Chapter 24 #2
“They’re here already?” the studious man asked, barely glancing at the newcomer as he continued examining the jars. “That was faster than expected.”
“Yes. Apparently, they sent the Crimson Wolf himself. He used a Waygate to get here faster.”
They already know we’re here. And they know Fenn is with us. How?! Rynna’s mind raced. Do I stay and listen or get Bran and warn everyone?
“What?!” The swordsman—Bain, they called him—balked, his hand flying to the hilt of his weapon. “You never said anything about a Vessel. It was supposed to be Awakened at worst.”
“Relax,” the leader cooed, stepping out of the shadows. He was small and hunched, his voice unnervingly calm. “I will handle him if needed, though I don’t think that will be necessary.”
Rynna’s blood ran cold. This small, shriveled man thinks he can handle Fenn?
Knowing her Unit Leader’s reputation, the thought was unsettling. But this man didn’t strike her as either stupid or uninformed.
“The old woman with them, then?” The swordsman asked.
No! Gran Hesta?
“Yes!” The leader cackled. “The great Crimson Wolf should already be under the Veilroot if she’s done her job. We left a little welcome package for whenever she returned.”
No! She needed to leave now.
“You know we can’t really cure the townspeople, right, Yata?” Notebook man mumbled, his pen scratching across the page. “They’re far past the point where any antidote would be effective.”
Shit. Rynna froze mid-movement, halting her jump across the roof. An antidote? That could be vital.
“Who cares?” Yata shrugged, a cruel smile spreading across his face. “She’s dead once we know the drug works on a powerful Hollow-born.” His grin widened. “And I couldn’t have asked for a better test case. The Crimson Wolf will make an excellent demonstration.”
“Hmmm, hmmm.” The notebook man nodded absentmindedly. “Does he have a team with him?”
“Just a couple of younglings. Novices in training.”
“Babies.” The swordsman picked at his nails. “Think we’ll be able to drive up the price? With the Crimson Wolf on display?”
“An excellent suggestion, Bain,” Yata replied, rubbing his fingers together. “Most excellent indeed.”
I don’t have time for this. Rynna’s heart raced. She couldn’t wait any longer to see if they’d reveal more about an antidote. She needed to get back.
Darting across the rooftops, her feet barely made a sound against the uneven tiles beneath her.
She kept low, her body moving in and out of the shadows.
Spotting Bran ahead, she dropped down beside him without a word.
Her grip firm, she yanked him back, practically dragging him down into a narrow alley, where the tight walls pressed them into concealment.
At first, he struggled against her hold, but he quickly fell into step when he recognized her. Once they were a block away, far enough that she hoped they were beyond the hearing of any advanced Hollow-born senses, she turned to him.
“What?! Are they Hollow-born?!” Bran’s eyes were wide, excited, his body practically vibrating with eagerness.
“Yes, but shut up and listen,” Rynna hissed.
“Rynna, you’re being—”
She slapped him, the sound sharp in the quiet street. “Listen. Now.”
Bran rubbed his cheek and nodded quickly.
“There are three Hollow-born inside,” Rynna began, her voice low and urgent. “A swordsman, some kind of scientist or alchemist, and...something else. I’m not sure what he is, but he’s the leader, and he’s got advanced training.”
“Like how advanced?” Bran asked, working his jaw. Maybe I hit him too hard.
“Vessel-level advanced.”
“What?” Bran froze, his face paling. “How? The Reaches wouldn’t be involved in something like this.”
“I don’t know.” Rynna glanced around. “Maybe a rogue. They’re working with a sponsor who wants the drugs. And they know Fenn is here.”
“Dang, Rynna. This is bad. What do we do?”
Rynna clenched her fist. “Get back to Guide Fenn and hope Gran Hesta hasn’t drugged him yet.”
“What?!” Bran yelped, but Rynna didn’t wait for him. She was already sprinting toward the forest, her heart pounding as she pushed her body faster.
What if we get there and it’s too late? The thought gnawed at her. She wasn’t a healer, and she knew next to nothing about drugs or how they might interact with the Source, which this one likely did.
As they reached the edge of the village, the trees looming like dark sentinels, she started searching for clues to track Fenn’s movements. But just as Rynna veered through another bush, she nearly collided head-on with Elara and Taren.
“Rynna!” Elara gasped. “We found the children!”
“Granny’s gonna try to kill Guide Fenn!” Bran shouted, finally breaking the tense silence he’d held during their mad dash. “We have to keep going!”
“What?” Taren spun toward Rynna, grabbing Bran by the collar before he could bolt off again.
