"Master Wayne said he has apprised you about the expedition," said Zyair the day after the master told them his wishes.
"Yes," said Ashviel. "We start the journey today."
Zyair looked at the three of them, and though they looked prepared for the battle, he was still surprised to see that they had no provisions with them.
"I thought you guys are rich," said he. "At least you bought a house all by yourself."
"Yes…we are," said Kael, not getting Sir Zyair's point.
"Then where are your backpacks?"
"We have space pouches," answered Kyra.
"Wow," exclaimed the knight. "You amaze me in more ways than one. So, how did you steal it?
"Steal?"
"Oh c'mon I know you must have stolen it," said Zyair. "I stole mine a year back from a battle."
Ashviel shook his head. Zyair only knows of one space pouch, and is amazed already. As he was about to talk, Master Wayne entered the room.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Sure," answered Zyair. He went it and reappeared a moment later with his mask on and his shooting-sword belted on his lightly armored robe.
Ashviel had put on one of Master Vauxall's robes, having ruined the enchanted one against the bald knight.
Kyra and Kael were also in armored robes, and without doubt, Kael had his Zeroszen blade just by his side.
Master Wayne walked them to the front of the mansion, where his manservant Hik was waiting with two horses. Zyair mounted one and Ashviel sat behind, leaving Kyra and Kael to share the other.
"I could have given you more horses," said the Lord, "but a large party would attract attention."
Ashviel nodded, understanding that four horses riding out of Master Wayne's residence would alarm the men who were watching him.
They rode out in a trot, increasing the pace to a canter as they rode further away.
After an hour after the start of the journey, the squad passed by Roxanne's apartment, and Ashviel pleaded to say his goodbye to her. The masked knight accepted, giving him five minutes and telling that he might not return alive from the rescue mission after all. Even though Ashviel knew that Sir Zyair was right, he did not expect any fatality, not when a knight was on their side.
Kael and Kyra also came down to meet Roxanne, but Ashviel told them it was unnecessary, and after a furtive wink at Kael, he succeeded to go in alone.
Fortunately, he met at home, so engrossed in training that he knocked for close to a dozen times before she opened the door. She was clearly not expecting anyone, and was a little surprised to see Ashviel.
She ushered him in courtly nonetheless, and keeping time in his mind, he briefed her about his mission.
"You're one lucky crew," she said when he was through. "You're already running important errands for your master."
"What can I say? He needs us."
"Just get me a souvenir when you get back," said she.
"It is a rescue mission Roxie, not an excursion."
"What difference does it make? Just return in a good shape."
Ashviel looked down. "About that Roxie, I may not return—"
"Quit it," she cut in, and then moved closer to him. "I'm sure you will be back, and in perfect health."
"But Roxie I—"
"Promise me that," she said, and held his hand in hers.
"Okay, I promise," said he, and Zara relaxed.
"Advance to victory then," she said, with a smile pregnant with concern.
"I will," he said and left, just in time before Zyair mounted his horse to leave.
They continued their journey afterwards, riding on for several hours, and as they traversed the two-hundredth mile, Ashviel began to see how large Capricorn Prime was. Though he had not expected it to be a small community, he was still surprised to find out that South Capricorn alone extends so far off.
The sun finally set and the moon took over to guide them through with the borrowed light. Sir Zyair eventually got tired, and then allowed them to pass the night in a lodge.
"Relax," he said to them after paying for the night, "the house is only an hour ago."
It made sense to Ashviel. A strike early in the morning would be the best, and Zyair had made sure they got close enough before stopping for the day.
Of course, he had taken off his mask to avoid being recognized, because contrary to the norm, Zyair wears a mask openly but casts it off to for a disguise
Ashviel felt they had overslept, for the sun had fully risen when he woke up. They carried on after a brief meal, and after some minutes, they arrived at the house.
It was an isolated low house, looking more like an abandoned hovel than a keeping house. They advanced on their feet, and Zyair looked over the house with keen eyes.
He opened the door stealthily, and his three companions followed him from room to room.
"I don't know who sent you here," they heard a crusty voice say, "but I understand you have a death wish."
They stood on end, startled at their discovery, and the speaker emerged from the room. Almost as soon as the young man wearing only a trouser stepped out, Zyair shot at him with his sword, but the guard was swift enough to avoid the strike. He ran back into the building like a spooked weasel makes for its hole, screaming at the top of his voice to alert his comrades.
Master Wayne's men followed him, and after some moments, they arrived at a long passage, at which end stood a man of imposing height. At his side were two others: the crusty one and another one with a short body.
"Zyair," cried the tall man. "Finally had the courage to come here?"
"It's been a long time, Hans," replied Zyair.
"Get Elena," said Hans to the two at his side.
"After them," Zyair said as the two turned to leave.
"I'll stay with you," Kyra said, brandishing her daggers before Hans.
"Don't," insisted Zyair. "Save Elena now."
"But Sir Zyair—"
"Hans is mine!" said the knight in a voice so threatening that Kyra moved away. Surely, there was cold blood between him and Hans.
"Do you engage in petty discussions before me?" asked Hans, and Ashviel became certain that he must be a knight, if not a master.
Hans was blocking the passage, and Ashviel had to tear down the walls with a basting force. It came down after the first strike, being worn out from age.
They chased the men into the room where Elena was being held. She was not chained, but was kept in a cage like an animal. She looked wild, with her clothes torn in multiple areas, which suggested that she had not only been ill treated by confinement, but also had been given little in the way of food and clothing. As the three potential rescuers came in, she ran to the wall, utterly confused.
"Get her, Kyra," said Ashviel. "We'll handle these two."