by Kat Mandu
“That’s new,” Boss thought as he polished off his meal. “Let’s go,” He grunted as he moved forward, the only direction he really had. The movement of the rain was annoying taking their time made it worse, running around always drew attention. He pulled up a small notebook, it was a small item Richard had given him a list of things to do. The pair found themselves outside of the newest doctor he had met, only to find a pair of guards posted outside of the building.
“Drat,” Laurella sighed, “I was hoping this would be easy.”
“When is it ever, hold back I’ll see if I can find another way in,” Boss instructed as she sighed but didn’t argue with him. The row of buildings were all pushed together all he needed was a good set of footholds and he would have no trouble coming in from a window on one of the upper floors.
He glanced around the buildings, everything felt clustered and unorganized but it did give plenty of opportunities to scale. He climbed up gritting his teeth as the rain tried to wash his grip away.
His mind fell back to the two weeks before Richard’s death. “So what do you plan on doing?” Richard suddenly asked as Boss recalled being very confused by the question.
“I don’t know to monitor the ship and save your ass, I seem to make a habit of keeping the crew alive.” Boss had answered with a shrug,
“Which I appreciate, but what is your goal, what do you want, you saw Eagle Eye his goal was to go home,” Richard pointed out,
“Yeah that will be a bit of a loss,” Boss shrugged considering the man’s skills. “What do I want?” He thought, “Well what about you captain what do you want, take away the threat of death from the pirate lords what do you want.”
“I would love, to travel the world try new foods, and maybe help a few people out of a jam.” He smiled, “I still might in between the pirate Lords no sense in risking my life if I don’t have fun with it a bit.” He smirked, “It feels nice to see it.”
“I suppose the responsible thing would be to find out about my past and maybe find a few good fights. I figure the Eagle would be the best place to find both. Sadly the only clue is the fact that I can smell magic, be it beings or objects.”
“A handy ability but I don’t know of any Masons or any artifacts that would give one that ability. I think starting at a library would be a good idea.” Richard smiled.
“Every time I get a second some life-threatening bull shit jumps in the way, I want one free fucking day just one, but no this mother fucker just has to start shit the night we get back,” Cheif mental fumed as he got up to the roof, he slowly moved watching his step as the water ran around his boots, he glanced down to spot the guards and with a mental confirmation of his location, lowered himself down and opened a balcony get in. Lightning light up the room, followed by the crack of thunder, the room was a study that had been violently searched, books papers and other supplies the wall kept carpet already absorbed a lot of water, he slowly closed the double doors behind him. The desk drawers were thrown about as Boss figured the man was gone since they still had the guards, he decided to move to check for other intruders before the hunt for information could begin. It didn’t take long to find any as the sounds of kitchen wear, slowly he moved into position as his fingers locked around his weapon. A quick slip around the fridge door his fingers laced around a much smaller neck than expected.
“Ack,” the small figure gasped as two Timmy hands grabbed onto his arm as he lifted the figure into view. “Easy on the neck big guy I don’t think you want me to make any noise,” when the sudden sound of s bell clanked as Boss froze.
A pair of slitten pair of needy eyes and a faint pair of sharp fangs. The lighting light up the kitchen showing a lanky skinny figure but he expected another Arken but only a pair of ears and he turned the figure to see a short ringtail that had bottle brushed with a bell he assumed tied to it. Boss frowned as he looked at the smiling boy as a pair of ears twitches on top of his head, a quick glance back at the face showed his eyes were framed with some kind pigmented skin that reminded him of a mask.
“Okay, what are you up to?” Boss asked as he set him down.
“I would think that it would be obvious, I am getting a good meal,” he tossed an apple to him.
“Right, just keep your distance kid, I got work to do,” Boss stared before he tossed the apple back.
