The moon chased the twilight away and resumed its duty of brightening the sky. And when assisted by the numerous stars, the night was semi-dark, and the grotesque of the men walking in silence became more visible as they stepped closer. Unexpectedly, the wind became violent and turned into a whirlwind. And the moon and stars were swallowed up by the clouds that promptly emerged from the east. "It seemed like it will be raining soon," one of the Country P's merchants' guards let out. "That will be a bad omen. I have never seen rain falling at this time of the year since I was born." "Lots of things are happening that have never happened before. I guess the world will be ending as predicted one day." "That is not my problem," another young guard mumbled with a shivering voice. "I pray we don't meet the white angels at their hideout. Am only joining this mission because of the juicy offer, and not because am a daredevil." "You are nothing but a weakling, hide at my back and I will p
Augur was among the late dawdler that remained in Johji Inn, even after the DJ had disconnected his gadgets. Since all the generators that served light to the Inn had been shut down, the area was thrown into pitch darkness, and the voice of some unlucky ladies of service was heard in their endeavour to get customers for daybreak. When he was about to give up, a lady walked closer, leaned over and placed her hand on the stunned man. "Who... Oh, is you." "Aren't you a man, why are you scared?" "I was lost in reflection and didn't see you coming?" "Are you here alone?" "Yes. Others have left when they believed you aren't coming again. Why did it take you so long?" "Your conversation with me arose suspicious among the maids. I need to wait till they were all deep in sleep before sneaking out of our quarters." "And the guards at the gate allowed you to go out at this time of the day?" "They did. After I promised to bring them some bottles of liquor. Why did you ask to see me?" "W
The country P merchants were in their usual meeting spot as they await feedback from those who had gone out to render service to their king. Deep in conversation, the men were unaware as Aries and Augur stepped into the hall, and it was the sound of their feet that alert the occupied men. "Welcome gallant warriors. How was your journey and what are the updates?" "The journey was good, and I was able to convince a lady to arrange more of her colleagues for us. The contract will be completed in three days." "Thank you, Aries. You did a marvellous job, and must be compensated with a higher position when we reach our goal." "What about Augur? Tell us what you obtain where you went to," the oldest among the merchants let out. "I met the lady and she is ready to help us." "Thank you. We need some good news at this moment," Priest announced with a grim face. "What about those who went to attack the white angels?" "Please seat down. We were still awaiting their return." The two newco
The news of the death of those who went to assault the white angel's in their hideout arrived in the palace even before them. But because it was deep in the night when the mafias returned, the bemoaning was postponed until daybreak. As soon as the sun rises from the east, the mafia's palace garden becomes overcrowded with feet of mafias and maids, and they can be seen discussing the turnout of the event. "We were lucky to be at the front of the assault, and this was the reason why we haven't reached the place where the landmine was hidden before it goes boom." "It was a sorrier sight, and I was saved because of my agility and speed." "Unfortunately, the weak one among us was left behind." The ladies of attendance flocked around the mafias with open mouths and listened to their yarn of yesternight attack. But their tales were cut short by the appearance of Andrea. "Her Majesty is here," a maid whispered, signalling to her comrades and they all bowed and muttered out, "good morning
Even before the morning cock crow, men had already gathered at the Country P merchant's headquarters. And their discussion can be given attention to, even from afar. Seating in his usual position was Priest, Aries after him and Augur at the next seat, to be followed by the rest of the merchants. "The captain of our ship called to inform me of a successful voyage and assured me the transactions are going on smoothly. They will be on their way back in few days and should arrive here in three months," Priest announced, after the initial noise over salutation diminished. "How time flies. So is up to three months since they left for overseas!" Augur exclaimed. "Aye. And lots of things had happened since then." "When are we going to check our deceased comrades and guards? I thought that was why we were ordered to assemble here at this time of the day," the oldest man on the seat asked."You are right. I want Aries and Augur to lead the men that will be checking them. Verify what really
A few hours earlier, the Country P merchant and guards were led by Aries and Augur, and their vehicles arrived at the end of the tarred road. Minutes later, twelve men hopped down from the two trucks and walked into the narrow route and their conversation can be heard as they trudged closer to the white angel's hideout. Because they had followed the main road, the newcomers emerged closer to the open space where the landmines had gone boom, and they all stopped and glared at the tens of burnt carcasses that had already been partly devoured by the hungry vulture.Like lumps of trash, dead bodies can be seen littering the ground, and the men put their hands to cover their noses, to prevent the smell of charred flesh that gets more awful as they walked closer. Because they were scorched beyond recognition, differentiating the royal mafias from the Country merchants and guards is quite impossible, and the fear of more explosions made the men to lagged far off and gazed at the remains of
The commotion inside the Country P merchant headquarters was anticipated, and physicians can be seen as they raced closer to the wounded men that were lying on the floor and quickly attend to them. Laying in the puddle of his blood, Augur was a sorrier sight as he moaned out in pain. "Ouch. The pain is unbearable." "Be a man, Augur. You should be thankful you were hit on your lap and not on your skull," the Priest who just came into sight shouted back at the moaning man, turned towards Aries and asked, "what happened over there?" "We were on our way back from the inspection and were stepping closer to our car when the guard in my front was shot. Am sure the shooter aimed for me and the young guard just got in the way of the bullet." "Are the rest on their way back?" "The rest? Hahaha, We are the few lucky survivors. Others were killed in the ambush." The priest looked dreadful at the hearing of such sad news, glaring at the two wounded men on the ground, then at the man that was
The priest is as furious as a black Mamba snake throughout the day, and nothing seemed to drive the melancholy look on the sad man's face. "Why is everything going wrong?" He asked the empty room, sighed, shrugged and hissed out. What he thought will be the easier seemed to be the most difficult part of the plan. Apart from the murder of El Capone, all the other plans of the foreigners had been in vain, and they keep losing their hard-earned money and trusted men. To Priest, did is the toughest moment of his life, and the lack of enough money in the merchant's treasury made it more unbearable. With money, he can look for ways to gather additional men, influence them and turn them into dependable warriors. But because all their reserve had been spent on several unsuccessful missions that had left them bankrupt, he knew his dream of employing mercenaries will remain nothing but a dream. Asking the royal house for mafias is like asking your enemy for a favour, expect a trojan gift