‘Gods these two are fast.’ Charles commented as he took a right turn just to see if the two hunters and fox were still following him.
Gabriel slipped his bow off his shoulders and quickly fired an arrow in front of Charles’ path again as he continued to run on the rooftops with Hazel and Phoenix chasing the man from the ground. Hazel quickly stopped for a moment before drawing out her dagger with the map quickly following soon after.
“Gabriel lead him away from the forest!” Hazel exclaimed as she took off running again, “It’s only a few feet away! If we lose him there then we might never be able to catch him!”
“I’m trying!” Gabriel exclaimed herding Charles away from the forest and back to the docks.
‘Smart kids.’ Charles thought smiling going along with the younger kids’ plans.
Gabriel and Hazel looked at each other after the older boy joined her and Phoenix on the ground.
“Behind there.” Hazel said nodding at the other two before ducking under a nearby building.
“What do you think he’s up to?” Hazel asked scanning the crowd for Charles.
“He willing changed his direction.” Gabriel said thoughtfully, “At best I think he’s leading us to something or someone.”
“What do you think we should do then?” Hazel asked.
Gabriel thought for a moment before sighing, “He was clearly spying on us when we were at Kimberly’s place. I want to figure out why.” He looked at Hazel for a moment before gently cupping her cheek, “If you want to go back-”
“I’m going with you.” Hazel interrupted.
Gabriel chuckled again before smiling, “Somehow I knew you would say that.”
The two nodded before Phoenix barked again before the small red animal turned to look at a nearby alleyway.
“Good boy.” Hazel said gently patting Phoenix’s head.
But before either of the two could start walking to the alleyway Charles had already started running off to one of the departing ships.
“Oh no, you don’t.” Gabriel said as Charles jumped on the nearby boat, “Hazel grab Phoenix and hold onto me.”
Hazel didn’t bother arguing and only complied. Gabriel quickly made sure Hazel was securely attached to him before he nocked an arrow with a rope attached to it before shooting it and securely wrapped around the mast. Gabriel jumped off the dock with Hazel in his arms and tightly pulling on the rope helping them onto the deck.
“You two, okay?” Gabriel asked as he let go of Hazel.
“Yep.” Hazel said before letting Phoenix jump out of her arms, “So this is where that man ran off to.”
“Definitely.” Gabriel said nodding before detaching the arrow around the mast and slipped his bow on, “Think Phoenix can sniff them out?”
“If we have something of him then yeah.” Hazel said kneeling down to pet Phoenix again.
“Will this do?” Gabriel asked pulling out a scrap of cloth from one of his pockets.
“Yeah, but where did you get it from?” Hazel asked as Gabriel handed her the piece of fabric.
“One of my arrows ripped it off from his jacket.” Gabriel explained.
“From the rooftops?” Hazel asked amazed.
“Yeah, it was pretty hard but I managed.” Gabriel replied.
“You really are something else.” Hazel said smiling up at the boy.
“Thanks.” Gabriel said as Hazel brought the piece of cloth close to Phoenix’s nose.
Phoenix sniffed the air for a moment before doing the same to the wooden floor.
“I think he’s got the scent.” Hazel said before Phoenix started walking away still sniffing the floorboards.
‘These two are terrifying.’ Charles thought hiding behind some wooden crates.
∞
“So you’re telling me Hazel told you to come back here while she and Gabriel follow someone who’s been spying on you four.” Eliza said slowly, “With only a fox as their backup.”
“Yep.” Ace and Rachel said nodding.
“Eliza before you go ballistic let’s try to remember that Hazel gave us her Claist so we can call Luna to help find them.” Carla said reasonably before she turned to Rachel, “Can I borrow it?”
Rachel hesitantly looked at Ace who only gave her a reassuring nod before giving the flute-like object to the older girl. Carla only gave a gentle smile before she asked the two to go back to their room so that she and the other two girls could come up with a plan. The three older hunters patiently waited for the twins to be out of earshot before Kimberly slammed both her hands on the table.
“We need to go and find her!” Kimberly demanded angrily.
“You mean them, right Kimberly?” Eliza asked glaring a bit, “Gabriel is in as much danger as Hazel right now!”
“Both of you enough!” Carla exclaimed before an even bigger fight broke out, “Right now bringing Hazel AND Gabriel home is our top priority! The two of you can argue later but right now we need to come up with a plan!”
The two girls only lowered their heads before silently sitting down.
‘At least they aren’t screaming at each other.’ Carla thought folding her arms and looking at the two, “So does anyone have at least some idea as to where they might have gone to?”
Eliza sighed before putting her arms on the table while folded, “If I know Hazel, she’ll have Gabriel herd them away from the forest so they’re probably at the dock or on a boat sailing either after or with the spy.”
