Well, all melancholy thoughts aside, I hope you enjoy the new cover page. It is a pic of the city of Exastrand.

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"Once more you have raised a good concern Bulut, and thankfully I have the answer to that. That is where our second half of the plan comes into action, the distraction."

For the second time in a row, Soykan reached into his pile of parchment and brought out two portraits of two individuals. One was a middle man who looked tall and lean with suspicious darting eyes. The second was a gaunt young man who had arrogant and viciousness written all over his face.

"Wait didn't you have me shadow those two for days on end?" Taylan asked as recognition blossomed on his face.

"Yep," Soykan replied.

"Who are they then?" Magnus inquired, if they were taken notice of, then they must be important to their plans.

"They are the folks who will help us create our distraction," Soykan answered back, clearly trying to drag out the suspense.

"Mhh, I think this one here is the Jade Viper boss's son," Taylan mused out loud shattering the antic.i.p.ation Soykan was trying to build up. "And I think this one is the boss's right hand man."

"Thanks for clarifying on that, Taylan," Magnus said with a satisfied grin. "Now do you want to continue before somebody else spills the beans on your master plan?" Magnus asked Soykan who just looked like he had the rug pulled out from under me.

"Fine," Soykan said. "Though all of you are joy killers," he muttered under his breath. "Can't even let a fellow have some fun!"

"Alright, now where was I? Yes, for this plan to work we need them both. How it works is that we will be taking them out and a.s.suming their roles," he said with great finality. Seeing n.o.body was mind blown, he cleared his throat and begrudgingly carried on.

"To clarify, I mean we will only be taking on Mr. right-hand role, but still, we will be taking them both out. Plus it would be preferable if we took out Mr. right-hand in secret with n.o.body being none the wiser. For Mr. gang leader's son the opposite is true, taking him out in the open with everybody as witness is much more favorable ."

"Whoa, I see what you are up to," Magnus p.r.o.nounce as he now had a general idea of what Soykan's plan was, and how he was going to create the distraction.

"Hey, hey, hey! Stop right there," Soykan shrieked. "This is my plan and my plan alone. Thus it is mine to share and n.o.body else's!"

"Alright, alright, just don't chew me out," Magnus voiced, not liking that overzealous look in his eyes.

"Ahem, as Taylan said he has been trailing both of them for days on end," Soykan carried on with, pretending that nothing just happened.

"First, there is the right hand man, he has a secret lover who he likes to go see thus we will take him out when he visits his mistress, disguise as him, and then a.s.sume his role.

Then there is the boss's son, he likes to regularly visit the Golden Lily, a brothel down in the Pleasure District. That is where one of you will get the jump on him, publicly kidnap him, and make your escape

Next, whom ever disguises themselves as the right hand man, should go break the news for the gang leader and recount the staged kidnapping to him. That should draw them out of their rat hole and pave the way for us."

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"Wow, I gotta say that is actually a good plan!" Taylan commented, poking fun of Soykan.

In spite of his best efforts, n.o.body paid him any attention to him, as they were has.h.i.+ng out the plan and fine tuning it.

"Why don't we add some finesse to the kidnapping by publicly proclaiming some along the lines 'it is us, your rival gang.' That should do the trick," Magnus inputted.

"That is a good idea," Soykan uttered as he nodded his head to himself and pulled out another parchment with information scribbled on to it. "Let's see here, one of the Jade Viper's biggest rivals is the Phantom Tribe. If we blame the abduction on them, that might really rattle them, and make them expedite more men."

After Magnus raised his idea, he was followed up by Shui, "What about instead of risking our own lives setting off those dwarves ashes, manually. We instead use a coil of thin rope to light the powder from a safe distance."

"Would that even work?" Soykan asked, as he gave Shui an unsure look.

"Trust me," Shui replied with a slight bob of his head.

"We have a lesser version of this dwarven ash back home in the Drifting Archipelago called firecracker. It is used during celebrations to light up the sky with beautiful, sparkling illuminations," he came to a head with as a look of yearning and remembrance crossed his face.

Magnus knew w.a.n.g Shui was Island folk, his narrow, round features and his warm skin tone with the yellowish cast-- told it all. Shui's mannerism, idiosyncrasy, quirks, and traits all spoke of Mountain folk to him, Magnus always took him as a denizen of the Starry Mountains.

But who would have guessed that he was born and bred far off into the east, in the archipelagos?

Getting back to the matter at hand, Soykan gave a shrug in response and said, "If you say that's best then we will go with it."

Then Bulut spoke up next, "Even if they have a ghost of a sh.e.l.l reminding, you still need somebody to guard your back to take care of those left behind in the tunnels."

