The Tale of a Garason Meister Part II

By Bram Roding

Three months after the events of Part I, Reidara is becoming acquainted with his new title. Yet, within the city stirs protests as many do not accept the aeran as meister. In an effort to gain favor with the people, Reidara attempts to prove himself within the annual Games of Garason.

Meanwhile the clues about the strange cube, found after the battle three months ago, are slowly coming together. The meisters initiate an investigation but quickly realize they are not the only interested party.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781326103538

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The Tale of A Garason Meister

Part II

Respect

The Tale of a Garason Meister

Part II

Respect

Bram Roding

Schrijver: Bram Roding

Coverontwerp: Bram Roding

© Bram Roding

This book is dedicated to those people who have given me all the inspiration.

Craig

Susan

Allecia

Amanda

Lynn

Grant

John

Sisa

Kevin

~ Chapter  One ~

The Tarigat Prisoner

"Helping others because it makes you feel good is not selfish; it is the meaning of selflessness. Quasar told me that. I had a difficult time letting that sink into my mind. I understood its meaning, of course I did, I’m not a half-wit, but as people asked for my help I started to wonder whether I would gain from it or not. At first I felt bad about it and realized I only helped those who could possibly help me in the future. It changed though, in these past three months.

It took some getting used to, bearing the title of meister. I expected the folk of the city to recognize me upon every turn but in my first weeks I still felt like a common citizen as people passed me without even greeting me. Not that I want them to kneel for me, of course not, but being a meister… I just expected a little more… respect. Even now, three months later things haven’t changed much. I still feel like a stranger when I wander around the city. I’ve engaged in countless of activities wherein I assisted the folk with their troubles, mostly to make my face known to them but also to assure my reputation to be a good one. Regardless… when they look at me, the citizens, I sometimes recognize the glares. It’s like I’m back in Aeraenas all over again.

In any case, right now I am with Meister Haydes and Liath Terrastamp from the Kurotenshi clan upon a ship sailing towards Tarigat in the Mizuna cluster. Venus came to me asking for aid as one of her clan members seemed to have gone missing. His last known message came from close to Tarigat thus there is where our search starts. The harbor city, along with the entire island, is owned by the Del Hanza family. They are not what you call friendly neighbors. While the Mizuna cluster should be under the rule of the ladies from House Mizuna, the Del Hanza’s have many islands under their control due to their ever growing wealth. Apparently the family is notorious for its business in various illegal trades. It owns a great lot of gold mines on the many islands but is most of all infamous for its trading in slaves. So we sail into the lion’s den; Cape Del, entrance to the waters of Slaver’s Lane."

The trading vessel with blank sails had passed the check of the stern dock master. He carried no armor nor weapons as his stoic glance seemed to be his only weapon. But it soon became clear that the real danger lied beyond the man. Men in thick plated armor and golden capes placed over their shoulders. Their helmets reached high and sharp, like a shark’s fin while their hand was ever wrapped around the hilt of their thin swords. Upon their chest was a crab’s claw with a drawing of the world between its pincers, it was the sigil of the Del Hanza’s. Our Grip is Tight is their saying.

Hidden beneath their hoods and covered by their cloaks; Reidara, Haydes and Liath slithered past the guards and merged with the masses of commoners on the dirt road that led them into the depths of the town. Cramped and narrow is what one might call it. The homes were small and built tightly against one another, looking as though as less money as possible were spent to build them.

The trio from Garason witnessed how the slaves, bound in chains around their necks, hands and ankles, were rudely pushed in a row and presented to the wealthy that walked these streets. They did not live here, not among the commoners who didn’t appear to be living in better conditions than the slaves. Their clothes, their skin, their hair… they all signaled the poverty, even to those blessed enough to afford a home.

All of it was overshadowed by the large stone towers visible from anywhere in the town. The structures were built in the flank of the mountain rising on the northern side of town. The home of the one overseeing operations in Tarigat, one of three Del Hanza brothers who run the empire of their father: Han Del Hanza.

The shimarian meister unveiled himself in front of the gates of the train station that would led into the caves beneath the towers. The Gadotellos, the personal guard force of the Del Hanza, recognized him for the entrepreneur the meister faked to be and allowed him and his ‘servants’ passage in the residence of Ronald Del Hanza, youngest of the three brothers.

The train had come to a halt inside the moisture caves and Haydes was guided onto the platform and towards the steam powered elevators. 

‘Good morning, sir. My name is Zaxiis, Mister Del Hanza’s personal aide. And you are?’

‘Vermillion’ replied Haydes.

‘Vermillion, ah yes…’ the person, shimarian by the looks of it, turned towards Reidara and Liath. ‘…and these are?’ The aeran meister frowned upon the tone in which he asked. With his eyes half closed and chin tilted upwards it felt demeaning. As if their mere appearance wasn’t good enough for him.

‘These are my assistants.’ said Haydes quickly. ‘Marty and Luna.’

‘Very well…’ said the other shimarian. ‘…if you would follow me.’

He turned around and walked strode the elevator while Haydes casually followed him when Reidara pulled his shirt.

‘Marty?! Are you serious!?’ whispered Reidara indignant.

‘First thing that popped in my head.’ replied Haydes with a mild shrug. Liath didn’t seem to be bothered; she thought Luna was actually quite nice. The dwarven girl seemed like a child compared to the men walking around her.

The three of them entered the elevator and patiently waited until it started taking them up into the fortress. It was a long ride to the top, Through the noise of the steam powered engine, Reidara often glanced at the backside of the shimarian servant as he wondered what his name was. When the elevator stopped the gates swiftly opened and the trio entered a wide corridor that paved the way further into the fortress. The shimarian immediately turned right as he said,

‘Please, follow me. I will lead you to the guest room.’

The stone hallway felt cold and eerie. Torches with wavering fires hung from the walls and were the only source of light within these corridors. On their way to the guest room, the meister passed small doors, seemingly like entrances to tiny prison cells and Reidara could not help but wonder what was behind them. Torture chambers, maybe? The aeran could imagine a crime lord like Ron Del Hanza torturing his enemies in his own… fortress. Fortress… Reidara repeated the word in his mind and thought this place looked more like a dungeon than a fortress.

‘This is it. Please wait inside while I inform my master of your arrival.’

‘Thank you.’ said Haydes solemnly as he stepped inside. A small hall with a long rectangular table surrounded by a dozen chairs and on the far end tiny windows in the thick stone that let in bits of light. Reidara approached the nearest chair and dropped himself, uttering a sigh.

