Post by oddball on Feb 13, 2007 14:11:36 GMT -5
Trial by Fire
Contract Killer
~6 months later~
December Fifth
“I’m glad you’ve come. We have a job offer for you…”
“Whose my target this time?”
“The leader of the revolt. General Venuchi…”
“Where can I find him?”
“In Caina, just outside of Capital. As a warning, this isn’t like any of the other’s we’ve had you target. He’s strong, and he has a strong arm with him at all times.”
“Whose the stooge?”
“A Captain Vaughn Dal…”
“Dal?!”
“Yes. Our sources tell us that thanks in large part to Vaughn’s information and assistance, General Venuchi tracked down and killed the Dal family. All reports indicate that no one survived the attack…”
“That’s not true…” Said a white dog as he walked into the bar. The place was almost entirely empty, save for a young female Dalmatian, someone in the back of the bar, and a gruff older Spaniel. The bartender looked at the newcomer uneasily. “There was one survivor… I got to her before Eebrum could finish his goal. He always was cautious about me…” The dog seated himself at the table with the young lady and the Spaniel.
“Miss DeMaria… May I introduce you to Oddy, one of our most trusted freelance agents.”
“Hello Oddy, so good to see you again.”
“Rose… You look more beautiful with each day. How long has it been? Two years now?”
“Two years and four months, since we last spoke. Who was the survivor?”
“Celeste Dal… She had been in the house when Eebrum attacked. She had just stepped out to investigate the commotion as he struck her, I got to her just in time.”
“Is she alright?”
“A few small injuries, a couple will have lasting effects, but nothing serious. Just a few scars and such…”
“So what brings you by Oddy?” Asked the Spaniel at last.
“Ah Basil, my apologies… I was coming into town to get a few supplies. Living where I do, and now with an extra mouth to feed, I need to make more stops. I heard you talking with Miss DeMaria here, and thought I’d drop in for a bit.” Oddy looked over at the stranger in the back for a moment, and then redirected his attentions back to the table.
“I’ve just been telling Miss DeMaria about the job we have for her to do.” Replied Basil softly. “We need her to take out General Venuchi before he has a chance to take over.”
“It won’t work Basil, I’m sorry.”
“Why do you say that? She’s the best we’ve got, never fails…”
“But this isn’t just some simple minded foreign dignitary. She won’t be able to get that close to him. No offense… But you won’t be able to use your looks on this target…” Oddy placed his paw on the table, and a knife struck between his fingers.
“I never back out of a job, no matter the risk… It’s my job Oddy. You may have known my family, but they abandoned me. This is the path I chose…”
“Rose…” Oddy pulled the knife from the table with little effort. “As I’ve said countless times, and don’t take this the wrong way. You’re too nice a girl to be a hired killer… The only one of your kind that has the appropriate attitude is Vincent Dal… And Eebrum took care of him without a second thought.”
“I’m better prepared for a fight, Vincent Dal never developed any of his powers.” Oddy looked at the stranger in the back again.
“Why don’t you join me for dinner this evening Rose? We can have a nice long conversation while we eat. I’m sure Celeste would love to dine with someone other than myself for a change.”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to pass. The government has assigned me this mission, and I can’t wait to do it…”
“Oh come now, they won’t have you killing anyone on your birthday now. Will they Basil?”
“Well we had hoped to have this done soon, but I see no problem in beginning your mission tomorrow. Go and have yourself a nice birthday Miss… I doubt he’ll try anything soon.”
“Very well then, I’ll join you. But not for too long, I’ll need time to prepare…”
“Agreed… Shall we?” Oddy stood and motioned to the door. Basil placed some money on the table for his drink and moved on as well. The bartender shakily approached Oddy.
“Excuse me sir… B-But a messenger delivered this for you, s-sir…” The bartender handed Oddy a small box package. It was labeled, ‘To: Celeste Dal, C/O Oddy Redwing, Happy Birthday.’ “And t-this as well…” He also handed Oddy a smaller envelope that was addressed to Oddy himself.
“Thank you…” Oddy placed a small gold coin in the bartender’s paw. The bartender looked at it for a moment then exclaimed.
