Back in Tiranë, it was getting late and approaching midnight.
“Any news?” Asked Lord Reva.
Kage frowned and looked at the report in his hand. “My lord, all of our eyes in Durres report that the goddess departed on her motorbike shortly after breakfast. She should have been here mid-afternoon. There have been no other sightings of her, and most were no longer focused on her once she left. No one has spotted her entering Tiranë.”
“Dam. She was even apologetic when I talked to her this morning. Said she was going to head back right away. I should have sent that squad of guardsmen regardless. Could something have happened to her on the road?”
“Sir while I guess it is possible, let us not underestimate her. She is a goddess of war for a reason. Also, it is worth mentioning that my spies say that Andrew guy was seen heading to the airport in Durres shortly after Anika left. Seems he was in a rush.” Said
Deep in the mountains north of Verril, Andrew and the gods of war silently approached the cave entrance from the far left. Malachi and Asrana flanked left to clear up and behind the cave, planning to come in and flank the far side, with Andrew and Anika flanking right clearing everything in front of the cave. Carter and Nash went right up the middle to assault the three entrance guards.Anika and Andrew found the bulk of the guards who were right at the edge of the trees. At first, they didn’t realize anyone was there until Anika snapped the neck of one and had a long knife sinking through the throat of another. Andrew took out another with a knife under the chin into the brain before two others spotted them.The guards raised crossbows and fired. Bolts zipped at Anika who still had her knife embedded and trapped in her latest kill. Andrew flicked his wrist and a small knife tinged off the bolt, changing its trajectory a mere inch to Anika’s left. The secon
Anika rushed outside to find Andrew and the team in a pitched battle. Another 20 soldiers had appeared being led by a huge hulking commander.“ok team, we need to get back to Jackson and the others. Hopefully, Gad and Zev were able to clear a path for us because we will be doing this on foot.”Malachi, carter, and Asrana each eyed one another and then the enemy in front of them.Anika was pissed and said, “you don’t expect to leave that woman in there do you?”“Were you able to break the chains?” asked Andrew.“Well no. but we cant just leave her.” Pleaded Anika.Andrew gestured to the advancing army unit “I don’t want to but unless we can defeat all of these we are going to be hard-pressed to make it out alive ourselves.”Anika glanced around and tossed the book to Asrana. “Read fast, see if you can find a way to break those chains, the rest of us will buy
When the three transports pulled up to the gate in the wall, it did not immediately open. Jackson jumped on the comms “What the hell guys, let us in!” The reply came “you will have to code in, Colonel Manaski said no one in or out without authorization.” “Manaski? I thought we left with lieutenant colonel Gerald in charge,” muttered Zev. Asrana winced. “When I left it was General Henric…. He was my 1-star general and a great commander.” Jackson turned back to the comm, “fine what code in do you want? We have wounded and hostiles on our tail.” The watch sergeant replied by yelling down, “This is Watch Sergeant Shults, please code in with rank and designation. Andrew grabbed the comm, “Gold Dragon, Mike, Alpha 01, open the god’s dammed gate before I…” ‘Andrew!!’ Raya chided quickly, cutting him off mid-sentence. ‘decorum, please!’ her tone was half playful, half-serious. He was here officially after all.
“Asrana, Nash, go see the healer. The rest of you can go as well if you have injuries. Jackson, gad, Zev if you are good, remain here ”“What! You can't just send people around my….” The colonel trailed off as he listed to the names being called out. He knew those names…. Every officer, and likely every serving man in the whole kingdom would know those names… “base…. Asrana? THEE Asrana?” the colonel choked out, turning pale in realization of who stood before him.‘Of course, that thick skull of his would recognize Asrana but none of the rest of you. This reaction should be priceless,’ said Raya.Asrana, who was about to walk out, glared at Colonel Manaski. “Yes, THEE Asrana. As in your superior officer! Look around you, numbskull! Take a good hard look at the faces around you!” and with that, she walked out to find a healer. None of the guardsmen were dumb enough to
Back in Durres, upon landing, Andrew said goodbye to Anika and called Miss Croft to arrange a car.“I can have Roisin come get you. She managed to get a car while you were away.” Miss Croft said.A few minutes later Roisin and the driver Donnel pulled up in a brand new car.When Roisin got out to greet Andrew, she noticed Alexa behind him, hiding in the shadows. Andrew greeted her kindly and quickly got into the car. Roisin turned to Alexa and asked “You are with Andrew? Are you coming along?”Alexa looked around nervously. She had never been away from the temple in Dragarth, at least until she was kidnapped, and those days would haunt her for a long time to come. Now she was in an entirely unknown place with unknown people.“Umm yes, with Andrew..” she said awkwardly, her Dragard language skills clearly not native.“Well come on, we will take care of you.” Said Roisin gesturing to the car. Wha
The next morning, Andrew met Roisin who was escorting Alexa down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Alexa was constantly looking around her at every little thing. To her, this was like a whole new world. “Ladies, today Roisin informs me is the grand opening of a new community. If you both are interested, we can all go and take a look. If it suits our needs, perhaps we can find some private arrangements for you both. Roisin was stunned that Andrew was considering getting a home for her in this place. Alexa was not sure what to think as she was not even sure what her life was to look like now. A mental voice drifted softly to Andrew ‘if that is where you plan to keep me, I guess that is fine.’ ‘Raya? That didn’t sound like you.’ He asked ‘it was not me!’ said Raya. Andrew looked hard at Alexa who had her head down but said nothing. “we will see what happens. Also, this afternoon, Roisin, I hope you are prepared for the compan
Roisin was stunned. Was Andrew seriously taking them to the pinnacle?Sure enough, the manager drove right to the top and entered the main mansion property.“In the future, you are both welcome to take a room here or in the guest house. Wherever you feel most comfortable we can arrange. Alexa, I suggest we move you up here, as it is the most secure location. But I will leave it to you to choose where you want to stay,” said Andrew.“guest house?” asked Roisin, suddenly remembering that Andrew had just bought a house in one of the lower levels! How rich was he?‘Stay in the pinnacle!’ suggested Raya, but Andrew assumed it was just a mental shout to himself. He missed Alexa looking up as if she had heard a voice and didn’t know where from.The manager agreed to make access keys to the master mansion and guesting house available to Roisin and Alexa by end of the day.“Ok ladies, let
“Sir I am so sorry, I have failed.” Liam lamented, in total panic “What is the matter?” “It is miss Alexa. I sent someone over to guard her, but the hotel just reported, the guard was knocked out. Sir Miss Alexa…. She is gone.” “Liam, you have a very short window. FIND HER.” Said Andrew, blood boiling. Liam on the other end broke out in cold sweat at the killing intent that came through the phone. As soon as Andrew hung up he called every contact he had. In the past few years Liam had been cultivating contacts both in the underground circles and within the cities police forces. Soon the whole city was on the lookout for Alexa. Meanwhile, Andrew called Anika. “Anika, Someone has come for Alexa. I need you to set monitors on all entry and exit points for the province.” “Yes commander, right away. And Andrew, Find her. Keep me posted.” In Durres, Liam was able to gain access to the feed from th