Boss headed to the back windows he stuck his head out waved at Laurella, he glanced around for something only to hear the sound of eating, he stopped to see the boy had Leander against a wall “crunch,” went the apple as Boss raised an eyebrow at him,
“Use the curtains,” he advised, “knot them up should work.” He pointed at the long curtains. He gave them a tug and tested he draped them over. He finished the fruit he tossed it to the ground.
Laurella climbed in cursing under her breath, as she got in, “who the fuck is this?” She asked in surprise.
“Nashton my lady,” he bowed with a toothy grin.
“Right, we need to hurry this up.” Boss frowned, he shifted under his cloak as he made a mental note to watch his coin.
Boss held up another sheet of paper detailing recent concerns on the state of the Stronglance family. Sadly most of it was old news research on Morgan when he paused.
The letter was actually referring to information on Richard. He was born in the North in the colonies of Britainia. It went on to detail an incident a trip back to the homeland resulted in every individual under the age of eighteen to vanish one exception, Richard himself. There was a connection to a death of a young girl who fell to her death, being the only witness at the age of fifteen. He read over family members a few older generations had notable military backgrounds, a second cousin had law enforcement and was one of the few to make an attempt at a higher education, average grades in the education.
Cheif frowned as he realized he had wasted his time. “Friend of yours?” Nashton asked,
“War buddy would be apt, born in the bonds of survival,” Boss admitted before he paused noticing the kid was now under a hat he didn’t have previously.
“Poetic, Richard huh does not ring a bell,” he admitted,
“I take it you don’t keep up on current events?” Laurella asked not looking up as she thumbed through a stack of papers.
“Nope, such things are not relevant to my day to day survival.” He admired with a grin.“So what are you looking for, anything in particular?”
“Nosy little brat,” Boss thought,
“So what are we looking for?” Laurella asked as Boss paused,
“Away in, a person, an event, or any way to talk to Madison she will be our best hope of finding a way to get out of this mess.” Cheif frowned as he started to feel the familiar emotion the fox had imparted.
“Ugh, what is that noise?” Nashton grimaced as his ears laid flat the two adults strained but didn’t hear anything at first when a low noise like nothing they had ever heard, the three popped out of the window as sudden screech hit their ears, as other people started to open windows. Suddenly a pair of lights up the street as the two guards moved forward. Boss spun as he grabbed the kid, who tried to use the sudden events to make up with his purse.
“Nice try,” Boss growled,
“Damn you are strong, how much gold you got in this thing?” He asked,
“Holy crap it’s Madison!” Laurella waved as Boss spotted the odd object screech to a halt outside the house only to freeze at the sight of the two guards.
“Ahhhh!” The Knight screamed as the pair charged her, the armor deflected the blows as she grabbed one, and slammed him into the stone fence face first before the other one was doubled over from a hard gut punch.
“Looks like you are not the only one getting frustrated, let’s move before she takes off again.” Laurella raced down the halls as Cheif grabbed his money back.
“You are coming with me until I check this bag,” he growled but Nashton didn’t seem all that worried, they raced down as Madison turned back to the car.
/> The sounds of a strained crank hit their ears as the bolted down Laurella hit the doors open as the woman spun around Tobi, Tray, and surprisingly Auwdeine who was laying dejected in the back.
“Oh thank god,” Madison sighed as she crossed the space scooping Laurella up into a hug. “I take it you had a similar idea,” she nodded toward the empty house.
“Sadly empty we tried to find something to help but it was a waste of time,” Boss grumbled,
“Who is the tag along?” Madison asked as she looked at the raccoon boy, who was now sporting a guard helmet way to big for his head.
“Nashton,” he announced to her,
“A would-be thief,” Boss warned, “he stays u til I check our finances he already tried stealing once.”
“Look we need to get moving, we been dogged by the law for the last hour we need to move.” Tray pointed out.
“What law we didn’t bring with us, damn it, man, you need to get over it. We will get your horse back,” Tobi snapped at the man.
“Yeah, this is not good, it’s been way to quiet after I dropped those guards, I don’t like it,” Madison admired as she turned back to them from the street.