“Thank you sir! Come by anytime!” Oddy simply waved his paw to the bartender and walked out with Rose. Oddy had opened and was reading the letter as he walked along the roadway back to his home. Finally after about half an hours walk, Oddy spoke to Rose.
“According to this letter, word has reached Eebrum that there is going to be an attempt on his life. Eebrum has also doubled his security staff, and is accelerating his plans. I do not see a way for you to complete your task.”
“Simple… I have clearance to speak with Eebrum as I see fit. I am also under his employ, for the most part… There have been few missions that he has asked me to do. And I have only done two for him…”
“You are a double agent then?”
“No… I work for the highest bidder. The actual government pays better for me to kill their targets and enemies. Eebrum lacks sufficient funds for someone of my skill level…”
“Money talks…”
“And it sounds so sweet too…” Rose giggled softly. “But how did you find out what Eebrum knows?”
“I have my ways… One of my dear friends is currently assisting Eebrum, and he keeps me informed of what is going on…”
“Doesn’t Eebrum know he’s being spied on?”
“Yes and no… Eebrum is aware that one of my friends works for him, and he is aware that I am kept ‘in the loop.’ But you see Eebrum only lets certain information leak to his subordinates, so even if word gets out about something he’s planning…”
“He still maintains a certain element of surprise.”
“Exactly… He didn’t get to being a General for nothing.” Rose looked to her left and then spoke calmly to Oddy.
“You know that…”
“Yes I know… Don’t worry, he’s no threat to us.”
“How can you be sure?” Rose grabbed a knife from her small pouch.
“I know, because he’s with me… He’s a student of mine. I’ve been teaching him swordsmanship for the last six months. And from time to time, he’ll accompany me to town… Eebrum is cautious about me, but would love to see me killed. Though he’ll never admit to it.” Oddy smirked at the thought of Eebrum’s attempts to kill him in the past. “Been so long since he actually tried it himself… I think, about thirty years now…”
“Thirty years? How old are you Oddy? You look no…”
“Older than you… Yes I know. I’ve told my student the same thing as I will say now, I’m a Dragon. I won’t age as quickly as some.” Oddy shook his head as Rose stared at him in utter confusion.
“A Dragon?”
“Yes… The last of my kind. Raised by the Goddess Chaelone since I hatched over twenty-five hundred years ago.” As Oddy uttered these words, an unseen pair of eyes widened in shock.
“Seriously? I don’t know Oddy, you’ve always been a joker. How do I know you’re being truthful?”
“That’s the beauty of it. Everyone asks the same question when I tell them about things that have happened in my life over the last twenty-five centuries. And yet they never believe my explanations…” Oddy chuckled warmly as they approached a small cabin, deep in the forest. “Home Sweet Home…” A small figure stepped out of the open door to greet them both. The light from the inside illuminated the small clearing. Rose hadn’t noticed night had fallen while they were walking.
“Welcome home Oddy, whose your friend?”
“Celeste Dal, meet Rosalyn DeMaria…”
“Pleased to meet you Celeste, please call me Rose.”
“Rose, likewise…”
“I’m very sorry to hear about your family.”
“It’s alright, Oddy’s been helping me cope…”
“He’s a good friend to have in a bad situation…” Odd shifted his weight quietly before stepping into the conversation.
“Celeste… Happy Birthday. I was given this gift to pass along to you…” Celeste took the small box and examined the label.
“I won’t accept it…”
“Why not?” Asked Oddy as he took the box from Celeste’s paws and examined the label himself.
“It’s from my Brother…” Celeste’s eyes began to glisten with tears. “Not after what he did…”
“Celeste, it’s your Birthday today. Same as Rose here, why don’t we forget this little thing for now and go eat? I made your favorite dinner, had it all set before I ran my errands. What do you say?” Celeste wiped the tears from her face. As she did, Rose caught sight of a scar along Celeste’s lower jaw on her right side. She also had noticed the tip of her left ear was missing. “Still going to join us Rose? More company is always welcome… And besides, it’s your day today as well.”
