TURNING WINDS

7 Kilometers southeast of Allen's camp.

Cyer and four other assassins were on top of different trees, Cyer had just received confirmation to dispose of the scouts that were closing in on the main camp. The scouts were following the fake trail Cyer's party had laid.

The scouts walked towards the narrow path surrounded by the thick forest; the path led to a stream. Cyer alerted his men of their mission. They all lay in wait.

The scouts entered the narrow passage in a line formation.

When they were neatly tucked in the forest corridor surrounded by large trees, Cyer signaled his men to begin.

Knives, like bullets streaked through the air, striking mortally at the spot, swiftly followed by another volley. They were all aimed perfectly for the vitals.

The scouts had barely reacted when the Assassins jumped down at the scouts, blades piercing their victims, killing them at the spot. The whole sequence was over within quarter of a minute.

The Assassins quickly got up, withdrawing their swords. The battle began, 15 of the scouts were already dead, but still it was three on one. The scout captain ordered his men to make a closed formation and make their way towards the stream. The scouts were well trained, but the Assassins were a class apart.

Cyer had unsheathed his swords, he held a long sword in one hand and a short sword in the other. Three of the scouts attacked at once. Deflecting one attack Cyer nimbly evaded the other two, using the deflection he had performed Cyer swiftly used his sword to slit the unbalanced man's throat holding on to the body.

The remaining scouts attacked Cyer who covered himself with the body, simultaneously throwing it at one of the attackers. The man backed away from the flying corpse, and in doing so had left his partners flank wide open, Cyer who had jumped right after the corpse, used the opening and inserted his sword in the side of the unprotected man, who in pain lost his stance. Cyer used his other sword, to cut the man's neck clean off.

The last man backed away, holding his own sword right in front of himself with both hands. Cyer now calmly turned towards him, throwing a knife at him. The man succeeded in deflecting the Knife by lowering his own sword, but Cyer who came right behind the knife caught him by surprise. Easily tilting the man's sword, Cyer thrust it towards his own throat. The poor scout had no chance. In a quick blow the Scout had his own blade sticking out of his neck while he himself grasped the hilt. Cyer now went ahead to aid his allies, five assassins had defeated 30 scouts in less than five minutes. Cyer had killed a total of ten scouts in hand to hand combat, while two others had died by his knives. One of the Assassins had a rather deep cut on his shoulder while the others were lightly bruised. Disposing of the bodies, they started to make their way back to the camp.

...

A camp a few miles from Cyer, there were tents large and small, all of them had the white wolf insignia on them, the main tent hosted a large flag with a white wolf.

It had started to snow, and the wind was picking up. A blizzard was imminent. There were men in uniform, running from one tent to another delivering messages, the place was packed with guards. Some men were shouting instructions while others hastily completed their task.

This site was just at the edge of the great forest. In the main camp, a round table, which had a few maps on top of a larger one laid on it. There were several officers talking with each other, a few pointing at different locations on the map, the map it seemed was of the forest.

A man entered, saluted the various officers and announced, "Master Philip along with Lord Azul is on his way. They will be arriving shortly."

Silence swept the room. Everyone was shocked, a terrified look on their faces.

"Master Philip, himself, wow ... I wonder why though" a young officer began.

"Well this was expected, Assassins this far inland" another officer quoted.

The officers quickly assembled the table and themselves. Moments later the bearlike frame of Azul passed the door followed by Philip, both in causal attire. Philip had a gentle smile on his face, while Azul looked like he was going to bite someone's head off. They were followed by elite wolves.

"Welcome to base camp 61-B, Master Philip, Lord Azul" said the man bearing the commanders brand, "I am commander Mardukas of the 160th core, pack number 61123," Commander Mardukas finished nodding towards the two.

Azul looked at the man, "Thank you commander, now please brief us on the situation."

"My lord, there is an unknown number of men assumed to be from the brotherhood, camping in the forest. Our sources indicate they have a hostage, a boy from Aube named ... eh ... yes, Kai"

The commander paused, as a worried look appeared on Azul's face while the smile slid off Philips, the commander continued, "We have sent 18 search parties heavily numbered. Our battle force is prepared and awaiting orders. We believe the enemy camp is in this region," the commander added pointing at a location on the map. "as to how they got in this far, sir I am sorry to say, but we do not know. We believe it was them who caused the disturbance in Aube. For reasons unknown, we have discovered outpost 71-b, 57-a and security check post A-32 deserted, they all appeared to be vacated some time ago, my lord," the commander finished.

Just then a man entered the hall and announced, "Sir, scout party Elvib hasn't checked in for 10 minutes now, they are presumably down, Sir."

"Send in the reaction force and alert the rear scouts, now!" The commander ordered. "You must excuse my men, my lord."

Philip stepped closer to the map examining it, it had pieces moving on it indicating the positions of the 18 search parties, Philip knocked over the piece labeled as Elvib and thought for a while, "Commander Mardukas, now do exactly as I say, this game is going to get interesting..." Philip was smiling again.

Allen's camp

Kai was now seated comfortably on a cushion. They were inside the camp as it had started snowing. The Assassins had given him coffee and some snacks. The men were friendly. They spoke with Kai very politely as if he was their guest or their friend. Kai felt quite easy sitting with them. Allen was standing on the far side of the room with another Assassin.

The assassin named Gus entered and said to Kai, "It seems old man Philip has joined the party," looking at Allen he added, "Allen, what should we do now? Oh, and the preparations are finished."

"Thank you, Gus. Do what I told you to do," Said Allen dismissing Gus, as he continued under his breath, "Damn Cyer, where are you, I really hate dancing with old man Philip, but it seems he doesn't know it's me, hmm ..." approaching Kai he spoke more clearly,

"Hey Kai, would you mind calling Kenviar for me? want to talk to him"

"But you said he can't come because of the bracelets,"

"Don't worry about that dear, just call him, please!"

Agreeing Kai, thought, "Kenviar If you can hear me, come. A man named Allen wants to talk with you."

Kai who was sitting, collapsed suddenly. His body was falling but Allen caught him and sat him up. A moment later Kai's eyes opened to reveal a deadening black.

"Hello Kenny! long time no see" Allen said smiling

Kai's face twitched into an almost wicked smile.