Part 16
Last Wind
“A little rest can do much for a Kazan,” Namic said. “But he may have reached his limit.”
Sworder woke the girl. Her uncle was already awake. The girl yawned loudly.
“She didn’t get much sleep,” Ranin said.
As the girl rose, her tired legs gave way and she would have fallen back to where she had laid if Sworder had not caught her. He briefly lifted her to her feet before turning towards the port. The black veil of night faded into a rich purple as dawn was just beginning and golden light slowly bathed the horizon in flames.
“We have time before the ship leaves port,” Sworder said. “But you had best hurry.”
“What about you?” Uncle Ben asked.
“The guards are still searching,” Sworder said. “I will lead them away allowing you easier passage.”
“Sworder,” the girl said, wearily, grabbing his right hand. “Promise me you will return.”
“I will never abandon you,” Sworder said. “I will not be long.”
Sworder moved away. The girl helped her uncle pack and Namic and Ranin watched them as they began their journey.
“What’s he doing?” Ranin said, before looking over to Sworder.
The Kazan was moving quietly across the roof tops. He continued in the same fashion until he stumbled upon some guards on the streets. Sworder spied on them as they search the streets. He sighed and closed his eyes; focusing. He staged, and emerging from the light was the green cloaked Vassal of Wind, who drew back his bow but hesitated. He breathed quite heavily; releasing the tension on the bow string, he regulated his breathing.
“The drawback of not being able to choose one’s form,” Namic said.
“Huh?” Ranin queried. “But this form will allow him to attack from a distance getting their attention easily.”
“Indeed, but that attack is a focus,” Namic explained. “It is not as taxing as other focuses but it will still require a great effort each time he draws the bow.”
The Vassal of Wind steadied himself and drew and fired in one motion. The bolt of wind flew through the air striking a soldier in his shoulder sending him to the ground.
“There he is!” one of the other soldiers yelled, pointing at the Vassal.
The Vassal motioned to draw his bow again, but turned and ran.
“Conserving what strength he has,” Namic said.
“How long can he delay them?” Ranin asked.
The Vassal led the soldiers away from the ports and as the minutes ticked by more men joined the hunt. Ranin looked around for signs of the girl and her Uncle, finding them hurrying down a street. They turned down an alley and Ranin was about to turn away when two figures stepped out on either side of the alley, blocking the girl’s escape.
“Namic, something’s happening!” Ranin said,
The two figures closed the distance as Namic turned to look.
“Well deary, glad to see you again,” one of the men said.
“Interesting,” Namic said.
Were they not among the group of thugs they fought the other day when rescuing that father?” Ranin asked.
“Indeed,” Namic said. “A wonder they meet here.”
“Where’s your Kazan,” the other man said.
“I heard he was pretty ruffed up by the Royal Wardens yesterday,” the first man said.
“Guess he can’t save you now,” the second said.
“You have a good price on your head, ya know.”
“We don’t normally care to help the guards but we might make an exception for you.”
“My, my,” a new voice interjected. “Two thugs and no back up; quite a pity, no?”
The girl’s eyes widened; it was the sailors they first met who introduced them to the Captain.
“You’re Captain Selgaro’s man aren’t ya,” one of the thugs said.
“Ah, what a pity,” the short sailor said with a sigh. “Now I can’t let you leave.”
Both thugs raised their daggers, but the short sailor was already moving. Leaping through the air, he delivered a kick to the face of one man. Then twisting, he drew his own dagger and slammed the hilt into the other man’s temple, who collapsed to the ground, his eyes rolling back into his head. Landing, the short sailor turned and chucked his dagger at the thug recovering from the initial kick. The dagger’s hilt smashed into the center of his forehead and he quickly joined his companion.
“Well then,” the short sailor said.
“You knocked them out!” the girl said, shocked.
“Captain prefers not to make enemies with the local underground and killing their workers would be an inconvenience for them, so I try to avoid it,” the short sailor explained.
“A friendly sort of fellow,” Ranin said.
“They are just discovering what kind of people they have asked for help from,” Namic said.
“Now,” the short sailor continued, pulling out two bundles of clothing from beneath his cloak. “Put these on.” The girl looked dubiously at the bundle. “Hurry,” the short sailor continued. “We have little time and it will be harder to sneak you onboard looking like travelers, No?”
Looking back to the Vassal of Wind, Ranin saw the Kazan fleeing from growing crowd of solders.
“He can not run much longer,” Ranin said.
“Indeed not,” Namic said, gesturing at the group of three men working to intercept the Vassal on the rooftops.
“He’s being risky,” Ranin said.
The Vassal of Wind drew and fired his bow at the group. The three men scattered but continued their approach.
“He can’t have too many more shots in him,” Ranin continued.
“Indeed, he has conserved his strength. That has been only his second arrow.” Namic agreed.
The Vassal attempted to flee the approaching men but others began climbing to the rooftops cutting him off.
“He’s cornered!” Ranin said.
“Not yet,” Namic said. “But there is more to worry about than just these men.”
The stone near the Vassal splintered, as he passed; a spike striking it. The Vassal continued as he dodged the incoming projectile. Slowly he was maneuvering into a corner, as the men chasing him on the roofs closed in. The Vassal turned to face his pursuers. Drawing his bow he prepared. Immediately, a spike from the Crystal Iguana struck him, tearing through his arm.
“That’s not good,” Ranin said.
“Concealed as it is, the Crystal Iguana is quite a foe,” Namic noted.
Another spike came at the Vassal, his cloak twirled as he tumbled over the edge.
Ranin gasped.
“An interesting play,” Namic said. “And I think it will buy him the time he needs.”
“What?” Ranin asked.
As the Vassal fell he unraveled his cloak. He was unharmed and he landed softly onto the ground, disappearing into an alley. By the time the guards discovered what happened the Vassal was gone, heading back to the docks.
Ranin looked back to the girl. She was near the docks as they stared at the shipyard.
“There is Captain’s ship,” the short sailor said, pointing it out to the two. The girl was still adjusting the ill fitting shirt she had been given. “Let it be,” the short sailor said. “Just keep a calm pace and look like you belong. Follow me.”
The short sailor led them across the long gap. They made their way to the ship. The men moving up and down the planks, loading the ship paid no attention to them. Finally they reached the deck of the ship where Captain Selgaro was waiting for them.
“Good, I am glad you made it safely,” the captain said with a nod to the short sailor, “I heard your Kazan made quite a ruckus just a day ago and is at it again today. But anyways, welcome to my ship. You will find your quarters below deck.”
“Thank you,” Uncle Ben said.
“Yes, Thank you,” the girl said, but then taking a step forward she wavered, almost collapsing. But there, catching her was the Vassal of Earth.
“It has been a hard few days for her,” the Vassal said, as he held the unconscious girl. Sweeping her up he took a step, but he too wavered.
“He’s pushing it too far,” Namic said.
“It seems you both should rest,” the Captain advised.
“I hope they follow his advice,” Ranin said.
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