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Valkyrie Black stepped off the Sea Banshee and made her way down the pier, escorted by ten marines in front and twenty behind. Tarra seemed glued to her hip as they entered the city. “Tarra, this is where we part ways.” The girl turned to look at her, her face pale and bloodless. “Alone? You are just sending me on alone? What about bandits, or, or, more pirates?” The tremble in her voice nearly made Valkyrie drop what she was planning and escort the girl herself. “Tarra, I am not sending you alone, nor empty-handed. Marine Major Gunner will be escorting you with some of his best men. I think your father will also find the crate you return with to be sufficient dowry to see you comfortable for the rest of your days. And, who knows, perhaps I will see you again the next time I need to travel between Durres and Surret.” “When will that be?” Tarra asked, a bit of hope returning with the color to her face. Val thought about it, “Well, if everything goes according to plan, I will head b
Val made her way down the street as the barkeep had indicated. In the early afternoon light, there were plenty of people out and about, but all gave her furtive glances. Val looked around to see what they were gawking at and realized she must indeed be quite the sight. Three of the marines walked about twenty feet in front of her, while four more flanked her sides, still keeping a respectful distance. Behind her, another three acted as rear guard.Val was thankful the marines were professional enough to keep their distance but so many on these streets was a sight for sure. However, Valkyrie reasoned with herself that Gunner’s men had been the first to be loyal to her. She may have known them less than a month, but they already had a burning desire to please. At least with so many, any attempts by the assassins would be much more likely to go in their favor.Val was surprised to note that there were very few Scath about. Normally a town like this would be crawling
“I just, hadn’t seen you dressed up.” Gunner finally said. “I know I typically were blood, but a girl does like to look decent from time to time” Val teased. Gunner chuckled at that and led them down to breakfast. After two plates of warm eggs, grits, and slices of bacon, Val sat back, content. “We need more meals like this. It may be simple, but damn their chef can cook,” Val said. Gunner clearly agreed as he signaled the waiter to bring him a third plate. “So, you plan to head out shortly then?” Gunner asked. “If the men are ready, I probably should. According to the maps provided, its only a few hours ride. I should be back tonight. I may miss dinner hour, but shouldn’t be much longer than that.” “The men should be arriving any time now. They have three carriages reserved for the day,” Gunner said as another plate was set before him. “Three? Well, won’t we be a sight.” Val said darkly, remembering how many stares she had received the day previous. One of the marines walked
When Val arrived at Kamë Hije Mbledhje hotel, she was not in a good mood. She left the carriage in a huff, simply telling the officers to be close by. As she entered, the desk attendant gestured to the lounge. “Mr. Accardo is waiting in the private booth in the back.” Valkyrie made her way to the booth but froze when she saw what awaited her. A man in his sixties sat at a table, smoking a cigar as if he didn’t have any cares in the world. Dressed in a high-quality black suit with a red tie, the man was of average build, not overweight, and sat with a straight back. The look maked Val feel that this man cared a lot for appearances. However, his appearance is not what brought her up short. Off to his left, several of Accardo’s men stood with their hands on the shoulders of her men. Farson, her new guild master for the Durres Reapers looked like he had taken a beating before arriving here. The other she recognized from the Dock Jackels. Jonah Hex was mos
“Anyone at all could be of note. Now that you two are working together, we should know if a new guard rotation comes in, if anyone of high station, and any other guilds try to make a play on our turf. Now that you see just how powerful Accardo is in Surret, We will do similar in Durres,” Val explained. “When will you be back, miss? You are the one who took over. Doesn’t seem right with you not in town,” Farson said. “You two are more than capable. But hopefully I will be back as soon as Barclay is dead. I would ask you to look around town but I have a feeling if he was here, he has already fled again. You two keep your heads down until morning, and I will make sure Tarra and Major Gunner are ready to go with you. Gunner will escort you back to Durres, and Captain Talwater can pick him and his men up there.” “Yes, Miss,” They both replied. Val stood to leave but turned back to the men, “Talk with Mr. Nyx. I want our enforcers to start training with rifle and pistol. If they can pass
As she looked around, she was delighted to find stores of crystals, neat stacks of various metals, and even a few devices and contraptions that she had no idea about. “Never in all my years…” said the monk behind her. Val turned to him, “You didn’t know about this?” “I knew the room existed, and it’s been described in our text, but it’s been centuries since a spark blessed has come to the temple of Michael the Healer. There were a few reported encounters with one that just stopped in for a short time. Something about scath gathering in the area. But none since Lilith Endora around the turn of the last millennia. Those were dark days indeed if the records are to be believed.” “Lilith came here?” Val asked, surprised to hear anyone actually knew of Lilith. The monk held up a hand and vanished around the corner. While she waited for the strange man to return she began to peruse the shelves. Among the gems there were several drawers full of Moldavite nestled alternatingly with diam
“You are lucky none of these men have had the foresight to just shoot you on sight. Those new weapons are obnoxiously loud, but they seem to have a devastating effect. In time I will teach you ways to ensure you stay out of such a brute’s grasp. Even Lilith had to learn that the hard way. Men can overpower us if they have the brain power to close distance with us. However, speed and cunning will allow you to stay ahead of them, and a simple draft in their cup prior to an encounter can tip the scales in your favor, if not outright remove the need to battle at all.” [Mind link initiating] “What did you do, child? Whom did you connect with?” Andrea asked in a terrified whisper. “No one. I mean, not that I know of.” “No one should be able to initiate contact with the Dark Angel Spark. The networks are secure. Where is your body?” demanded Andrea. “The temple of Michael, southeast of Surret,” Val answered honestly. “Shit,” Andrea said in a very undignified manner. It surprised Val bec
Instead of shooting the man in the head, Val chose to be sadistic and stomped on his windpipe. He flinched, causing her heel to miss somewhat and fracture his jaw before impacting his throat.It wouldn’t kill him quickly, but Val could already see the red blood on his lips from his collapsed lung. With his damaged throat and swelling jaw, he was in for a painful, agonizing night. Without treatment, it was doubtful he would make it to morning, and Surret was a good two-hour ride away.Val stepped over to the monk and held out a hand to help him up. He gratefully took it, still clutching his right arm to his body.“I was lucky the idiot only shot me in the arm. I will heal. The others of my order are not far. We have a monetary just on the top of the hill.”“Good. Do you mind giving this worthless waste of air a ride back to Surret?” Val asked.“I will see what we can do. He may not make it back alive.”“What a shame,” Val replied coldly as she looked down at Byron. The man was already