“I’ll be there in a moment. I have something I want to investigate first…”
“That’s fine, that’s fine…” Oddy motioned Celeste to the cabin door, but stayed with Rose for a moment longer. “I know what you’re thinking, and just be careful, don’t try to see his face, and don’t ask his name… He’s over by that tree…” Oddy pointed to a large maple that held its branches over the roof of Oddy’s house. Oddy went in after Celeste, Rose made her way over to the tree.
“That’s close enough…” Said a voice from the shadows. “What can I do for you?”
“I was just curious about you is all. You were the one sitting in the bar, back in the corner. You were watching us…”
“I was…”
“Whom do you work for, really?”
“I work for no one, I am Oddy’s student and friend.”
“Why were you there?”
“I needed a drink…”
“But you were listening to my conversation with the Spaniel?”
“I was…”
“Learn anything valuable…”
“Yes…”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“No…”
“Why not?”
“Because you wouldn’t listen to me. Oddy already told you that the mission would be dangerous, and you disregarded his advice…”
“He also said that the only one with the appropriate attitude to kill Eebrum was Vincent Dal… But he was killed six months ago.”
“You shouldn’t trust everything you hear…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rose asked the darkness. But there was no response, just the chilling silence of the dark forest. Rose spun around and met a hooded figure face to face. His shadow covered her entirely in darkness, all that could be seen was a crimson glint that shone from his eyes.
“If you aren’t careful, he’ll kill you just as he’s done to so many others…” And with that the figure vanished as if made of smoke, vanishing without a trace. Rose was shaking badly, but made her way nonetheless into Oddy’s home in time for a lovely dinner.
The next morning Rose sat on her own bed, pondering the previous night. That strange figures words still haunted her. Oddy had walked her back to town because of how she was shaking. She no longer shook, but she had an ominous feeling about the mission she had been assigned. There was an unexpected knock at her door. “Who’d be coming this early?”
“Good morning Rose!” Said a cheerful Oddy.
“Oddy? What are you doing here?”
“I came to offer some assistance with your mission.”
“I don’t need your help… Though the thought is appreciated.” Rose motioned Oddy in the door, but quickly closed it behind him. “Your student isn’t with you is he?”
“No… He’s elsewhere. He’s creating a small disturbance in Eebrum’s camp. A little favor for me…”
“And what’s that?”
“He’s returning Vaughn’s gift to Celeste…” Oddy smirked for a moment; he then made his way to the window. He looked over at the camp of Eebrum’s troops. “He should be there… now!” A large explosion is heard rumbling in the distance.
“Vaughn gave Celeste a bomb?” Rose ran to the window as a large plume of black smoke rose into the air.
“No… I swapped out his gift for it. He wanted Celeste to have this…” Oddy held out a long silver chain, on it was a small battered pendant. “This was Mira’s… She gave it to him just before he left for military service. A note included in the box stated how much Vaughn felt guilty for his role in their deaths.”
“Remorse? From such a cold individual?”
“His power is based in ice. But his heart still has some warmth remaining. I fear that continued exposure to Eebrum’s campaign, will cause him to grow much colder.”
“So what’s your plan?”
“He’s going to call you…”
“Vaughn?”
“No Eebrum… He’s going to call you shortly, and hire you to find out who sent that bomb.”
“Impossible…”
“Not really. I left a clue on the package… Eebrum will have you chasing a ghost.”
“Who?”
“Vincent Dal…”
“Are you nuts? He’ll never buy it!” Rose jumped as the phone rang.
“Answer it and see…” Rose quickly rushed and answered the call.
“Miss DeMaria… This is General Venuchi. Meet me at my tent in twenty minutes. Don’t be late…”
“Sir…” Rose hung up the phone and looked at Oddy. “You did this in order for me to get closer to him…”
“Yes… And Vaughn is out on a search already, for Celeste and myself.”
“I shouldn’t keep him waiting then…”
“Good luck Rose…” Oddy saluted her, which made Rose laugh softly and forget her concern. They left together, but went separate ways as they exited the building. Rose rushed over to Eebrum’s encampment and made it to his tent with minutes to spare.
“Miss DeMaria…” Eebrum said with a slight bow. “It has come to my attention that you have been hired by the government to kill me… As I am well aware that you work for the government as well as myself, I am not going to stop you from making a living. I must commend you on making such living without ever having anyone want to kill you.”
