Chapter 148

Sabine emerged as if taking off a cloak of shadows, appearing at the bottom of the back stairs like a phantom.

"The streets are utterly dead. I don't think anyone saw him approach," she announced as Justinian, still pale but recovering, nodded in agreement.

"I don't remember seeing anyone, not that I was in that good of a state to keep watch," he smiled and straightened to laugh before his face paled and he curled in on himself.

"It's going to be a while before I can swing a hammer easily," Justinian said to himself, wrapping his arms around his torso and leaning down.

"You did enough. Rest here," Tobias said, with more gentleness than Riley knew he felt.

Within he was a cauldron of rage, every movement carried with it the insinuation of menace. Even his normal gaze had turned steely and full of hatred.

It would have scared her if she wasn't wrestling with her own fury.

Tobias' eyes twitched to the right as he caught sight of the Ratcatcher angling for the back stair.

In a blur of motion and training, his power flashed to life in his left hand, cupping fire in his palm, while his right throttled the Ratcatcher and slammed him by his neck into the wall.

"And where, by the dead Gods, do you think you're going? You're on this ride," he snarled.

"Tobias, let him go," Cid ordered, then stepped up and put his own hand on Tobias' extended right, "I wasn't asking, son."

"Circumstances have changed, with the king dead, and the throne in flux, the smart move is to wait for the dust to clear. I am, after all, a businessman, and with the way things are this is looking like a bad investment." The criminal held up his hands in an apologetic gesture.

"You gave us your word. We have an agreement," Sabine snarled, ready to pounce on him herself.

"You should know better. I gave you my word, but circumstances have changed. Sometimes, it's better to cut and run. If you had any sense, you would as well, but Rangers are never that bright when it comes to these matters," he sneered.

"You're afraid of some smarmy second tier royal putting on airs, than you are of us, eh?" Caedmon asked with disbelief.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"No, I'm afraid whoever is behind him orchestrating this mess. It's obviously beyond him, so the smart money is to wait till the shadow reveals itself, not go off half-cocked on an assassination ploy that may land us all in irons and crystal," Riley caught the barest hints of power sparking between his fingers, yellow like fools gold.

This was getting bad.

Tobias let him go. "I see you again, you die, I don't care the circumstances. I will not forget this."

In his voice, there was no limit or remorse.

"Understood," the strange masked criminal adjusted his robes and went to leave when Sabine slugged him and knocked him to the floor.

The pyrite light flashed across his hands for a minute, heralding lightning in their sparks just as Sabine fastened crystal shackles on his wrists.

"If you aren't going to be part of the solution, then you're a problem to be managed. You'll be held here until we return, then we'll decide what to do with you. You aren't leaving here to sell us out to the enemy," She announced.

The masked nose dipped down as his eyes scanned the floor. "Oh, but our previous dealings and our years of friendly business surely count for something? You don't want to ruin a good thing if you survive this..."

Sabine hit him with all of her force twice, once in the gut and then in the face, partially breaking his mask, revealing the face of an old man, badly lacerated across the cheek by the shattered material.

"The circumstances have changed," She shot coldly as his head lulled.

Sabine shook out her hand. "I've wanted to do that for ages. Caedmon, secure him in one of the rooms and search him."

"That still leaves a problem. How are we to get into the castle? Wasn't he our guide?" Eastmund asked.

"Riley and I will scout ahead and report back," Tobias said, already moving to leave.

"Oh, by all means, volunteer the both of us for suicide. It's not like I haven't died enough already!" She complained as Cid stepped in front of him.

"Boy, she's right, you aren't thinking with your head. Stand down and let us plan," He growled, his tone full of warning.

"Get out of my way. They have my family!" Tobias roared, taking a defensive stance, a black blade appearing in his left hand.

Cid slapped him across the face.

"And that anger will get them killed. Is that what you want, to watch them die in the attempt before you get eliminated yourself and give Chadrick everything he wants? I trained you better. Use that anger. Let it make you cold. Let it make you efficient; don't play into his hands!" Cid roared.

Tobias spit on the ground, flecks of red coloring it. Straightening up, he seethed, pushing up chest to chest against Cid.

"Fight me, kiss me, or step off, boy," He threatened with focused menace.

Riley got between the two, "That's enough of the Testosterone Power Hour! Tobias, he has a point. Your family is my family. They're the only ones Ive got, so step back, and let's do this right, or I'm going to beat you with a vine till you see more angels than just me!"

"I'm not hearing any options, only threats!" Tobias shouted, storming back into the room.

"I know some ways. I got out once," Justinian mentioned, straightening before rising shakily on his feet.

"Out of the question, you're recovering," Tobias demanded.

"Not your decision, I'm afraid. Brother, let me do this for you. I wasn't able to save them, but maybe I can get you to a place where you can. I've had worse," Justinian replied.

Riley, for the first time, felt his anger truly dip since the news hit him, as he embraced his best friend in a firm hug.

"Ribs, Tobias, ribs! Still tender!" Justinian gasped, patting him on the back.

"You're confident you can get us in?" Sabine asked.

"I'm an artificer, making something out of nothing is kind of my specialty," Justinian replied with a manic grin.