Lupos's POV

Looking at Ratatoskre nimbly perching on the top of the carriage, message in hand, Lupos shared a sly grin with Wing before silently motioning Ratatoskre to come join him. Concealing himself, the small squirrel quietly leapt into Lupos's arms and proceeded to hide himself within his bag, only moments before the carriage driver disembarked, to let Wing and Lupos in.

Staring at the two scruffy boys with a disbelieving look the carriage driver sighed. "Gale Foryst and Wing Fidelis?" Lupos and Wing nodded, ignoring the look of annoyance that flashed across the man's face.

Opening the door with a sullen look, the driver motioned for them to get in the carriage. Obviously they were a far cry from the high class nobles the man usually transported and although being Mervyn's apprentices gave them some status, it wasn't enough to excuse their obviously common backgrounds.

Shooting them one last distrustful look, the carriage driver closed the door and started moving. Quickly checking that no one was watching, Lupos withdrew Ratatoskre from his bag and quickly snatched the letter tearing it open.

Seeing this Wing gave an apprehensive smile and absent-mindedly began playing with Ratatoskre. "What does it say?" Lupos grinned and lowered his voice so it could barely be heard above the carriages clatter. "Akari and Darius are on their way now. They should make it to yours in about three days' time."

Wing breathed out a sigh if relief, "I'm glad, I still haven't told my parents anything for fear of someone intercepting the letter." Lupos nodded feeling slightly guilty, although he himself sent messages, they were guarded by his spirits making it almost impossible for them to be intercepted.

Although Wing's spirits were powerful, it was still a risk sending one alone. Lupos could have helped by sending his own spirits along with Wing's, however, in this case getting a message to Akari and Darius took priority over Wings family.

Wing saw Lupos's troubled look and smiled. "It's ok. Besides in a case like this...." Wing's face darkened. "Up until the last possible moment, it's best they don't know anything......" Lupos nodded in agreement, if they were going to pull this off, they needed the advantage of surprise.

Lupos may have killed off Mervyn, but he was under no delusion that this was not due to overwhelming power, but due to his trickery and planning. Lupos smiled grimly, arrogance was where most people messed up.

Arrogance would only ever lead to an untimely demise. Clever and cautious was the way to go about it. Only muscled idiots could ever be so stupid to rush in with their fists bared drunk on their own power, and Lupos was not one of those idiots.

Two hours later and finally the carriage had arrived at the entrance to a large village teeming with life. Without saying a word, the driver opened the carriage and gestured for the boys to disembark. Smiling slyly Lupos and Wing ignored the carriage drivers speedy retreat and began to make their way towards Wing's home.....it was time to begin......