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 Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 2:55 pm
Bitter winds had never favored Enyeto's exposed skin. Often times in the winter he would face one or two fronts of nature's cold breath, but often times his home was warm and protected by the towering trees that surrounded them. Grunting as he stepped outside, the boy looked around with mild curiosity before continuing forward to the instructor lodges and offices. It was a relatively new addition to the school; considering before hand the students were left unobserved during the night hours but now at least one instructor was assigned a general watch.
It made sneaking out all the more fun.
His fist opened and closed several times in a feeble attempt to keep blood moving through his veins. The courtyard seemed to stretch on forever in front of him, but his stubbornness would not allow him to admit that it was chilly and certainly not cold.
Enyeto closed the top that he had earlier caved to wearing into the cold, he held it tight with one hand and used the other to pull his untamed hair back. The wind was angry and happened to be taking it out on any unfortunate soul that had class or was outside that day-- and Enyeto was regrettably one of them.
As he neared the front doors of the instructor's lodging he sped up and rushed forward to get inside. Once the sealed doors had closed behind him, his senses relaxed. Looking around he noticed a small desk in front of him and on either side of the room a fire blazed-- which provided the much needed warmth to his numb limbs-- surrounded by clusters of cold students seeking shelter from the cold.
It seemed a bit abnormal, the weather anyway.
Enyeto approached the desk and handed the lady behind it a small book, "I was called here in regard to this letter." His eyes gestured towards the letter which was now in the secretaries hand before he withdrew his hand and waited for a reply.
Being shuffled off was not something he enjoyed, but with an urgent call he followed the small lady into a back room. It was dim, lit by only a small fire on the wall.
"Someone will be with you shortly. We are waiting on one other individual to begin the meeting. Please, do stay here and stay out of trouble." she urged as her feet quickly guided her out of the room.
Enyeto's mind began to wonder if he was being called here in regards to his academics or perhaps to the weather outside. Whatever the reason, he now had to wait.
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Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 3:14 pm
Thibault pulled his shirt closer to him. It was too cold lately but living on the street had often left him that way. Sometimes he preferred it. It left one numb and then nothing needed to be felt. A sigh escaped his lips as he opened the door to find several students in the room. Shaking his hair out to ease it back in place, his eyes scanned the others.
Some glanced his way but most simply ignored him. He was just one of the many here which suited him just fine. It had surprised him when he had received the letter and wondered if it had to do with the set of clothing he had stolen to wear when he was outside the town. Of course there was always the chance it had to do with the injury that was nearly healed on his wrist.
No pain. No gain. He had shrugged it off the day the blade slipped from the test mechanism and directly into his arm. At least until he had to spar and every jolt his wrist took burned like fire up the length of his arm. It had put the entire spar off and him at a disadvantage. The instructor had gripped his arm afterwards causing him to wince in pain. And after inspecting the injury, the teacher had simply made a notation on a piece of paper and walked away.
The woman at the desk stared at him as he walked forwards. He simply held out the letter to her. She raised an eyebrow, but took the offered paper. Scanning it, she nodded, stating, "Follow me. The other is already here."
Thibault silently followed her back to the nearby room. His eyes still glanced around him as he calculated ways to get out in a hurry. Maybe this was about what he had said to the priest that day also. He supposed he could be in trouble for that.
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Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 3:31 pm
Time had become irrelevant to the boy as he nervously twitched his fingers in the dim room. The only sound was that of the crackling fire or the hushed whisper from a loose timber in some neighboring room. His breath was silenced by his own effort to hear some movement in the distance. He had discovered in his glance around the room that it was longer than it was wide and held a single table with five chairs on either side, with a pair at each end-- making its maximum occupancy twelve.
A curled lip was the only part of his expression that was moved by anything in the room. The rest blankly stared and observed the fire to his left. He had been left in the chair closest to the fire but not the end chair. His own shadow covered the remaining chairs and danced like a tribal figure. With a sigh he leaned back and shook his head, excusing the other person's tardiness on the weather.
Sitting up promptly as the door opened and another student was guided in Enyeto smirked: Thibault. He should have expected nothing less from fate, but what was the reason the two of them had been guided here. It had been a couple of weeks since their paths had crossed and time more since they had even had a conversation. Contemplating the reasons he kept quiet and reserved in the chair he sat. It was comfortable and the fire nurtured his cold limbs.
He opened his mouth to speak as the secretary left but was quickly interrupted by another entering figure. He was of average height, good build, short hair, and rather well dressed. The gentleman quickly introduced himself as Warren Seid, a leading instructor on the island.
Enyeto's levels of suspicion quickly rose. His presence in a public place meant he was telling the truth but little had Enyeto seen of any other instructor's name other than that of the three combat instructors. All others normally remained nameless. So who was this well-dressed figure?
