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Message: <blockquote data-quote="barsoomcore" data-source="post: 1547047" data-attributes="member: 812">Hector had never been one for heroics. At the first spray of splinters and Saijadani muscle, he bolted for the door."Hold them off!" he shouted over his shoulder at the heavies. And sprinted for the stairs.Isaac shook dust and splinters off himself and had to scramble backwards as a heavy-set thug swung his steel-tipped mace. He plowed backward into a plaster wall and ducked again, cursing and grabbing for something, anything to use as a weapon. There was another crash and another spray of splinters and Elena cannoned into the man in front of Isaac, knocking him flying. She landed adroitly on her feet and swept out her sword, spinning to face the second thug.Suddenly free to take stock of the situation, Isaac drew his own sword and looked around. He and Elena squared off against two hulking goons in a makeshift office where Etienne sat, tied to a cane chair and drooling blood. To their rear the shattered window frame bore the evidence of their sudden and dramatic entry from across the alley. Slats from the shutters lay haphazard across the floor, cracking underfoot as the four combatants shifted position.Elena studied the guard nearest her and nodded to Isaac."If we don't kill them quickly Arrafin's liable to get nervous and start shooting. I don't want to be in the field of fire when."She lunged forward, knocking her opponent's weapon up and snapping her arm back down to score a long cut across the man's chest. Isaac and the other guard stared for a second, then leapt at each other.Isaac parried inside and twisted, caught the big Pavairellean with a knee to the stomach and then delivered an overhand cut to the back of the man's neck as he passed. His opponent fell to the broken slats at the same moment as Elena's.She finished her sentence."That happens."Isaac looked over."You're getting better at this."Elena shrugged, "Not really a fair fight," she smiled one of her rare smiles, "I'm Saijadani.""Atta girl."The Saijadani woman grinned and then knelt to untie Etienne. The half-Kishak groaned and spat a tooth onto the floor. Isaac peered out the remains of the windowframe and waved to Arrafin and Nevid watching from the opposite rooftop. He turned back and helped Elena get Etienne upright."Let's get him out of here. Can you walk, Etienne?""Mmmph. As long as I don't need to stand.""We'll carry you.""That's so sweet."Isaac bit back sarcasm and hoisted the half-conscious Etienne across his shoulders. Elena led the way out the door and down the hall. The warehouse seemed to be deserted and they made their way downstairs and into the alley where Arrafin and Nevid were waiting. Arrafin hissed at the sight of her friend's wounds."Are you okay, Etienne? We came as quick as we could.""He'll be fine. But there's no crates in that warehouse. I don't know where they are.""I do."All five frowned at that announcement, as they couldn't place the voice in which it had been said. Nevid's frown cleared up first as he stared past the others down the alley. Elena turned and her frown disappeared as well. Arrafin leaned to one side to look around Etienne (still dangling from Isaac's shoulders) and her eyebrows rose in surprise. Isaac, chewing ferociously on his cigar, turned slowly."And who in the name of all that's holy are you?"The man standing at the entrance to alley was very very large, Isaac realised as he looked up into dark glowering eyes."Mario Hekanyak."Isaac shrugged. "Sorry, pal. I don't know you."Slung over the Saijadani's shoulder, Etienne croaked, "I do."At the looks his friends gave him, Etienne nodded. "We're in a lot of trouble.""Not at all." Mario came forward, flanked by half-a-dozen swaggering swordsmen who did nothing to improve Isaac's mood with their posturing and sneers. But something about the big guy made Isaac cautious, so he decided to try politeness."So you know what we're looking for, and you know where it is, is that right, sir?"Mario stared, his broad face impassive. He stood with intimidating stillness."I have the guns."Nevid spoke up."Those guns are the property of the del Maraviez family. You'll make powerful friends by returning them to Marques del Maraviez.""My price is one hundred thousand florins. Tell Marques."The big man turned and walked away with his entourage, leaving Isaac, Elena, Etienne, Arrafin and Nevid staring after him."You guys must be really tired," Etienne mumbled, "I know I am and I didn't even go to the party."*****"A hundred thousand florins? For our own guns?"Marques raged on the sunlit balcony where the household assembled for breakfast."Sir, could you yell a little quieter? Please?"Nevid, for his part, could barely get his voice up above the faintest whisper. He watched Elena and Isaac eating sausages and bit back a groan of nausea. No more drinking. None.Marques slammed a heavy fist down on the table, making everyone except Arrafin jump. Arrafin was absorbed in a letter addressed to her that had arrived at the house that morning. It was a single sheet of notepaper, irregularly folded, but she had done nothing but read it over and over again since opening it."Damn Mario. Thinks he can put me over a barrel, does he? Thinks he can put the family, the del Maraviez over a barrel?"Dearest Child:I have only a few moments to scribble these lines...Etienne shambled out onto the balcony and squinted at the bright morning view across tiled rooftops to where the Inner Sea sparkled."Ouch. Is it possible for my eyes to be tired? And just so everyone knows, I feel like I've been poisoned enough in the last forty-eight hours. If you've laced my breakfast with arsenic, I'm not going to be amused."The wiry half-Kishak crashed into his seat and stared blankly at Arrafin for a few seconds."Hey. Arrafin. You okay?"Arrafin started and looked up from the sheet of paper, her wide eyes brimming with tears. With a clatter of crockery and furniture, she ran into the house. Everyone stared for a second.Marques spoke with sudden gentleness."Her family's in Al-Tizim. I suspect she's received bad news."He stared after her for a few seconds. With a sigh he sat down."Mario has the guns. Very well. It's better than Hector having the guns. At least Mario's not going to cut any deals with the Nevakada."Etienne nodded as he shovelled food into his mouth. Nevid watched for only a brief moment, then turned away, stifling a groan. Elena sat back with her coffee and listened."I'm more worried about the Nevakada than I am about the guns, actually. Why are they involved? Who's behind this whole operation?"Marques glowered at the table with such force that Isaac was tempted to look underneath to see if Nevakada agents were waiting there to disrupt their breakfast."Alright." Marques raised his head and considered the four at the table. "Make contact with Mario. Tell him we'll deal. Meanwhile, try to find out who's behind Hector. Isaac, your duel is at noon. Are you ready?""Oh, yeah. Ready like I always am."Everyone looked up as Arrafin came out onto the balcony, her shoulder straining to support the book on sorcery."I'm going to the Blood Council Sanctuary. Sister Yasami is helping me with the translation."Elena eyed the girl worriedly."Are you okay, Arrafin?""Yeah, I'm fine, really. I have to go. Yasami's waiting for me."Arrafin crossed the balcony and descended the stairs to the street. From where he sat, Isaac could see her slight form make its way up the crowded street towards Temple Hill. He recalled the sneering disdain of Kendorik Oparashan at the party. Snooty Pavairellean with his fancy clothes and shiny boots. Isaac found himself looking forward to the coming duel.He looked up as a maid entered."Your pardon, Senor. A message for Senorita de los Santos."Elena stood, confused. The maid bowed."The message comes from Blood Sister Masamori. It is this: Yasami is the one.""What?"The maid bowed again."Yasami is the one."Elena paled."Arrafin. She's walking into a trap."</blockquote>

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