‘I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Shouldn’t we have just gone as meisters instead of this cloak-and-dagger routine?’

Haydes pressed his finger against his mouth, beckoning Reidara to lower the tone of his voice. ‘No.’ he then said with a scoff. ‘Coming here as meisters would give Ronald Del Hanza the immediate hint we want something from him. I guarantee you, he will exploit that in the blink of an eye.’

Haydes then walked back towards the door and took a peek into the dark hallway, scanning the environment for any guard activity.

‘Alright, it’s your turn now.’ he told Liath upon which she pushed her hands together and whispered marial words. Moments later she turned to stone and split herself in two. The rocky skin vanished and one of the two dwarves advanced on Haydes and slithered past the shimarian meister. ‘Remember, keep silent and stay low!’ The dwarf gave Haydes a skeptical glance. ‘Sorry.’

‘I’ll get it done.’ she said curtly and disappeared into the depths of the fortress. 

The servant entered a spacious room decorated to beam a sense of prestige. Golden laced curtains and furniture designed by carpenters with the skill to ask a significant price. A few guards stood around at the various entrances to and out of the room. On the large curtains on the opposite side of the room was painted a silhouette of a man, dressing himself but stopped when he heard his servant approaching.

‘Master, your guests have arrived and are awaiting an audience… with you.’

The man continued dressing and after mere seconds he was done and threw the curtains open, revealing himself. He wore robes laced with golden threads, short combed hair and pointy mustache and goatee, bearing an everlasting appraising glance. He threw the cloth behind his waist and revealed the many layers of fabric his garment contained. It was obvious from the first glance that this man was not muscular. He glanced with narrowed eyes towards his servant.

‘Guests? I do not recall inviting anyone… are you certain?’

‘Yes, my lord. His name is Vermillion, the shimarian who came to trade wares of shimarian origins.’

Ron Del Hanza descended the small steps leading up to his sleeping quarters and hummed a few times while scratching his chin.

‘Yes, I remember.’ said the Del Hanza with disinterest and kept pacing through the spacious room until he stopped and turned towards his servant. ‘What is he like?’

‘He appears to be honorable and of decent lineage. He’s accompanied by two servants, one a dwarf the other an aeran.’

Ron Del Hanza chuckled contemptuous and approached the end table with a jug and several cups. He poured himself a cup of wine.

‘Odd trio, wouldn’t you say?’

‘Yes, my lord.’

Ron approached another end table with a bowl of fruit and enjoyed himself on the small delights that were freshly placed that same morning.

‘Bring him here.’ he ordered.

In the guest room, Haydes had walked towards the far end and was looking out the small windows. He had a clear view over the town harbor and felt anxious about Liath’s chances of success.

‘I take it is quite normal for a high and mighty crime lord to make his guests wait this long?’ asked Reidara as he approached his fellow meister.

‘Only if he thinks we’re boring…’ replied Haydes as he turned to the aeran with a witty smile. ‘…or if he suspects we’re hiding something.’ he added jokingly.

‘Really?’ asked Reidara nervously.

‘Don’t worry… despite the fact that he’s a powerful man, Ronald is actually quite the coward. If our meeting is ever going to take place, It won’t be a long one.’

‘Well, the longer he makes us wait the more time Liath has.’

‘True.’ chuckled Haydes while he glanced outside the window once more.

Meanwhile Liath skittishly travelled the length of the many corridors and sought a way downwards. On the far end of the hall were the spiral stairs going down but the dwarf had her doubts.

‘I don’t suppose they’ve got signs saying dungeon hanging somewhere?’ she whispered to herself and swiftly tip-toed towards the far end of the hall and glanced down into the darkness of the staircase. To Liath it seemed likely the dungeon would be in a dark and gloomy place, so she went for it and headed downwards.

Zaxiis entered the guest room and Reidara and Haydes immediately turned around.

‘Mr. Vermillion, my master will see you now. If you would follow me, please.’ said Zaxiis calmly. The meisters swiftly approached him while Zaxiis stepped aside and allowed them to leave the room first.

Reidara and Liath passed him casually without giving anything much thought, but Haydes met with the glance of his fellow shimarian which gave rise to ill feelings. It was only a minute or two until the trio reached Ron Del Hanza’s room. As they entered the luxurious quarters of the crime lord, more men had joined his presence. Gadotellos stood at the exits of the room and aside from Zaxiis, there seemed to be two more servants, serving the crime lord personally. A slim aeran and a broad Parugian orc.

Ronald sat at the head of the dining table, drinking his wine and enjoying himself with a variety of fruits on the plate in front of him. He hung in the chair rather than sitting and gave his guests little to no attention. The crime lord wavered his hand, beckoning his guest to join him at the table.

Haydes slowly moved forward and sat down at the corner of the long table, close to Ronald Del Hanza himself. Reidara and Liath were beckoned to stay behind him, servants do not get to sit.

‘So, who might you be?’ Ronald asked bluntly.

‘Vermillion Karandras, businessman and a man of nobility within the Shimurin regions.’ replied Haydes, mimicking a posh accent.

‘So you say. Tell me, to what reason do I owe your visit, Mr. Karandras?’

‘I have a proposition from which both of us can profit----significantly.’ emphasized Haydes. One of Ronald’s servant poured him a cup of wine as well while Ronald offered Haydes to eat from the bowls of fruits as well.

‘Go on.’ commanded Ron.

‘As you no doubt have concluded, I am of shimarian descent. Within my own community I hold a high status, something you might regard as nobility. This grants me a grand array of privileges, such as access to items of great value. I am speaking of historical relics, stemming from various shimarian bloodlines. They be jewelry, weapons of special making, ornaments, apparel and even paintings. Objects that are considered important heritage to the shimarian race and are not to leave Shimurin under any circumstance.’ Haydes paused and intentionally took his time to pick a fruit and take a solemn bite. ‘I believe you understand as to where I am heading with this.’

Ronald studied the shimarian as he looked away and ate the fruit. The Del Hanza himself fidgeted with a grape between his fingers while a mischievous smirk covered his face.

‘Do you?’ he asked tauntingly.

‘Yes.’ replied Haydes impassively.

‘You are under the assumption that I have interest in these cultural items.’ said Ron with a demeaning tone.

‘Not the items themselves.’ Haydes quickly added. ‘Only in the value, thus the potential earnings from their sales.’

