desideratum."
"And?" I urged, not liking where this was going.
"And, at the Review, they're planning to assassinate the only person staunchly against the law." Floyd revealed, a troubled scowl on his face. "They're going to murder Princess Alaqua and show how little the guards can be trusted. They're going to make it so that nobody challenges Desideratum ever again."
An eerie silence settled over the six of us as we took it in. Lenz and Ines looked horrified, but Jade, Soul, and I wore expressions of grim comprehension. It wasn't like we condoned their plans, but, after meeting them a few times, I think the three of us understood why the bounty hunters would resort to such extremes. Maybe at one point, the Berserkers valued protecting others more than the emeralds tied to it, but after so many years of serving Jolin and getting increasingly rewarded, it got to the point where it was now all about keeping the wealth and power.
So it made sense that they would want the princess assassinated. She and Captain Enyeto hated the law and the Berserkers. Even if she failed to repeal it at this Review, she was still an heir to the throne. Desideratum and Princess Alaqua could not coexist. It had to be one or the other.
And the Berserkers knew that.
"But you shot them down, right?" Soul reasoned. "You're not doing their dirty work and neither are we, so—"
"They wanted us to do it, since we'd be the perfect scapegoats," Floyd interjected, "but they made it perfectly clear they'd follow through, with or without our help. Tomorrow at noon, the Review will be attacked by Berserkers disguised as thugs, and Alaqua will die."
"I can't believe this." Ines shook her head in disgust. "What a bunch of hypocrites. They hunt us down and lock us up, but when they break the law, it's perfectly fine!"
"It'll be far from fine." Jade spoke up. "The entire Kingdom is rallying behind Alaqua. They know she's their best bet to getting rid of the Berserkers. The bounty hunters already have rioters at their doorstep. If the Princess is assassinated on the very day of the Review, people will suspect foul play and really riot." She shook her head, her eyes wavering. "It'll be utter chaos."
"And that's exactly why we need to stay. To stop them." Floyd said firmly, his eyes shining as he looked back at us.
He was met with varying degrees of reluctance.
"We have to stop them." Floyd repeated, a bit of desperation in his tone.
"Floyd, please." Lenz raised a hand and stepped forward. "None of us want evil like this to happen, but… but…" The engineer looked back helplessly, hoping one of us would chime in.
"This isn't your fight." Ines came to the rescue. Though she wasn't part of the guild, she wouldn't leave her pen pal out to dry. "The Berserkers have been around for centuries. This is an internal problem of this Kingdom's own design. You people got here barely a week ago." She reasoned evenly. "You can't be held responsible for this Kingdom's problems."
"Can't I?" Floyd shot back, his voice taking on a bitter tone. "The stupid law was only passed because a Hacker showed up, murdered their King, and almost brought the whole Kingdom down!"
"That wasn't your fault, Floyd!" Soul shouted gruffly.
"Yeah, you had nothing to do with that." I agreed. "You weren't there. You weren't even alive!"
"I'm here now! I'm alive now!" He patted his chest as if to emphasize his beating heart. "So now, I can do something about it."
"No. No, no, no." I walked up to him and gripped his shoulders. "Listen. Being a Hacker doesn't mean you inherit their problems. We know who you are. We already know you're good; you don't have to prove anything to us—to anyone!"
Lenz nodded emphatically, though Jade was a bit more reluctant. She still wasn't quite used to him being a Hacker. But who would? She just needed time to know him.
Floyd shrugged my arm off. "This isn't about me cleaning up their messes! It's about pride!"
"Pride? What…?"
"Are you suggesting your honor is at stake?" Lenz asked.
"No. I'm saying that…" Floyd bit his tongue, turning away. "You… you'd probably think it's stupid, but…"
"Just spit it out." Soul growled.
The blue-nette sighed. "All I've been hearing about Hackers is that they're devils incarnate, or that they're cruel monsters, or that they're the cause of so much turmoil in Minecraftia. How would you feel about yourself, knowing you were one and the same? There's nothing but shame from that title. And I'm sick of it!"
He threw an arm aside, his eyes taking a steely edge. "Sick of all of it! I keep wanting to move on and accept what I am, but I can't with all this… this… shame welling up inside! I want to do something I can be proud of! I want to hold my head up with pride!"