"Well then it shall be you while I empty the treasury," Soykan responded with.

Bulut gave him a look and Soykan just waved it off and added, "n.o.body is more wicked with a blade than you, Bulut, especially with those axes of yours. If somebody is going to guard my back and keep those gangsters off of me, then it is you."

"If we are a.s.signing roles, then I guess I will be the one to take out the right hand man and disguise myself as him," Taylan stated as he rested his feet on the table. "I am after all the best when it comes to these sorts of things, plus I am the only one close to him in stature and frame," he added with a grin.

"Alright, good, Taylan could take care of that," Soykan p.r.o.nounce. "Now moving on to taking out the gang leader's son?"

"Woo, can I do it, please?" Magnus asked, hoping that he would finally make a break. "I will make sure to take out the sleazebag real quick and smooth," he added, trying to rea.s.sure them.

"Nay, I think it would be better if Shui takes care of it," Soykan declared without even turning to face Magnus and saying it to his face.

"Certainly," Shui said with an inclination of his head.

"In addition to all that make sure all of you are non-lethal, we do not want to draw any more heat than necessary."

"Are you guys seriously going to be ignoring me like that?" Magnus grilled, incredulous with the way he was just waved off.

"What is it that you want?" Soykan asked with utmost patience written on his face.

"What am I even going to do?" Magnus asked.

"You will be our getaway driver," Soykan replied.

"Oh come on!" Magnus screamed. "Why do I always get the most useless, boring, and inferior jobs?"

"Magnus," Soykan said in a calm, serene tone. "This is an important role, and I do not have to tell you how important, you should already know that. Now, please take on the job like a grown man and hush as we conclude this meeting."

Magnus knew when he was being babied and if there ever was a moment that it was true, now would be it. Well if Soykan wanted to play like that then he could play like that.

"Well, if this is so important as you preach it out to be," he said as he put air quotes around the word important. "Why don't you do it, or Bulut, Shui, and Taylan? I am just a child who is many moon turns away from his coming of age."

"Woo, he has you there," Taylan commented off to the side.

Soykan paid the thief no heed, but instead turned his gaze done upon the insolent pupil of his. "Now listen up here, kid, and listen good. You will undertake the role of our getaway driver, and you will do it without any more complaints. You hear me?"

Magnus could see that this tactic of smart mouthing it wasn't going to cut it, nor throwing a tantrum with how severe Soykan was acting. Maybe it was time to go for something else, perhaps the softening of the heart? Hmm, that might work.

"What have I been training for all these seasons? Was it to sit back on the sideline and do nothing? NO! You guys taught me well and everything you know. Now is the time to test it, see what I am made of, and let me fly. Let me leave the birds nest. So, please, PLEASE, let me go out there into the thick of it and do what you have prepared me for all this time, for stealing."

Silence reigned around the table after Magnus finished sharing his pa.s.sionate speech, n.o.body had nothing to say as they were left to their own thoughts and devices.

Magnus let himself hope for a moment there that might actually work, that he might actually be allowed to get into the action instead of menial work of to the sidelines.

Immediately though, that seed of hope was crushed as Soykan sighed deeply, letting loose a long breath of exhalation, and replied, "My stance still stands, kid, you are going to be our getaway driver."

Magnus turned to face the other, his plea written clearly across his face, but the others responded in kind.

"Sorry, chap, but your sword forms and stances could use some work," Bulut responded with.

"Although you are quick and nimble, you still lack in certain departments, such as Might and Physique. Those two areas could use some work before you head out into the field," Shui replied in the same manner.

"Sorry kiddo, got to go with the ma.s.ses on this one," Taylan answered, not even giving a reason, why.

"Well, then it seems like we are all in agreement."

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As Magnus concluded rethinking the plan he started to cross off on his mental list and tried to hone in on where something could have gone wrong.

Everything on Taylan and Shui end went perfectly well, just before they pulled up to the tavern back entrance they pa.s.sed by Jade Vipers' leaving the tavern in full force. Thus he could safely say the trouble was not at their end.

No, obviously, it was Bulut and Soykan, they must have run into an issue with was holding up.

But what could it be?

Was it the measly amount of reminding gangsters in the tunnels? No, that couldn't be it. He saw them handle tougher foes and get out of sticker situation.

That fight in that Guilder's garden way back two seasons ago was the first to come to his mind. How many heavy armored combatants were they able to cut down, on that job? A dozen, two dozen.

He wasn't sure since he was too far away on watch duty, that night. Yet from what he could make out two kilometers away, perch safely on a tannery's roof, it was a b.l.o.o.d.y affair and they still made it out.

