AWolfInSheepsClothingPartIIPulling back out his sword and whipping around, Decuma faced his former sword instructor. "Call them off, Sanford." Harry, too, turned to face Sanford, making it clear that Sanford would not face his brother alone with a blade. And that didn't even count Renata, or the stone hurling from outside. "Tony! Karl! Back off!" Sanford gasped. The two men paused just inside the doorway, blades out, as they took in the scene. They looked confused and wary, but at least they weren't attacking. Decuma advanced on Sanford, holding his blade only inches from the man's neck as he asked, "What is going on here? Why were you holding Renata? And who is paying you?" His eyes narrowed on the last, for he had a sinking feeling that he would not like the answer to the last question, for he knew at least one of Sanford's former employers. Sanford, however, met eyes with Decuma for a moment and then slowly shook his head. "You can only kill me, my lord," he said. "That would be my pleasure," Decuma snarled, and made as if he would indeed slice through Sanford's neck. It looked like it was an effort for him to pull the blade back. "But then what would keep your dogs from snapping?" His eyes flicked to the men at the doorway. "No, you will come with us. If you don't want to answer my questions, perhaps you'll answer Lord Anderon's. Now, tell them to put down their swords and move out of the way. Renata and her brother would like to go home." Readying another stone, Elissa held her position and smiled to herself. It looked like they were winning this battle. Once Renata left the room accompanied by her brother and Decuma, Elissa told herself that it would be time for her to leave her perch and return to Giulian. She had a promise to keep to him. Sanford licked his lips nervously, his eyes darting this way and that. It appeared he was calculating the odds. "You will not get a better offer," Harry added, seeing the calculating look in Sanford's eyes. His gaze then flickered over to Renata to gauge how well she was holding up in this standoff. Suddenly, Xander Windhaven sprang through the door, naked sword in his hand. Decuma's eyes merely flickered toward the now crowded doorway. This time he didn't ask Sanford to tell his associates to drop their swords, he merely touched the tip of his own to Sanford's neck and stated firmly to the two men trapped between Harry and the emerging twins. "Gentlemen," he stated, in an imperious tone, while keeping an eye on Sanford as he addressed the two henchmen, "Drop your swords. Now." "What will happen to us if we do?" one of the men asked with nervous bravado. Xavier appeared behind his brother, slid in around him and moved around the edge, hoping to reach and help out with Renata. He looked at the one who spoke and then over at Decuma and Harry. "I'm sure you two know someone who would be glad to speak with them and about their involvement with the coup. Someone who knows how to retrieve information," Xavier said. He glanced over at Renata and smiled warmly, giving her encouragement and support. Even after all that happened, she was still very lovely to him. Renata returned his smile, brushing back the wisps of hair that had escaped her plait during the evening's events. Xander shot his brother a look, eyebrows raised, as he wasn't sure that comment was going to help them get a surrender out of these men. He stood silently, holding his blade leveled at the remaining villains. He had spared a glance for Renata, Decuma and Harry in their standoff with the solo man, but focused his attentions on the two directly in front of him. "I doubt either of them know much of anything," Decuma snorted, then glared at the two thugs. "Do you boys? I'm sure you would be more than delighted for us to forget that you were hired to do this job; that you were even here at all?" He nodded toward the door. "Drop your swords and you are free to go." He saw Elissa through the window and hid a grin, knowing that justice would be waiting for them at the hands of her friend Bailey and his associates down in the alley. "They might know something," Renata murmured, but then shook her head. "You are right. It is a fair enough offer." She remembered the slung rocks and knew there were more friends and allies outside the house. These ruffians would not get far. Harry gave a nod at Decuma's offer, and his sister's confirmation of that offer. "Don't think about it, just do it," he said, standing a little straighter as he still held his blade. "This business is done, whether you realize it or not." One of the thugs nodded vigorously. "It was him hired us," he said, gesturing not toward Sanford, but to the earlier spokesman. "He knew all about it." Decuma scowled. Maybe he shouldn't have killed the man so quickly. He was sure that Sanford had been behind this, but perhaps he'd made a mistake. Perhaps Sanford was just a hired sword. Harry's eyes flickered at the gesture the thug made. Exchanging glances, the two men known as Tony and Karl slowly laid their blades on the floor. "We can go now?" Xander did not drop his sword but he did take the necessary two steps to avoid blocking the exit. "Provided you go quickly. Their Lordships might decide to regret their kindness if you overstay your welcome." He