With his questions boiling, Enyeto remained silent and listened to the gentleman. He informed them that they were brought together in order to retrieve a document from an individual who was trying to find out why the weather on the island had gone so far off-scale. The island was in a tropical area and had never been snowed on before, until today. Many instructors feared for the animals and environment if the reason was not quickly discovered.
"Will you accept this task?" questioned Mr. Seid as his hand outstretched to reveal a smaller envelope, "If so your weapons will be relinquished to you, as will a map of the island."
Their weapons had not been taken from them, but it seemed as if Mr. Seid means something else by weapons. Enyeto could not decipher what he meant, instead he remained silent in hopes that Thibault would speak first.
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Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 3:56 pm
His eyes found Enyeto the moment he walked into the room. It had been awhile since they had seen one another. Classes had been keeping them busy as had other activities. He supposed if he were in trouble, it would be better to have someone known to him along for the ride.
Thibault moved towards the chair indicated but just as he sat down, the door opened up. He watched the man closely, sizing him up. He seemed awfully well dressed for an instructor, but as Thi had learned the hard way, appearances were deceiving. This man wore a mask just as all the others did. But if he were an instructor, why reveal himself now?
This situation was more than what it seemed.
"I do have a few questions before I accept. First, does this fellow know we are to retreive this document from him?" Thibault asked. "Second, what are we likely to run into? I'm sure if he does not know he is handing it over, there will be safeguards placed on it. I would like an idea of what to expect. Third, how far are we allowed to go to do what is necessary? Fourth, you mean our weapons will be allowed away from the school in our possession, no?"
If nothing else, he knew the rules on the weapons at the school. Most followed them. This could be a good chance to try out the mechanism. He had worked out the problem of it, but it was still a bit noisier than he wanted it to be.
"And lastly, what happens if we get caught?" Thibault finished, folding his arms as he watched the man. He did not exactly distrust him, but he had clearly not told them everything. And it really did not matter to him to get caught. He just wanted to know the consequences before they went in.
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 6:46 pm
Enyeto had announced his acceptance of the mission only seconds before Thibault asked the mysterious gentleman his last question. The question was followed by a minute of silence before the gentleman even nodded and gave any intention of answering.
His posture relaxed for only a moment before returning to it's rigid state. Enyeto felt uncomfortable in this gentleman's presence, one unlike the vibe that the instructors often gave the flocks of foreign students. Entrusting the stranger with the ability to answer Enyeto rose from his seat and sauntered over to the fire where one hand casually propped himself up against the brickwork. "Proceed," he invited the other gentleman to go on with a second of eye contact.
The stranger placed his palms on the table in front of him, and with a deep breath, allowed his shoulders to fall. "Your questions each deem notable replies Sir. However, I am permitted to only reply what a voice in my ear tells me I am allowed too. So, I will reply to the best of my permitted ability.
"The 'gentleman' you are to meet is a Lady Doyle. She is to meet you on the eastern part of the island-- much further than many of the patrols roam at night, as I am sure you are aware. Lady Doyle is to be wearing normal attire and is to be joined by a companion whom has been trouble for our organization before. You are simply to meet her, retrieve the documents, and return to this office before sunrise. A very agreeable request, until the gentleman comes to the forefront of the picture.
"He is very disagreeable and unwilling to cooperate with our organization, primarily the training of island refugees such as yourself." The stranger took a sweeping glance of the room before requesting permission to continue.
As such, he did, "You are allowed to bait the gentleman away or persuade him otherwise. However, Lady Doyle's life is of importance to this school as she is in consideration to being one of the newest instructors." At that he went silent with a wince of his eyes. It seemed as if the piece in his ear had just intensified beyond recognition in volume.
"I am sorry, but that is all." he whispered hurriedly. He pushed a piece of paper with some permission documents across the table. Silently he pointed at them and smiled. As his bearings were gathered he straightened up and headed for the door. "Ah, and if you get caught: expect no help. We know not who you are or where you came from. To us, you are a bunch of misfit kids-- because that is precisely what your records say. Good day gentleman."
His exit was swift and uninterrupted.
Enyeto's smirk quickly disappeared. This was ridiculous. Their records were warranting them a task without mention or consideration. Eying the document on the table he scuffed his heel on the bricks before approaching the center of the room. His eyes did not meet or dare glance Thibault's way. Enyeto's attention was focused on the lunacy of their current assignment. It was insanity.
With a drape of his head he folded open the envelope and read the piece of paper. It was a letter which granted them access to their weapons off school grounds for twelve hours, beginning at pick up.
With a raised eyebrow he looked at Thibault, "And how do you presume we go about this?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:27 pm
Thibault said, "Very carefully." Then added, "I did not think they would acknowledge us if we get caught. Just wanted to make him say it. Also, he's NOT the one pulling the strings. He's a mask- a front for those really in charge."
He glanced around the room. "Probably listening right now." Watching Enyeto a moment, he said. "We will talk on the way." Indicating the door, he motioned the other to follow him.
