“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. ‘
Andrew drifted on a dark wind. He materialized in the middle of a pitched battle, deep in a desert, sand swirling around him. “AHHH!” A knife flashed down at him and he spun into action. Block, Thrust, retreat, counter, attack, block right, spin out, thrust! The actions ran through his mind like a drill Sargent calling the steps to a dance: harsh, but in rhythm to the battle. As Andrew’s opponent slid off his blade, he took a second to glance down at himself. He was dressed in long, flowing garb from an ancient desert people, but richly appointed material. The world blurred and he was running along a cobbled street with high walls on both sides of him. He could feel the gitty excitement welling within him as he dashed away from the city guards, jewels dangling out of pockets. As he slowed, thinking he was out of danger, a guard stepped out and slashed at him with a short sword. Small motions, keep things tight. Dodge right
Hey! you have made it this far! congrats! and THANK YOU so much! it has been an amazing journey to get this far. in the past year I have learned so much. I also wrote Rejected Billionaire, and The huntress - Luna Eileen. Thanks to all of these novels I feel my craft has improved and I am a better writer over all. I am pleased to inform you that I intend to turn my focus back to Civilian Dragon Lord now for a new section! What this means is hopefully my writing is better, and more enjoyable, but it will be a bit different. What I do need from each of you that has made it this far is to help me by leaving reviews and comments and share the link!. You have no idea how helpful these are to an author and it makes me smile every time I read your thoughts! I look forward to jumping back into this world with you and I hope to have some great updates for you over the coming months. No promises on speed as I am still working a full-time job in addition to writing until such time as writing sta
Port Manai training Ground - Alexa's POVAlexa stood rooted to the spot as Anika shouted orders. “Gold is down” resonated in her ears.Andrew, the stoic warrior who had led the mission that had rescued her all those months ago. Andrew, the one who had come for her when she was kidnapped. Andrew, the one who had trained her.“We have to get to Durres, NOW!” Anika was saying. Alexa stumbled as Anika rounded on her. “Do you know how to ride the bikes?”Alexa’s mind was foggy but she tried to respond, “Yes, Raya taught me.”“Then you are with me,” Anika said. Alexa watched her turn and snap orders, the goddess incarnate.“Keira, finish here, but sent the wolves asap. Meet us in Durres.” She was saying.Alexa didn’t
Alexa looked down at Andrew.‘Alexa?’‘Hmm? Oh, Raya. What do I do now?’‘Quite ogling him for one. Go ahead and remove the needles. They have served their purpose for now. Gentle roll him to his back.”Alexa carefully removed each of the needles and then rolled Andrew onto his back, doing her best to not aggravate his side wound.‘Now, link hands, and lay down next to him, this next part will take a while.’‘I am ready,’ Alexa said, as she got comfortable beside Andrew. She glanced over at his tan skin and her stomach churned at just how pale it had gone.There was a swell of power from the medallion and Alexa’s world went dark.The world spun until sandy des
Durres- criminal docks district Praetorian guardsmen stormed the docks district, kicking in warehouse doors. “Two men, there. Round up those dock workers! Runners on the pier!” shouted a Centurion, decked out in full battle gear and waring a red feather plummed helmet. Andrew Landrew stepped from his office on the dockside brothel and wearily walked toward the guardsmen with his hands raised. “Excuse me good sir, but can I ask what this is about?” “On the ground, scum. You and the rest of your lot are under arrest for murder.” “Murder? May I then know who I am being accused of murdering?” Landry asked. He was a criminal, and had killed plenty of people but damn it all to hell if he was going to be arrested for something he actually didn’t do! “We receive