Announcement & Chapter 61: Tracks

Announcement & Chapter 61: Tracks

What? Chance exclaimed. Send me back right now!

That would be a good way to kill you, Yamish said. He pointed a long finger at the Old Citys golem. Bind with the boy. He would likely prefer you do it quickly.

The craggy humanoid lurched forward and extended a hand. Rubble rained down from it and fingers grew more defined in the rock until the hand reaching out toward Chance was nearly as detailed as his own. Repressing his impatience, Chance took the Old Citys hand in his own.

A spike of Essence surged into his palm and shot to his Gate like a bullet. He drew in a sharp breath and staggered, but the Old City didnt release its grip on his hand. The feeling passed a few seconds later, leaving Chance with a powerful throbbing ache in the center of his chest.

The golem melted back into the ground, falling to rubble before it could sink fully beneath Gleams surface.

Now? Chance asked desperately.

There are still a few minutes before your adversary will arrive, Yamish said. Do you truly think you can rush into fighting a trained Shikari with no preparation whatsoever?

What preparation do I possibly have time for? I need to warn Bella!

You have time for information, Yamish said. Do you not think I might know some of their capabilities, given that I know they are approaching?

I uh, doesnt that go against some rule about helping me or something? Because it isnt fair?

Yamish snorted. Fair? I believe my fragment already told you of fairness. It does not exist beyond what we create ourselves. Your opponent is a Rank Three cultivator. His name is Alliet, and he follows the path of Heat. Though he hides it well, his right leg is still injured from a job he took several weeks ago. Target it. If that fails, his family lives in the Rose district. He has a three-year old daughter named Malty, and a Rank One cultivator spouse named Ashkon.

Chance opened his mouth, then let it snap shut. Did you just tell me about his family? What use is that?

Yamish cocked his head to the side. Threaten to kill them. Actually kill them. Do what you will. I am simply providing you information. Now, think. What else may you need? You have one minute to safely deliberate.

Chance pursed his lips, immediately dismissing Yamishs suggestions. He wasnt going to go around threatening children or people that werent involved in the fight. That was wrong on more levels than one.

What weapons does he use?

Short sword.

Do you happen to know how hes going to enter the house?

Likely through the girls window, Yamish said, stretching his fingers out. There is also a possibility he attempts to burn down the house after throwing it into a Ward.

Okay. And I dont suppose you could just take care of him for me?

Yamish smirked. No. If I were to take direct action here, it would draw some of the other, more overzealous cultivators to intervene. Handle this on your own, or you are not worthy of being my apprentice.

Okay, Chance said, smoothing his damaged shirt out. Right. Send me back. Ive got a plan.

The world vanished, and Chance was in his room once again. The surprise only lasted for a moment before he scrambled out of his room, nearly smashing through his door in the process. He slammed his fist on Bellas door.

Bella! Let me in?

Chance? Bella asked from the other side. Give me a second.

Another has already claimed him, Yamish said.

Chances eyes narrowed. What does that mean?

He will have guidance, Yamish replied. Which will be more than you have, if you fail to escape this city before the Shikari apprehend you.

The door slammed open behind them. Pete charged into the room and dashed between Chance and Yamish, raising his hammer. Get back, kids! Run!

Yamish snapped his fingers and a band of gold energy wrapped around Petes waist. He was yanked back out the door and down the stairs before he could say another word.

The old man is not hurt, Yamish said before Chance could say anything. Begin the second part of your task. I will give no further aid until you escape the city.

Then Yamish was gone. Bella and Chance stared at the space where he had been floating instants before.

Who is that, Chance? Bella asked carefully. Because hes very powerful. I couldnt even feel his cultivation level.

My teacher, Chance said hesitantly. And also my stalker and possible predator. Not entirely sure. Hes kind of helping, though. You would have been dead if he didnt warn me.

Bella swallowed and gave him a curt nod. Yeah. Thanks for that, Chance. And you as well, great cultivator. If he says we need to get out of Gleam, then we should go now. The city is huge.

Chance nodded. What about Pete? We need to tell him whats going on.

Right on que, the old man charged up the stairwell and skidded into the room, breathing heavily. His eyes darted around. Whered the cultivator go?

Hes not an enemy, Chance said. But were in trouble, Pete. The Shikari seem to think we did something that we didnt. They sent an assassin.

Petes hands tightened around the shaft of his hammer. After children?

Dont ask me, but we dont have time to explain anything else. Im sure the Shikari will put something out soon enough, and we cant be around when that happens, Chance said.

Pete gave him a curt nod. Move. Ill cover your tracks. I wont see another one of my teams die. I dont know what you kids have gotten yourselves caught up in again, but be careful. Whatever that cultivator was, hes not to be trifled with. Hes a Lord rank at the minimum. Possibly higher. I couldnt sense the limits of his power.

Well be as safe as we can, Chance promised. He poked his head out of the still-smoking hole where the window had been. Maybe we should leave this way? Someone might be watching the front door.

Bella nodded. Good idea. Do you have a panic bag? If not, well need to put one together before we leave the city. You wont survive long without supplies outside of Gleam.

Ive got some in my room. We can stop by a shop somewhere on the way out, Chance said. He dashed back to his room and grabbed the box of his winnings from the tournament. He stuffed it full of sets of clothes from his closet, then sprinted back to rejoin Bella and Pete.

Gibson will be here shortly to investigate what happened. Petes lips pressed thin. You need to be gone before he arrives. If anyone has access to orders of the local Shikari, it would be him. He might even know about the order. Be careful, kids. Get to one of the local villages near Gleam first. Its your only real chance of safety outside the citys walls.

Well be back, Bella promised. Just after this is all cleared up.

She leaped out the hole in the window, sliding down the side of the house and dropping to the alley outside it.

Thank you, Chance said. This is the first place Ive been able to call home in a while. Bella is right. Well be back, I promise. Take care of yourself.

He jumped after her and landed on the ground with a thud. Bella helped him up and they slipped out into the streets, walking swiftly but with purpose to avoid any suspicion. Pete watched them from the Whiteheart house, then turned back and strode away to cover as many of their tracks as he could.