Marty felt even more nervous now that the limousine had started to drive through the city. He’d never passed the city market, and yet here they were going up the giant well defended hills, passed the domain of knights, and their superiors, the royal knights to one of the ritziest parts of town, Greatberg.
It had a lot of mansions that stood tall along the rolling hills well protected from any tides that might come from the shore. Kids went to school in flocks with knights behind them, completely oblivious to the fact that down near the beach every few days a shanty disappeared into the ocean along with the possessions of those who braved the tides. He had a flashback of a child getting swallowed by the waves trying to find his mother. They had no idea about the destitution up here. It looked like a place of fairy tales. Various Aquatic Beasts paced the streets and did chores for their masters. A large clock tower dinged as the kids slammed the doors to their school buildings. His anxiety somewhat seized for a moment. Perhaps they really wanted him and Dragorna’s help. But nonetheless, that feeling returned when the limousine stopped in front of a golden building on top of a large promontory.
On it, as they exited the vehicle, he couldn’t help but notice an executioner's ax and a guillotine. Were they taking him here to kill him? Was it because of what he’d tried to kiss the Octet’s daughter all those yaers ago. He almost forgot about that! He really didn’t want to die!
“Stop… they kill people here and then feed them to Sir Marvin’s aquatic beasts… You can calm down. Why would I need to kill you here? You should really learn to trust me, Marty.”
“I apologize… It’s just not what I expected. Everywhere else in the city…” Doesn’t look like this place. The building doors opened and he walked in pat a beautiful secretary in a red dress. She was of Asian descent. She stood underneath a series of glimmering golden lights and even smiled at him. His heart started to race. He looked at Allen, his principal, looking for answers. “So… are you going to tell me why I’m here? Who are the masked men behind us?”
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“We are your worst nightmare.” A deep, hoarse voice caused Marty to jump. “Ha, we keep these masks on because we are assassins. We can’t let people see our faces. Even if we are with our lovers. For the enemy is always spying on us.”
“So… do you want me to be an assassin?”
“Ha, with such a pretty face.” The principal shook his head. He handed Marty a small key. “Here, this is a key for you to come in here anytime. Does it look like I’m taking you to one of my dungeons? No, you are here to open up that present I gave you, and then… to talk to your team.”
“Team? For what?”
Allen opened the doorway into the center of the establishment.
Inside, there was a slew of golden dragon pillars spinning around the various parts of the domed interior. They zoomed upwards towards a beautiful painting of a massive scale battle. He recognized it and felt awe looking at it. In his house, he didn’t have television, so the most he ever got to look at was pictures in his books. And looking up at the Battle of Seaforn, he saw the legendary Emperor Kraken fighting against the Wild Fire Dragon. The hundreds of aquatics under their control being destroyed in a whirlpool of their magical prowess. He couldn’t believe it. He took a deep breath and tried to hold back his excitement. He wanted to seem like an adult, and yet… it was hard to hold back.
“Wow, this is amazing…” Marty said, “Where are you taking me?”
“Excuse me, Marty… I have to talk to some guests… Go with Mr. Harold here… He’s the guy with the big head…”
“You mean… you want me to go with the assassins? No way. I don’t want to be killed.”
“Shut up kid. Don’t disrespect Allen here… It’s bad for business.” He felt his shoulder being squeezed. He turned around and saw two pairs of red eyes staring right into his soul. He tried to free himself instantly, but the man’s grip was too strong. “Trust me, will you? I have a few children of my own. I’m actually a huge fan of them.”
“Yes, the Octet’s forbid us from assassinating kids.” Allen waved them off. He walked over to a woman in a gold dress and smiled. He just realized this was a restaurant, and yet people seemed to be eating in pools from floating shells. Definitely a ritzy place. He got pulled away from the main room, and looked back a few times to make sure he could remember how to exit. It calmed him down at least knowing this place had a basic lay out. And yet… the more he thought about it, the more he realized how much trouble he might be getting his family into. The principal was opening the doors to him on a secret world, and even at his age he knew that meant danger.
“I’m ready for anything. Dragorna… you with me.”
“Kid, seriously, we aren't going to kill you.” Mr. Herold shut a series of doors and then walked over toward some lights and flicked them on. “This is where your team will show up. You’ll be staying here on school days. You can see your friends after school. Alas, open your present will you? It’s something special for you and Dragorna.”