Back inside the Gold Dragon, Andrew sat across from Rosin.
“I am sorry that happened to you. I am just glad I arrived in time.” The last, Andrew said with a slight barb that could be easily heard by Landon who stood just outside the box.
“Don’t be too hard on him. Everyone has to pee. He has been with me for hours today.” Rosin said seriously.
“you could have been seriously hurt, or even kidnapped and he would have never known.” Replied Andrew.
Rosin considered this and simply nodded.
“Dr. Zollan had some great suggestions and I think we will work well together. The plans are all ready for your approval.” She said, brushing off the unpleasantness from before.
“ok, I trust both of your judgments. Are you sure you are ok?” Andrew asked.
Rosin paused to consider, but simply sighed and said, “yes, Andrew. Thank you for your concern. My arm is sore but nothing more. Ho
Location: training ground - Durres When Andrew and Roisin arrived at the site, a shadow peeled away from a wall and approached Andrew. “Sir, a word.” Andrew nodded and stepped away as Roisin headed in with the wolves to begin warming up for the evening. “Sir, it seems the King has sent a special team to Durres, and we have been monitoring them. An Inquisitor and several Praetorian Guard Immunes are here, asking around about the death of the criminal elements of the city. Specifically, they want to know who scrapped Lord Butcher and his brother, the Black Tiger.” “But they were not killed in Durres that I am aware of, or at all for that matter. Have they been killed since they returned to Tiranë?” Ask Andrew. “Yes, my lord, it seems they were killed shortly after they returned, and the criminal elements even here have been stirring. Thus far they have not messed with any of your holdings, so it has not been an issue.”
location: Port Manai Anika turned to Alexa and Keira and said, “today we are going to do some scouting at some of the local martial arts schools. Andrew really wants us to recruit capable people, and those with martial arts training would have a solid foundation to build on.” “Wouldn’t they recognize you, Anika?” asked Keira. Anika paused to consider but replied, “while it is a chance, I believe we can make it work. I have not been to Port Manai before today so unless a veteran from one of my tours is here, it is unlikely. You two are both highly skilled. Perhaps we can send you in as prospective students, and I can watch. I will act like I am unsure about joining.” “OOO! We get to go in undercover?” Asked Keira, excited. “Under covers?” asked Alexa perplexed. Both Keira and Anika busted out in laughter. “Sorry, Alexa. No, not under covers, undercover. It means in disguise.” Explained Anika.
The next day, Keira and Alexa dressed in comfortable workout clothes and headed to the local martial arts school. They each had a gi hidden in a workout bag. Alexa had Anika’s grandmaster gi until her own could be made. She still could not believe Anika had declared her a red grandmaster! In single combat, she had managed to sneak a kill shot on Anika, which had prompted her to grant the red. When they entered the school, several students were warming up. Most were wearing belts that indicated they were at various levels of basic training. Several black belts were walking around instructing the other students. Finally, one of the masters of the school approached and welcomed them to the school. “Hello, ladies! My name is Kyle and I am one of the masters here. Are you looking for some basic self-defense?” Trainer Kyle asked, a bit condescending. “I am not interested in basic training, but yes, I am looking for instruction.” Retorted Keira, alre
After their visit to the martial arts school, Anika decided they would visit the Port Manai garrison. Port Manai was the second-largest city in Placida and an important port for both naval operations and trade with the islands. Dragard maintained a very profitable trade agreement with the island nations near them that had yet to succumb to the empire. Many needed crops and goods only produced in Dragard, and several of the islands had extremely rare imports to offer in trade. Before the war, many of the southern kingdoms and nations had also traded with Placida here. The garrison at Port Manai was a large complex near the coast and had its own naval port as well as advanced training grounds for marines. As they neared the guarded entrance, Anika cursed to herself. “What?” asked Keira. “Well, I didn’t exactly think this through. We should have stopped back by the hotel and changed. None of us are in uniform, and Alexa has an escort entourage with three
“Sir, you asked me to report on the underground movements in Durres,” said Liam over breakfast. “Liam, I am eating but as long as the telling will not disturb my appetite, go ahead.” Replied Andrew as he loaded his fork with more eggs. “It does seem that Landry has been seizing the opportunity presented by the butcher being scrapped at his site to claim power and influence. Some of the gangs chose to avoid him in fear of retaliation from the capital but it seems the capital forces are in their own turf war since the death of the Butcher and his forces and are not in a position yet to reclaim Durres.” “Sounds about right.” Said Andrew around bites of breakfast. “It is notable that Landry seems to have been able to expand rapidly in the last few days with a new financial backer. It seems he may have the official sanction of Ashai.. this could be what the Guard is so interested in. The King may not take kindly to his lord governors sanctioning known crim
Location: Durres- port side Several burly men sat at various tables in a run-down bar near the docks. This was considered Landry’s territory to anyone local, but these men were clearly from the capital. “My lord Rollins, I am sor…” “Don’t use my name, you moron!” said William Rollins in a harsh voice. “Sorry, my, hmm, right. Well, we are not able to do much right now. We were in position when he entered what seems to be a huge training facility. There were hundreds of fighting men there! While we were waiting for him to come out, we saw a squad of Praetorian Guard! Sir, they are in the city asking about the criminal element and named someone called Andrew Landry. If we make a move while they are in town, it could go very bad for you, and all of us, especially if they lump us into whatever it is they are investigating.” “shit! What kind of bullshit is this! Did it seem that Andrew was involved with the Praetorian Guard?” demanded
Port Mani A man looking to be in his early thirties and dressed in an officer uniform spotted Keira, Anika, and Alexa followed by a group of about 15 women heading onto the training ground. “Hey, the women’s grounds are over there!” he shouted. “By whose order are women training separate from the rest of the army?” asked Keira. “By my command! Colonel Richardson. Now stand at proper attention.” Said Colonel Richardson. Keira, Alexa and Anika smirked but decided to play along and see where this would go. They lined up, with Keira standing front and center, in the officer’s spot, as if responsible for this unit of women. Anika and Alexa blended into the back ranks of the small platoon. “Name and Rank soldier. You will be written up for being outside the permissible training zone.” “Macintosh. Colonel Macintosh.” Keira replied. “Right well, Col…” Richardson broke off in mid-sentence as his brain caught up to what he had ju
Durres, moments earlier: Andrew bowed politely to Miss Zolan as stepped out the shop door. Just as he turned the corner and passed an ally, Raya’s mental shout rang in his mind “‘Watch out!’ a second too late. A figure swept a long knife low and from just behind Andrew’s field of view. The blade came fast and before Andrew could fully react, it pierced his side, just below the ribs. The vicious attacker tried to rapidly stab but Andrew managed to spin and deflect the second thrust with his palm. The pain momentarily robbed him of sense and he missed a left hook that connected with his jaw, spinning him into a wall. “Fuck sake!” he shook himself and Raya melded with his mind, numbing his sense of pain. ‘focus. Neutralize, then triage.’ Andrew refocused on his attacker who rushed him and tried to slash him again. ‘Why the hell was he unarmed?’ Andrew thought to himself. He should have something on him. ‘