Could it be what Shui was worried about all along, did the gunpowder somehow do them in? It was a possibility! Even with techniques, they were still humans and that meant they had all the weaknesses that came with it. Thus surviving a direct blast is impossible if not crippling.

Though he wasn't sure of Soykan, he was out of Codex's measuring range, yet he did look human so…

As Magnus was thinking along those dark lines, an ear-piercing ROAR reverberant through the air, halting his grim, ceaseless thoughts in their tracks.

Instantly he caught on to the fact that the strange, inhuman sound came from inside the tavern!

"It looks like you have your answer," Codex intoned as Magnus stared at the tavern which was now becoming much more imposing and terrifying.

"Yea, it looks like I do," Magnus mumbled as he swallowed on the lump building in his throat. He knew what he had to do, plus it looks like he was getting his wish.

Yay! Happy Christmas to him!

"What do you think it is, Codex?" Magnus asked as he stretched to get his muscles uncoiled and to pump himself up.

"No clue," Codex replied, "and I do not plan on finding it out."

"Well, I do," Magnus declared as he got up from the driver seat and made his way over to the carriage door.

"What do you mean?" Codex inquired as he could already imagine her narrowing her eyes at him and looking at him disbelievingly.

"You know what I mean, Codex," Magnus stated as he opened the carriage door. Inside was a large area with two cus.h.i.+oned seats to either side, what drew his attention was all the deadly equipment laying on the seats.

"Its Magnus to the rescue!"

"Oh ho ho ho, you are funny, Magnus," Codex declared as she chuckled amusedly. Magnus knew Codex best and he knew that she was holding it in, holding it in real tight. That laughter was nothing but a sign that she was ticked off, you could say the prelude to wrath and displeasure.

Then like the expert he was, Codex's tone changed with a drop of the hat, "Now put down that d.a.m.n sword away, and drive back to the hideout."

"You know I can't do that," Magnus stated, though he still did do what was asked of him.

"Of course you can," Codex said with a sniff. "Do you need me to guide you through it?"

"Please stop twisting my words, Codex," Magnus a.s.serted as he started to take off his driver's uniform and strip down to his undergarments.

"I owe these men too much to even count! If I am not even willing to risk my own neck to save them, after all they have done for me. Then what sort of man am I? Also, what sort of cham would you be if you didn't force me to do this?"

"Well, you would be an obedient soldier who follows commands and I will be a good friend who watches your back."

"Strong arming it, will not work, Codex," Magnus replied as he started to put on his light armor. It was a complete set that Taylan got him a season back, and already he was starting to outgrowing it. He would need a new one soon, but for now, it will do.

"Fine," Codex cried out, doing away with all false pretenses. "Let's deal with cold hard facts if you aren't going to listen to those much more wiser than you."

"Gospels, truths, certainties, opinions, particulars, gossips, etc. They all don't matter to me, Codex. I know what I need to do, and I shall do it. It is that simple."

Codex ignored his remark and bulled right ahead, "Whatever the h.e.l.l that thing that made that sound was," and to emphasize her point another ROAR reverberant through the street.

"Like I said whatever it, she, he, they, are-- it was able to hold off both Bulut and Soykan for a whole hour. In my opinion, they are most likely dead, and I am sure they do not want you to follow them to the grave."

"Well then, if it is as you say, then it is my duty to collect their bodies and give them a proper send-off," Magnus remarked as he buckled on his belt and tied his sword sheath in.

"AHHH," Codex screamed, letting loose her frustration to the world, which was only Magnus's head.

Magnus carried on doing what he was doing, as he equipping all his weapons; from his throwing knives and axes to his curved twin daggers. He let Codex have her moment. Let her vent, get it all out of her system, and then gather herself up.

He knew he was being unreasonable here and a bit too much, so he could understand her aggravation. Though if he was going in, to face whatever was making those noise, he would need her to be at her very best.

"Are you done yet?"

"You are an insufferable little brat who can't appreciate what others do for you…"

"Alright, I will give a moment to figure all that out," Magnus maintained as he got back to getting into battle mode. He put on his cloak, then slung his quiver case over his head and on to his shoulder, while placing his bow in his hands.

"I am ready to go Codex, what about you?" Magnus asked in a chipper voice.

"Let's… Go… Then," Codex retorted as she was panting in and out, taking deep breaths. Magnus had no idea how an A.I. could get out of breath, but he wasn't willing to push it.

"Alright then, onwards, to adventure!" Magnus shouted as he charged the back entrance like some knight. Though what he keep hidden, deep down inside was that he was terrified out of his wits.