‘Ah…’ Ronald breathed. ‘…now we are on the same page. For a moment I believed you foolish enough to think I cared for ornaments or paintings.’

‘Of course not. I know you speak but one language.’ Haydes jested. It got him a swift glance from the Del Hanza, who wasn’t sure if he was being sneered at or not. ‘I understand the ‘reach’ of the Del Hanza family extends quite far. I’m sure you would have no problem shipping these wares to any willing to buy.’

A moment of silence followed. All eyes were aimed at Haydes while Ron Del Hanza sighed deeply.

‘…and in return?’ asked Ron but the shimarian meister remained quiet… ‘Well… Mr. Karandras?’

‘Sixty percent of the profits.’ said Haydes blunt.

Ron immediately scoffed and chuckled. ‘Bold, Mr. Karandras, very bold.’ Ron sat straight and picked a branch of grapes apart, throwing them into his mouth one by one.

‘If you wish to use my network for your business, I’ll give you no more than ten percent of the profits.’

‘I had a feeling you would say that.’ said Haydes.

‘Oh really?’

‘That’s why I am prepared to go lower---but not ten percent I’m afraid. Fifty/fifty would seem fairer, don’t you agree? We both invest, we both have a risk.’

‘I fear, Mr. Karandras, that the distribution of supposed prohibited items outside Shimurin outweighs your risk of having to smuggle them from your homeland. As you yourself said, being a noblemen makes that easy for you. Should I engage in this deal, it would expand the chain of distribution. And while I am no friends with the shimarians, I am not their enemy either. I, along with my brothers, would like to keep it the way.’ Ron paused. He stood up from the chair and took a few steps through the room. ‘My family already has one party breathing down their neck, the ladies of House Mizuna see to that. Were I to distribute your products, I would no doubt find myself dealing with many more added to that list.’ 

Haydes chuckled. ‘I suppose that’s true. shimarians are quite---tender when it comes to culture. Very well… forty-five percent?’

Ronald shook his head and smiled contemptuous. ‘You do not seem to get it, Mister Karandras. Look around you, do you see me in need of more profit? The fact to the matter is, I have no need for your wares. Rather it is you who is in need of my network. But why, Mister Karandras, why would I make a deal with you if you haven’t got anything of value to offer in return?’ Ronald laughed crudely as he returned to his seat. ‘You came to negotiate with nothing of value. You are a poor businessman, Mister Karandras.’

In the dungeons, a small girl came down from the spiral stairs and entered the empty hallways. In front of her was a three-way passage, two large halls on the left and right and in front of her a wooden door reinforced by a steel frame. From afar she could hear moaning and grunting and sometimes an occasional scream. She felt the chills running through her spine as she moved forward towards the door. Liath carefully twisted the handle and pushed it forward. Thankfully the door was recently oiled and made no loud screeches that would alert anyone. A long hallway, with on either sides prison cells. Liath smiled a bit mischievously as she realized she made it to the dungeons. She tip-toed the distance of the room and looked from left to right into the prison cells.

What she saw was weakened prisoners wearing only a simple piece of cloth. They were laying on their bed, crawling over the stone cold floor… it was a revolting sight. The prisoners were in pain and some were hardly conscious at all. The dark dungeons, merely lit by a few burning torches, gave a most barbaric impression. The short girl had never witnessed something like this before, not even in the dark places she’s been to. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted when she passed a prison cell with a person laying on his bed, on his side and facing the wall. He snored without care as though he were in his own bed enjoying a nap after a hard day’s work.

Liath frowned at the sight and could only think how typical this was. She recognized him immediately and was hardly surprised by the leisurely behavior the unconscious man presented. The dwarf picked the lock and stepped inside his prison cell, approaching the sleeping ‘beauty’.

‘Psst, wake up…’ she whispered but no response was given. ‘Tarlach… wake up.’ she whispered for the second time, but again no response was given until he started to moan something.

‘Hmm… just… a little longer… hmm.’

Liath’s face beamed impatience while Tarlach continued to sleep peacefully. A foot was slowly raised in the air and suddenly kicked him against the wall.

‘Wake up!’ said Liath loudly to which the dark haired man grunted and moaned.

‘Ah! What’s the big deal? Can’t a guy get some rest?’ 

‘Get up! We’re leaving.’

‘Oh! Liath! What’s up?’

‘The sun, now come on---we’ve got to get going.’

‘Why? I was having a nice dream.’

‘I came to break you out, that’s why!’

‘Break me out…?’ Tarlach glanced around with his drowsy eyes and scratched his head carelessly. His black hair sprouted towards all sides and gave him both a dazed and goofy appearance. ‘Oh, that’s right, I’m in a prison.’

‘Glad you noticed! Haydes and Reidara are keeping the bad guys busy so we can escape.’

‘Reidara? Who’s that?’

‘No time, let’s go!’ said Liath while she pulled Tarlach with her into the hall. When she wanted to turn towards the door she came from, Tarlach shook himself loose.

‘Wait, we have to find Tanisha.’

The dwarf suddenly stopped and glanced bewildered towards the goofy looking young man.

‘Tanisha? She’s here as well?!’

‘Yes, silly… we travelled together, I thought I mentioned that to Venus.’ Liath slammed her hand on her face, moaned and sighed.

‘Perfect…’ she said sarcastically.

‘Alas, you may be right.’ said Haydes pretentiously as he met with Ronald Del Hanza’s gaze. ‘I am fairly new at this. You see, back in Shimurin I may be of nobility, but my existence there is quite bleak. I am one among the many and my everyday existence is of no significance. I long craved for some excitement, thus I turned my eyes on the outside world. Of course, I had never been in the outside world. Where was I to look for this excitement. I went to the orcs, to the aerans, to the--.’

‘-enough.’ interrupted Ronald agitated. ‘I have no interest in your life story, Mister Karandras. Either take the ten percent or leave. I will even be generous enough to grant you a parting gift as long as that keeps you from wasting my time any further.’

‘And what would that be?’

‘Look around you, what do you see?’ Ronald asked, but Haydes was left confused. His eyes fell onto the spacious room and all the decorations. Expensive furniture, porcelain tableware, what did Ronald mean?

‘You speak of something in this room?’