"You said I had nothing to prove, but I do. I want to rescue this Kingdom as a Hacker, so that I can feel proud for once in my life and prove, both to myself and the world, that not all Hackers are monsters. So there."
Lenz let out an aggravated whine as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Soul folded his arms, but remained silent. Contemplative.
Me? I pressed a hand to my dyed leather tunic, remembering a similar situation in which I was facing overwhelming odds and chose to take a stand anyway.
"I know that look, Cobbert." Lenz said, suddenly at attention. "It is the same look you had back in Halstatt. But this is not like Halstatt and you know it. We are not facing an army of untried Griefers. If we go through with this mission, we will have to strike against one of the most powerful guilds in the world. The Berserkers are an army better equipped and more experienced, with resources to burn. On top of that, we will have the guards to worry about, who still deem us as wanted criminals. Only a cavalier fool would think of challenging them."
"…I know." I conceded. It would be a tougher battle for sure. We barely managed to rescue Floyd from their base. What were the odds we could stop an assassination, especially when the guards were against us too?
I felt a tug on my sleeve as Jade looked at me with curious purple eyes.
"What are you thinking?" She asked.
I was thinking about why I had defended Halstatt in the first place. What had been the thing that swayed me?
I had seen a village that was doomed to be destroyed by a more powerful force. Those villagers were ready to die protecting their home… and their friends. If I had just abandoned them, I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life.
I wanted to prove that experience didn't matter. That any one person could stand up, regardless of their number, and make a difference. One was all it took.
In that sense, I probably had a better grasp of where Floyd was coming from than anyone. It would've been hypocritical to say he was being reckless when I had done the same thing.
But I would never willingly risk my friends' lives. Going against the Berserkers, there was no guarantee of survival. At least back in Halstatt, I gave Lenz the choice to leave and I saved Wynn before Alec killed her.
Oh, Wynn. I thought with a grimace. Now I know how you felt trying to convince me not to fight the Griefers.
"Cobbert…" Lenz tried again. Desperately. "There are only four of us. How can we—?"
"Five." I corrected, looking to Jade and her shining eyes. "There are five of us, now."
Lenz let out a derisive huff. "Well, let us just send her to fight all the Berserkers for us."
Jade visibly choked, her eyes darting nervously as she tried to school her features.
"If you don't want to do this, I understand." Floyd nodded to Lenz, whose mouth was hanging open, ready to protest more. "The last thing I want is for you to fight for my pride's sake. You should just go to Zeppil without me."
"Do not say that!" Lenz whined. "Honestly, when you say it like that it makes me sound like a selfish cur who only cares about airships." He readjusted his glasses and glanced away. "I do not wish to leave you to the mercy of the Berserkers. You are our ally and trusted friend. And piloting an airship without a strong crewmember will leave a bad taste in my mouth."
But, at the same time, fighting without a plan and hoping for the best was suicide. That's what Lenz was getting at.
And yet…
"For the record, I don't think you need to do this to feel proud of yourself. You've already done so much and been an irreplaceable friend." I spoke up, looking to Floyd with a serious expression. It softened a second later. "And it's only because you're my friend… and I can see how much this matters to you… that I'll stick by your side."
"You—really?" Floyd looked taken aback by my support, only to be floored as Soul agreed too.
"Don't look so surprised." He waved off. "I've got my pride at stake too. Those assholes are a bunch of thieves and I need to have my rematch with Brandr." He smirked as he patted the axe at his belt.
"I'll help however I can." Jade smiled with a nod. "After all, I'm stuck with you, right?" I smiled as my owns words were used against me.
Lenz let out a resigned sigh. "Comparators. This is the most unpractical decision ever. Fine, we are all in agreement to stop Alaqua's assassination." He didn't sound too pleased about it, but probably because his airship was further delayed. "Do you at least have a plan? Because, frankly, I cannot see the five of us making a difference."
I smiled knowingly. "Ah, that's where you're wrong, Lenz. It's not just us."
"I hope you're not counting me in your plans." Ines called warningly. "As nice as you all are, I think I'll be leaving before the Review goes down."
"He's not talking about you. But he's right." Floyd said, catching on.
"It's not just us that hate the Berserkers."
[Berserkers HQ]
Dahlia sat in her office, drumming her fingers along her desk, with a pensive expression on her face. The tank behind her was patched back up, but the Guardians within were no more. Brandr had killed them all.