Kimberly’s eyes widened as she quickly stood up, “We need to find her! I can ask around someone should’ve seen her!”
“You mean them.” Eliza mumbled before standing up, “We should get going then.” She then turned to Carla with a softer look, “Carla is it alright if you stay here and keep an eye on the twins?”
“Definitely.” Carla said nodding before she gave her Hazel’s Claist, “Please be careful Eli.”
Eliza only smiled softly before gently kissing her on the forehead, “Of course I will. But if anything happens-”
“I’ll shoot a signal flare.” Carla said before hugging the black-haired girl, “Just bring both of them back.”
“I will.” Eliza said hugging back, “I swear.”
Kimberly only gave them a nod before saying, “Let’s go already.”
“So, you got any idea where to start?” Eliza asked, “You being the harbor master’s daughter and all.”
“Yeah, I got a few ideas.” Kimberly said brows furrowing, “I just hope they aren’t drunk yet. Though we could check out the docking log, the reception’s close by.”
“To the port reception then.” Eliza said before sighing again, “I hope they’re okay.”
“Hazel’s an Abernathy, Eliza.” Kimberly said matter-of-factly, “Gabriel on the other hand, that’s still up for debate.”
“I get that you hate him Kim but jeez.” Eliza said hands in her pockets, “Cut him some slack at least.”
“Over my dead body.” Kimberly muttered before sighing, “I don’t trust him.”
“…They’ve known each other for almost a year now.” Eliza said almost as if telling an over-sensitive six-year-old to be quiet, “And she’s only seen you three times counting today.”
Kimberly narrowed her eyes furiously as she gave a low growl. She then returned her gaze forward before but kept her furious gaze.
‘If looks could kill.’ Eliza thought before letting out a quiet gulp, “So where is the reception anyway?”
Kimberly sighed again before pocketing her own hands, “Just a few more minutes El. Honestly, they should’ve built it closer to the house.”
Eliza laughed a bit before nudging her slightly, “Are those words yours or your mom’s?”
“Both.” Kimberly said before stopping beside a small white building, “We’re here.”
The two glanced at each other before Kimberly led Eliza inside and to the front desk. Kimberly gently rang the call bell before a tall dark-skinned, middle-aged man with dark blonde hair and grey eyes wearing a plain blue flannel shirt, pants, brown boots, and a kind smile walked up to them.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Good afternoon, Mistress Kimberly.” The man said kindly, “May I assist you with something?”
“Good afternoon, Jonah.” Kimberly greeted while nodding her head a bit to him, “And I thought I told you to just call me Kim.” She sighed before saying, “If it’s alright with you is it okay if my friend and I could see the documents of the ships that departed within the last two or three hours?”
“It’s quite alright Mi – Kimberly.” Jonah said catching himself at the very last second, “If I may ask why do you need them?”
“My sister and a friend of hers may have caught a boat while following someone.” Eliza explained, “We’re just hoping that we could see-”
“No need to go into further information.” Jonah interrupted while giving her a smile of understanding, “If I may ask what do they look like?”
“My sister has long light brown hair, purple eyes, and is wearing a dark purple t-shirt.” Eliza said, “Her friend – a boy – has light brown hair, light blue eyes, and is wearing a black vest and they had a red-”
“Fox?” Jonah asked as he folded his arms.
“Yes.” Eliza said almost faintly, “H-how did you?”
Jonah laughed for a bit before saying, “Word travels fast around these parts Madam.” He then unfolded his arms and chuckled, “And I did see them board one of the leaving boats.”
“Really?” Eliza and Kimberly asked eagerly, “Which one?”
Jonah chuckled again before answering, “They boarded The Syren two hours ago. It did seem like they were following someone – a man in his late thirties it looked like.”
“They Syren…where was it scheduled for again?” Kimberly asked, “Somewhere up north if my memory serves correct.”
“Yep.” Jonah said smiling, “Somewhere near Cloud Mountain if memory serves right.”
Eliza smiled before turning to Kimberly, “We need to get Mahoresa ready.”
“Agreed.” Kimberly said before turning to Jonah, “You’re in charge until I come back.”
“As you wish Kim.” Jonah said bowing slightly, “The port will wait for your safe return.”
Kimberly smiled at him before she and Eliza ran back to her house.
∞
“So, you’re telling me,” Chancellor West began while holding back the urge to scream, “that you – a fully grown man – somehow managed to get spotted and is now being tracked down by two sixteen-year-old teenagers… How old are you!? Three!?”
“Chancellor West will all due respect could you please lower your voice.” Charles said hurriedly whispering, “Any instructions?”
Chancellor West only sighed before talking again, “Gig change of plans then. You’re going to have to explain everything to them much earlier than expected.”
“As you wish Chancellor West.” Charles said before the image of his higher-up zapped out, “Could you not point your arrow at me?”