‘I speak of people!’ Ronald exclaimed. ‘My servants are of the finest quality. They are healthy, of a young age, well disciplined and not entirely dim witted.’ The Del Hanza raised himself once more and circled around Zaxiis, the shimarian servant, Ellan, the aeran servant and Boxtar, the orcish servant. ‘These are obviously mine, but I have more individuals---prisoners---waiting to be trained. ’ Ronald clipped his fingers and sent Zaxiis away. Meanwhile the Del Hanza brother sat down and faced Haydes again. ‘One slave and ten percent of the profits from the sales of the wares you will provide. That is me in my most generous of moods, I assure you, Mister Karandras.’

Haydes hummed, pretending to be humbled and interested. But there was an objective to be achieved here and what was needed was time.

‘Tell me, Mister Del Hanza, where do these slaves come from?

‘It has caught your interest, then?’

‘Quite. Before I agree to the deal, I would like to see your stock. I should think it fair that I am allowed to choose the servant. They are but prisoners to you now, worthless unless trained. In fact, by giving one away to me I save you the cost and burden of having to train one. At least let me choose then.’

Ronald laughed bitterly. He felt an anger crawl over his skin, but bulked his fist and sucked it up.

‘You know how to test someone’s patience, Mister Karandras. Very well.’ said Ronald and beckoned the shimarian to stand and walk towards the door on the far end of the room. But as Haydes took the first steps, Ronald motioned his hand towards the guards. The armored men drew their swords and swiftly boxed the two meisters and the dwarf in.

Utterly surprised, they stood frozen and heard Ronald take slow sluggish steps as he circled around the trio. He placed his hands on his back and approached Haydes.

‘Did you actually believe… or were you truly naïve enough to think… I would be fooled so easily… Haydes. Veserris?’ The shimarian followed Ron merely with his eyes while the crime lord circled around him. ‘As a meister, I deemed you to be wiser than to come here with such a weak cover. What would you have accomplished should I have accepted your offer? Was it perhaps your objective to set up a fake network in order to prove my criminal activities and put me to justice?’ Ron stood in front of Haydes again and glanced in the shimarian’s eyes. ‘Fool! Garason cannot put me to justice, you have no authority here! What grants you the right to justify me?!’

‘And you call me a fool?’ said Haydes spry. ‘What makes you think we care about putting you to justice?’ asked the meister while Ron kept glaring at him for a few seconds more. Suddenly he chuckled and smiled ominously while he turned around and walked back to his ‘throne’.

‘Of course. I did not expect Quasar Roharran to be that stupid. Then---then there can only be two other things you’re after. One you can’t possibly know about and the other reason seems more far more likely.’

Ron sat down on his throne and looked directly at the two meisters.

‘A little over two weeks ago, my guards arrested a couple from Garason. A man and a woman…’ Haydes furrowed his brows. ‘Yes, the man was rather witty at that. Always wanted to have the last word and just didn’t seem to shut up, rather annoying really. The woman however, seemed a lot more sensible. Frightened too, as she seemed to realize what he did not. We interrogated them for a while and when I first thought they were a couple, I soon learned they were actually siblings. Tanisha and Tarlach were their names, I believe, of the respected Terranet family. Imagine my surprise when I heard that.’

The two meisters could not hide the sudden bewilderment that struck them.

‘You look surprised, Mister Veserris. Have I just revealed your actual goal?’ Ron smiled mischievously and looked sideways only to nod towards one of the guards. He opened a small door on the far side of the room and through it came Zaxiis holding a beat-up woman with long silky black hair. She was hardly able to walk and was bluntly thrown in front of Ron Del Hanza. As soon as Haydes laid eyes on the woman he recognized her.

‘Tanisha, welcome.’ said Ron. ‘Look up, my dear and please tell me the names of the people you see behind you.’

Weakened and fragile, Tanisha raised her head and turned around. She gasped at the sight of Haydes’ face but she didn’t recognize Reidara.

‘H–Haydes?!’ gasped the girl to which Ron chuckled and stood up from his throne.

‘Very good.’ he said as he walked up to Tanisha and gently placed his hand on her head. It was a revolting sight… like a master and a slave. Haydes was all too familiar with Ronald’s habits. The meister had the urge to intervene but if he moved he would immediately sign Reidara’s and Liath’s death warrant. Zaxiis held a knife tightly to the aeran’s throat, disabling him to do a thing while Liath stood frozen.

‘What do you say we make this a proper reunion, huh?’ said Ron and glanced at the guards near the door at the far end of the room. ‘Get the brother!’

At that same moment the doors from whence Zaxiis entered opened once more and through it flew a condensed black sphere that exploded in the midst of the group. Black smoke filled the room and obscured the view of everyone inside while someone bellowed,

‘Already here!’ It was Tarlach accompanied by Liath. The dwarven girl guided the goofy human towards his sister while her clone dispersed into tiny pebbles and spread across the stone floor. Haydes swiftly turned around and pushed Ellan away from Reidara with a powerful blast of red maari.

‘This way!’ the shimarian meister bellowed towards his companions and swiftly ran outside the room. Tarlach and Liath helped Tanisha get up and barely avoided the attack from Zaxiis as his purple maari crashed into the stone wall.

Ron coughed away the dust as he tried to stand. He raised his head towards the door and saw his prisoners escaping. The rage filled his mind and he immediately cried at his servants, ‘AFTER THEM!’

Zaxiis, being the fastest of the three, immediately engaged the pursuit after the escapees while Tarlach lifted his sister and took her in his arms.

The group ran into the halls, nearly stumbling over one another. Haydes took the lead but the meister had little knowledge of where to go. He knew the entrance to be close, but that would lead them to an elevator. A box that would sluggishly move downwards, giving the enemy ample time to prepare for their arrival down below. By the Six, no, thought Haydes. Then Tarlach advanced on the meister while he carried his sister in his arms.

‘This way!’ he yelled. Before the shimarian meister could respond, a bolt of maari flew past the group and smashed into the walls.

‘His servants are---marilons.’ Tarlach added wheezing. ‘Who would’ve thought, huh?’

‘That’s just terrific.’ mumbled Haydes. ‘Where---where are you leading us to?’ he asked with a doubtful tone. The meister knew all too well the goof from Kurotenshi with the wild black hair.

‘The exit of course, where else?’

‘You better be!’

Another jet of maari flung past the group spiriting through the halls. Zaxiis was close behind them, joined by the aeran and Parugian servant. All three of them occasionally tried to fling a spell towards the fleeing interlopers, but every time one came close, Liath was quick to act and raised a shield to protect her and her comrades. Some still managed to pass her as it proved difficult to run and conjure maari at the same time.

