Shadows In Carrowhelm-2

Although the rain had finally vanished, there was still a bit of it hanging in the air as Dion crouched among the crates in the alleyway, wiping the blood from his forehead. He was catching his breath after the fight. The huge thug he had knocked out was face-down on the ground in front of him, groaning, with a swelling purple jaw. Dion sniffed a few times and laughed. "Well, that's what you get when you block a drunk's path, eh?"

He managed to heave the unconscious man onto his back, making sure to balance the thug's weight like a bag of rice. No one was supposed to see him moving through the back alleys, weaving between the shadows and broken barrels. Or at least that was what he thought.

He made his way into the warehouse without being seen, and secured the man's hands and feet together with thick rope. "Sleep well, bastard," Dion said, spitting in disgust on the ground at his feet.

Meanwhile, Luenor was pacing back and forth, fuming. He had folded his arms and then he had to readjust the bandages that were peeking beneath his shirt. "Where the hell are they," he growled. "What the hell are they doing? Arwin is already late! Dion is probably passed out and snoring in some alley next to a bottle!"

Hunter was positioned at the window, silent, but his stare was still sharp. He squinted, seeing movement outside. Someone was approaching. He opened the door suddenly just as Dion arrived; he was out of breath and sweating.

"I got one," Dion said between breaths. "A Fangback thug. He had some boys with him. They tried to corner me...they recognized I wasn't from here. I took out the goon and got him to the warehouse."

Luenor's expression changed. "Where's Arwin? What about the guy who was following you and arwin?"

Dion looked even grimmer. "Arwin was rooftop-hopping. I think he was trying to shake the tail. He might lose him. I think there are more than-"

Hunter darted outside before Dion could finish.

Luenor and Dion followed behind, not expecting Hunter's speed. They ran down the stairs, startling guests as they passed through the lobby and out into the muggy night air.

By the time they had caught up, Hunter had one of the tailers pinned to the wall by the neck. "This one was watching us," he said coolly.

Dion's face turned pale. "We need to check the warehouse," he replied sharply. "We could have been setup."

Hunter let go of the man, allowing him to drop to the ground, before sprinting down the alleyway. Luenor signaled to Dion, "Bring him."

Moments later, they pulled up to the warehouse. Hunter was standing at the door, arms crossed across his chest. He was radiating a quiet fury. "Gone," he muttered. "Someone broke him out while we were on his trail."

Luenor cursed under his breath. "Secure the perimeter."

Inside, Dion dropped their new captive on the floor. Hunter quickly locked the door and barricaded it with wood planks.

Luenor knelt by the man, rummaging through his pockets. A small dagger, several silver coins, and - a badge. Odd - an insignia that struck him as unfamiliar. He frowned. "Wake him."

Dion threw water in the man's face and slapped him a couple of times until he came to. The man blinked rapidly, initially undeterred, but then alarmed.

Luenor wasted no time. "Talk."

The man said nothing. He simply shook his head, defiantly, refusing to make eye contact.

"Hunter," Luenor said.

Hunter stepped forward and took the man's head in his hands, placing his palms squarely on either side of the man's temples. A sickly green glow emanated from his hands, pulsating gently at first, then rapidly began to flash. The man screamed. It was loud and raw. Dion turned his head away, feeling his stomach twist in knots. He stepped outside the warehouse to catch his breath.

Luenor stuffed a filthy rag into the screaming man's mouth. The sound of his gagged screams echoed off the buildings in the night air. Blood leaked from the man's nose, then from his ears.

After several torturous minutes, the man stopped screaming, muttered something under his breath, and almost laugh.

"Who do you work for?" Luenor asked coldly.

The man's lips twisted into a smile. "Linlin… Grand mage Linlin… she's here…"

Luenor's eyes sharpened immediately. He glanced at Hunter. "You sure?"

The man coughed violently and blood spewed. "She's here… for business…"

Then the man's body jerked violently. Foam came from his mouth. Luenor's eyes widened. "End him. Now."

Hunter shot a quick burst of mana into the man's head and ended him.

Hunter thrust a quick mana burst into the man's head, and the man's suffering was ended.

Luenor leaned back, a hand cupped beneath his chin, sweat pooling on his brow. "A grand mage, here, in business with Mellon's people...that bastard marquess!"

Hunter nodded slowly. "And if a grand mage is involved at all, we are not dealing with some merchant nobles, we are playing chess...and we are still setting up the pieces."

Luenor got to his feet, speaking in a low growl. "Then we had better find the players. All of them."

Dion returned, looking pale. "It's done."

Luenor placed a hand on Dion's shoulder. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow we begin to figure out how many hands have touched these deals, and who else wants me dead."

He gazed up into the night sky, clouds drifting past the moon.

A grand mage. In a city populated by a marquess who was supposed to be loyal to the crown. And yet secrets stacked like bodies in the dark.

Luenor smile grimly.

"Time to bring things hidden into the light."