“Um, guys?” Naston spoke up, as Boss felt the kid tap at his arm to get his attention. Boss rolled his eyes but stopped when he noticed Madison go wide-eyed. Boss turned to see the massive cloaked figure from before.
“Always something,” Boss sighed as he glanced at Audwin he tossed their at before he pulled his coin purse. He thrust it into Laurella’s hand as he drew both blades.
The figure pulled out a hairy arm as it dug out some old papers. “Tobi York, son of William York, ten thousand, Tray Smith two thousand, Boss fifteen thousand, and Laurella oh a solid twenty thousand.” He folded the papers together. “That man has some blitz core armor, what a nice hall,” the figure hummed.
“Excuse me,” Audwine glared, he stood up as he held Nashton in his arm.
“So this is what a sack of potatoes feels like,” he joked as Audwine drew his blade. The steel-arched as he twisted his blade wrist.
The figure dropped of the cloak onto the rain-streaked walkway, as a Minotaur. “I am Brent,” he introduced as he took out a studded club and hoisted it over his shoulder. “I fear you are all more valuable to me dead than alive.” He grinned.
Like most of his kind, he was broad with patches of hair and bull legs and sharp horns to crown his head.
“Okay, so what do we need to know?” Boss asked, only for the bull to charge the group separated as the attacker spun to twist his back away from them. “If only I had some, shit,” he cursed as he realized he could really use some rope.
“Cowards, none are brave enough to stand your ground,” he mocked,
“Bring it, the Capitan of the guard runs from nothing,” Audwine declared,
“Former dead captain of the guard,” Nashton clung to the man’s arm as he wondered if he was a forgotten element in the man’s equation.
The second charge came in as Boss made his move, with a solid leap he intercepted the charge digging his weapons into the bounty hunter’s back.
“Ack,” Brent coughed twisted as Boss was flung off. The two blades dropped out of the thick hid.
Audwine charged shoulder first as the studded club, swung cracked into the armor that sent the man spall into a massive bush. “What are you doing in this bush small, boy?” He asked as Nashton rubbed his rear as he glared at the much taller man.
“We don’t have time for this,” Laurella complained, as Tobi and Tray raced forward. Tray grabbed the weapon to add to the weight as Tobi brought up his claymore, despite the weight the Minotaur still had the strength to swim the club if only an inch above the ground Tobi was knocked off his feet. The second blow came for the man’s head as he grabbed the flat using the blades width to guard against the head blow, the steal bent but the brain trauma was safely blocked as the steal bent back. All of the male combats were now grappling with the bull-man as blades met hid.
“Excuse me,” Laurella interrupted Brent turned as the firearm went off in his face the minotaur collapsed,
“Owe,” Tray lamented as they moved the body of him, “what is that two times a corpse has dropped on me?”
“Just be happy you were not the dead one,” Tonias comment.
“Thanks,” Boss grunted, “did that kid run of too.”
“Probably took off, what kind of thief would waste such a good chance to escape?” Laurella shrugged.
Madison moved back to the horseless cart she had been driving. “Oh,” Tray moaned as he rubbed his stomach, “can’t we just walk?” He groaned at the prospect of another ride.
Boss, however, was at the edge of the bushes, he scanned them over, “Marco,” he spoke,
“Polo,” Nashton called back, only to realize a second too late, “crap baskets,” he lamented as Boss grabbed him by his tunic.
“Are you still on about that,” Laurella frowned, as she turned from Madison who was still at the crank.
“It’s the principal of the matter,” Boss curtly replied, “also that is way too noisy we would be better if hoofed it.” He advised as he kept a grip on the boy’s shoulder.
“I don’t want to just leave it here,” Madison admired as she wiped her forehead with a rag.
“So what is its fuel source?” Boss asked.
“Not sure,” Tray admitted “but, whatever it is it is empty,” he frowned as Madison threw her hands up in defeat.
