Chapter 14

"Listen here young one, back in my day… I was a master swordsman! I would fight creatures you cannot even imagine.. I was always the first to dive headfirst into those suicide zones.. but now?.. I am just a retired adventurer".. sigh.. "I pluck a few strings… sing a few songs.. and people see me as an honourable bard."

Two cloaked figures sit before the bard… a terrifying aura emanates from them. The bard unfazed by this continues on… "How about I play you two a song?" Without waiting for either of them to agree or not, he starts to play a tune.." Fang winces at the sound.. "Perhaps a different song?" Fang suggests.. "Yes exactly right Fang! Perhaps a more darker song.." Jack cautiously asks.. The bard glances at him dubiously.. "Not too sure what you mean by that.. I prefer to play songs that are pleasant to hear. A song that stirs a person's heart and soul.. a sound not of this world… you understand? Jack nods sagely "I know exactly what you mean.. "a song that penetrates the soul.. something to consider more" Jack scribbles into his notebook. Fang gazes over at the ominous book before turning back to the bard as he tries to persuade him to attempt a different song.

Passengers glance over at the odd trio before distancing themselves.

***

Henry gazes intently at the caravans heading towards the entrance. "Keep a close watch men! No one shall enter this gate without an inspection." The city guards stand solemnly behind the commander as they inspect the travellers making their way into the capital. Caravans one after another are rigorously checked. Some merchants cry in outrage but nothing stops the zeal of these city guard soldiers in completing their duty.

Just as the sun rises to its highest point, and the light shines through the snowy winds, a glimmer in the distance catches Henry's eye as a hazy image of a caravan slowly emerges.. faint music can be heard playing. The caravan draws closer as the music becomes more apparent. "It seems to be coming from the back of the caravan" Henry mutters. Henry gazes over coldly as he sees two cloaked figures doing some sort of weird dance moves.. other bards glance over enviously before feeling compelled to join in.. they too start to play along with great fervor. A short period of time passes as many bards have now excitedly joined in.

Fang eagerly encourages the bard in front of him… the bard follows suit, a crescendo emerges as each note reaches higher than the last… the tempo of the beat reaches a new level.. "It's a rave!" Fang cries.. people's head bob up and down to the beat… peasants raise their arms high.. the city guards gaze over dubiously before they too can't help but also start to groove… "partyyyy" a peasant cries.

Henry gazes on speechlessly, his gaze focuses on the two cloaked figures, of course the two main culprits.. "As expected suspicious individuals travel in duos." Henry declares. The bards continue to pluck their strings with greater intensity.

Before Henry can stop the commotion, it starts to get out of control. A few hooded figures within the crowd have taken this as the signal they had been waiting for..

"Target Number 72… finally we have found him. That sage always seems to allude our pursuits… but not this time…" A horn is blown.. Bvhooooom! "Nice support!..." Fang gives a thumbs up… the assassin looks over at Fang weirdly before then ignoring him. However the horn seems to have cranked the music to a whole new level… the bards continue to play with an even greater zeal.

Cloaked figures rush forth as the ice and snow crack beneath their feet. They dart left and right as city guards are taken down. "Assassins!" A city guard cries before a crossbow bolt whistles… the bolt pierces the guard's knee.. "Ahh an arrow to the knee!" "I've always wanted to say that.." he mutters to himself. From the City Wall ballista-like bolts that glow with a mysterious light are shot at the assassins… however the cloaked figures images distort as their movements become illusory. The bolts miss their targets as the snowy ground is blown apart…

Whoosh! Grappling hooks clamp down onto the wall as the assassins provide cover for their companions who make their way to the target. The assassins move with superhuman speed as they infiltrate different sections of the wall. Fighting can be heard within as the structure trembles. Even with the intruders efforts they struggle to stay on the offensive for long.

"The defenses are too tight.." the assassin at the back mutters. "I did not expect this.. Unfortunate.."

"If The Dark Three were here…" sigh.. "I'm always stuck with rookies.."

BOOM! Crash… parts of the city wall starts to crumble… in the midst of all this the bards continue to play as two cloaked individuals seem to groove their way into the Capital. Unfortunately the peasants following behind them are not so lucky, they are taken down as the city guards swarm them..

***

Jack analyses the city before turning to Fang as he attempts to discuss their next move… however he abruptly stops.. seemingly speechless. "What's that on your shoulder Fang?" "Huh.." Fang glances over at his shoulder.. there lies a baby crab as it continues to waves its claws to beat of the bard. "I picked him up some time ago.." Fang gives the crab a nudge… the crab glares menacingly at Fang… Jack continues to inspect the crab.. He is quite sure crabs can't survive for this long out of water.. "Is this perhaps a magical crab of some sort.." Jack mutters to himself. "Hmmm.. I too must find a suitable pet!" Jack rushes into the nearest beast tamer shop… Fang awkwardly stands there for awhile.. "I'll just wait here Jack, don't worry about me.." he mumbles to himself.

Fang glances around lazily before eyeing a suitable spot to relax… he wanders over to lay down… his gaze drifts to the skies.. "Ahh I miss the days in the academy… life feels a bit hectic…" Fang yawns… "I wonder how Hem and Lisa are doing... mmh I forgot to ask where they were even posted to.. " "Hem was incredibly skilled with the bow so I'm sure he's doing okay.. Ahh those joyous times with Hem.. with him shooting arrows and I writing the love letters attached to those arrows… sure it scared the girls initially but dam I bet no one else thought of such a splendid idea…" Fang chuckles to himself.

"As for Lisa.. mhmm.. she was always so quiet.. sometime I forgot she was even there… but I still miss her, she was always there to get us both out of trouble… ha.. ha.."

After what seems like half a day.. Jack gloomily walks out of the shop.. "Ah Jack how did it go?" Jack wordlessly looks at Fang before gesturing behind himself. Fang glances over… a little duck waddles along seemingly lost.. Fang dubiously looks back at Jack.. "So.. where's your pet..?" the duck slowly approaches and seems to recognize Jack.. it quickly tumbles over itself before reaching Jack.. it affectionately rubs its head against Jack. Fang's eyes widen slightly as he glances again at the little duckling. "Ahh Jack my boy.. that duck isn't your pet right..?" Fang stifles a laugh. Jack grunts gloomily.

"Ahaha dudddeee.." Fang continues to laugh.. Jack's gaze darkens.. "Okay okay I'm sorry" Fang looks at the duck with a righteous zeal. Fang takes a knee. "Now to our newest companion, do you pledge loyalty to our cause." The duck ruffles it fur as it seemingly nods. "Great.. You will be a great asset, we will need your strength. Now we must head out in search for our Leader.. Are you ready Little Yellow?" "Oi! You cannot name my pet.. I haven't even named him myself yet. He will not be called Little Yellow!" The duck looks at Fang for a moment before it seems to quack in approval of the name 'Little Yellow.' Jack seems torn. "The duck isn't even the colour yellow…" Jack gloomily mutters to himself.

"Quack quack" the duck ventures forward as Fang and Jack follow in toe. A little crab also menacingly chases after Fang.

To be continued.