Alexander throws hard punches at the willow tree in the courtyard, his knuckles wrapped with a white cloth - taking deep breathes after five strikes. Even the cool breeze under the cloudy sky couldn't stop his body from being drenched in sweat.
He continued for a while, until multiple clattering from behind caught his attention, he gently spun around, setting his gaze on Paul and two other guards, mounted on their horses.
"Where to?" Alexander asked, deep exhales following.
"We are almost out off supplies, today is perfect for restocking." Paul replied
Alexander squints at Paul and the two guards.
"Isn't that the job of the maids?" He rubbed his knuckles with his hand.
"Not with what has been happening with Silent wind, so keep the compound safe."
"Why? Is there something else?"
"Yes." Paul reins his horse as did the guards. "Derek just arrived." He glanced forward with a deadpan expression.
Alexander chuckled, tilting his head to the side to get a clear view of the compound entrance - there Derek was, approaching them.
"I heard that Paul." Derek assured - pointing at Paul whose horse was in a trot along with the two guards.
"You look like a frog's vomit." Derek viewed Alexander before taking his sit on the long bench by the rear of the long table. "Shouldn't you be enjoying this fine weather in bed?"
"Not when that pig is on his way here." Alexander huffed, untying the white cloth tired round his knuckles.
"Oh! Almost forgot the scum was still alive."
"I just hope fate allows him die in the most horrible - horrifying way."
Derek smiled, "You are being too kind."
Alexander narrows his eyes at him.
"I would have slit his throat by now." Derek stated.
"In case you've forgotten, I'm not yet stable enough to take care of mother."
"I doubt, those hard fists of yours could knock someone out and to think you are still making them harder."
"All this." He seats beside Derek. "Is to protect my mother once we leave this place."
"You are in luck then."
Alexander glances at Derek, "What are you up to?"
Derek scanned the area making sure no one was in sight, he moves closer to Alexander.
"We are going to be rich Alex." He spoke in a low tone.
"How?" Alexander whispered, already looking confused yet anxious.
"I over heard the guards at the barracks talking, they scouted a route going through the portion of Ozak just outside Amon."
"And how will that make us rich?" Alexander raised a brow.
"Well, a carriage is transporting a huge some of bronze oz through that route."
"Absolutely not Derek." His voice went up a bit. "We are not taking someone else money." He lowered his voice, noticing his sudden high pitch.
"Not just someone Alex, it belongs to one of the Royal Families you told me about."
"A Royal? That's the more reason to stay away Derek."
"Why? Besides taking five packs form hundreds won't hurt them."
"Not with Royal Knights Derek, you'll be dead before you knock out one."
"The information I gathered didn't say Royal Knights but Scouts."
"I'm not going to support this Derek, call it off."
"Come on Alex, I need your plans that's all, you said it yourself, the richest are the Aquilae…"
"The Aquilae family?" Alexander glowered at Derek.
Derek was caught in Alexander's cold gaze, he remembered how angry Alexander would always get when talking about them, it was justified because they killed his father and probably still hunting him and his mother; but there was something deep and dark Derek couldn't pick out from Alexander's hate towards that family, even his hate for the raiders was no march.
It was then Derek knew he had made a big mistake mentioning the family name.
"Calm down Alex." Derek spoke calmly, choosing his next words. "I just need your plans on the best ambush."
"I'm going on this mission."
Derek's worse fear had approached him, he sighed, "I can't let you…"
"I wasn't asking for your permission Derek." He's eyes were fixed intently on Derek.
"Dammit Alex, I'm not willing to get on your bad side, but its far better than that of your mother if I allow something bad happen to you."
"Like I said, I wasn't asking."
"Derek!?" Victoria called out from the hall-house entrance, still glorying in her youthful beauty.
"Good day Ma'am." Derek waved at Victoria with a smile.
"Come join us, breakfast is ready."
"What's in for today?"
"Roasted turkey soup and wine."
"That's great, I'll be right there with Alex."
Victoria smiled then walks back inside.
"It's settled then." Alexander grinned.
"We are not discussing this Alexander." He straightens up, "You are not coming."
