The group lounged around as Piotr took center stage, this was usually the case. Tucked in his right hand was the mask the group had acquired from one of the intruders from the night before. Rays of sunlight beamed through a small nearby window and bounced across the mask’s painted surface.
“Right, let's review the plan one last time shall we?”
Subsequently he planted the mask down onto the suncooked browned table that stood before the group.
“We shall roam Barakat attempting to obtain information regarding this underground group from the local townsfolk. Ask questions that are concise and direct, no dilly dallying and if it so occurs that these lovely townsfolk are not willing nor in the mood to co-operate, we will?”
Piotr threw a glance promptly in Christi's direction, the girl rolled her eyes.
“Then we needn’t bother them any longer, we thank them for their time and move on to the next person.”
“I couldn’t have said it better my dear, thank you for that. Now any burning questions before we depart?”
Ratchet unfurled his folded arms and leaned forward, he clasped and interlocked his calloused hands. The man dropped his hands between his thighs before settling on a hunched over seating position.
“What if the townsfolk require some slight persuasion?”
Piotr’s head tilted, he was confused by the question. Had he not been clear enough?
“What kind of persuasion are we referring to my good man?”
As soon as the words left his mouth he knew what answer awaited him. Ratchet was a very forward man after all.
Ratchet began finnicking with his fingers, he met Piotr’s eyes.
“The more physical and direct approach, I’ve found it to often be more efficient.”
A stifled chuckle arose from Christi, Piotr brought a hand to his forehead.
“My good man we are not thugs and please do not suggest such an idea among those who are most impressionable.”
Once again Piotr’s eyes darted towards Christi, she quickly pivoted to the side and averted his gaze. Ratchet spread his hands with his palms facing outwards.
“A little rough housing never hurt anybody.”
Christ’s lips pressed together as she signaled her agreement through her telling facial expression.
“As receptive as I am to new ideas I would rather avoid another kerfuffle, taking last night’s incident into consideration we’ve already caused quite a stir here. My reputation can only excuse so much, can we please just agree on a more subtle approach?”
Piotr looked to Sam seeking much needed affirmation, Sam was lost in thought, looking at Ratchet he slowly nodded his head. The man was so easily swayed.
“What say you Sam?”
Sam snapped to attention. The whiplash he generated in his sudden head movement alone would’ve killed an older gentleman.
“Oh yes of course Master Henlein I agree wholeheartedly!”
“Well Ratchet?” Piotr asked.
“Well ya haven’t let me down yet, so I’ll trust you on this one too” Ratchet conceded.
Piotr clapped his hands together.
“Excellent, then we’ll each individually spend about two hours attempting to turn something up in town. We’ll reconvene here where we may divulge any valuable information, are we all happy?”
The group quietly nodded in agreement.
“Good then let’s get to it, time is of the essence.”
As the group prepared accordingly, Ratchet approached Piotr and Sam. The worry on his face could not be more evident.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea for all of us to split up like this? I mean I can handle myself and so can everyone else but…”
His eyes led towards Christi, Piotr placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Christi is my most prized student, don’t fret. She’s more than capable. You simply need only believe in her.”
“I do, It’s just…”
Ratchet’s face contorted, his eyes hardened, the bushy eyebrows dropped. Conveying emotion was clearly not the man’s strong suit. Piotr squeezed his shoulder slightly. Who was he to stand in the way of Ratchet’s quest to reconnect with Christi?
“If that's what you believe is for the best. Christi dear! Ratchet here is going to accompany you, is that acceptable?”
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She blinked a few times before responding.
“That’s fine I guess.”
Piotr patted Ratchet on the back.
“Well that settles matters then, I suppose that leaves Sam and I to buddy up as well, good luck to you both.”
Soon after that the duos each split up respectively going their own ways. They each ventured deeper into the bustling streets of Barakat. Townsfolk and Christi & Co alike were oblivious to Kydin and his mercenaries stalking above from a rooftop. The men pressed themselves to the ceramic tiling and carefully observed their prey.
“They’re splitting up, shall we follow both Kydin?” one of the indistinguishable hooded men asked.
Kydin’s sightline never once left that of Piotr and Sam.
“No, follow Henlein and his assistant, we gain no tactical advantage expending forces on weak opponents like the girl and the old man. We prioritize the genius. After all, he's the only potential foil to my plan.”
“What of the Knight? Should we take measures against it? I fear it grows suspicious of our activities.”
Kydin chuckled.
“Bah! What about it? It’s a pawn that can’t think for itself, the success of its plan hinges on our involvement. It wouldn't dare risk failure for the sake of pride. All that matters to it is fulfilling its master’s wishes. What a pitiful creature it is.”
Kydin’s eyes switched in the direction of Christi and Ratchet.
“The Finders will handle the girl and the old man, however I expect they’ll soon turn their backs on our agreement.”
Kydin rose to his feet.
“Alright, alright, let’s get to it. Not a moment’s rest for Henlein, remember what I taught you. No direct engagement, hit and run only. You’re all aware of his capabilities in combat.”
The group of men dispersed quietly, Kydin smiled. He looked south of Barakat to the vast ocean that seemed to swallow the infinite horizon. The operation was going smoother than he had anticipated. Perhaps he could return home to Ariva with his long awaited prize sooner than he had assumed.
Piotr and Sam navigated the streets of Barakat. Attempts were made at questioning individuals on information regarding ‘The Finders’. Person after person they were met with those who displayed fear upon mention of the group. To their surprise there were individuals who openly supported the group, the answers these individuals provided? Outright refusal to talk and some harsh language. The pair grew tired but they persisted.
Piotr opted to interview some of the local traders. He spotted a rather quaint stall with a large assortment of fruit on display. As Piotr and Sam approached the stall they noticed a short and stout man who was facing away from the two. He frantically rummaged through a woven white bag, extracting the fruit inside.
