Book 2, Chapter 8 - Elite Task Force (2/2)

He never really thought about these things. He just did what he thought he had to.

Old Thistle came looking for him with Squall in tow. The old man wasted no time with pleasantries and asked if Cloudhawk would take his young charge along. After all, he assured him, Squall had some ability and he was sure to be of some help. He saw it as training and an opportunity for him to associate with soldiers and demonhunters. If he could do some work then all the better.

Cloudhawk didn’t turn him down.

It was pretty clear Squall had a soft spot for Asha, too. Cloudhawk saw it clear as day. More than that, the guy seemed to know how to take care of himself, at least as much as Cloudhawk and probably stronger than most of the soldiers. The more the merrier, it just made his job easier.

Using his fabricated identity and the impressive clout of a demonhunter token, Cloudhawk had managed to cobble together a pretty good group of fighters. He had a novice demonhunter in Barb, Squall who was on the path to being one himself, a portly guard captain and the thirteen men under his command. Sixteen all together.

***

Twilight was fast approaching. Cloudhawk was attired in simple camouflage.

He gave a gentle tap to his mask and it changed to a brownish grinning façade. Even then he went farther, completely change his appearance. Using a small knife he cut his unkempt hair short and had Squall get him a leather outfit. In the end he looked completely different than he had when he’d arrived at the Sandbar just this morning.

These days it wasn’t uncommon to see masked men traveling the roads. Cloudhawk’s skinny figure also made him easy to disregard, especially below his tattered cloak haphazardly flung over his shoulders. With a new mask, new hair, and new clothes no one was going to recognize him.

Gradually the members of his team gathered at the designated spot. The fat captain and his men were the first ones there.

To these men the mission was of critical importance, so they didn’t dare show up late. Their preparations had been meticulous, and in addition to their standard equipment they each had crossbows slung over their shoulders.

They hadn’t been waiting more than fifteen minutes before a pretty woman joined them.

She was dressed simply, but the weapon she carried made her status unmistakable – another demonhunter!

When Barb saw the fat captain and the others she was visibly surprised. “You lot are his Eminence’s men?”

His Eminence? Oh! She must mean the masked demonhunter. If she was referring to him with such respect he had to be someone special. On top of his team, they had a second demonhunter to join them. This really was a once in a lifetime event!

“Yes yes yes! We’re his Eminence’s loyal soldiers!”

Cloudhawk arrived a few moments later with Squall at his side. When she saw him Barb greeted Cloudhawk with an excited smile. “Hello, your Eminence!”

The guard captain awkwardly bowed. “Everything is prepared! We await your orders!”

Squall wasn’t dressed much different than usual. His hair was tied up in a ponytail behind his head and he wore his armor with the Bloomnettle coat of arms emblazoned on it. He carried a pair of two-foot short swords as his weapons. When he saw how Cloudhawk had managed to gather together another demonhunter and the soldiers from earlier his admiration for the young master soared. He desperately hoped one day he could be like him.

“Alright, everyone’s here.” Cloudhawk cleared his throat, trying to assume the air of a leader. “Tonight there is a pair of rebels meeting in Adder’s bar. These are their portraits. Take a minute to familiarize yourselves.”

“We can’t approach them while in the bar. If we rush to action we’ll alert the others of our plan, so first we have to follow the snakes to their nest. Then we clear ‘em out, does everyone understand?”

Cloudhawk didn’t have any predilection for leadership, nor could he think up any clever strategy. Luckily that didn’t seem to be required, after all if the scrolls were anything to go by there were only seven targets – eight including the one they were meeting tonight.

He had twice the number of people. Even if they were capable fighters there wasn’t anything for him to be concerned about.

“Squall, you’re responsible for putting eyes on our target. We’ll hang back about half a block. If anything unexpected happens we’ll move in for backup.”

“Got it!”

Everyone’s fighting spirit was up, confident in their impending success.

Barb had only just become a demonhunter, and her low upbringing meant she wasn’t going to easily achieve rank. Even after joining she had yet to complete a single mission. At last she’d been tapped to participate in a real task, and she was determined to show her thanks to her senior member by performing outstandingly.

Squall hadn’t even been accepted into the order yet, and although he wasn’t a very serious sort he had high aspirations. After all, he had a tremendous respect for Master Arcturus. If he wanted to follow in the great man’s footsteps this was a good way to sharpen his skills.

As for the guard captain? This was an even rarer opportunity to find! He joined the Skycloud army six years ago and the highest he’d climbed was squad captain. Like most holy warriors he held his faith close, but he had always been troubled that he was never given a shot. Finally, he was on a mission with two demonhunters – one of them with a token of the high order – and a young prospective demonhunter with a bright future. Him and his brothers together. Both emotionally and for his own pride, he was happy.

At last, a mission that didn’t make him feel like he’d joined the army for no reason.

Something for my mother to be proud of!

Of everyone there, the captain’s fighting spirit was the strongest.