∆∆∆
How long has it been? Derek thought - gazing at the Lankins compound from the boulder he was leaning on.
It was still in good shape, the farm was yielding much and the vineyard blossoming. It looked peaceful as though nothing had happened there, even the twittering birds played games around it, enjoying the cloudy - sunny noon.
Then the rumors might be true after all, Mayor Aaron was involved in the massacre and an insider was part of it, Derek clenched his fists - scowling at the compound.
"He's here." Matt broke the silence.
Derek took regard of Alexander, he was approaching with four clubs, two on each hand.
"What took you so long?" Derek approached him.
"So many questions from mother."
"It's a bad idea bringing you along."
"We are not discussing this again Derek."
"Dammit." He sighs. "Alright lads, the carriage will be arriving soon."
Derek along with Matt, Lefty and Ramit positioned themselves at the side of the boulder, pushing with all their might - it wouldn't budge at first but they applied more pressure, low grunts followed, finally they rolled the boulder, unveiling a dark entrance.
They covered their nose, stepping back as a warm sour stench oozed out. Lefty brought out two pebble like stones then struck them at the stick held by Ramit, it took four strikes before a spark light it up.
"How did you find this place?" Alexander asked curiously as he passes the clubs to Derek, Matt and Ramit
"I didn't, it found me. Alright Lefty, watch our backs."
Lefty nods then walks away. Ramit passed the torch to Derek, who went into the cave, followed by Alexander then Matt and Ramit. They continued down the sloping step for a long while before arriving the bottom of the ravine. Derek hung the torch by the entrance on a mounted frame before taking a turn to the left.
"Are we at the bottom of the ravine?" Alexander asked, sizing it up.
"Absolutely." Derek assured with a smile, "You must have heard form the town folks that it had no end."
"That was the first fable I heard in Amon."
They continued towards the left for a while, getting to a particular point Derek's face loomed in deep regrets, looking to the side he could see a feint image of Flint standing there, smirking at him; looking further to the side he sets his eyes on Brandon, Crystal, a girl then Laura, he didn't take his eyes off her, he kept staring even when Alexander approached him.
"Are you alright?" Alexander asked worriedly, prying at the direction Derek was drawn to.
Derek smiles, "I'm good."
Alexander squints at him, "Sure," he spoke uncertainly, "lets go, our catch will be arriving soon."
Derek agrees, walking along side Alexander, it took a long walk through a long sharp bend until they finally arrived Ozak. They went up the sloping path then entered the damp forest - it had no trail or pathway, just a dirt ground with brambles scattered all over and broad branch oak trees with lemon coloured leaves and short trunks; five foot high at most.
Derek led the way, walking diagonally to the left rare, the forest itself was on a stand still as they journeyed through it, no birds sang or flew about, just red squirrels watching them from the highest branch of the trees. After a while they arrived at a spacing, a wide dirt path of lower ground separated them from the other portion of the forest.
Looking at the path Derek knew it was still fresh, there was no trail of hoof tracks, he glanced at Matt and Ramit giving a slight nod, they understood what they had to do, going down the slope to the lower path, they crossed over to the other side of the forest.
"Come Alex." Derek taps his shoulder.
They walked over to the side, crouching behind a boulder.
They remained silent for a while, Derek looking over the boulder every now and then towards the curve at the the end of the path.
He sighed then glanced at Alexander who was staring at him.
"Come on, out with it."
"I know that smile you gave back at the ravine all too well."
Derek sits down, resting his back on the boulder, "What about it?"
"I got used to seeing my mother put it on each time she tried hiding her pain." Alexander glanced into his eyes.
Derek hesitated, trying to keep things steady, but ended up breaking the stare, "Fine, I was once a captive of a rich boy."
"I wonder how that happened?" Alexander jested.
Derek began his story from the attack on Olives and the death of his parents to how Flint captured him and sold him and others off to Lankins. He continued with how things went in the compound, his friends, his stubbornness towards Lankins and the guards; then he shows the scars on his back to Alexander.
All through the story Alexander just watched him, refusing to utter a word. Just after Derek had concluded with the attack on the compound and his escape, a high pitch coo sounded.
