by Kat Mandu
“I was coming with information, on city-wide disappearances,” Laurella said to put off,
“I’ll talk to you in the station,” she said glancing to the side. The station was a place for a low key and unexpected guests to be confirmed. Madison all but pushed them all into the room, as she all slammed the door in behind them. “I need you to listen very closely,” she said, “I need you to start looking into places to hide start building a safe house,” Madison informed,
“Pardon?” Laurella asked looking at those she was surrounded by.
“Look, These past few days have been getting very worrying, not just with Richard missing, but the more I find out the more worried I am,” Madison asked,
“Woah,” Arken interrupted holding up her hand. “What’s been happening?”
Madison took a deep breath. “The guard has been growing, and do to the fact Morgan is marrying my older sister he has been given more or less charge of the city. If something Happens to Richard, we can’t be sure if the Golden Eagle is going to be.” She paused taking a breath. “We already know that he is a Pirate Lord if he keeps requiring the city guard’s loyalty will change, and if he gets control of the guard it will be very easy if we don’t have a backup plan. To be captured and Killed silencing the crew.”
“Well,” James admitted, “We already know someone is trying to at least capture all crew members the golden Eagle, we have a bounty on our head.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure that Morgan has anything to do with that one.” Laurella clarified,
“She’s right,” Arken joined in, “Davina didn’t seem to know what was the reason behind the bounty; except that she wanted to cure her boredom.”
“Still troubling now then back to the topic at hand,” Madison ushered, “I need you to start putting together and mapping out safe houses,”
“I fair idea, but I am not exactly loaded,” Laurella informed,
“Well, that would put a damper on things, I’ll have to talk to my father and see if there is anything I can do about it.“Madison admitted. The group moved into silence as Laurella eyed the other guards who were moving around the area.
“So what are you doing here? Laurella asked as she shifted uncomfortably,
“Something that we had hoped would help but, each passing hour shows that it’s more or less a dead end. The idea was to use the dirt samples to see if we can find some area in the city where they are operating out off, But Nariko seems to be under the impression as of now the technology may not be advanced enough to help. Anything on your end?”
“Personally know, Boss seems to have an idea, but I have no idea. Boss keeps his thoughts to himself. Stephano seems up to something but He does not seem all that sure.”
Sam glanced around the room as a level of depression seemed to settle over the group and peeled open the book as he silently watched everyone He unfolded a sheet of paper and handed it to Laurella.
“Oh,” Laurella frowned it was an address she realized, “What is this for?” she asked looking at Sam but he frowned and looked away. Right, well it’s something,” she said, “We are going to look into this, we kept you from your work long enough.”
Madison nodded as everyone got up from their resting place. “Well I wish you luck,” Madison said with a sigh, bit she managed a smile. She headed out first before James spoke up.
“We really are getting desperate, He commented in a cold tone. “At this rate we may as well split.”
“That’s quieter talk, the golden Eagle is the only ship pledged to dealing with the pirate lords. The only ship dedicated to bringing some level of peace back to the oceans. We don’t give up till the ship is gone.” Arken shot back firm. Sam despite being ignored nodded his head in agreement.
“Also the only one fool enough to,” He paused as he realized everyone in the room was glaring at him. “What ever,” James said shaking his head.
Sam grabbed the paper from Laurella as he smiled heading out the door. Laurella took off after him as he headed out of the castle and back into the city proper. “Sam!” Laurella shouted as he turned a corner and headed down a side road. She paused when he pulled a key out from under his tunic and opened up a door to a rather old looking apartment building.
Chapter 45 Always The Last Place
“This is insane, that’s the whole city,” Boss said glaring at the map. “This is great we may have to spread the web even further outside of the city,” Boss said as he sat down at the table holding all the maps and route’s they had done.
“I don’t get it what are you looking for, we just walked the streets,” Tobi said confused as to what gave Boss the idea that the city had been searched.
“I have to admit I am at a lose, is there something you’re not telling us?” Tray admitted,
“The size of the group we are dealing with would need a sizable base I am moving through the streets hunting for the smell noticed in the sewer,” Boss paused as he realized there was a place on the map that he hadn’t checked. “I need to talk to Madison and David,” he informed as he stood up.
“How he smelt anything besides shit is beyond me,” Tobi muttered as he watched the first mate walk off.
“I don’t see why not, I was over there yesterday,” Laurella informed
“Good, any luck with other avenues?” Cheif asked only for nobody to speak up. “Is anyone even trying,” Boss thought to himself as he frowned under his facial hair. “Well if there is nothing else,” Boss started waiting for someone to interrupt but when nobody did. “Laurella it’s just me and you for know everyone else,” he paused before shrugging and nodding his head at the Doctor.
He frowned as he made his way to where they were renting the horses and at this point, they didn’t even need to talk as Boss slide the required coin across the table. “So what is that you think we missed?” Laurella asked as the two waited for a horse to be led out for them.
“The only place in the city that was never fully looked was the castle,” Boss informed glancing over at her.
“The castle is home to the noble family are you implying they are involved somehow?” Laurella asked concern bleeding into her voice and face. She glanced around as she moved in conspiratorially. “Even bringing that up as a hint of a theory could get us all killed,” she said in a hushed tone.