“Stealth is part of the job… They never know it’s me that’s doing the work…” Rose stood on edge, a couple feet away from Eebrum’s seven-foot frame. His black tail swished to one side as he turned to face her.
“I’ll give you a choice Miss DeMaria… Try to kill me now, and never leave this camp. Or, go on a small mission for me, and I’ll give you a fair opportunity to kill me. No guards, no troops, and no backup of any kind. You and me…”
“What’s the job?” Rose asked coldly. He had a point, if she tried to kill him now, it could end badly for her win or lose. But on the alternative, this was a perfect moment set up by Oddy. She placed her paws behind her back, just as a soldier would in a briefing. “Who do I have to kill?”
“A particular nuisance that has reappeared after being thought dead for the last six months… A young Mr. Vincent Dal. I thought I had disposed of that little brat, but obviously he’s still kicking…” Eebrum rubbed his forehead with his paw, and looked at Rose. “So are you going to do anything with that knife, or are you still weighing your options?”
“No offense sir, but you have a large amount on your head right now. It is very difficult to decide…” Rose continued to weigh the options, now holding the knife at her side in full view. Her thoughts continued on until she remembered the words of a shadow figure, ‘You shouldn’t trust everything you hear…’
“What is your decision?” Eebrum stood before her; he appeared vulnerable. Should she strike? Without a moments hesitation, Rose darted at Eebrum as fast as she could. She swung the knife at his face, but his reflexes were too fast. He grabbed her paw with his own. Turning the knife point away from his face, he twisted her wrist until she was forced to drop the knife onto the ground. “What made you decide to attack me now?’
“Nothing personal… There was just a little voice in my mind that said, ‘You shouldn’t trust everything you hear…’ I wasn’t sure if I could count on your promise of a fair chance to kill you. I wanted to see for myself, what you’d do if I failed to kill you now…”
“Allow me to answer that question…” Eebrum bent Rose’s arm back and punched her in her stomach. She stumbled back a few paces and collapsed to the ground. “I generally don’t allow people who cross me to live. But I have some respect for you… Go and kill Mr. Dal, and I will forget this.”
“Sir…” Rose coughed loudly as she began to stand.
“Miss DeMaria, one more thing. May I see your wings please?”
“Sir?” Rose looked at him confused.
“Did you think a single punch to the stomach was all the punishment you’d get for trying to kill me?” Rose bowed her head and turned her back to Eebrum as her wings appeared from her back. “Ah, such beauty is rare to see these days. Don’t worry Miss DeMaria, I am well aware that you require the use of your wings. I will not permanently damage them…” Chuckled Eebrum as he placed his paws at the base of each wing, and with a single downward motion. Rose screamed in pain as she felt both of her wings become dislocated from her back. “This pain is only a small sample Miss DeMaria, cross me again and I’ll do far worse… You may go.” Rose left the tent in pain, her wings hanging useless off her back.
“I told you that you wouldn’t be able to kill him…” Said a familiar cloaked figure standing just outside Eebrum’s camp. “Would you like some help with your wings?”
“How did you know?” Rose turned her back to the figure, in a silent plea for help.
“I’ve had dealings with Eebrum in the past… I’ve seen what he’s capable of. You faired well, considering…” He popped one of her wings back in place, and Rose fought back a scream.
“Considering what?” She cried softly as she felt her other wing get popped back into place.
“Ever wondered why his forearms are stained blood red?”
“No… Why is that?” Rose retracted her wings and flexed her back.
“That’s how he kills… An arm through his enemy’s chest. He killed Morgan Dal that way.”
“How do you know that?” Rose asked as she turned to face him.
“I was there…” Said the figure as he vanished into thin air again.
“He was there?” Rose stared at the place where the figure had been, a single slip of paper lay where he had been. Rose picked it up and examined it.
‘Dear Celeste,
Happy Birthday.