If this man had been difficult already, then he was going to continue to do so. And dealing with he and Enyeto, he was certain the man would be even more so. They were kids who would be expendable. The man would have seen their faces. He would be able to recognize them later and if this was protested in some way, it would be he and Enyeto left out to hang for it. If nothing else, the streets had taught him that much.
What was the best way to deal with him? Kill him. It was that simple.
And he'd have to surprise the man as he had those others to get the upper hand on him. That new mechanism would give him the advantage up close if it appeared he had no other weapons and the clothes would make him think he was just some dumb kid- some drunk kid if he poured a bottle of alcohol over himself. He could place his sword where it could be easily found if nothing else.
"I think you need to approach them. I'll be the backup in case the man gets belligerent. I need to get something first." Thi said as soon as they were outside. They never said what weapon he could use, so he planned to take both and do what he could. "It's in my room. It will give us an advantage."
The mechanism was crude but it did work. Somewhat. At least he'd not stabbed himself since the last time and he'd made certain it slid outwards and back. It still was not as silent as he wanted it, but it did work. And it had the chance to kill someone. This was the logical choice to protect himself and Enyeto.
He glanced over at his companion. The boy would not go for it. It would be better if he did not know. Enyeto could always hit Thi for it afterwards, but this was for both their benefit in the long run. And the surprise on Enyeto's face would prove he had not known if there was any blame for anything later.
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 5:16 pm
By way of persuasion Enyeto managed to keep himself from asking the other any questions. It was in his genetic disposition to inquire about things that kept him in the dark, but he felt as if time would make things clear. Arching his head back and looking up at the dismal, rolling black skies he sighed. It was close to sunset, and that was only clearly obvious from the slips of sunlight that managed to get through the clouds.
"Meet me at the base of the place where we first broke the rules." he waved off his companion and began progressing down towards the school gates. Two guards approached him but retreated after they examined the piece of paper. With his bow slung over his shoulder the tall boy made his way down the empty streets towards the church house.
The ranger's mind was experiencing deja vu the moment he approached the church. For the past few minutes his body had been mindlessly trudging the streets, only missing tables and barrels by inches as he walked. With a shake of his head he dismissed the recollection of the night Thibault and him snuck in to the church house. It was truly an experience worth having.
That was the night they both discovered that they were not being told everything-- though the instructors made it clear by their mannerisms that they were always restraining themselves.
A smirk that crossed his face was met with blistering winds and with a shiver the boy disappeared into the alley just by the tall doors. No wonder no one had been out in the streets today. The weather here seemed coarser, if it could be described as such.
It was abnormal but having never ventured into the Western mountains or marshes his experience with weather was little. Judging by the island climate and how the populace responded, this was just as strange to them as many of the students.
Furrowing his eyebrows he leaned up against a cold brick wall and awaited the arrival of his partner, Thibault.
They would need to meet up once, at least, before maneuvering towards their meeting location.
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 5:32 pm
He nodded, just before splitting away from Enyeto. Thankfully, the other boy had asked nothing about his plans. He was only going to tell him the bare minimum and it did not take him long to get changed into the other clothing. Carefully he picked up the wrist mechanism, testing it just before placing it on. When he was sure it was right, he set it off once more. The blade came out properly with a small zing before he pushed the small lever and it slide back upwards. Locking it into place, he pulled the ragged shirt closer to him.
It was going to be cold but Thibault did not want to get the alcohol over his normal clothing. A bit splashed around the collar of the shirt would make them think he was drunk. Setting the bottle back on the table with the other tools, he moved towards the door.
The weather was brusk and he shivered for a moment, letting his body get used to it. The layered shirts were not as warm as his other clothing, but it would do for the night's work. He did have his sword on his hip. And the papers in his pocket where he could reach them. He did not wear gloves, but he knew at some point he would have to find a pair that did not interfer with his mechanism.
That's all he could think to call it. It was not like it was living and he could give it a name. Or should he? A bit of amusement slipped into his thoughts. He could name it and then none would ever know what he was talking about. He would have to think on this later.
Glancing around him after being stopped by a couple guards, neither of which searched him for the wrist mechanism after seeing the sword on his hip, Thi looked for Enyeto. Noting him standing in the alley, he moved closer. "Enyeto, here's how it needs to go down." He glanced upwards at the clocktower. It had been a good day that day and it fit that they met here. This was a lucky place for them. After all, they had not been caught that day. They would not this night.
"I'm going to follow at a distance to the side of you. I'll get closer once you meet up with them. It will give us some surprise, just in case this guy has trouble planned. Either way, you stick with the lady and get the document. No matter what happens. Okay? I can get away if I need to, but we need to finish the job. I'm counting on you to get that paper and keep her safe."
After a moment, he added, "You lead the way. I'll follow." This was going to be a night to remember.
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