Derek and Alexander quickly went back to their crouching position - peering over the boulder, a wagon with curved-wooden covering approached from the bend, guarded by four Scouts; two on each side.
They were clad in purple cloth armor with no helm, the report was slightly off, Derek knew the armor all too well from being in the barracks, those were the standard armor for an Azma Rare Guard, an Azma ranker which had undergone all training drills in a camp. Derek smiled, it didn't matter to him, it would be an easy knock out either way, he hid himself back then glanced at Alexander who wasn't holding a cheerful face - his eyes were gleaming with fury.
"Alex." Derek whispered, nudging his gray tunic.
Alexander loosens up a bit, "I'm good."
"Better, just remember, these guys are not part of the Aquilae Family."
"Sure." Alexander assured wearing a brown sack over his head, covering his face, it had holes for both eyes and mouth, as did that of Derek.
Derek listened carefully to the wobbling wheels and cantering horses as they approached closer to their position - sure of the trap he blew a short yet high whistle then dashed out from behind the boulder as did Alexander, so did Matt and Ramit, already on their masks.
It was the right timing, the guards were directly before them, Derek jumped from the high ground towards the guard who had already noticed him, he belted his head with the club before the guard could reach for his sword.
The guard dropped to the ground unconscious while the rearing horse bolted. Derek quickly drew the short sword from the scabbard of the unconscious guard - pointing it at the Wagon rider, also a Rare guard, though unharmed.
"Don't even think about it." Derek deepened his voice.
The unharmed rider raised up his hands, not even flinching or concerned, Derek glanced at Matt who was petting the horse of the rider he knocked out.
"Check the package." Derek ordered then glanced back at the calm rider, not much older than he was.
"You all are dead once Prince Ramiton finds out." The rider assured.
"You better shut up before I do it myself." Derek warned.
The rider chuckled, "I will gladly accept my punishment from the Prince, but yours will be an amazing sight to behold."
There was something about his chuckle, it harbored fear and regret, before Derek could speak, Alexander grabbed the rider by his black leather pants, whopping him to the dirt. Derek hurried over to the neighing - rearing horses reined to the wagon, keeping them at rest while Alexander knocked the rider out with a punch.
"What was that for?" Derek asked worriedly.
"He spoke highly of a Royal."
"Dammit Alex."
"It's opened." Matt yelled.
Derek and Alexander hurried over to the back.
"This is just wonderful." Derek declared, glaring at the medium size pouch piled up inside the wagon.
"I suggest we take our share and bury the rest." Alexander spoke with a straight face causing everyone to gaze at him.
"Woo!" Derek holds his shoulder - staring into his eyes. "It seems you want Amon to be burnt to the ground Alex, because that's exactly what will happen. We take five and leave, the Aquilae Family won't come looking for us over five missing bags from over a hundred."
"Fine, just this once." Alexander Picks up two pouch. "I'll be holding ours."
Derek smiled then glanced at Matt and Ramit, "What are you waiting for?" He steps aside gesturing his hand towards the wagon, "Pick yours up dammit."
Matt quickly picked up two as Ramit picked one, glancing at each other with a smile.
"We are rich Ramit." Matt declared with wide expecting eyes.
Suddenly a high rising shriek blew out, everyone stood still - hesitating to move, but finally made a move as Alexander hurried to the side. A guard was partly conscious, he held a short wooden pipe in his mouth, as though that was his last strength he fell back to the ground.
Just then another similar shriek resounded from a distance.
"This is bad," Alexander panicked, "This is really bad, we have to go now."
"What signal was that Alex?" Derek asked.
"The Knight squad has been alerted."
Derek took the lead as they all bolted back into the forest, they ran as fast as the could, neither slowing down or glancing behind.
As soon as they went down the slope into the ravine they stopped to take deep breaths.
"That was a close call." Matt panted.
"This… is the last time we are trying this." Derek assured, taking short breaths. He glanced at Alexander, he was gazing up intently, Derek looked up and saw a bird hovering about.
"That bird seems to be following us." Alexander confirmed.
"It's just hunting Alex, there's no way a bird is as wise as that."