Hope we can be back together again soon…
Love,
V. M. D.’
“V. M. D.?” Rose examined the note again, it was ordinary save a small burn mark on the lower right corner. “I should ask Oddy and Celeste about this…”
To Be Continued…
Contract Killer
~6 months later~
December Fifth
“I’m glad you’ve come. We have a job offer for you…”
“Whose my target this time?”
“The leader of the revolt. General Venuchi…”
“Where can I find him?”
“In Caina, just outside of Capital. As a warning, this isn’t like any of the other’s we’ve had you target. He’s strong, and he has a strong arm with him at all times.”
“Whose the stooge?”
“A Captain Vaughn Dal…”
“Dal?!”
“Yes. Our sources tell us that thanks in large part to Vaughn’s information and assistance, General Venuchi tracked down and killed the Dal family. All reports indicate that no one survived the attack…”
“That’s not true…” Said a white dog as he walked into the bar. The place was almost entirely empty, save for a young female Dalmatian, someone in the back of the bar, and a gruff older Spaniel. The bartender looked at the newcomer uneasily. “There was one survivor… I got to her before Eebrum could finish his goal. He always was cautious about me…” The dog seated himself at the table with the young lady and the Spaniel.
“Miss DeMaria… May I introduce you to Oddy, one of our most trusted freelance agents.”
“Hello Oddy, so good to see you again.”
“Rose… You look more beautiful with each day. How long has it been? Two years now?”
“Two years and four months, since we last spoke. Who was the survivor?”
“Celeste Dal… She had been in the house when Eebrum attacked. She had just stepped out to investigate the commotion as he struck her, I got to her just in time.”
“Is she alright?”
“A few small injuries, a couple will have lasting effects, but nothing serious. Just a few scars and such…”
“So what brings you by Oddy?” Asked the Spaniel at last.
“Ah Basil, my apologies… I was coming into town to get a few supplies. Living where I do, and now with an extra mouth to feed, I need to make more stops. I heard you talking with Miss DeMaria here, and thought I’d drop in for a bit.” Oddy looked over at the stranger in the back for a moment, and then redirected his attentions back to the table.
“I’ve just been telling Miss DeMaria about the job we have for her to do.” Replied Basil softly. “We need her to take out General Venuchi before he has a chance to take over.”
“It won’t work Basil, I’m sorry.”
“Why do you say that? She’s the best we’ve got, never fails…”
“But this isn’t just some simple minded foreign dignitary. She won’t be able to get that close to him. No offense… But you won’t be able to use your looks on this target…” Oddy placed his paw on the table, and a knife struck between his fingers.
“I never back out of a job, no matter the risk… It’s my job Oddy. You may have known my family, but they abandoned me. This is the path I chose…”
“Rose…” Oddy pulled the knife from the table with little effort. “As I’ve said countless times, and don’t take this the wrong way. You’re too nice a girl to be a hired killer… The only one of your kind that has the appropriate attitude is Vincent Dal… And Eebrum took care of him without a second thought.”
“I’m better prepared for a fight, Vincent Dal never developed any of his powers.” Oddy looked at the stranger in the back again.
“Why don’t you join me for dinner this evening Rose? We can have a nice long conversation while we eat. I’m sure Celeste would love to dine with someone other than myself for a change.”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to pass. The government has assigned me this mission, and I can’t wait to do it…”
“Oh come now, they won’t have you killing anyone on your birthday now. Will they Basil?”
“Well we had hoped to have this done soon, but I see no problem in beginning your mission tomorrow. Go and have yourself a nice birthday Miss… I doubt he’ll try anything soon.”
“Very well then, I’ll join you. But not for too long, I’ll need time to prepare…”
“Agreed… Shall we?” Oddy stood and motioned to the door. Basil placed some money on the table for his drink and moved on as well. The bartender shakily approached Oddy.
“Excuse me sir… B-But a messenger delivered this for you, s-sir…” The bartender handed Oddy a small box package. It was labeled, ‘To: Celeste Dal, C/O Oddy Redwing, Happy Birthday.’ “And t-this as well…” He also handed Oddy a smaller envelope that was addressed to Oddy himself.
“Thank you…” Oddy placed a small gold coin in the bartender’s paw. The bartender looked at it for a moment then exclaimed.