“Four people in one castle, I am not saying they are involved.” He said, “It’s pretty possible,” he thought to himself. “But there must be parts of the castle nobody goes to or places they could go in and out of using magic that would prevent anyone from knowing.” He argued slowly back.
“I, I don’t know, it’s possible,” she admitted, “But you may want to watch how you bring this up.” She advised.
“Are you kidding me?” he asked glancing back at. “Richard’s life is at stake and perhaps even the Golden Eagle is at stake.” He said the two stared at each other for a long moment as a brown horse was led up to them. “Fine,” Boss said taking the reigns as he jumped onto the horse’s back. He held out his hand helping Laurella onto the back of the horse.
She slid onto the back the horse riding side saddle style as she grabbed onto chief. “I need to get some riding clothes or something.” She complained as the horse went full speed, “Ah!” she cried out holding onto chief for dear life.
“Do you want me to slow down?” he asked over his shoulder.
“No, I am fine,” she rather blatantly lied, Boss moved to open his mouth only for a massive explosion to erupt. Boss spun around as the horse reared from the noise as the city itself.
“Crap!” Laurella cried out as Boss had to wrestle the reigns a bit,
“Easy,” He soothed before the horse finally calmed down. “Looks like the castle is a bit more active today than normal,” Boss observed, “Hold on tight,” He urged as he put the horse through its paces.
“Madison!” David shouted as he glanced around Nariko’s workshop. She spotted the capped Damn rushing into the castle. “Madison that’s dangerous the
castle just shook. Madison rushed into the castle using her cap to protect against the dust the explosion had kicked up when the sound of steel clashing against steel hit her ear. She followed it down a set of stairs. A second much smaller explosion hit her ears,
“That’s Tooth or Claw!” Spark recognized as she shot out of the cape coughing a bit as they headed lower into the castle.
“The Dungeon?” Madison paused looking at the mass amount of stone littering the stairs. The Dungeon had been locked off long before she had been born but the sounds were much louder. She drew her blade and slipped her shield into place as a second shot went off. She rushed down to see a long stream of blonde hair.
“Is that Richard’s female form?” Spark asked a bit confused as to why Richard was fighting as a woman.
“I don’t know and I don’t care!” Madison roared. “All those who stand before the might of the Britania Empire shall fall!” she screamed, as Richard spun around in a panic but Madison just avoided the swing diving into combat.
Spark light up her first giving as much light as she could, “Madison!” Richard shouted as she sliced another attacker down. He pulled out the coin Loki had left behind flipping the coin in the air.
“What?” she shouted back.
“Let the guard handle this they are not going anywhere I need,” Richard said as he caught the coin. “I got the, um the,” he seemed to have paused as his male form returned only for his knees to buckle. “I thought I was in,” but he couldn’t finish.
“Richard!” Spark shouted catching him before he hit the stone.
“What the hell is going on?” Madison asked but she could hear the sound of footsteps. Hitting the stone the cavalry had arrived. She glanced back at Spark who was just able to support Richard’s weight but she looked like she reminded Madison of a wild animal ready to bolt. She sheathed her sword as she scoped Richard up and tossed him over her shoulder. Spark shrunk vanishing from sight as more forms seemed to stumble out of the darkness that was once the Dungeon. The guard rushed past her each ready to blitz into the pits of hell if duty called. Madison towered over most of them and with Richard over her shoulder, her form was not even touched a rock in torrent unmoved.
“What happened, you were doing fine a minute ago,” She mused as she turned and headed up the stairs and into the light. She rushed out into the opening heading to the guard post at the main entrance. “I need a – Laurella?” Madison asked as she spotted Boss and Laurella at the gate.
“Laurella?” repeated the guard as Laurella herself looked very confused.
“Get in here,” Laurella ordered the guard kept his back and Forth as Boss pushed him to the side as the pair headed into the door as Spark cleared a table, as Madison dropped the limp body on it.
Laurella quickly went to work checking him over quickly, “Well he seems to be in okay shape a little underfed, and his body has been bruised all over but nothing was broken. But damn how did you find him?”
“He was standing,” Madison started “and fighting in his female form he seemed fine at the time.” Madison finished, as she glanced down at Richard, as she tried to remember the moments in question they were a bit of a blur, to be honest, unable to get all the details in her mad dash.
“I shouldn’t be able to stand, he shouldn’t have any stamina. How the fuck is, I mean even without his body looking like a bruise, Standing the last thing he should be capable of. We need to get him back on a diet. I would say something small and easy to digest like, pudding.” She said, “Oh,” She realized he had something stored in his pants, before pausing. “He has something in his pants,” she said pausing as she stood up.
“most men do,” Boss replied as Laurella frowned at him. “Shouldn’t we, uh Spark would you?” Boss asked rubbing the back of his head.
“Why me you’re the doctor you do it?” Spark said looking at Laurella,
“Well,” Laurella said giving herself time. “Cause you hang out in his coat, not to mention I was not given permission, by next of kin,” She admitted as Laurella glanced back at Spark,
“Oh, you got to be kidding me,” Madison interrupted as she grabbed a and pulled out a mirror. “Honestly,” she glanced at it only to see that it was a broken mirror the pieces were all there. “I bet,” She glanced the mirror over but didn’t see anything that would make worth jamming into your pants.
