Journey of the Messenger Cycle 2 Part 7c

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The Bollorod Mission had become a bit larger than Ijah had expected. Forty-five women left the enclave after sunset, five groups of nine had woven their way through the west side of the city to diverse destinations. Another twenty women were ready back at the enclave to assist those rescued tonight, to heal the sick or wounded. A small number of people outside of the enclave also knew what was about to happen. They would not be directly involved, but would provide support as they were able.

Besides herself and Merhaj there were six other warriors and a mage. The other four groups we similarly composed. They had been unable to put eight warriors in each, Kereshi from other disciplines had been selected or volunteered for the mission. The other groups would deal with the three brothels and the safe house they had identified, while Ijah’s group moved against what should be the hardest of the targets, an old stone manor on the northwestern edge of the city proper.

The old manor was where the shadow essence was being produced. It was also where they held the women they intended to sell to the slavers, before smuggling them out of the city. It seemed to be the residence of the woman in charge of the larger operation. Ijah hoped that Bollorod’s younger daughters had not been moved yet, hoped they would be found here.

With Bollorod’s help and the assistance of a few of the long term Kereshi residents of West Port they had been able to find these five buildings, the backbone of the slavers operation. They could have observed for a while longer, possibly learning more about their operations within the city and likely who their contacts were outside. However, they were concerned the women who had been abducted would soon be moved. Just in the few days the place had been under observation at least a couple of dozen women had been brought here.

Ijah and Merhaj lurked in the shadows across the street from the manor’s back gate. Before heading out from the enclave they had a scryguard placed on them to be sure that no sorcery could be used to detect their approach. The weather was such that wearing heavy cloaks to conceal the weapons they carried did not appear out of place. Two other women were stationed on nearby buildings to observe the property, the other four warriors with the direct support of the mage would be going in through the front door. They were just waiting for the signal to start the incursion.

A cluster of swirling multicoloured lights appeared above the building, casting undulating shadows across the property. A moment passed, then another, a voice from somewhere just beyond the back gate asked, “What the blazes is that for?”

Ijah saw movement on the rooftop. Another voice, not far from where the first had been heard, answered, “I don’t know. The mistress has never done that before.”

The man atop the roof came to the back edge of the building, he called down to the guards by the gate, “What’s going on?”

The first voice, sounding bemused, “Not sure, maybe-”

The man on the roof exclaimed,”Ow!”

“You alright?”

“Something bit me.”

“You have to be careful of the spiders up there.”

“In this weather?”

The lights went out, one of the men grumbled, “I’m going in. Find out what’s going on.”

From the roof, “Something’s not right… I don’t… feel…” A shadow plummeted from the roof and slapped hard onto the cobbles.

“Did he just fall off the roof!?”

Ijah gave Marhaj a gentle tap on the shoulder, the two of them ghosted across the street. Ijah stopped to one side of the gate, crouched and cupped her hands. Merhaj placed a foot as she swung her cloak off her shoulders, Ijah gave her a boost up.

“Something’s not right here. Merrek, take a look outside. I’m going to report this.”

“Can’t believe he just fell like that.”

“Check the gate!”

From the front of the property they heard the sound of the front door being ripped from its frame.

Merhaj had secured the cloak across the top of the wall and pulled herself up.

“We’re under attack!”

Ijah cursed silently to herself as Merhaj jumped from the wall into the yard. There was a startled shout from just beyond the gate. Less than a heartbeat later there were screams, followed by the sounds of combat from within the manor. She shed her own cloak, tossing it across the top of the wall. Backing up a couple of strides, she secured her sword as snugly as she could, then ran, jumped and reached for a hold.

There was a second scream, cut short, from the other side of the gate. Ijah pulled herself up and dropped over the wall, gaining herself a couple small punctures, despite the double layer of cloaks. She could hear heavy fighting from within the manor. She stayed crouched, adjusted her sword and looked for Merhaj. She could see the shapes of the fallen ruffians, one near the gate, another on the short walkway between gate and back door, the last near a garden bed by the main building’s wall. She could smell blood, of her daughter there was no sign.

The sounds of fighting within the manor took on a different aspect as a sizable group fled towards the back. She heard curses and complaints. A loud, commanding voice shouted above the din of chaos, “Get her out of here! To the safe house! We’ll hold them off.”

Ijah drew her sword, remained by the gate and looked for Merhaj. The back door burst open, half a dozen of the rogues ran out into the courtyard, others following. The leading man tripped over the body on his way to the gate, he stumbled forward, fighting for balance. Ijah stood, closed the distance in two strides and nearly cut the man in two with an upwards swing of her weapon. The others shouted in surprise or pain as Merhaj came out of the garden, swords flashing as she slashed and thrust, moving from one to another, killing with ease.