“Thank you sir! Come by anytime!” Oddy simply waved his paw to the bartender and walked out with Rose. Oddy had opened and was reading the letter as he walked along the roadway back to his home. Finally after about half an hours walk, Oddy spoke to Rose.
“According to this letter, word has reached Eebrum that there is going to be an attempt on his life. Eebrum has also doubled his security staff, and is accelerating his plans. I do not see a way for you to complete your task.”
“Simple… I have clearance to speak with Eebrum as I see fit. I am also under his employ, for the most part… There have been few missions that he has asked me to do. And I have only done two for him…”
“You are a double agent then?”
“No… I work for the highest bidder. The actual government pays better for me to kill their targets and enemies. Eebrum lacks sufficient funds for someone of my skill level…”
“Money talks…”
“And it sounds so sweet too…” Rose giggled softly. “But how did you find out what Eebrum knows?”
“I have my ways… One of my dear friends is currently assisting Eebrum, and he keeps me informed of what is going on…”
“Doesn’t Eebrum know he’s being spied on?”
“Yes and no… Eebrum is aware that one of my friends works for him, and he is aware that I am kept ‘in the loop.’ But you see Eebrum only lets certain information leak to his subordinates, so even if word gets out about something he’s planning…”
“He still maintains a certain element of surprise.”
“Exactly… He didn’t get to being a General for nothing.” Rose looked to her left and then spoke calmly to Oddy.
“You know that…”
“Yes I know… Don’t worry, he’s no threat to us.”
“How can you be sure?” Rose grabbed a knife from her small pouch.
“I know, because he’s with me… He’s a student of mine. I’ve been teaching him swordsmanship for the last six months. And from time to time, he’ll accompany me to town… Eebrum is cautious about me, but would love to see me killed. Though he’ll never admit to it.” Oddy smirked at the thought of Eebrum’s attempts to kill him in the past. “Been so long since he actually tried it himself… I think, about thirty years now…”
“Thirty years? How old are you Oddy? You look no…”
“Older than you… Yes I know. I’ve told my student the same thing as I will say now, I’m a Dragon. I won’t age as quickly as some.” Oddy shook his head as Rose stared at him in utter confusion.
“A Dragon?”
“Yes… The last of my kind. Raised by the Goddess Chaelone since I hatched over twenty-five hundred years ago.” As Oddy uttered these words, an unseen pair of eyes widened in shock.
“Seriously? I don’t know Oddy, you’ve always been a joker. How do I know you’re being truthful?”
“That’s the beauty of it. Everyone asks the same question when I tell them about things that have happened in my life over the last twenty-five centuries. And yet they never believe my explanations…” Oddy chuckled warmly as they approached a small cabin, deep in the forest. “Home Sweet Home…” A small figure stepped out of the open door to greet them both. The light from the inside illuminated the small clearing. Rose hadn’t noticed night had fallen while they were walking.
“Welcome home Oddy, whose your friend?”
“Celeste Dal, meet Rosalyn DeMaria…”
“Pleased to meet you Celeste, please call me Rose.”
“Rose, likewise…”
“I’m very sorry to hear about your family.”
“It’s alright, Oddy’s been helping me cope…”
“He’s a good friend to have in a bad situation…” Odd shifted his weight quietly before stepping into the conversation.
“Celeste… Happy Birthday. I was given this gift to pass along to you…” Celeste took the small box and examined the label.
“I won’t accept it…”
“Why not?” Asked Oddy as he took the box from Celeste’s paws and examined the label himself.
“It’s from my Brother…” Celeste’s eyes began to glisten with tears. “Not after what he did…”
“Celeste, it’s your Birthday today. Same as Rose here, why don’t we forget this little thing for now and go eat? I made your favorite dinner, had it all set before I ran my errands. What do you say?” Celeste wiped the tears from her face. As she did, Rose caught sight of a scar along Celeste’s lower jaw on her right side. She also had noticed the tip of her left ear was missing. “Still going to join us Rose? More company is always welcome… And besides, it’s your day today as well.”
