Drake could feel eyes on him as soon as he stepped inside Kinton Valley. He had taken a big detour around the outpost, making sure to avoid all army patrols, but he knew he couldn't escape Tauron surveillance. Well, he didn't want to anyway.

Lifting his rifle high above his head, he continued riding his new Yscalent in the direction of the Barbarian village. Soon enough, three young warriors ran to meet him, appearing out of nowhere. The leader of them, a tall man who looked younger than Drake, pointed his rifle at him, while the other two only carried spears.

"I know you, huh! You are the one who met Fleeting Stone and chief Tauron River. Huh!"

"Yes, I am. I have important news I need to give to your chief. I already know the way to the village, so, if you don't mind..."

The three Barbarians exchanged glances, and then stepped aside to let him pass. Drake hadn't done anything to make them believe he was a threat, and he had also brought supplies to them before, so they were inclined to trust him.

"Thank you."

Without waiting for them, Drake sped up again, and his mount kicked up a dust cloud behind him. Every second he wasted here was a second less that the Taurons would have to get to safety. Time was of the essence.

...

Half an hour later, when he arrived at the village, he was greeted warmly by the inhabitants. Fleeting Stone also tried to come up to him to talk, but Drake barely acknowledged his greetings. Dismounting in front of Tauron River's house, he knocked on the mud walls.

"Tauron River, it's me, Drake. I have urgent matters to discuss, and bad news to give."

"Huh! Come in."

Telling Frainer and Kniivar to wait outside, he entered. The old Barbarian leader was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, Steeleon and Rugoan on his shoulders. Drake wasn't sure if the Tauron was already like that before, or decided to greet him this way because of how he announced himself.

"Bad news, huh? The people of Ricker don't believe you, huh?!"

"Worse, I fear. Someone, who I believe to be Major Erinster, the commander of the outpost outside Kinton Valley, hired a group of Barbarian bandits to attack Ricker. Although I and my companions managed to help the police force, and defeat them, several citizens and law enforcers died. As we speak, Scarlet is probably trying to convince the populace that the Taurons aren't responsible, but I fear they won't listen to her."

Tauron River didn't answer immediately. His glare scrutinized Drake's face, trying to see through him. There was a deep frown on his face, but overall, he was calmer than Drake expected.

"This... Scarlet you speak of. Huh. Who is she?"

"The police chief of Ricker. One of the few who believe the Taurons to be innocent."

"She can't control her people? Huh!"

"Err... That's not exactly how our society works. If someone tries to take on arms and attack you, then she can arrest them. But if they do what I think they will, and ask the army for assistance, she is powerless."

"Uhmm... And you came here because..."

"Because I don't want to see needless bloodshed between your people and the citizens of Ricker. Most of the soldiers are innocent too. Although I don't have proof, I have reason to believe that you are all being misled by Major Erinster. All he wants is a war, to wipe out the Taurons, prove that Sanctuaries are a mistake, and cover himself in glory."

Tauron River sneered, his face contorting in a wicked, but sad, grin. It was the face of someone who had already been through it all, and was tired of it.

"When I was young, I engaged in war against your people. Huh! I killed many invaders, but all it brought me was pain, huh. No glory. When I got older, all I wanted was that my tribe had somewhere to live peacefully. Huh. I entered your Sanctuary, and cut myself from the world. I shouldn't have expected invaders to keep their word. Huh!"

"I understand your anger, respectable chieftain. I sympathize with it, in fact. But if you try to fight the Menoraz Army, the Taurons will only know more pain."

"Huh! I believe you, Drake Stronter. You came back to warn us, huh. What do you propose?"

Drake was glad that Tauron River was willing to listen to him. Maybe, age did make someone wiser, or maybe the Barbarian just wanted to avoid a battle. Whatever it was, it helped boost Drake's confidence.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"You know Kinton Valley better than I do. Is there somewhere you can take your tribe and hide for a few days? The supplies I brought you should be enough for a week, if you use it carefully."

"There is somewhere like that, yes. Huh! But what can you do in a week? Huh!"

"There is a group of people coming in the next few days. They are here to investigate what truly is happening, and who are the culprits. They will uncover the truth."

That wasn't entirely true. It wasn't a lie either, but Drake wasn't sure if the investigation team would be able to salvage the situation. In the short span of two days, lots of things had gone wrong, and it was only going to get worse. Still, he had to try. Luckily, Tauron River seemed to understand.

"I will trust you, Drake Stronter. Huh! But for the safety of my people, I won't tell you where we are hiding, huh."

"That's fair enough, chief. I thank you for believing in me."

"And what will you do? Huh!

Drake smiled, still not believing what he was about to say. Somehow, he felt it was Higler's fault, although the ranger wasn't even there. Well, if it wasn't for the time he spent with him, the thought wouldn't have ever crossed Drake's mind.

"I'm going to kidnap Major Erinster."

----------------------------

Scarlet didn't need anyone to tell her that Major Erinster and the Menoraz Army had arrived in Ricker. The cheers from the crowd that was still gathered outside were more than enough to announce his arrival. Sighing, she pushed her chair away from the desk, and got up. She knew it was useless, but she had promised Drake that she would buy as much time as she possibly could.