did not show his relief that he would not have to kill these men or hand them over to torture. The two thugs did not wait for a further invitation. They hurried out the door, and their retreating footsteps could be heard crossing the outer room and receding down the stairs. Renata looked at the now-defeated Sanford. Her gaze was very steady. "Why were you told to do this? To lure Harry into a trap? Did my mother's murder have anything to do with your 'master''s plans?" Decuma's dark eyes were cold as he pressed his sword to Sanford's throat a little harder to encourage an answer. "My sister's questions will be answered." Harry added his voice to Renata's. Sanford's eyes were bleak. "Not by me," he said. Xavier slid along the wall until he reached Renata's side and stood near her, ready to get her out of harm's way. He glanced towards the broken window and tried to look across the street. Such a simple thing as pitching rocks... Rather ingenious, if a little crazy, he thought. "I don't mean to butt in," said Xander in the tones of a man who knows that is exactly what he's doing, "And I realize I can't begin to understand what you are all feeling now, but my brother's injured, and so are you," he nodded to Decuma. "This fellow'll talk just as sweet once he's secured somewhere safer than this. If you do want to finish it here, though, at least send the wounded over to me and let me do tourniquets and bandages." Decuma hid the wounds he had taken. They would need seeing to, he was sure, but now was not the time. "I agree with the former option," Decuma said softly. "Harry, could you do the honors of securing the arms of our 'friend' here? I think the ropes which were used on Renata are still serviceable." "If my dear sister hasn't damaged them too badly of course," Harry said, trying to regain a sense of decorum by the small jest. Even as he said so, he lowered his knife, trusting Decuma to keep his sword up, and went to fetch the rope that had bound Renata. Efficiently, Harry carried the rope and walked behind Sanford and waited for him to put his arms behind him of his own accord. Renata actually laughed at Harry's little joke, then said, more soberly, "Honestly, that you would all risk your lives for me, no matter what the circumstances, is a debt I can never repay. The least I can do is make sure that those of you who are injured are seen to properly..." An ugly, desperate look came into Sanford's eyes as Harry approached him. He still had a knife in his hand. Xavier reached out with his bad arm, wincing at the pain just a little, and placed it on Harry's arm to stall him. "Drop the knife, pal, on the floor," he told the man in a hard voice. Xander moved to flank his brother, twin expressions on their identical faces. That sneer on Sanford's face made Decuma's gut clench and, not waiting to see if Sanford would comply with the request, with a quick flick of the wrist -- a move that Sanford himself had shown him, in fact -- Decuma's sword moved from Sanford's neck to wrist and with a whip-like smack, he hit the man's hand with the flat of the sword, to dislodge the knife, and then returned the tip to point at Sanford's jugular. Sanford hissed in pain and the knife clattered to the floor. In the instant it took Decuma's sword to flick upward again, however, Sanford made his move -- not toward anyone in the room, or to the door, but toward the nearest window. "No you don't," Harry said. Surprising himself, Harry darted toward Sanford, attempting to get between him and his goal of escape. As he approached, Harry launched himself in the air toward the man who had so foully kidnapped his sister in a bid to acquire him. The two of them landed on the floor with a thud, and a crunch of broken glass from the shattered window. Harry could already feel Sanford twisting under him, fighting frantically to get loose. Elissa grumbled as she watched them wrestle around and shook her head. "Oh... Just knock him out and be done with it," she muttered as she gathered her things together, ready to leave the perch. Unaccustomed to such combat, Harry fought desperately, trying to hold Sanford down as best he could. As if he heard Elissa, however, Harry focused his efforts on Sanford's head, and with a hand sought to drive the man's head onto the floor in a bid to still his resistance. Xander had edged closer, looking for an opportunity to lend a fist, but with them thrashing around like that, near the broken glass, he was afraid he might end up hitting Harry, or putting him in a position to be cut. So he just stood there, looking lost and a little angry. It was Renata who stepped forward. She took the only 'weapon' she had left -- an unlikely one, a bracelet that had been, ironically, a gift from her mother -- and, unclasping it, lashed it against Sanford's exposed neck, hoping the sting would distract him long enough for Harry to gain the advantage. Sanford grunted in pain, but it was hard to tell whether it was due to the lash of the metal chain against his neck, or Harry beating his face onto the glass-strewn floor. He was already bleeding from several small cuts on his face and hands, the latter from scrabbling for purchase on the rough floorboards. He hadn't stopped struggling, but he wasn't going anywhere, either. Muttering