“I’ll be there in a moment. I have something I want to investigate first…”
“That’s fine, that’s fine…” Oddy motioned Celeste to the cabin door, but stayed with Rose for a moment longer. “I know what you’re thinking, and just be careful, don’t try to see his face, and don’t ask his name… He’s over by that tree…” Oddy pointed to a large maple that held its branches over the roof of Oddy’s house. Oddy went in after Celeste, Rose made her way over to the tree.
“That’s close enough…” Said a voice from the shadows. “What can I do for you?”
“I was just curious about you is all. You were the one sitting in the bar, back in the corner. You were watching us…”
“I was…”
“Whom do you work for, really?”
“I work for no one, I am Oddy’s student and friend.”
“Why were you there?”
“I needed a drink…”
“But you were listening to my conversation with the Spaniel?”
“I was…”
“Learn anything valuable…”
“Yes…”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“No…”
“Why not?”
“Because you wouldn’t listen to me. Oddy already told you that the mission would be dangerous, and you disregarded his advice…”
“He also said that the only one with the appropriate attitude to kill Eebrum was Vincent Dal… But he was killed six months ago.”
“You shouldn’t trust everything you hear…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rose asked the darkness. But there was no response, just the chilling silence of the dark forest. Rose spun around and met a hooded figure face to face. His shadow covered her entirely in darkness, all that could be seen was a crimson glint that shone from his eyes.
“If you aren’t careful, he’ll kill you just as he’s done to so many others…” And with that the figure vanished as if made of smoke, vanishing without a trace. Rose was shaking badly, but made her way nonetheless into Oddy’s home in time for a lovely dinner.
The next morning Rose sat on her own bed, pondering the previous night. That strange figures words still haunted her. Oddy had walked her back to town because of how she was shaking. She no longer shook, but she had an ominous feeling about the mission she had been assigned. There was an unexpected knock at her door. “Who’d be coming this early?”
“Good morning Rose!” Said a cheerful Oddy.
“Oddy? What are you doing here?”
“I came to offer some assistance with your mission.”
“I don’t need your help… Though the thought is appreciated.” Rose motioned Oddy in the door, but quickly closed it behind him. “Your student isn’t with you is he?”
“No… He’s elsewhere. He’s creating a small disturbance in Eebrum’s camp. A little favor for me…”
“And what’s that?”
“He’s returning Vaughn’s gift to Celeste…” Oddy smirked for a moment; he then made his way to the window. He looked over at the camp of Eebrum’s troops. “He should be there… now!” A large explosion is heard rumbling in the distance.
“Vaughn gave Celeste a bomb?” Rose ran to the window as a large plume of black smoke rose into the air.
“No… I swapped out his gift for it. He wanted Celeste to have this…” Oddy held out a long silver chain, on it was a small battered pendant. “This was Mira’s… She gave it to him just before he left for military service. A note included in the box stated how much Vaughn felt guilty for his role in their deaths.”
“Remorse? From such a cold individual?”
“His power is based in ice. But his heart still has some warmth remaining. I fear that continued exposure to Eebrum’s campaign, will cause him to grow much colder.”
“So what’s your plan?”
“He’s going to call you…”
“Vaughn?”
“No Eebrum… He’s going to call you shortly, and hire you to find out who sent that bomb.”
“Impossible…”
“Not really. I left a clue on the package… Eebrum will have you chasing a ghost.”
“Who?”
“Vincent Dal…”
“Are you nuts? He’ll never buy it!” Rose jumped as the phone rang.
“Answer it and see…” Rose quickly rushed and answered the call.
“Miss DeMaria… This is General Venuchi. Meet me at my tent in twenty minutes. Don’t be late…”
“Sir…” Rose hung up the phone and looked at Oddy. “You did this in order for me to get closer to him…”
“Yes… And Vaughn is out on a search already, for Celeste and myself.”
“I shouldn’t keep him waiting then…”
“Good luck Rose…” Oddy saluted her, which made Rose laugh softly and forget her concern. They left together, but went separate ways as they exited the building. Rose rushed over to Eebrum’s encampment and made it to his tent with minutes to spare.
“Miss DeMaria…” Eebrum said with a slight bow. “It has come to my attention that you have been hired by the government to kill me… As I am well aware that you work for the government as well as myself, I am not going to stop you from making a living. I must commend you on making such living without ever having anyone want to kill you.”