Now if those were the only casualties of the day, she might get over it.
The truth of the matter was more troubling.
Hunderprest had yet to report in and the Berserkers that went out to pursue King_Cobb and Flawwed_Floyd were missing. Gone without a trace, all twenty-one of them.
Dahlia twirled her lavender twin-tails, another nervous tick, to calm her nerves. She wasn't worried. She wasn't afraid. Just… tense. Her Hacker had slipped away. Even now, he might go to the Clan and call forth retribution. And where the hell was Ciro!?
A few moments later, Brandr entered her office with the archer in question in tow. The two looked grim.
"Well?" Dahlia asked.
"Hunderprest is dead." Ciro spoke emotionlessly. "Apparently he went to challenge the axe-wielder and the archer, only to breathe his last."
"Are you certain?"
Ciro lifted his hand, causing Dahlia to flinch. On the end of it was the disembodied head of the late Hunderprest.
"I'm pretty sure." The Head toppled out of his grip and onto the desk, its eyes staring off into nothing.
"As for the missing Berserkers, I can't find them anywhere." Brandr conceded with a shrug. "I looked to where they most likely would have landed after falling off our airship, but… other than signs of a fight, there's nothing there."
Dahlia bit her nail, the information doing little to calm her. Cobb and his cohorts were proving to be a bigger problem than she had anticipated. She had assumed they'd be like any other criminal, eager to cut a deal so long as it allowed them free rein. She had expected cooperation. Not this.
'You shouldn't underestimate us.' A phantom voice reminded her; Floyd's words replaying in her mind. 'People that do usually get burned. I would think you'd know that… from Hunderprest.'
"Dahlia?" Brandr asked, snapping the woman out of her funk. "Should we keep looking for them?"
"No…" Dahlia shook her head. "No, there's no point. They already refused our offer twice. There's no cutting a deal with these people. Not after they killed Hunder." And how many others? At least this verified their identity as cultists. Only a Lieutenant of the Endward Cult could have slain that many Berserkers.
"So we're going through with the assassination tomorrow?" Ciro asked with an arched brow. "Is that to be the focus of our attention?"
"Yes." Dahlia reached into a chest behind her desk and pulled out a diamond sword glowing with enchanted energy. "This is the key for it. A diamond sword with Sharpness V, Fire Aspect II. Two swings with this will kill any Crafter. One swing if the attacker has Strength II."
"So you're going to trust this blade to one of the disguised Berserkers." Brandr pieced together with a dark grin. "They get up close to Alaqua and bam all our problems are solved."
"It will hardly be that simple." Ciro chided, his mismatched eyes stormy. "The Review will be guarded. The Captains will be there in person and Enyeto would die before letting anything happen to the princess."
"Then that would be killing two annoying birds with one sword." Dahlia offered indifferently. "I'll be there in person to throw off suspicion and represent our guild at the same time. You two will go with me, along with a fourth."
"I see. Perhaps this means I can get an advance on my payment." Ciro tried, gesturing to the ender chest in the corner.
Dahlia smirked. "Why Ciro, do you think so little of me that I would not honor our deal."
Ciro scowled. "Yes."
Dahlia chuckled. "You will get your precious Journal Entry when the Review is over and Desideratum is secure. If you had been here, you could have stopped Floyd from escaping."
"The fire was a lead I had to check out." Ciro argued back. "I was acting in the Berserkers' best interests."
"Then you should be overjoyed to be representing the guild alongside me." Dahlia flashed a smile as Ciro scowled down at the floor. "Oh, lighten up. You don't even have to do anything. Just look intimidating when the disguised Berserkers show up and watch as they kill Alaqua. Erm… maybe look like you're trying to stop them, but don't."
Ciro snarled a word that sounded a lot like 'fine'. It was enough to placate the woman.
"Anyway, pick a fourth guy to come with us. We'll all be sticking together the whole day, but the Review is being held at the northernmost tree. It's close to ours, so our force of 'heroic rescuers' should have no trouble swooping in to upstage Enyeto and his guards."
"What if some of our disguised Berserkers get caught?" Brandr asked. "If they get discovered or squeal, we'll be in a lot of trouble with the King."