“That depends on the fact if we can trust you or not.” Gabriel said narrowing his eyes threateningly, “So can we or can we not?”
Charles sighed before Phoenix began growling threateningly in front of him, “And can you please make it stop growling at me? It's sort of annoying me.”
“Okay first of all it’s a he,” Hazel said slightly getting annoyed, “and second of all the only ones who should be getting annoyed right now is us. You were spying on both us and our friends. We want to know why.”
Charles looked at her for a moment before he sighed, “My sincere apologies. Normally I wouldn’t say something like that but it seems that the stress is also building up inside me as well.”
Hazel and Gabriel looked at each other weirdly before Hazel asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Please just let me-” Charles began before Gabriel brought his arrow closer to the older man’s head – or back of it to be more precise.
“You are staying right there until we get answers.” Gabriel ordered, “Do I make myself clear?”
‘Gods this guy just can’t take a break.’ Charles thought before sitting back down, “Better?”
“Somewhat.” Gabriel said lowering his weapon a bit before he and Hazel joined Phoenix in front of Charles, “We have questions and you better have answers.”
“Why were you spying on us?” Hazel asked sitting down in front of Charles.
“I don’t know how to answer that.” Charles said before shaking his head a bit, “Actually no let me rephrase that. It’s a bit complicated.”
“Uncomplicate it then.” Gabriel demanded glaring at the older man, “Now.”
Charles sighed before he started talking again, “The Monster Hunter branch I’m a part of isn’t really that well known but we can get information that’s really difficult to get. It was only a few days ago that we received some very troubling information from one of our hunters stationed south from here.”
“About what?” Hazel asked curiously, “And what branch are you from?”
“I’d rather you find out later.” Charles said before he saw Gabriel’s ever-threatening gaze and added, “But you have met them before – so to speak.”
“Don’t mind him.” Hazel said also noticing Gabriel’s glare as Phoenix sat down beside her, “He’s just a bit peeved at the moment. Please continue.”
‘Understatement but okay.’ Charles thought before sighing yet again, “They reported that Max Dark was planning on overthrowing The Council.”
“What!?” Hazel and Gabriel exclaimed.
“We need to tell The Council.” Gabriel said, “They need to-”
“Max Dark has spied within The Council remember?” Hazel reminded him, “We’d be announcing that we know they’re plot.”
“Which is why my chancellor ordered me to bring either of you back to our base of operation.” Charles said, “But since you both are here, she’s ordered me to bring you both.”
“I see.” Hazel said before she caught Gabriel’s eye, “Can the two of us have a word?”
Charles nodded before Hazel and Gabriel walked off a little way leaving Phoenix to guard the older man. Once Gabriel was satisfied with the distance, he gave Hazel a look of anxiety in which Hazel gave him a worried look as she gently cupped his cheek.
“Are you worried?” Hazel asked.
“How can I not be?”
“It was supposed to be a simple trip but now-”
“Trouble always seems to catch up to us, doesn’t it?”
“So, what should we do?”
Gabriel sighed before he sat down on the stairs, “I don’t know.”
Hazel gave him another deep look before she sat down beside him and took a deep breath, “Gab I need you to be completely honest with me okay.”
Gabriel quietly nodded to her before Hazel continued, “I want to talk with his chancellor.” Hazel took another deep breath before continuing, “If Dark really is planning on overtaking The Council, then I need to be a part of it.”
“But what about your parents?” Gabriel asked, “If it was just me then I would be fine but you-”
“It's fine.” Hazel said smiling reassuringly, “Mom and Dad would understand besides I’m pretty sure they’d prefer I help put down Dark first.”
Gabriel only smiled a little but Hazel knew that he wasn’t completely convinced, “Hey look at me.”
Gabriel only looked at his bow leaving Hazel to sigh and gently direct his face towards her by the chin. She gave him a smile before connecting their foreheads.
“Trust me Gab.” Hazel said still supporting her smile, “I’m one hundred percent sure with my decision. Are you with me?”
Gabriel chuckled again before he caressed her cheek softly, “Always.”
“Thanks, Gab.” Hazel said as they separated before standing up and offering her hand to Gabriel, “For sticking beside me… even when I act like an idiot.”
“Well, someone has to.” Gabriel said taking her hand and standing up, “And besides I’m-” Gabriel stopped as if trying to find the right words before he continued with a genuine smile, “glad that my opinion matters to you. It means a lot.”
Hazel laughed a little as she gave him a closed-eyed smile before they walked back to Charles and Phoenix.
“We decided to come with you.” Hazel said smiling, “Mister?”
“You can just call me Charles.” The older man said before turning to Phoenix, “Can he stop staring at me now? It’s making me uncomfortable.”