Boss reached out as Madison gave him the mirror, he sniffed it and then gave the frame a slight bite. Everyone just looked at him in confusion. “Yep it’s magic all right,” he said, “And a marble frame, good quality,” he admitted, he noticed everyone was looking at him. “Don’t ask me how I know this,” he said but they all kept looking at him in confusion.
“A worry for another day, we got enough to deal with, Madison I think I can handle this, You may want to head out and see if you can bring in some order,” Laurella advise as the Dame
“I am going with you,” Boss volunteered, Madison was almost at the door before she grabbed a surcoat with her families crest on it tossing it to him. Snatching he got the idea as he pulled it over it clashed with typical armor but it would keep him from being stabbed at least.
Laurella watched as the two closed the door behind them as Laurella glanced through the room to find some kind of food. She found a stash of apples and started to cut them up as she found some smelling salt as well. She quickly wafted it under his nose as Richard started.
“Hey Doc, doc?” he questions he seemed to be trying to focus his eyes on her. He tried to rub his eyes but his hand was shaking.
“You tried to do too much on too little food here eat,” she ordered all but shoving the slice of fruit into his mouth.
“Thank you, did you see the explosion?” he asked as he found another fruit in his mouth.
“Is this going to be a habit?” she accused as Richard grinned,
“I hope so I could get used to this treatment,” Richard grinned back as Laurella rolled her eyes.
“Spark you feed him,” she passed the fruit and the task off to her as she headed over to lock the door and close the blinds. She quickly pulled the blinds down after glancing out the window as she swallowed and slide down.
“Is something wrong Spark asked?” as she turned away as Richard glanced around the room.
“Nothing,” She quickly said her eyes wide and wild.
“Okay?” Spark said concern etched on her face but she didn’t want to push the woman on the matter.
Richard glanced over as he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position. Taking a deep breath as he eyed a chair, his body felt sluggish and stiff. He managed to move into the chair as Spark finished slicing up the apple. “Thank you,” he said absently as he all but inhaled the fruit.
Richard pulled out his sword and started to look it over taking a rag and cleaning the blood of it was kept his eyes peeled and on the door and window. He frowned taking out claw as the door started being banged on. “Hold Still Laurella,” he ordered taking the gun and blowing a hole in the wood door.
“Are you fucking Crazy!” She screamed as even Spark looked at him like he was nuts.
“Of course not, never stick it in crazy.” He replied as he reloaded the gun.
“Honestly how all of you are so casual about all this death-dealing I’ll never understand,” She shouted back holding her hands over her ears.
“You would be surprised what you can get used to,” Spark and Richard said at the same time before they glanced back at each other in surprise. Richard set tooth to the side as he reloaded the weapon, he seemed almost in a trance his eyes half open as Laurella as the sounds of battle and panic slowly died down before going deathly silent.
“Well that’s the end of that,” Richard said with a sigh, as he tested he shifted, “My legs are still a bit off might not be a bad idea to wait here a while,” he admitted,
“Yeah not a bad idea,” Laurella admitted,
“So what have you guys been up to while I was gone?” Richard asked with a
smile as he slides his gear back into place.
“Looking for you, do us a favor and check your drinks next time,” Laurella warned,
“The point of me being bait is I need to be at risk, but what I want to know is what the fuck happened to my backup, and why are they sealed up under Gaslight Castle?” Richard asked clearly ticked at the situation he found himself in.
“Magic they an artifact that let them teleport. We believe it may have been a mirror,” Spark explained as Richard glanced at the busted mirror.
“Hmm I could have just let them starve then, pity outside of the explosives that place was sealed, I spent a lot of my time trying to get out, but the only entrance I found was well rocked over. So I spent my time knocking people out, and well they had a decent supply of gunpowder.” Richard said with a shrug, he let out a yawn.
Laurella caught herself when the door suddenly pumped into her again, she remembered her staff this time. “You come in here I will set you with so many volts your children will feel it!” she threatened.
“Laurella let me in,” Boss said poking his face a bit through the hole that Richard had blown open.
“Are bodies gone?” she asked,
“Uh,” Boss paused as he glanced away, “Ah, no,” he admitted,
“Then the door stays shut,” she responded
Spark glanced at the door before she moved over and slide the window open. Boss frowned at the window before looking at Spark. “Well,” Spark frowned taking a step back and looking at the window. “It was worth a shot,” she said giving a rather nervous smile and a shrug.
There was a low rumbled that echoed in the room, as everyone looked at Richard. “Still hungry,” he admitted, as he got up and slipped out the window. “Come on Spark I have had shit to eat for the past, how long was I gone?” he asked as Spark shrunk down and flew into his coat.
“About two weeks,” she informed as Richard nodded,
“Anyway Dinners on what’s his face,” He said patting his pocket. He let out a low whistle, the area had a quiet a few corpses littering the area. “You know we should see if we can find Amaro among the dead.” He said with a sigh.