“I don’t like the idea of just leaving it,” Madison admired,
“We don’t have the time to waste,” Laurella frowned as she stared down the street her hands clasped together than rung.
“It would be unwise to waste resources,” Boss said, “Can we push this someplace, discrete?”
“I know a place,” Nashton announced, “not too far from here,” he pointed down the road. Madison frowned as she glanced at Boss,
“Another one, Sam was already pushing it and that poor kid is, no longer with us,” she finished with a whisper.
“We don’t have many options,” Boss insisted, “get in the machine, kid you turn, we push and don’t damage it,” he warned as the rest lined up.
“Make sure the” Madison started,
“Got, it,” Nashton grinder as he released the break and the vehicle started to move.
“This, is not what, I had in mind when I signed up,” Tobi grunted, they moved quickly and with little issue as they turned a few corners and found themselves in the harder part of town.
“Hold up,” Nashton jumped out and pulled a door of an old run down ahead. It was left next to a burned-out building.
“Huh, I think I see the place that blood guy was using.” Tray pointed out,
“Yeah?” Boss responded as they pushed the last few feats, “Is this a wise place to keep it?” He mused.
“Probably not but it’s not a place many will look that’s for sure,” Tobi assured.
“Well, it has been nice but I think it’s time for me to head home,” Naston bowed out as he moved to leave.
“Nice try, the last thing I want is you running off to tell someone.” Madison folded her arms. Nashton snapped his fingers, “besides anyone you know would never get you a good deal so, you are staying with us, sadly that includes a few square meals a day.”
“Done,” Nashton agreed, “what are we waiting for we got stuff to do and food to eat,” he urged as he slipped behind her as he gave a solid push only for his feet to slip as he continued to try.
“Well you heard him,” Tray smiled as his stomach gave a low rumble he chuckled a bit, “have not a meal since breakfast.”
Chapter 62
Boss tapped his foot, he was quickly realized he did not like not doing something. But he had been tasked with taking some time to relax. He had spent a good amount of time asleep and then a quick but rather small couple of meals. Nashton was surprisingly easy to keep around the free food was apparently a factor for the boy’s thievery.
The finances had been carefully locked and with Boss being the only one trusted with the finances. “Excuse me I am here to deliver a letter to a Mr. Boss?” he questioned the odd name, as he walked forward.
“That would be me,” He offered his hand and was given the letter. The scrawl was horrendous how the guy was able to read it was amazing. He opened it up as his eyes went wide.
“Found something at the Library, look for Historical Imperial warriors.” Boss read the brief note it was something he only discussed with Richard, but he was sure Richard had been only one mentioning his personal history. “Hey Nashton, you know where the library is?” He asked,
“Yeah, I know a few public Library’s the best one is the Dragon Mage Public library, it’s one of the biggest centers of free learning, most people use it as a place to get warm.” He shrugged,
“Personal experience on that?” Boss paused “Yeah?” he asked, Nashton didn’t really respond.
“Would you show me the way I need to find a book,” he informed,
“You are not trying to get rid of me are you?” Nastiness eyed him suspiciously.
“Not if I want to get back here,” Boss half lied he wasn’t going to ditch him if there was value in selling the group out.
The pair found themselves at an impressive building, big bold letters marked the place, plenty of stain glass windows if not for the sign Boss would have mistaken it for a church.
He walked in everything was insanely clean, he amazing carpets and shiny wood flooring, as well as shelves of books, insane levels the stairs, indicated at least five floors dedicated to different subjects, as a rather tall person with what looked like wood prongs sticking out of his hair walked past him only he had four hoofed legs rather than the typical two.
“That’s a deer centaur, a horse is more common,” Naston pointed out, as Boss gave him a look and the raccoon boy went silent.
Boss walked up to the guide center, “excuse me I need assistance in finding a book,”
“Sure,” Colton replied as Boss recognized Richard’s bother.