“Stealth is part of the job… They never know it’s me that’s doing the work…” Rose stood on edge, a couple feet away from Eebrum’s seven-foot frame. His black tail swished to one side as he turned to face her.
“I’ll give you a choice Miss DeMaria… Try to kill me now, and never leave this camp. Or, go on a small mission for me, and I’ll give you a fair opportunity to kill me. No guards, no troops, and no backup of any kind. You and me…”
“What’s the job?” Rose asked coldly. He had a point, if she tried to kill him now, it could end badly for her win or lose. But on the alternative, this was a perfect moment set up by Oddy. She placed her paws behind her back, just as a soldier would in a briefing. “Who do I have to kill?”
“A particular nuisance that has reappeared after being thought dead for the last six months… A young Mr. Vincent Dal. I thought I had disposed of that little brat, but obviously he’s still kicking…” Eebrum rubbed his forehead with his paw, and looked at Rose. “So are you going to do anything with that knife, or are you still weighing your options?”
“No offense sir, but you have a large amount on your head right now. It is very difficult to decide…” Rose continued to weigh the options, now holding the knife at her side in full view. Her thoughts continued on until she remembered the words of a shadow figure, ‘You shouldn’t trust everything you hear…’
“What is your decision?” Eebrum stood before her; he appeared vulnerable. Should she strike? Without a moments hesitation, Rose darted at Eebrum as fast as she could. She swung the knife at his face, but his reflexes were too fast. He grabbed her paw with his own. Turning the knife point away from his face, he twisted her wrist until she was forced to drop the knife onto the ground. “What made you decide to attack me now?’
“Nothing personal… There was just a little voice in my mind that said, ‘You shouldn’t trust everything you hear…’ I wasn’t sure if I could count on your promise of a fair chance to kill you. I wanted to see for myself, what you’d do if I failed to kill you now…”
“Allow me to answer that question…” Eebrum bent Rose’s arm back and punched her in her stomach. She stumbled back a few paces and collapsed to the ground. “I generally don’t allow people who cross me to live. But I have some respect for you… Go and kill Mr. Dal, and I will forget this.”
“Sir…” Rose coughed loudly as she began to stand.
“Miss DeMaria, one more thing. May I see your wings please?”
“Sir?” Rose looked at him confused.
“Did you think a single punch to the stomach was all the punishment you’d get for trying to kill me?” Rose bowed her head and turned her back to Eebrum as her wings appeared from her back. “Ah, such beauty is rare to see these days. Don’t worry Miss DeMaria, I am well aware that you require the use of your wings. I will not permanently damage them…” Chuckled Eebrum as he placed his paws at the base of each wing, and with a single downward motion. Rose screamed in pain as she felt both of her wings become dislocated from her back. “This pain is only a small sample Miss DeMaria, cross me again and I’ll do far worse… You may go.” Rose left the tent in pain, her wings hanging useless off her back.
“I told you that you wouldn’t be able to kill him…” Said a familiar cloaked figure standing just outside Eebrum’s camp. “Would you like some help with your wings?”
“How did you know?” Rose turned her back to the figure, in a silent plea for help.
“I’ve had dealings with Eebrum in the past… I’ve seen what he’s capable of. You faired well, considering…” He popped one of her wings back in place, and Rose fought back a scream.
“Considering what?” She cried softly as she felt her other wing get popped back into place.
“Ever wondered why his forearms are stained blood red?”
“No… Why is that?” Rose retracted her wings and flexed her back.
“That’s how he kills… An arm through his enemy’s chest. He killed Morgan Dal that way.”
“How do you know that?” Rose asked as she turned to face him.
“I was there…” Said the figure as he vanished into thin air again.
“He was there?” Rose stared at the place where the figure had been, a single slip of paper lay where he had been. Rose picked it up and examined it.
‘Dear Celeste,
Happy Birthday.
Hope we can be back together again soon…
Love,
V. M. D.’
“V. M. D.?” Rose examined the note again, it was ordinary save a small burn mark on the lower right corner. “I should ask Oddy and Celeste about this…”
To Be Continued…