"They'll all be wearing masks to hide their names." Dahlia waved aside. "And if they do get caught, we'll take custody over them before anyone realizes." She smiled. "I appreciate your concerns, gentlemen, but I've planned out every move. Tomorrow will go to plan and rid us of that pesky princess once and for all. She'll barely have time to argue her case before getting her throat slit. Now take this and deliver it to our guys."
She slid the assassination weapon over to Brandr who marveled at its power, holding it reverently as he crept out of the office. Ciro was just about to follow, only to stop at the threshold and turn around.
"Any reason you're taking a fourth guy with us?" Ciro posed innocently. "I'm fairly certain Brandr and I can handle any opposition."
"Just playing it safe." Dahlia waved aside. "Call it a precaution. An extra man might come in handy."
Ciro regarded Dahlia with a bit of mirth in his eyes. "Was Hunder meant to be the fourth?"
Dahlia's drumming fingers stilled.
"Or have Cobb's cohorts spooked you?"
"…Get out. I wish to be alone."
Ciro stepped back with a chuckle. "As you wish. Sleep tight, Dahlia."
The door slowly closed, leaving the lavender-haired woman to stew in peace…
'You shouldn't underestimate us. People that do usually get burned.'
She had to remember to tell the Berserkers to scour the perimeter with more scrutiny.
And maybe post a few on guard outside her bedchambers.
[Root Cellar]
"What's the status of the bazaar?" Captain Enyeto asked as two guards entered his office.
"The fire has been completely extinguished. Evacuation went well. Loath as we are to admit it, the Berserkers reacted fast to prevent casualties."
Enyeto nodded grudgingly. He would never put his grudge against those bounty hunters over the safety of Jolin's citizens. The Berserkers had been the first responders, followed shortly by the guards. Containing the fire and evacuating the bazaar had been a joint effort.
Though Dahlia would surely point out how the Berserkers had gotten there first.
"What of the fire itself? Do we know who caused it?"
"No, sir. The Berserkers weren't very forthcoming with information on how it started, though we assume it had something to do with King_Cobb. We think it may have been retaliation over the imprisonment of his Lieutenant." One guard frowned in displeasure. "The map we confiscated from him is useless now."
"It can't be helped. They were bound to realize how we were tracking them." Enyeto didn't want to burden his soldiers. They had done admirably ensuring there were no casualties from the fire. It wasn't easy evacuating an entire bazaar. "What about the damages?"
"A lot of the tree and leaves got damaged." The other guard reported. "It'll take some doing to get it back to the way it was. Business and trade there might have to be postponed until further notice."
"And the Review is tomorrow." The Captain massaged his temple. First the intruder in the prison, now this. "The Berserkers are going to have a field day with this. I better let Alaqua know what to expect." He rose from his seat. "Thank you for your report. The two of you are dismissed." The guards saluted before heading towards the door.
Only for someone to nearly bowl them over as they entered.
"Captain Enyeto!" The new guard gasped as he clutched a stitch in his side. "Something urgent has come up!"
"What is it, soldier?"
In response, the guard simply held up a book.
The Captain accepted the tome and flipped it open, scanning the contents. His eyes widened at one section, narrowed at another, and then had him raising an eyebrow near the end.
"Who gave this to you?" Enyeto asked a bit forcefully.
"Nobody, sir. It was left anonymously at the Root Cellar's doorstep." The other guards crowded along to get a glimpse at the writing. When they did, their expressions soured.
"It's a trick!"
"They can't honestly think we'd fall for this?"
"I bet the Berserkers sent this to rile us up!"
"Those bounty hunters would never be so brazen as to risk their position for a stunt like this. Just chuck that book away, Captain! It's just some punk trying to mess with our heads."
The Captain was about to do just that, when he caught sight of the last words in the book. He peered at them cautiously, rolling them around in his mind.
[Please, follow our advice. Heroes are not dead yet.]
Heroes…
The Age of Heroes…
There was only one person he had told that to recently. And he was supposedly locked away in the Berserkers' Headquarters.
So then how did he send it?
"Captain?" One of the guards began tentatively. "Are you… thinking about acting on this tip? It could all be a ruse."
Captain Enyeto left the office without another word, the book kept clutched under one arm, as he began his trek up the Gift Tree to see the Princess about a very troubling tip.
