Rhythmic footfalls against a wooden floor, occasional whistling and occasional humming. These were the characteristics that could perfectly define the concept of boredom.
Tilian and Lizandra had been silent for hours while guarding the cargo room. Although both had similar personalities when it came to talking, neither of them had said a word until that moment. Somehow, the atmosphere on the Deep Spear ship had changed dramatically after the phenomena had happened. The unanimous feeling for everyone on that ship was that a one-ton anvil had fallen on their backs. Interacting with each other became tiresome.
Irritated by the silence, Tilian decided to take the initiative and talk to Lizandra.
-You know, I think Krauser is going to kill us when we get to Innsmouth -Tilian's tone of voice was amused.
-uh? Why do you say that?- Liz frowned at Tilian's strange phrase.
-Don't you remember General Vautour's phrase when we held the meeting for this mission? - Tilian changed her expression trying to imitate Krauser-"Niero... I don't want any scratches on you, understand?" -
Lizandra laughed with Tilian's imitation. The atmosphere seemed to have become lighter.
-You're right. It was part of the mission that Niero was alive. Apparently he was a fundamental part for Cermina to win the war against Dendalion.- Lizandra also had an amused, but worried tone in her voice due to the failures of the mission.
- When in doubt, we blame the "Chasseur couple" - Tilian still kept a good humor in her voice.
-Since you brought it up... What do you think about Von and Sophie? Liz was still interested in the relationship between the murderers of the Chasseur mansion.
-As persons or as murderers?- Tilian continued joking.
-As a couple. - Liz answered a little more seriously, but without spoiling the relaxed atmosphere.
-Well, when I say they're boyfriend and girlfriend, it's just to tease Sophie. I don't know if there's any romance between them or not, but if so, it's definitely stronger on Sophie's part than on Von's.
-How nice to hear that. I think the same about both of them.- Lizandra understood with Tilian's insight that her opinions about the redhead and the Bloodhound were well-founded.
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-Will you only kiss me secretly? Are we teenagers now? Lizandra laughed softly as she wrapped her arms around the neck of the man in front of her.
-I have a reputation, Liz. I can't destroy it.- Tyr said as he kissed Liz's neck softly.
-I'm too ugly to ruin your reputation?- Liz frowned, pretending not to understand Tyr's words.
-Stop kidding, you know damn well what I'm talking about,- Tyr gave Liz another kiss on the lips before pulling away. - Now we have to go. Everything is already prepared for your departure. -
After leaving Tyr's office, the posture of both of them was different from the previous minutes. Steady steps, straight backs, high noses. The classic Cermina pose.
Each step taken, an echo in the marble corridors of the High Command tower.
Although gigantic, the corridors were empty. Most of the soldiers and guards were outside the tower assisting other soldiers with preparations for the Deep Spear hijacking mission.
Those empty corridors were conducive to secretive matters.
-I want you to find out something during the mission.- Tyr looked ahead as he walked. There was no expression on his face that revealed any feeling.
Without answering, Liz just looked at Tyr, waiting for the man walking beside her to continue talking.
With each step they took, the view of the outside of the place became wider. After a few seconds it was possible to see all the movement that the Cerminians were doing for the mission. Everything seemed too calculated and organized. Everything in the smallest details. Totally different from everyday Cerminian life.
-The assassins of the Chasseur mansion... Find out if Von's relationship with Sophie is only professional or if there is something more between them. -
Liz frowned, suspicious of this request.
-Don't tell me you're jealous of another woman. - Liz couldn't hide her dissatisfaction with this request.
-Don't be silly, soldier. This is an order from General Krauser. Level 7. - When he finished his sentence, Tyr walked alone towards General Norgard.
Liz tried to reason out the reasons for that order being classified as "Level 7". How important would it be to have the information that Sophie and Von are related sexually or affectively? Before she could delve into these thoughts, she was approached by one of the soldiers assisting the mission.
-Miss , here is your car key.- the man in armor and a rather unremarkable face handed her a key with a souvenir Gran Tlaboquiano crest.
-Thank you. - The brunette looked at the key in his hand and something concluded in her mind. The war was important, but it didn't seem to be the High Command's main concern.
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-I still don't understand why they put Von in the leadership position -Tilian and Liz were talking about trivia until the subject of "Bloodhound" was brought up again. - I even understand that he is skilled and intelligent, but I don't understand the importance of him as a leader. We had so many other assassins with more successful service histories in the High Command, and he... well... He is new here. -
-I confess to you that I thought the same thing at first. From what I've been told, they couldn't classify his degree of skill and dangerousness.- Talking about other people was always an interesting subject for Liz.
-Unclassified? - Tilian was surprised by the information.
-That's right. Tyr showed me the dossier on all of us. Apparently we are the "best" agents in Cermina, but not the most "complete". -
-Ah? Now I'm curious. Tell me everything!- Everything that came out of Tilian's mouth was humorous.
-hahaha! Calm down. Calm down. I'll tell you.- Lizandra was amused by Tilian's theatrical behavior. - Reading the dossiers and asking Tyr a few things, I found out that there are the classifications "AGAR", "MIGAR", "NIVELLIR" and "SALFVA":
"AGAR" are usually the generals of Cermina, as they are recognized in them exceptionalities in skills, intellect, political influence and some other confidential factors that Tyr didn't want to tell me. - Liz made a sulky expression. - And on this mission of ours, the only "AGAR" rated was Niero.
"MIGAR" is the classification is given only to Cermin agents or soldiers who demonstrate exceptionality in some factors. These factors can be assassination skills, infiltration, theft, magic, intellect, battle, war strategy, or politics. The rest of us are in this classification, so we are not complete.
"NIVELLIR" is the classification of the internal commanders and soldiers of the High Command. They are assigned the trust to do the security of the most important points of Cermina. And this trust is only recognized due to their high level of skill.
And finally, "SALFVA". These would be the beginning and frontline soldiers. Just common warriors or apprentices.
-And could you tell me why Von is not classified in any of these?- Tilian was amused by the conversation.
-According to what I've found out, there are some hazinesses regarding Von's potential. In the original High Command dossier, he had first been classified as "AGAR", but they have erased this classification. I don't know why, maybe they were too hasty, or maybe "AGAR" is not enough to classify him. This Tyr could not tell me, and if he knew, I doubt he would tell me. -
-Is Von really that powerful? -Tilian was surprised by all this.
-It's possible that he is. He killed Marchiello Niero, didn't he?- Lizandra's expression had changed. The existence of the Bloodhound intrigued even Cermina's best agents.
Tilian and Liz stopped talking when they heard the sound of footsteps against the wooden floor. Everything indicated that someone was approaching the cargo room, causing the two to redouble their attention to a possible confrontation.
Without much delay, the presence of Von and Sophie manifested itself on the scene. Liz and Tilian relaxed as they saw that it was the two assassins from the Chasseur family who were approaching.
-You can go and rest. I will take over the security of the cargo.- Von's raspy voice filled the room. His presence had become much more impressive. Perhaps it was a consequence of being a recurring subject of the assassins in front of him.
The two assassins nodded in agreement with Von's statement and left in silence.
Sophie still stood there looking at Von who was leaning against the wall next to the warehouse entrance and looked back at her.
-You don't have to stay here, Sophie. - He wanted to push her away, but had lost the knack of how to do it.
-I know I don't need to,-Sophie put her hand in her pocket and leaned against the wall next to Von.-...but there's nowhere on this ship I would like to be. -