Chapter 286 (1/2)

Book 3, Chapter 22 – The First Meeting

Autu ever since they entered Boondock Cloudhawk called her a coward her for a reason, but who could bla, evil men If their true identities were revealed she shuddered to think of the consequences Autumn wasn't like Cloudhawk, fearless and resourceful Neither did she have the years of experience in dangerous situation that Barb had She couldn't protect herself

If she was caught, what could she do?

She didn't even want to think about it At the sanant fury at Cloudhawk She hired hih, but instead they were in this den of thieves Then, once they got here, he manhandled her! She didn't hold back once they were safely hidden inside a tent

“You dare slap my behind?!”

“Hey, I' character and almost exposed us I had to show some level of discipline” Cloudhawk then added in h for a handful, though”

Autuht in her throat He did it on purpose! If they were anywhere else she would have stormed out of the tent

“I was looking around as alked in This place is bigger than we thought, and while it looks pretty lax it's just the opposite There's a whole bunch of undercover sentries, so we need to be very careful every lance at the woot so an unhealthy amount of attention”

A slight blush invaded Barb's cheeks, but she was a straightforward sort and she wasn't going to balk at a small matter like this

“Now that we've successfully infiltrated the city,” Barb said, “What's the next step?”

“The highway for us out in the wastelands They would never think to look for us in the heart of their city In a few days the recruits will start looking for people to take in, so I'll need to find a way to et selected for their inner circle, who knows But we can't waste time while ait for that to happen”

Cloudhawk pressed a hand to his chest, over the phase stone A sizeable parcel appeared in his hand like ht 'em off a wastelander – rare and expensive Barb, your job is to find places around the city to hide these We'll use them to help us escape when the time comes”

The young huntress rubbed her eyes “Where did you pull that from?”

Autuh she didn't know much about demonhunters, she'd heard a little bit fro a show of it More than likely, he had sos

“No time for questions Now this place was easy to sneak into, but it's gonna be a bitch getting out Slaves especially aren't permitted to leave the city One step out of Boondock and you'll be killed on the spot New people don't have ure they only get out if they're on pillaging crews” Cloudhawk pondered aloud “This etting in We better watch our step and be ready for anything”

Barb's veneration for his Excellency was growing by the day His abilities were beyond incredible

Cloudhaent on “I'onna poke around Blackfiend's nest, see what I can find out”

“Wait a ht?” Autumn practically leapt up, like a cat whose tail had been stoht?”

“Pretty lady, I appreciate your concern but don't underestimate me I don't know if I could take hio where I like without a probleht? Normal folk can't stop me”

Concern! Not likely! Autumn nearly choked

She was the weak one Barb could handle herself from anyone other than Blackfiend himself, even his closest henchle a chicken What was she supposed to do if she got into trouble? Even the weakest bandit could easily overpower her!

Cloudhawk's plan was siure out what the deal was If he spotted a weakness, ' without a fuss Although he was eager to get to Fish journey It'd only behiet a moment to breathe unless they were dealt with

Besides, Cloudhaas thinking of settling down in the Borderlands The Sandbar was considered part of the wastelands, and if this group of zealots got too strong it would mean trouble for the settlement Eventually it would be overcome, so it seemed worth a little risk if he could avoid problems in the future Whatever, it wasn't like every step he'd taken his whole life wasn't through one danger after another He even faced a , and slipped away fro he couldn't handle

That didn'tabout Blackfiend, or whatever weird abilities he had

A ringing bell signaled night, and fires sprang up all around Boondock As the sun fell, spirits rose Suddenly the griathered around bonfires eating, drinking, and keeping entertained It was chaos, perfect for Barb to start h town Cloudhawk also prepared for his task

Oddball, meanwhile, stayed perched on his head the whole tiuy, ready to alert hin of trouble

Autueted nervously “What am I supposed to do while the two of you are out?”