“He’s right, in a way,” Rynna said, her eyes scanning their faces. “I think Gran Hesta’s being blackmailed to bring a small group of Hollow-born here so they can test their drugs on us.”
“To free the village and the children.” Taren nodded, piecing it together.
“Yes, but after the tests, they plan to kill her. And the villagers…they’re beyond saving.”
“They killed them?” Elara peeped, her voice barely above a whisper.
“No,” Rynna replied, shaking her head grimly. “They’re like zombies, but alive, barely.”
“What are zombies?” Bran asked, brushing off Taren’s hand.
Rynna pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to adjust her vocabulary to this world. “It’s like…they’ve lost their souls or their minds. They just shuffle around, no will of their own, until the medical-looking bandit gives them an order.”
“That’s impossible.” Taren frowned. “Can a drug really do that?”
“Maybe with the Source.” Elara wrung her hands. She’d always been the best student in the group. “But the process to figure it out would be horrific.” She blanched. “And it wouldn’t work on a Hollow-born, especially someone like Guide Fenn. He’d be able to counter any Source control techniques.”
“Let’s assume he can’t,” Rynna cut in.
“Rynna…” Elara started.
“No,” Rynna said, more firmly this time. “We can’t afford to screw this up. If they get Fenn, we’re all dead, not to mention everyone else here.” She didn’t think these people were planning to spare the children.
“Rynna’s right,” Taren nodded. “We need a plan.”
All three turned to her, expectant. Fuck. She didn’t have time to make this a teachable moment, not with Fenn’s life on the line.
“Elara, you go back the way Bran and I came. There’s a large estate in the center of the village where they’re keeping the drug. Your first priority is to find the antidote. They mentioned they have one. You’ve got the best shot at figuring out where it is.”
Elara gave a sharp nod. “The bandits probably keep a personal stash outside the lab if it’s as dangerous as you say.”
“Exactly. Then, if you can, burn the place down and bring us the antidote.”
“Any enemies?”
“They all seemed pretty eager to see Guide Fenn submit, so probably not, but be careful.”
Elara hesitated for a moment, and Rynna stepped forward, pulling her into a tight hug. The girl stiffened in surprise, then hugged her back just as fiercely.
“You can do this,” Rynna whispered.
“Consider it done, Novice Rynna,” Elara replied, her voice steady. Then, without another word, she vanished into the trees.
“And what am I supposed to do with the children?” Taren asked once Elara was gone.
“Save them, obviously,” Bran muttered, tapping his foot impatiently.
“Why?” Taren turned to Rynna, seeking clarification.
“They remain our primary mission,” Rynna said. “Besides, if Guide Fenn isn’t under their control, the first thing they’ll do is threaten the younglings to use against us.”
“Okay,” Taren tilted his head, considering. “Makes sense.”
“No good, despicable...” Bran muttered.
“Taren,” Rynna continued, “get the kids out and find somewhere safe to hole up. It could be for the rest of the day, maybe even the night.”
Taren nodded but glanced at Bran with a raised brow. “You sure you don’t want that one with the kids? I’m better in a fight.”
“Are not!” Bran shot back, stepping toward him, but Rynna quickly moved between them, turning to Taren.
She was honestly surprised he hadn’t pushed back harder. “I’m not questioning your skills in a fight. But for this, I need someone loud—a flash and bang to distract them while I check on Guide Fenn.”
Taren snorted, his gaze flicking to Bran. “You need someone to make a lot of noise.”
“Exactly.” Rynna nodded, then turned to Bran, her voice steady. “And someone strong enough to stay alive against multiple elite-level Hollow-born.”
Bran’s posture shifted, his indignation fading into thoughtfulness.
His hands unclenched, his expression faltering as the weight of her words sank in.
For a moment, fear flickered across his face, his eyes widening ever so slightly.
But then, his back straightened, and his jaw tightened, his gaze meeting Rynna’s with a firm nod.
“Elite?” Taren asked.
“At least one Vessel level. I think,” Rynna replied.
“We need Guide Fenn.”
“Yes, we do.”
Taren pressed his lips into a tight line, preparing to leave, but just before he took off, he turned back to Bran. “This isn’t a game or a competition, Bran. These men will kill you without a second thought. Show them the flash and the bang.” He paused. “But be careful. Don’t die.”
Bran blinked in surprise, his usual bravado momentarily slipping, then nodded. “I won’t. You can count on it.”
With that, Taren disappeared, leaving Rynna and Bran alone. She glanced at him, then pointed toward the first marker Fenn had left. “Let’s go.”