Inventory (Cobb): 1 Fishing Rod {Backlash} [Knockback II, Luck of the Sea III, Unbreaking III], 64 Cobblestone, 47 Cobblestone, 5 Dirt, 19 Torches, 37 Coal, 12 Jungle Wood Logs, 64 Jungle Wood Planks, 16 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Clock, 1 Water Bucket, 9 String, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green, Mending I, Unbreaking I], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Boots, 5 Emeralds, 2 Gunpowder, 8 Rotten Flesh, 1 Book {How to Kill Stuff for Numb Nuts}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Jolin Entry Pass}
[EXP: 23]
Inventory (Floyd): 1 Iron Sword, 1 Diamond Helmet [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Boots [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Leggings
[EXP: 29]
Inventory (Lenz): 1 Bow, 1 Shears, 2 Levers, 1 Flint and Steel, 1 Stone Button, 5 Redstone Torches, 9 Redstone Repeaters, 3 Redstone Comparators, 28 Redstone, 18 Blocks of Redstone, 2 Hoppers, 3 Pistons, 2 Sticky Pistons, 21 Cobblestone, 1 Minecart, 1 Compass, 25 Gunpowder, 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Green], 1 Chainmail Chestplate, 1 Chainmail Leggings, 1 Chainmail Boots, 44 Arrows, 18 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 16 Sugar Cane, 18 Cooked Chicken, 8 Paper, 5 Ink Sacs, 3 Leather, 9 Emeralds, 1 Book {Airship Piloting 101}, 1 Book {Notebook}, 1 Book {How to Kill Stuff for Numb Nuts}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Daymonte Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Jolin Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}
[EXP: 12]
Inventory (Soul): 1 Diamond Axe, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 64 Iron Ingots, 57 Iron Ingots, 12 Gold Ingots, 1 Milk, 1 Diamond Helmet, 1 Diamond Chestplate, 1 Diamond Leggings, 1 Diamond Boots, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Bed, 1 Furnace, 1 Anvil, 35 Torches, 1 Splash Potion of Strength II {1:07}, 1 Splash Potion of Swiftness {1:07}, 1 Splash Potion of Invisibility {2:15}, 1 Splash Potion of Fire Resistance {2:15}, 37 Dirt, 64 Cobblestone, 34 Cobblestone, 50 Coal, 38 Jungle Wood Planks, 48 Emeralds, 55 Steak, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Jolin Entry Pass}, {Ringwood Entry Pass}
[EXP: 48]
Inventory (Jade): 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV], 1 Iron Sword, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 25 Baked Potatoes, 23 Cooked Porkchops, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 24 Coal, 36 Torches, 38 Jungle Wood Planks, 64 Cobblestone, 29 Cobblestone, 16 Obsidian, 1 Water Bucket, 1 Bucket, 1 Compass, 1 Clock, 17 Emeralds, 1 Ender Chest, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Jolin Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Dover Plains}, 1 Paper {Lazuli Entry Pass}
[EXP: 25]
Inventory (Noman): 1 Diamond Chestplate {Severe Shield}, 1 Diamond Sword [Sharpness I], 1 Black Shield {Slight Shield} [Blue Cross], 1 Bow [Infinity], 34 Birch Wood Planks, 35 Iron Ingots, 19 Sticks, 13 Torches, 1 Bucket, 1 Crafting Table, 7 Beetroots, 8 Bread, 40 Cooked Mutton, 1 Birch Fence, 1 Bed, 1 Book {Notch Mission II}, 1 Book {Artifact List}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Book {The Art of Peace}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Dover Plains Entry Pass}, 1 Map {Dover Plains}, 1 Map {Mesa}, 1 Compass, 64 Arrows, 2 Glass Bottles, 5 Sugar, 7 Enchanted Golden Apples, 1 Diamond Helmet, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Blue] {Weak}, 1 Diamond Leggings, 1 Diamond Boots, 64 Emeralds, 64 Emeralds, 64 Emeralds, 60 Emeralds, 2 Bones
[EXP: 7]
Beetroot the Horse
AN: The stage has been set... sort of.
How will Cobb and company save Princess Alaqua from the Berserkers?
I'll let you know as soon as I type it out.
Believe it or not, I consider this Arc filler.
As always, Review, Fav, Follow, what have you.