‘They will---ca-catch up with us.’ Reidara stated, chasing his breath.

‘Reid, Liath, stop!’ Haydes commanded upon which the dwarf and the aeran came to a sluggish halt. Confusion washed over Tarlach and he was about to come to an halt as well when Haydes tilted towards him. ‘Go! Go, go, go! We’ll be right behind you.’

‘S-Suit yourself!’

Haydes tapped his aeran comrade’s shoulder upon which Reidara met with a wondering glance.

‘I need a hand.’ Haydes opened the palm of his and ignited a sphere of fire. The confusion within Reidara washed away. ‘Right.’ He said when opening his own hand and shaping a sphere of water. The two meisters suddenly turned towards each other and high-fived the spheres. Upon the collision an explosion of steam engulfed the halls and shrouded the meisters and the dwarf in a white veil.

‘Your turn, Liath.’ whispered Haydes.

‘Don’t pay attention to it!’ exclaimed Zaxiis as he covered himself with his arm. ‘They’re just distracting us. Keep moving!’ The three marilon servants advanced and hastened their pace as they ran straight through the wall of steam. Their clothes and skin caught tiny drops of water while the rise in temperature turned the hall clammy. Gradually the trio was able to see further and further until they witnessed Reidara, Haydes and Liath run through the doorway on the far end and enter the staircases.

Ellan advanced first and took resolute steps forward. His attention was suddenly grasped by a bright light emitting from beneath his feet. A rune of bright violet beamed beneath him and drew a circular symbol around the aeran. The dread on his face betrayed what it meant. A bright flash followed, the aeran cried out while his two comrades burst through the steam in time to see him turn into dozens of particles and disappear.

‘Careful!’ Zaxiis exclaimed. ‘Sealing maari… there could be more.’

‘Yes.’ grunted the orc. ‘I concluded that too.’ he added with an agitated tone.

Haydes, Reidara and Liath spirited down the rectangular staircase, following Tarlach’s indiscreet exclaiming of where he was. Upon making it down the ground floor and rushing through the short tunnel, the company ended up at another set of train tracks.

Workers and Gado’s stood around and spotted the wheezing group of individuals. The armored men drew their swords and slowly marched over when their attention was suddenly drawn towards the ceiling. The bells run, loudly and sharply. It was an alarm. The eyes of the meisters momentarily met with the scowls of the Gadotellos. But when the armored men advanced forward, both Haydes and Reidara reached out and blasted the guards with a strong force of their respective maari nature. Fire and water was flung around and the threat seized. The short but violent display of power put a fright in the workers around and caused them to flee as fast as they could.

‘Well, that’s nice of them.’ Tarlach mumbled casually.

‘What is this!?’ bellowed Haydes bewildered, glancing upon the locomotive attached to at least ten other units full of cargo.

‘This is a train!’ yelled Tarlach.

‘This is the wrong train…’ remarked Reidara, surprisingly composed.

‘What? A train is a train!’

‘This is a cargo train! Going inland!’ Haydes exclaimed.

‘Don’t worry, the terminus is at a harbor… it’s just a little further than Tarigat itself.

‘We can’t afford to take the scenic route! We need to get off the island as quickly as possible!’

‘Relax! This is the best way, trust me. The harbor you came from is crawling with Gadotellos by now.’ said Tarlach as he casually approached the front end of the train, still carrying his sister. ‘This way is much safer.’ He climbed into the cabin, put his sister gently against the inner side of the hull and checked the train’s controls. The two meisters and the dwarf climbed in as well, be it with motions that beamed hesitation and distrust towards the young adult standing at the controls. He fidgeted with the panels and levers like a child who wanted to know what every part was for.

‘Step away, Tarlach. You know nothing of trains!’ Liath sneered.

‘You give me too little credit, Lithy, I happen to know a thing or two about---ahem---dwarven mechanics. Can you say the same?’

‘More than you think.’ Liath said curtly. Then Haydes moved in between the two and met with Tarlach’s gloating face.

‘Fight another day, would you? Get this thing moving.’

‘Aye Captain Haydes, sir! Train is loaded and ready to go!’ exclaimed Tarlach as he saluted in front of the shimarian meister.

‘Well then, what are we waiting for?’ murmured Haydes and glanced upon the coal used to keep the engine running. The locomotive sputtered and sounds of metal clashing and clinging echoed through the cave, giving the meisters an uncertain foreboding. The machine slowly began to move forward, steadily gaining speed.

Haydes squatted in front of Tanisha

‘How’s she doing?’

‘She’s unconscious but she’ll be fine. I know my sister, she can take a beating.’ said Tarlach.

‘So where does this train go, exactly?’ asked Haydes.

‘The other side of the island, to Port Hanza.’

‘Port Hanza?’ repeated Haydes skeptically. ‘What the Six was that about Tarigat crawling with Gado’s? You think Port Hanza isn’t?!’

‘Oh, I’m sure it will be.’ replied Tarlach casually. ‘But none that will be looking for us.’

Haydes strode towards the back end of the locomotive and glanced at the carts attached behind. The shimarian’s eyes swept over them and landed upon the sight of the train slowly touching the light of the outside.

‘That’ll be a matter of time. Surely they’ll come after us.’ Then the meister spotted the parallel track. ‘…then again…’ he muttered.

The train left the caverns beneath the fortress and headed out into the swamps behind the mountain. All of Tarigat was almost one giant swamp. The coastline is covered with solid rocks and often ranges of mountains peeking into the sky, but inland one will travel through the habitat of the reptiles and amphibians. A few people live in the swamps as it is the only place the Del Hanza’s don’t bother to go. For the crime family, the swamps hold no value.

But living within this region is not without risk. Aside from the giant vultures soaring the sky and the countless of venomous snakes, the swamps have said to be the home of the Harquarians. Amphibians that know how to speak the common tongue. They do not, however, take kindly to visitors of their domain.

The train was speeding up and the escapees lost sight of the mountain behind the horizon. Haydes was at the controls glancing forward out the tiny windows at the front of the engine cabin, with Reidara and a still unconscious Tanisha at his side. Tarlach, however, was one that could not sit still for long. His curiosity got the best of him and against Haydes’ warning he had climbed upon the cargo units to see what the train was carrying. He stood on top of the first unit while the wind violently travelled along the back of his head and through his hair. He glanced down into the unit and saw all kinds of raw materials. Copper, silver, iron… you name it and it was there.

