"I would like to go with you, but I cannot. Get Arc and his lady friend to go with you. I have to stay here and watch over things with these newcomers. It's my job after all."
Mind racing and remaining calm, Xenon quickly surveys the room. Marz is gone, Kartha is 'busy,' Chang's at his post, Arc and Cat are over at a table, the newlyweds are at the bar, another new couple is at their own table, and the other buy from the fight who doesn't say much is still sitting and waiting.
"I don't like this one bit," Xenon states so softly that the wolf would even have trouble hearing.
Erlic regarded Xenon's answer. The warrior was right. If he left, it would be an open invitation to trouble. Better that he stay and watch over matters. "Don't worry Xenon," Erlic said. "I'll just take Tai Liu with me. People usually don't relish the presence of a wolf. If something transpires where I may need assistance, I'll send Tai Liu back for aid." With that he gathered what he needed and stepped out of the inn.
"Be careful." Was all that Xenon could say.
Erlic just gazed at him, called Tai Liu to his side and proceeded to walk toward the city. After a few moments, Erlic stopped and stooped down by the wolf. "We're going to have to aid each other in this quest. Both of us will have to remain quiet in order to rescue Marz. Do you understand?" Tai Liu just cocked her head to the side. "Go, find me the boy," Erlic stated, and proceeded to follow the wolf.
It was as he expected; although he received many an inquiring glance, none decided to block his path. Erlic tried to remember as much as possible about the surrounding areas should he need the assistance of the night. An alley was always the perfect hiding place; providing there were no inhabitants around. Tai Liu proceeded thru the dark streets, sniffing the air for the boy named Marz.
Their journey through the city was uneventful except for some drunks that stumbled around, looking for the thief who had stolen their so called money. More amazing though was the appearance of what appeared to be giants. Or so it appeared, ducking away into dark alleys, seeming to look for prey. Erlic would have to investigate this city further at some point. Erlic kept his gaze forward, bringing into play his 'sixth sense' or all around sight as was taught to him by his master. Now was not the time to be caught off guard. Not only were there these giants, but also boys huddled together as if in a pack; similar to Marz and his gang. Not once did Erlic ever see a guard. He was either in the worst part of town or this city didn't believe in guards.
After a good half hour of walking, the wolf suddenly took off in the direction of one of the houses that was fully lit. She sniffed by the door and uttered a very low growl. They had arrived at their destination. Erlic took out some protective gloves which he put on, reached down to his side and removed two daggers that had been previously treated with poison. With luck, Marz would be alone. But then again, if he had 'visitors', Erlic would need the element of surprise at his side.
He looked around before proceeding toward the door. He didn't need any 'help' at this juncture of the journey. He put his ear to the door and listened intently. Not being able to hear anything, he transferred one of the knives to his other hand, grabbed the door knob gingerly and turned it as slow as possible, not wanting to give away his presence. The door opened slightly and he stopped. Marz wouldn't be that stupid to leave himself open to robbery, Erlic thought. That meant that someone had already been here and left...or was still inside. He whispered to Tai Liu, "Get ready, I think we may have visitors." The wolf stood poised as if ready to strike. Erlic returned the dagger to his other hand and proceeded to open the door.
From his vantage point he had no time to survey the room, for directly ahead of him stood two men, one standing while the other hunched over what looked like an unconscious Marz. Tai Liu traversed the area between the door and what appeared to be the kitchen with speed, leapt and flung herself on to the man fussing over Marz, embedding her teeth into the man's neck as she growled. The other, surprised at this intervention immediately grabbed his sword and turned in the direction the wolf had come. "What in hades," were the only words that fell from his mouth.
Erlic threw two daggers that found their marks; one landing near his heart and the other in his neck. The look of surprise quickly changed to fear as the poison took effect, slowly paralyzing him and making him weaker as he slumped towards the floor. The dagger wounds would be enough to finish him off forever. Erlic rushed to the side of the wolf, who during this turn, had proceeded to tear away what flesh was left of the other culprit's neck.