“Excuse me kind sir, could I perhaps bother you for a couple of questions?”
The greengrocer clicked his tongue.
“That depends, ya buying or not?”
He paused as he turned to see Piotr. His face dropped and his entire demeanor changed.
“I’m very sorry Mr Henlein, I’d be more than happy to help ya in any way I can.”
“Thank you kindly sir, I greatly appreciate your cooperation, would you possibly be able to point me in the direction of a group wearing masks such as this one?”
Reaching into his coat pocket he produced the mask.
“They call themselves the Finders, now you wouldn’t happen to know anything about this group would you?”
The greengrocer like those before was unable to hide his sudden discomfort.
“For your own safety, stay well away from them.”
Piotr paced back and forth.
“While I appreciate your genuine concern for my wellbeing I cannot, however, abandon my search for this group. You see they recently became acquainted with a man who wishes to harm my companions and I. Could I perhaps sway you with some compensation?”.
A pouch of gold procured from Piotr’s coat tucked neatly in his palm revealed itself, the greengrocer stood his ground.
“All the money in the world can’t help ya here.”
Piotr closed his fist and retreated.
“I see, very well then, thank you for your time and a good day to you sir.”
Sam darted out in front, yanked the man by the collar and shoved him backwards. The greengrocer slammed against a wall. Sam pressed his face closely.
“Tell us everything you know or you’ll gain quite the powerful enemy in ‘The Pioneers’. You’re obviously aware of Master Henlein’s standing aren’t you?”
The greengrocer squirmed but Sam’s vice-like grip did not falter. There was no escape for the man.
“You’ll be arrested for this! you can’t just assault people in the streets!”
In the background chatter began to wind down, the shuffling of plentiful feet ceased as the townsfolk began to take notice of the scene. The crowd stood and watched. One of the bystanders yelled for the guards and dashed off. A smirk shot across Sam’s face.
“We work for The Pioneers. With our positions are you really trying to argue that we can’t get away with something as trivial as this?”
The greengrocer folded.
“You can find them under the church of Axci in the catacombs, you can also gain entry through the sewers. Happy?”
Sam relinquished his grip.
“Ecstatic.”
Sam turned to face Piotr.
“My I must say sir that was invigorating. Master Ratchet was correct, sometimes roughhousing is called for.”
Piotr crossed his arms.
“I fear his crude ways have already infected your mind.”
“With the utmost respect sir your subtle approach wasn’t exactly yielding much results.”
“My approach at the very least avoids an owed explanation to the authorities.”
“I suppose there’s no denying that.”
Piotr sighed, placed his hands on his hips.
“No point dwelling on it, you did manage to acquire the necessary information after all.”
Two lanky guards emerged from the group of onlookers. The younger babyfaced guard shooed people away ordering the citizens to be on their way while the older, more rugged of the two confronted Piotr and Sam.
“Mr Henlein we received a report that you and a colleague assaulted a citizen of Barakat in broad daylight, care to explain?”
Piotr and Sam surrendered willingly.
“Guilty as charged officer, don’t worry we’ll gladly answer any questions required for an incident report back at the station.”
Before they left Piotr chucked the pouch of gold at the feet of the greengrocer.
“Apologies for my brash friend, he's not usually so rough. Please accept this on my behalf or don’t, the choice is yours. I’m aware money can’t buy everything but it certainly does help in your line of work does it not?”
The greengrocer scowled fiercely before gingerly retrieving the pouch and pocketing it. Piotr and Sam trailed behind the pair of guards.
Christi and Ratchet sat idle on a robust park bench in a small park. Ratchet sat with his arms folded and a frown across his face. Christi blankly stared ahead observing a group of children jovially playing together. Detached from the large group of children sitting alone, she noticed the little boy from the day before fiddling with a figure that resembled a man with a sword.
“Hmph finding this group seems damn near impossible, either people are too scared to talk or just downright rude. I mean the way they treated you Christi, I should’ve smacked a couple.”
Ratchet turned to Christi, the girl continued staring into blank space.
Ratchet leaned back, the bench creaked.
“Well I’m not sure we’re gonna get much more from this town on ‘The Finders’. Let’s hope Piotr and Sam turned up something useful. Let's head back for now.”
Ratchet got up, he began to trudge back in the direction of the inn.
Now’s as good a time as any to ask I suppose, Christi thought to herself.
“Ratchet, why did you never tell me where I was really from, why didn’t you tell me I was Fheitgr?”
Ratchet paused, looked over his shoulder and slowly approached Christi with caution. He stopped short of a foot.
The old man scratched his thick beard.
“Well I planned on telling you eventually kiddo I mean sooner or later you would’ve put two and two together, you’re a smart kid. But as far as I was concerned you and Alex you guys were my kids. You guys were Chrodrift through and through like me.”
A sharp ticking noise reverbated in Christi’s skull.
“It’s ok Chris, you just get out of here… I love you kiddo.”
Alex’s voice faded into obscurity, a shrill voice remained alone with the ticking.
“Prey…Kill…Kill…”
Christi felt her chest tighten, she began to hyperventilate when suddenly she felt a warmth engulf her hand.
“Breathe kiddo, stay with me now.”
She paused, inhaled for five seconds, held for five seconds and exhaled. Christi raised her head, crouched over with an anxious look ridden across his face was Ratchet. A slight smile broke upon the surface of her face.
“I’m…I’m fine, just a little lightheaded is all, thank you. Let's get going.”
Christi hopped off the bench and began walking back when the young boy who played alone from earlier obstructed her path. He examined the pair with blank eyes devoid of expression. Gripped tightly in his left hand was his cherished toy.
“You two are looking for The Finders right?”
A big smile formed, “Follow me. I can take you to them.”