As soon as she left her office, she saw his hateful blue eyes and blonde hair. He didn't have the smug smile she expected, but instead a worried frown. For a moment, he almost looked like a dutiful officer, but when he opened his mouth, that impression was shattered.

"Illoer! I heard what happened! We must wipe out all this filthy scum immediately! I'm taking my men to Kinton Valley. We will kill every single one of those monsters!"

Nevermind, he was still the same old c*nt. Although it was weird that he didn't have a smile of glee on his face, his ideas hadn't changed. She screamed inwardly, holding back the urge to punch him.

"Major Erinster, the Taurons aren't the ones behind this attack. We managed to capture a few of them, including their leader, and confirmed they are from another tribe. They were hired to cause trouble."

Maybe it was her imagination, but Scarlet thought she saw a glint of fear flash through Major Erinster's eyes. Was he really mad enough to do what Drake thought he did? Before, she would have said no, even if she didn't like him. But now...

"That's utterly ridiculous! Who other than the Taurons would attack Ricker? I don't know why you insist in defend those savages, Chief Illoer, but I won't let that crime go unpunished!"

"You! Are you even listening..."

"As for those prisoners, the army will take custody of them. Lieutenant, we are bringing them to the outpost."

"Yes, sir!"

Without waiting for Scarlet's approval, five or six soldiers rushed to the cells, and grabbed the Barbarians. Angry as she was, the police chief could do nothing. The military had the last say in anything regarding Sanctuaries.

"Erinster, you are making a mistake."

"Am I, now? Who is the one that let innocents be slaughtered and do nothing? Or did that little boy with whom you spend the night change your head?"

The major had a cruel grin on his face when he saw Scarlet's shocked expression quickly turning to rage. Her hand reached for her pistol, but she controlled himself. It wasn't worth it. That was what she kept telling herself.

"A*shole."

"Hahaha! Tomorrow, I will show you how I deal with scum like Barbarians."

The police chief stared at his back as the soldier walked away happily. None of the cops dared to say or do anything, knowing that at the moment, Scarlet was a volcano about to erupt. The first to get near would suffer.

"Let's hope this investigation team of yours is truly what you think, Drake. Otherwise, we are f*cked."

--------------------------------

Drake watched from far away as a group of soldiers left Ricker, going to the outpost. He also saw a few Barbarians amongst them, chained and handcuffed. Broken Eagle and the survivors of his gang.

Frowning, he waited for the group to disappear from his vision before letting out a sigh. He easily recognized Major Erinster amongst them, and there was no doubt about where he was going. It was too late to put the army in motion today, so the attack would probably be the next day, or even after that.

"Let's go."

Gesturing for Frainer and Kniivar to follow him, Drake mounted his Yscalent, and went towards the outpost. He wondered if he was being reckless. Well, too reckless.

Although he told Tauron River he would kidnap Major Erinster, that wasn't exactly it. He was going to grab the officer, and talk to him - hiding his identity, of course - and then let him go. All he wanted was to scare the major enough to delay his attack on the Taurons for a few days. He had already called Anna, and she said the investigation team would arrive in Ricker in four days. That was how much time he needed to buy the Barbarians.

---------------------------

In the night, Major Erinster paced about his office happily. Although the situation couldn't be said to be perfect, everything was working out. Broken Eagle and the other idiots had been killed or captured, but the Barbarian didn't say who hired him, not even a description. Now, all he had to do was make sure he stayed in his prison cell, and when this was all over, he could quietly dispose of him.

Whistling, he picked up his jacket, put it on, and straightened the medals. They were a bother to carry around everywhere, but he liked the gasps and looks of respect they brought. Not that he had many achievements, but they were enough to impress simple soldiers.

Locking his office, he acknowledged the salutes of the soldiers standing guard outside of it, and left to his quarters. Later, a cook would bring him his dinner, as well as a bottle of wine. For now, he dined alone, but he hoped that after he destroyed the... Dangerous Taurons, he would be sent to somewhere not as desolate as Ricker. There, he would be able to find company for lonely nights.

He was still immersed in his fantasies when he felt a hand cover his mouth, and pull him into a dark corner. He wanted to struggle, but the sharp blade of a knife pressed against his neck convinced him otherwise.

The major let himself be dragged away, too scared to do anything. He couldn't imagine who would be daring enough to ambush him inside the outpost, but the person seemed to know it's layout well. He was brought to an empty pantry, out of the way of everything. Even if the person killed him there, it would take hours to find his body.

Shuddering at the thought, he made up his mind to beg for mercy as soon as possible. However, nothing of what he was expecting happened. Without showing himself, the person - a man, by his voice - simply said one phrase.

"Stop or you will die."

Before he could ponder or ask what the confusing threat meant, the knife in his neck disappeared. In the next second, he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head as something heavy hit it. His vision flashed in black and white, and then went completely dark as he lost consciousness.

After making sure the major was really knocked out, Drake stabbed his knife in the floorboards centimeters away from his head. What he wanted was to send a message, and that would work perfectly.

With Frainer floating above his shoulder, and using Telekinesis to lift him, Drake flew over the outpost's wall, and disappeared in the night the same way he had come.