"Enough Tai Liu!" Erlic yelled. And then with a softer voice, "I don't believe our friend will be giving us any more trouble." The wolf uttered a low growl and went to sit next to Marz. Erlic surveyed the damage the wolf had administered. The man never had a chance. Erlic checked Marz for a pulse and found one. He immediately went around the table so he could see the door and surveyed a boy, probably age 11 or 12, lying on the table. Erlic felt for a pulse and found one, albeit weak as it was. The blood from wounds that covered the whole body seemed to have been caused by shards of glass. Erlic was aware of such torture treatment and had seen them before. He had to get the young boy back to the inn if he was to save his live. Erlic first closed the door, went back to Marz and started slapping his face to bring him to consciousness. He then noticed a lump the size of an egg jutting through Marz's head. Probably hit from behind, he thought.
Slowly, Marz started to come around. Marz opened his eyes, trying to figure out why he was so groggy and why he had a massive headache. Upon seeing Erlic he asked, "What in hades are you doing here?"
"Trying to buy your life some more time," Erlic said with a grin.
All of a sudden, realization hit Marz. "JOSH, where's Josh???? Marz started to get to his feet only to collapse again, his fall being broken by Erlic's assistance.
"Look and listen carefully, I'm only going to say this once." Erlic stated. "The boy is pretty badly hurt, and if we don't get him help soon, he may not make it. What's more important, we can't stay here, especially if someone else comes looking for your two men who where sent to attack you. Now, get up slowly, gather whatever belongings you need, and let's get the hell out of here. We don't have much time."
With that, Erlic relieved the two men of whatever valuables they might have had, retrieved his two daggers, and went to check on the injured boy again.
Marz rose slowly, grabbing the back of a table chair for support as the room began to spin around him, attempting to hurl him back to the floor once again.
"Will you be able to walk unaided?" Erlic asked as he tended to Josh's wounds.
"Course I will," Marz replied through gritted teeth. He was too stubborn to admit that his head throbbed painfully and that he was experiencing double vision. With sheer determination he made his way into the bedroom. After stuffing some clothes and a set of throwing knives into a sack, he returned to Erlic. "I got everything I need," he said.
Erlic lifted the small boy in his arms then led them out of the house. Tai Liu walked close beside Marz. He found himself putting a hand on the large wolf, which aided his balance. Erlic scanned the streets as they walked, looking grateful for no apparent signs of trouble. "Why are you doing this?" Marz asked suddenly. "I mean why did you come after me? What's in it for you?"
Erlic pondered a moment before answering. Why AM I so interested in this brazen youth? he asked himself. He's like a small fire that can ignite into an inferno at any given moment. To make matters worse, trouble seems to be attached to him like a plague! "Let's just say I see a lot of potential in you Marz, and I simply hate seeing potential go to waste. There is much I could teach you if only you were willing to listen and learn."
"What in hades could you possibly teach me that I don't already know?" Marz asked, sarcastically. "I've survived for 17 years in this hellhole of a city, and don't need your, or anyone else's help to continue to do so!"
"You do have a valid point," Erlic said gently. "I guess there is no need for you to learn to catch daggers flying toward you with lightening speed. And learning to heal your minor wounds with your own inner power wouldn't be helpful at all. And the ability to wield a sword with your left arm as well as your right is also a useless thing to learn." Erlic paused, letting his words sink in. "Naturally you know it all Marz and there is no room or need for improvement as far as you're concerned."
They continued walking in silence for several minutes then Marz spoke up again. "You would be willing to teach me all those things?"
"That and much, much more," Erlic answered, calmly.
"And what's the catch?" Marz asked. "What do you want from me in return? I'm not stupid. I know nothing in life in given freely."
"We'll talk about catches later," Erlic said, seeing the tavern thirty yards ahead. "Let's get you and Josh tended to first."
For the first time in his life, Marz decided not to argue or resort to nasty comments. Instead, he quietly followed Erlic into the inn, strangely looking forward to their next conversation.