what were likely off-world curses, Decuma rushed at the struggling pair and as Harry smashed Sanford's face into the floor yet again, he timed a quick kick at Sanford's head. While the kick to the head didn't knock Sanford out completely, it stunned him long enough to halt his struggles. "Well... That plan went well," Xavier said when Sanford stopped his struggles. "Quick, tie him up and let's begone. There are others to take care of this riff-raff." He placed his good hand on Renata's arm. "Come, we must get you out of here." "Not without them," she said firmly, motioning towards Harry and Decuma. Xander, who had already ripped his shirt to shreds had no trouble ripping a few more strands to use as rope, but not completely assured as to their durability without the additional leverage of hogtying the man, added his neckribbon as he bent to bind Sanford's arms. "Of course not," he agreed. "No one gets left behind." "Or forgotten," Harold said automatically as he moved to allow Xander enough room to do the binding. He seemed relieved that the ordeal actually and finally seemed to be over. Across the way, Elissa smacked a hand against her head when they finally managed to subdue the man. Shaking her head, knowing if things were going to continue, she had to teach them some basic moves other than relying on swords. Gathering up her pack, slipping the slingshot and bag of pebbles inside, she left her perch in the window. She knew she would wait in front of the house for the others to appear with Renata before they all headed back towards Giulian and the horses. She smiled as a little thrill of pleasure went through her at her promise to Giulian. Rolling her shoulders, the smile grew into a grin as she thought about the pleasure to come for them both. Distracted, she did not fully comprehend all the shadows in the alley. Harry looked at his brother, his sister, the twins and the rest of the room. "Giulian is waiting with horses," he explained to Renata. She smiled, her first real smile since the ordeal had started. "That's good to know," she said. Harry, Giulian... she had known, in her heart, that they would come for her if possible. But these others... the twins were strangers to her and Decuma... Decuma... what to make of him? Not at all Lagoran's creature, no, not unless her father had been completely wrong about Lagoran himself... "Leave his legs free, we need him able to walk," Decuma murmured to Xander as he bent close to Sanford to check his bonds, giving each a twist and tug, which, if it caused Sanford some discomfort, all the better. Helping to hoist Sanford to his feet, he turned him toward the door. "Yes, let's get out of here." The fight seemed to have gone out of Sanford for the moment and he allowed himself to be hustled along. "Right," Harry said. He looked toward the twins and gave them a nod to indicate that they should cover their back. Harry then began leading the party back toward the staircase, the waiting street, and hopefully, Giulian. Xavier nodded back, staying close to Renata as he helped her out of the room. He glanced back towards the window, knowing Elissa would be making her way back as well. Decuma kept close behind Sanford as the group made their way down the stairs and then back out into the street. Now that the excitement of the rescue was over, the slice across his chest was beginning to ache, but he pushed the pain aside. The night wasn't over yet. There could still be danger out in the streets. He pressed his arm against his chest to prevent the wound from opening further and to keep the others from noticing his injury. As they exited, Decuma could hear some angry voices and what could only be the thuds of fists or blunt weapons against flesh, and knew that Elissa's friends had caught the fleeing henchmen and were providing their 'street justice'. He gave Sanford a knowing look as he pushed him along. Sanford didn't react. It didn't seem as if he cared. Harry resolutely kept going and looking forward, making a direct line toward the waiting curricle and Giulian. He made no sign of noticing his brother's injury and he only briefly turned his head at the sound of the voices. If anything, it hurried his footsteps upon hearing the sound of fist and weapons. Across the street and down the alley, Giulian had been watching the house anxiously since Xander Windhaven had disappeared into it. He'd almost started forward, horses, curricle and all, when two figures had burst out of the house, but before the other shadows closed in on them he'd realized they weren't any of his friends. Now a larger group was emerging. He recognized Harry's outline -- a feminine form that had to be Renata, on her feet and walking, praise God! -- that must be Decuma, and the twins ... and one more. They'd brought someone else? He clucked to his horses and began to ease the curricle out of the alley toward the house, holding the carriage reins with one hand and the reins of the saddle horses in the other. Approaching and seeing that Giulian was still all right and the horses were still there, Xander relaxed fractionally. "Hey," he said quietly, "we just might make it out of this okay." "Whatever happens," Renata said, "you were all amazing." She then noticed the way Decuma was carrying