The man closest to the door shouted,”Back! More of them out here!”

Ijah advanced, running another man through as he reeled away from Merhaj’s unexpected assault. Ijah saw a few ruffians retreating through the door and briefly saw the woman who ran the operation. The door slammed shut, the cries of the dying men on the ground before her were briefly the only noise she could hear. Then from within the manor the sound of combat broke out again. Ijah moved up to the door, opposite of Merhaj’s position.

Her daughter seemed calm, relaxed, she was breathing easily. She quietly said, “Door’s locked, likely barred from what I heard.”

Ijah replied, “Head to the corner of the manor so you can keep an eye on the back and that side of things. I’ll do the same on this side.”

There was a lull in the fighting within the manor. Ijah moved quietly, when she came to the corner of the building she stepped out from the wall so she could see across the back and down the side of the property, towards the carriage house. There were noises from the small stable, suddenly drowned out as once again a bout of combat started within the manor. There was shouting from both men and women, briefly the hissing sizzle and tell-tale flash of one of the alchemical weapons being discharged. Ijah glanced once more across the back of the property and then began to move towards the stables.

She made it to the closest corner, from within she heard low voices and sounds that indicated a horse was being saddled. Quietly she advanced along the side of the building. A window broke on the upper level of the manor. She froze in place, spotted the broken window, saw a body partially hanging over the sill and shadowy movement within the room. She was a couple strides from a smallish side door to the stables. With care she slowly crept up to it. The lower part of the door was closed, the upper part ajar, she was at the wrong angle to see within.

Ducking low and shifting to the other side of the door, once again the sounds of combat within the manor receded. She took a quick look around the corner, the main stable doors were open, blocking her view of what was happening inside. She could see the lane running along the side of the property, the nearby carriage house seemed unoccupied, no light nor noise, doors closed. She stood, peeked into the side door of the stables, a man and a youth were saddling two horses, they appeared nervous.

Voices from the direction of the manor drew her attention. A window had been opened on the second level, a woman in a dress, likely the one in charge, was climbing through. She heard a man’s voice from within, though it was muffled. The woman turned carefully, fighting with the skirts of her dress, Ijah saw a large man assisting the woman. He gripped her hands and lowered her from the window. She clearly heard the woman say, “Come with me.”

He lowered her further, leaning out of the window as far as his reach allowed, “I’ll keep them busy for a while, you go.”

“You’ll die.”

“Perhaps.”

“I love you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” He let go and she dropped.

She hit the ground with a suppressed cry of pain, rolled over backwards, limbs akimbo, skirts billowing, she lay still.

“Are you alright?” The man asked as he lowed a piece of luggage through the window.

After a moment the woman stirred, sat up, then carefully rose to her feet, though Ijah noted she favoured her right leg. The luggage was dropped, the woman gave a cry of dismay, she leapt forward reaching up with both arms. She caught the luggage, gave another cry of pain and fell back to the ground, the luggage on her chest.

The sudden movement of the upper part of the door Ijah was beside drew her attention. She was face to face with the older of the two stable hands. He seemed as surprised as she. He reached for her. Ijah tried to block the large reaching hand, too slow, he grabbed hold of her tightly bound hair, she grabbed his wrist and dropped her sword. He dragged her towards him as she reached for his throat. He twisted to the side, she only managed to grab his tunic, his other hand closed around her wrist. She was dragged up over the lower part of the door partially into the stables. She braced herself and pulled back, momentarily drawing him towards her, she tried to regain her footing but was dragged trough the entry and the two of them fell to the floor.

The horses did not like the sudden commotion.

Ijah was somewhat on top of him, he still had her hair in a locked grip and she still had hold of that wrist. She jabbed her thumb under the man’s chin. Then she tried to claw his eyes, he rolled away and dragged her bodily over him. She punched him in the head. He grabbed her arm and attempted to pin her in place, she shifted under him and was able to get a leg between his. She tried to knee him in the groin to little effect, their legs entangled. He shifted the weight of his upper body as their legs tried to crush or gain advantage. He pulled her head up, she released the wrist, he slammed her head into the mucky floor of the stables. Ijah reached for her knife, he slammed her head into the floor again. She went limp as she grabbed the knife’s hilt. He smashed her head into the floor once again then immediately shifted his position and pushed his forearm against her throat.

One of the horses stomped a hoof very close to their heads.

The man roared in pain when Ijah sank her blade into his side, he started to disengage. She grabbed his tunic with her free hand, as he stood she twisted the blade and wrapped her legs around him. He bellowed in rage and swung her into the wall. Her head struck the door frame with a bright flash of pain. She was vaguely aware of having been dropped, everything slowly faded away…

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