The Del Hanza’s were renowned for their trades in metals. Though at first it might seem like a legitimate business, the trade of metals was merely the cover the Del Hanza’s used to keep low and ensure the security of their actual business.

Tarlach carefully climbed over the pile of metals and leaped onto the second unit. There was a large leather cover strapped over it and as the black haired goof tried to peak underneath he noticed the cover was strapped on too tightly for him to see. He carefully climbed down between the two units and started untying the knot. while still at the controls of the train, Haydes tilted his head backwards.

‘What is that numskull doing over there?’ he asked.

Tarlach unstrapped the knot and managed to loosen the cover. When fully untied, he threw the cover into the air against the hard winds upon which the other straps snapped and the entire cover blew from the unit into the wind. Reidara witnessed the yellow colored fabric fly away and frowned.

‘What the…’ he muttered.

Tarlach glanced down into the unit and the sight made his eyes widen like never before. He gasped at the sight beneath his feet.

‘Holy beaver on a stick! We’ve hit the mother lode!!’ Haydes turned around and looked confused as he heard the loud yell from behind. The shimarian acted upon his curiosity and accompanied Reidara and Liath into seeing what Tarlach found. Upon their arrival however, Haydes’ demeanor changed and felt an eerie warmth rising inside his body.

‘Oh dear Shimra… Oh boy…’ sighed Haydes. He placed his palm on his forehead and turned away, muttering in despair. ‘Not good… this is not good.’ Reidara glanced into the unit and saw the intense glimmer of the hundreds of golden bars stacked into the container sized unit. It was filled all the way to the top.

While the aeran meister looked a bit puzzled, Tarlach smiled like a child in a candy shop, unlike Haydes who seemed to have lost all hope.

‘This is awesome!! We’re rich!’ yelled Tarlach.

‘No, no we’re not. This---we shouldn’t have---by the Six.’ muttered Haydes.

‘What is this?’ asked Reidara. Haydes approached him and turned him towards the gold while pointing at it.

‘That. That is Del Hanza gold, their own currency.

‘This is good!’ said Tarlach all fired up. ‘We can hurt them by stealing their profits!’

‘No, Tarlach, no! Absolutely not! We are NOT poking the beehive any further than we already have. Gods, they might even think we’ve taken this train because of the gold while we only sought a way to escape! Have you any idea what this could mean?’

‘An angry Ronald Del Hanza, I guess.’ replied Tarlach leisurely.

‘Exactly! Which is not good! He and his brothers have more than enough gold to buy them an army that could swallow Garason whole. The only reason why they haven’t done it already is because it would cost them money. Trust me, however, that if you provoke them enough… they WILL spend it!’

‘Alright, alright. Calm down, geez. I get it. I wasn’t suggesting we steal it right in front of their eyes. We can easily take it without them ever knowing about it.’

‘What?’ replied Haydes indignantly. ‘Have you not heard a word of what I just said?’

‘Welcome to Kurotenshi’s daily suffering…’ muttered Liath.

‘What are you talking about?’ Reidara asked. He swiftly felt the appraising gaze of his shimarian comrade who told the aeran with his eyes not to encourage the goof of Kurotenshi’s Rest.

‘Space manipulation. I can transport the entire unit to someplace safe, someplace the Del Hanza’s will never find it.’

‘And then what? It’s Del Hanza gold!’ Haydes exclaimed. ‘You cannot spend it on the mainland. It would immediately give you away.’

‘It’s not for spending! Look at it, Haydes. It’s an entire freaking train unit of it! Who knows how much of it is really in there. It would seriously hurt them! Think about it. When they catch up with us, IF they catch up with us, they’ll encounter this train---without this unit. They can’t accuse us of stealing something that wasn’t here, can they? What do you expect they’ll think when they see the missing unit? That just the four of us dumped a unit, weighing over a ton, along the way?’ Tarlach scoffed. ‘C’mon, this is a good idea.’

‘I-uh-I think he kinda has a point there, Haydes.’ added Reidara. The shimarian meister sighed deeply and hummed while he glanced down onto the gold and frowned heavily, pushing his eyebrows against each other like two waves crashing into each other.

‘It will make this train go a lot faster too, you know.’ added Liath while she attempted to lift one of the gold bars. She grunted loudly as she was barely able to lift it from the unit. Haydes suddenly turned around and faced Tarlach.

‘How long will it take you?’

‘To teleport it? Well, normally it would only take me a minute or three, but we’re in motion so I’ll have more difficulty locking onto the mass. About---ten minutes, fifteen at most, I suppose.’

‘Alright. Do it.’ said Haydes resolutely. Tarlach smiled broadly and turned around towards the unit. He sat down in a meditative position and pushed his palms against each other.

‘Liath, you stay here and watch over him. Reidara, get back to the engine cabin and watch over Tanisha for me. I’ll go towards the last unit and see if anyone’s on our tail.’ They all nodded at Haydes’ orders and went their separate ways.

While the shimarian meister jumped over the unit full of gold bars, a purple glow began to surround it. The intensity of the beam increased slowly as Tarlach focused his mind on the large mass. Reidara climbed back into the engine cabin, glanced once more at the unconscious Tanisha and sighed.

‘I have a bad feeling about this.’ he muttered to himself. Then he suddenly witnessed Tanisha’s eyebrows twitch followed by soft moaning. Her hand slowly moved towards her head and pressed it tightly while opening her eyes.

‘Ow… what the…?’

Reidara quickly squatted and glanced in her eyes. ‘Hey, easy now, you alright?’ he asked.

‘Y–Yea… who are you?’ muttered Tanisha.

‘Reidara… we haven’t met before, but I’m a meister of Garason.’

‘Another one, huh? Where am I… where’s my brother?’

‘You’re on a train… we’re getting away from Tarigat and your brother is just up ahead on one of the units. Liath is with him and Haydes is even further up ahead.’

‘You rescued us?’

‘We did, yes, but we’ve still got to escape Ron Del Hanza’s fiery wrath, if you know what I mean.’

‘I see.’ mumbled Tanisha acknowledging the apparent threat and got back up on her feet. Reidara wanted to support her but she gestured to him everything was fine. She glanced towards the back of the train and saw a glimpse of her brother in the distance. ‘They’ll probably try to catch up with us.’

‘And then what?’ asked Tanisha concerned.

‘Haydes and I will have to show what meisters are made of…’ said the aeran as he casually smiled towards the girl who much resembled his friend Amisa, only with black hair instead of blonde.