Hazel looked at Phoenix who was still staring at Charles before she gently patted his head. Phoenix barked before running a little way off causing the captain and some of the crewmates to laugh in amusement at the animal’s antics.
“Everything alright there lass!?” The captain called.
“Yes, captain!” Hazel called back turning to the man on the steering wheel, “Thank you for having us again!”
The captain let out a booming laugh before tipping his hat to her and Gabriel who casually saluted to him in return with smiles on their faces. Gabriel slipped his bow on his shoulders before folding his arms and asked Hazel to see if there were any spare rooms, they could sleep in. Once Hazel was out of earshot, he shoved Charles to the side his threatening glare returning.
“Listen here Charles,” Gabriel began in a low and threatening tone, “if ANYTHING happens to Hazel or ANY of my friends, I will hunt you and your entire branch down and make you regret every second of your lives. Do I make myself clear?”
‘This man is terrifying.’ Charles thought anxiety bubbling, “Yes sir.”
Gabriel then gave a charming smile before he distanced himself a bit from the man, “Glad we can come to an understanding.”
Gabriel then proceeded to give him a closed-eyed smiled before he heard Hazel call him, Phoenix, and Charles.
“Coming Amore!” Gabriel exclaimed before turning to the red fox, “Come on Phoenix!” He then gave Charles one last threatening look before he and Phoenix walked up to her.
“Are you coming Charles?” Hazel asked turning to the older man.
“Yes, Ms. Abernathy.” Charles said his voice shaking a little, ‘Teenager or not that child is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’
∞
“Is it just me or did it seem that Mr. Charles was nervous about something?” Hazel asked as she led Gabriel and Phoenix to the spare rooms that the captain had shown her earlier, “Because it almost looked like he saw a ghost.”
Gabriel and Phoenix made eye contact for a brief moment before the boy chuckled, “A ghost? Hazel, I’ve always admired your creativity and spirit but the undead is quite the stretch don’t you think?”
“It was a figure of speech Gab.”
“Oh, I know.”
“Then why did you?”
“Figured you could use a joke.”
“…That was a joke?”
“It was my best attempt right now.”
The two looked at each other before they started laughing lightly.
“The captain said that two of us will have to share.” Hazel said as she opened a door to two twin beds with Phoenix running inside soon after.
“Alright then.” Gabriel said sitting down on one bed, “You’re sleeping with me.” He then glanced at Hazel’s now blushing face before chuckling, “I just want to be close by if you have any nightmares.” He then changed his face into a stern one before saying, “And you are not causing me any trouble.”
“If you say so.” Hazel said before she saw Charles, “Over here Mr. Charles!”
As Charles came into Gabriel’s line of view his jaws clenched and his hands clenched the sheets tightly.
‘Oh boy.’ Charles thought seeing Gabriel’s reaction, “Did you need anything, Ms. Abernathy?”
“Your room’s there.” Hazel said pointing at the door just across the hallway.
“Thank you, Ms. Abernathy.” Charles said bowing at her before entering the room across from theirs.
“I saw that.” Hazel said turning to Gabriel as she leaned on the doorway, “It was unsettling.”
“What are you talking about Amore?” Gabriel asked deciding to play dumb, “I was just looking at him.”
“Gods.” Hazel said holding back a smile as she rolled her eyes, “You are such an idiot sometimes.”
“Maybe.” Gabriel said before chuckling, “But I don’t hear you complaining though.”
‘Yeah, because I sort of find it attracting.’ Hazel thought clenching her jaw and folding her arms, “Just be lucky I don’t tell your mom and dad.”
“Hazel!” Gabriel gasped as he widened his eyes, “Who taught you how to snitch?”
“Abbey.” Hazel said smiling as she sat down on the bed opposite to him, “Taught me how to pickpocket too.”
“…Since when do we need to pickpocket someone?” Gabriel asked, ‘What have these people been teaching her?’
“Better safe and sorry Gab.” Hazel said before the ship rocked slightly and she quietly squealed.
“Hazel, are you getting seasick?” Gabriel asked.
“No, I’m fine.” Hazel said giving him a tired smile, “It’s just that this is the second time I’ve been on a boat.”
Gabriel chuckled before he patted the spot beside him, “Come here for a moment. I may have something that could help.”
Hazel gave him a slightly nauseous look before she slowly walked up to him and sat down, “So what is it?”
“Close your eyes Amore.” Gabriel said before he chuckled at Hazel’s skeptical look, “Just trust me on this one, okay?”
“Alright then.” Hazel said before closing her eyes, “What exactly are you going to do?”
“Put you to sleep that’s what.” Gabriel said before gently pressing her spirit gate point, “I’ll wake you up within an hour or two.” He said after he caught Hazel’s sleeping figure.
As Gabriel gently laid her figure on the bed a deep and threatening voice asked, “What are you planning half-blood?”