himself. "You're hurt," she said. "You didn't say anything upstairs." Decuma shrugged. "It's nothing," he lied. He'd experienced worse. And even if he had acknowledged the wound he was glad now that they hadn't wasted any time for as he turned he heard the rhythmic sound of booted feet approaching. Just then, about a block away, a tight group of men rounded the corner. It was hard to make them out from this distance, but they looked to be marching more or less in step, and a street lamp at the intersection glinted on weapons. Taking a look around them, making sure everyone stayed together, Xavier groaned when he saw the men round the corner. "What next will this night bring us?" he muttered. "Harry, Decuma, Xander... we have possible company." "Where?" Harry hissed, Xavier's words burning in his ears like a brand, shaking him from his tunnel vision. His head turned until his eyes spotted the group of men approaching and he gave off a groan. "Can't make out their colors at this distance, but I'd suggest avoiding any soldiers at this point." Decuma glanced around quickly for routes of escape. "May I suggest we split up our party and rendezvous at Anderon House?" Giulian took in the situation as the group came up to him. He too could see that Decuma was hurt, and it didn't take long to realize, from his bound hands, that the extra person must be a prisoner. "Right then," he said. "Decuma, you're with me, and you can load our friend here," he jerked his head toward Sanford, "in the back. Renata, can you ride? You and Harry take the horses. Xavier, Xander, you'll be welcome at Anderon House too, but if it seems safer to you to head home... It's up to you. Let's move!" Decuma helped to prod Sanford into the back of the curricle, though he didn't make any move to climb in with Giulian just yet, as he examined the situation. The docility with which Sanford submitted to this treatment -- there wasn't even a seat in the back of the curricle, just a space for luggage -- suggested that he considered his chances with the approaching soldiers worse than with the young nobles. Harry made a moue of disapproval at this turn of events. He did not hesitate, however, and Harry's hand reached for Renata's, to jolt her into action to follow him to the horses. "Come on, sister," he implored her. "We can't have freed you just to fall into yet another trap." "And waste all the heroics used to free me?" she said with spirit, taking his hand. "Anderon House it is... though we really need to find a way to send word to our Father..." Her gaze went to Decuma. "You should come with us. You've done enough for one night, and I'm sure Lady Anderon will more than welcome you -- and make sure someone sees to that." She motioned with her free hand to his injury. "We'll get word to Father," Harry promised. Decuma's eyes met Renata's and he managed an almost shy smile, then he ducked his head as he murmured, "It was worth it to see you free." "Mother isn't at home just now," Giulian said, "but Doctor Gomast will patch him up." He released the reins of the saddle horses to Harry, Renata, and the twins, then extended his free hand to help Decuma up beside him. At first Decuma hesitated. He wasn't that badly injured, he thought, but with the adrenaline from the sword fight leaving him, he was suddenly feeling fatigued. But as he looked up the street at the soldiers and then over at Giulian his thoughts were that as good as Giulian was with a whip, a man in a curricle was still more easily caught than someone on horseback. "You're probably right, Jules. Harry and Renata can get away more easily on horse, and I can help guard your side in case we get stuck at a road block." A shout came from the direction of the soldiers, and the group could hear them break into a run. They'd been spotted. "Here they come," Harry said to Renata as they reached the horses. "There goes that plan," Xavier muttered as he used his good arm to leg up on his horse and settled in place. He glanced at his twin and back to Giulian. "We'll ride with you to Anderon. If I may, I could also use the help of your doctor this evening." Harry stopped to help his sister get on one of the horses before seeing to getting on himself. "For your help, alone, he will, if not for the hospitality of the House," Harold said to Xavier, with a nod to Giulian. "For both reasons," Giulian acknowledged. "Let's go!" Taking up the reins, he let the long carriage whip crack over his horses' heads. The already fidgeting chestnuts responded with a burst of speed and the curricle started forward. Giulian skillfully turned them and in another moment the light carriage was speeding down the street toward Anderon House. "And... Your lady? Elissa? Is she staying behind to help her friends clean up?" Decuma asked looking around for the very talented young woman. "She's got quite an aim with a rock." Giulian bit his lip, while keeping his eyes on his horses. "I don't know... but I do trust she'll be able to keep out of the way of those soldiers. Better than we could, for sure. And find her own way home." He spoke with conviction, but his expression was troubled. Though under the circumstances he didn't have much choice, he didn't like leaving Elissa behind. (Continued in To Anderon House: Renata and Rescuers) |