Haydes stood near the edge of the last unit, glancing towards the landscapes the train left behind in a fast pace. He wore a serious demeanor and did not take his eyes off the track behind them. His browns went down upon seeing a faint glimmer in the distance. Seconds passed as the wind ravaged by his head while he was glaring in front of him like a statue.

‘Darn…’ he muttered as he identified the glimmer at the front of another train.

Haydes turned around and released a fire jet in the air towards Tarlach and Liath. It exploded mid-air and alerted the rest. Liath looked up while Tarlach remained still and focused on the spell with his eyes closed.

‘Blast.’ whispered Liath.

‘It’s starting.’ said Reidara towards Tanisha. ‘Can you fight?’ he asked her.

‘Yes.’

‘Alright… stay here, I’ll go to Haydes.’ said the aeran as he climbed upon the first unit and started making his way towards the end. He passed Liath and gestured she should stay put and guard Tarlach at all times. As he climbed further over the metals, the aeran meister witnessed the other train approaching on the parallel track, spurting steam and rushing ever closer.

As it ran parallel with the train of the escapees, Gadotellos appeared from in between the carts and made their up the roofs, awaiting the moment on where they could board. With them came the two servants that were left behind. Zaxiis the shimarian and Boxtar the Parugian orc. Their scowls landed on the two meisters at the rear end of the cargo train.

‘Here we go…’ whispered Haydes and met with Zaxiis eyes. The meister witnessed his enemy jump over and approach. Reidara saw Boxtar readying for the leap as well, but the aeran didn’t intend on waiting for it. As soon as the orc wanted to jump with his own group of Gadotellos, Reidara unleashed a wave of strongly condensed water and blasted them off-balance. Some fell between the trains but Boxtar was left unaffected by the water blast and landed near Reidara.

‘This is going to hurt…’ murmured the aeran to himself.

Zaxiis unsheathed his swords while he scowled towards his opponent once again. ‘We’ve some unfinished business, you and me.’ said the enemy shimarian.

‘So I heard.’ replied Haydes. He pulled out his blade and charged his foe. They engaged in close combat in the middle of the train unit while trying to maintain balance in the violent winds as the two trains kept on going.

Liath had her hands filled with the Gadotellos trying to make their up to the locomotive. The tiny girl had to use the best of her marial abilities to keep them at bay. One of the Gado’s managed to pass the girl and raced towards Tarlach. Liath quickly turned around and ran after him but she was too late to stop him until a blast of wind threw him off the train and smashed him against a swiftly incoming pole.

‘Ow! That has to hurt.’ Liath murmured with a grimace, but then witnessed Tanisha standing behind her brother with a thumb in the air. Liath nodded and made a swift twist around, facing the rest of the Gadotellos.

Reidara stood opposite of Boxtar, readying himself for close combat. He put his arms high above his head and appeared to prepare for a boxing match. Then the orc vaulted forward and put his shoulder forward. The aeran swiftly changed his stance and put his own shoulder forward as well. The two collided, but the strength of the orc was superior. Reidara caught most of his power but couldn’t prevent from being pushed back, further closing in on the edge of the unit.

The aeran dropped himself, releasing from the lock. Boxtar fell forward while Reidara leaped forward in the shadow of the large orc. The young meister landed a pair of swift punched into the stomach of the muscular figure which made him flinch and take several steps backwards. Reidara then switched back to a guarding stance, ready for the next struggle to come.

Zaxiis and pushed the shimarian meister away as he tried to land a swift kick onto him. Haydes managed to grab his foot before the attack was a success and then twisted it around, making Zaxiis fall down on the surface of the unit. Zaxiis swiftly leapt back onto his feet before Haydes could strike after which the two engaged in close combat. They swung their blades at each other in a high rate, stepping gently across the cover of the train. Haydes was bested and felt his feet kicked from underneath him. The meister lost balance upon which Zaxiis pushed him away and made the meister tumble down the side of the unit. Haydes swiftly grabbed onto the railing and regained balance before falling upon the tracks. As the winds ran past him with violent speeds, the meister moved across the side of the unit, further towards the front, away from his enemy.

The Parugian orc came at Reidara again. This time he took more care with his attack and watched the aeran’s movements closely while extending his arm, attempting to throw a quick punch at the meister. Reidara barely saw it coming. At the last swift moment, Reidara jerked out of the arm’s trajectory and then vaulted forward. He swung his arms underneath the orc’s arm to all the way behind his neck, locking the brute in a difficult position. Using the rest of his own weight, Reidara jumped and swung his legs forward, bringing the orc down onto the surface of the unit along with himself.

A grunt came from the Parugian. He would not submit easily. In the blink of a moment, he overpowered the young meister and climbed on top, looking down upon the aeran, casting a dark shadow over him. The orc was ready to bring his closed fist down upon his foe when Reidara retracted his legs and then thrusted them upwards towards Boxtar. Not to hit him, but to wrap around his arm and neck, locking the orc again, preventing him from executing his strike. The men grunted, gritted their teeth as one tried to break free and the other held on as tightly as possible.

The echo of a horn barely came through the loud rhythm of the clanging metal beneath everyone’s feet. Tanisha coiled back towards the front end of the train, casting her maari towards the Gadotellos who stood in her path. But what she saw in the distance made his skin stand up and send a chill down her spine. She immediately ran back to Liath and her brother.

‘I don’t know what the heck it is you’re doing, but you need to either stop or hurry up!’

‘I’m aware of the need to wrap this up, sis, thank you.’ sneered Tarlach. ‘Leave me be so I can do it! Just keep the Gado’s away for just a moment longer.’

‘I’m not talking about the Gadotellos! This train is bound for destruction. There’s one coming right at us!’

‘I’m sorry, what?’ cried Liath. Tanisha pointed towards the front of the train upon which the dwarf saw the front of another locomotive rushing ever closer, on the very same track. ‘They’ve gone mad!’

‘No…’ breathed Tanisha. ‘…we’re on the wrong track.’

Tarlach hummed carelessly. ‘Oh, yea… they’ve opposite directions here. I forgot about that.’ And for that, the shaggy-haired lad received a slap on the head.

‘Great work---again!’ Tanisha exclaimed.

‘Ow! Do you mind?! I’m trying to concentrate here!’

‘Yes, I mind! We need to get off.’

‘No, no, wait.’ Liath pleaded. ‘Give him some more time.’

Boxtar forced a taunting chuckle. ‘You know how to deal with a stronger opponents well, aeran!’

‘Tha-.’

‘-Reid! Legs down!’ exclaimed Haydes. Both the orc and the aeran laid eyes on the shimarian at the front end of the unit. Reidara swiftly followed the order and witnessed the swirl of fire that came afterwards. Boxtar was thrown off the aeran and onto the next unit.

‘T-Thanks.’ stammered Reidara while Haydes picked him up. But the orcish brute and his shimarian comrade made their way towards the two meisters again. Then the four of them were distracted by the ever increasingly loud sound of another horn. They too noticed the train heading towards them, bound for an inevitable collision. The incoming hulk of steel cried out a piercing screech as the brakes did their work.

‘Reid, behind!’ Haydes exclaimed and fired jets of maari towards the incoming marilon servants. The aeran meister swiftly joined him and together they succeeded in driving the duo backwards. They raised shields of maari, flinging their arms violently as they tried to deflect, but to no avail.

Then Haydes tapped Reidara’s shoulder and jerked his head towards the front of the train. Without having exchanged a word, the meister duo spirited their way towards the locomotive.

‘Tarlach!! How long?’ bellowed Haydes.

‘Just a few more seconds!’ replied Tarlach agitated, gritting his teeth while sweat poured down his temples.

The meisters came running in, wheezing. ‘Tanisha… go to the controls… and… and when I tell you to, hit the brakes. It’s a lever, a horizontal one. As soon as you pull it, get out and jump to the other train. Hurry’

‘Right!’ replied Tanisha resolutely and rushed towards the front end of the train.

‘Reid. Ge-.’

‘-I get it. I’m ready.’

Haydes bowed his head with a proud smirk. ‘Good.’ Then the smirk vanished. ‘Anytime now, Tarlach!’

‘A few more seconds!’ The shaggy-haired lad closed his eyes for a moment while pressing seconds passed. Haydes and Reidara witnessed the marilon servants moving ever closer. ‘Got it!’ Tarlach exclaimed and reached out his arms towards the unit full of gold which was now surrounded by a purple veil. ‘Engage, Yusora!’ he bellowed, followed by a swift flash and within mere moments the entire unit disappeared from the track into countless particles of dust that ultimately vanished. All the units behind it had come loose and slowly lost their speed while the distance between the parts of the train increased.

‘Now!’ commanded the shimarian meister. Reidara and Haydes both thrusted their hands forward and casted a thick pulse of pure maari at the newly made front end of the rest of the train. The impact forced the remaining units backwards, greatening the distance between them, thus between the marilon servants and the meisters. Haydes casted a jet of maari into Tanisha’s direction, after which she jerked the lever as hard as she could.

The screeching sounds of the brakes of both the incoming train and the train the company was on, echoed throughout the swampy plains of the southern island.

While the meisters and their comrades rushed over to the parallel train that was swiftly closing the opportunity to flee, the other trains came to a near stop before bumping into each other. The collision was loud, but the damage minimal. Zaxiis and Boxtar were left behind as they angrily witnessed their own transport receding into the distance.

‘Anyone hurt?’ Haydes asked his companions while they had gathered inside one of the units. They all swept their glances towards one another, but there seemed to be no major injuries. Liath pointed to a small cut she got from one of the Gadotellos, but shrugged it off as a scratch.

‘What now, Captain Haydes sir?’ Tarlach asked.

‘You’re asking me? Taking the scenic train was your idea.’

Tarlach hummed as the fact dawned on him again. He then swept his eyes throughout the inside of the cart and noticed the excessive amount of apparel and weaponry inside.

‘So much for the few men they send after us. What a waste… or is it?’ Through his shaggy hair, Tarlach eyed his companions with mischievous glances. Reidara approached one of the racks. ‘More dress-ups…’ he murmured tiredly. But before the aeran could take anything, Tarlach rushed towards him and stopped the meister.

‘No, no, no. I need you in a different role.’

The young meister furrowed his brows and felt ill forebodings as to what that meant.

‘You too, Liath. And Meister Haydes… if you will.’

‘What are you planning, Terranet?’ the meister asked suspiciously.

In an orderly fashion, the train entered the station of Port Hanza. There was a mild clamor present upon the station platform. Small groups of Gadotellos stood around, awaiting for their colleagues to emerge from the personnel units. What emerged was rather lackluster. From the front end, two Gadotellos emerged with a shimarian, a dwarf and an aeran in between. All three individuals were struck in chains, greatly diminishing their ability to move.

The Gadotello captain approached and curtly asked the two Gado’s what this was about. Tarlach, obscured by the plated armor, told him he was to take the prisoners to the harbor for transport. The Terranet sibling experienced a silent victory when the captain told him the route towards a vessel that was being prepared for such a trip.

A vessel of a medium size, nearly twice the size of the locomotive, was orderly boarded by the group of five. Before the ship’s captain could ask and interrogate Tarlach what this was all about, the meisters made their move. Their shackles loosened and together with the members of the Kurotenshi’s Rest clan, they overpowered the few sailors working to prepare the ship for another journey.

Rather rudely, they were thrown overboard, left to watch their vessel sail away and recede into the waters surrounding the Mizuna Islands.

The acting was over and the Gadotello apparel was to be ditched and thrown overboard as well. Lest there be no evidence of their charade. The strong winds took the company away from the Del Hanza island in a quick fashion. In mere hours, no large strokes of land could be seen on the horizon, just the countless of smaller islands. Most of which were inhabited by natives unknown of the outside world or aggressive wildlife. Two reasons why no one ever set foot on that land, not even the Del Hanza’s.

Haydes walked out onto the deck after checking below decks to see what was on the ship.

‘You!’ exclaimed the shimarian meister and swiftly approached Tarlach Terranet. ‘I have a question for you. How in the Great Six names did you manage to get yourself imprisoned by Ronald Del Hanza?’ A silence followed and Tarlach took an awkward smile while he switched between the two meisters.

‘I-uh-I-well it’s like this. You see---.’

‘-He made a move on his niece.’ said Tanisha tiredly as she approached with treated wounds.

There were no words to describe the lack of speech that now presented itself among the company. Haydes and Reidara glanced with blank expressions upon the sibling who smiled curiously. Then he frowned and began to plea.

‘Don’t blame me! I’m sure you would’ve done the same if you laid your eyes on her----she was so fine!’ said Tarlach as he turned away, pouting. Haydes covered his face with his