Chapter 28: Tactics
A couple more days passed quietly as the ship began to lower landing in Flora. After landing the captain got off to speak to the security there, showing him paperwork about what his ship was for which was passengers. He showed them the log of who was on and who had left. The crew moved to the rooms, requesting passengers stayed put in their rooms until further notice. After a few minutes the all clear was given and those getting off there did with little showing of the military security being there.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwUGCZvmJ3
Alura walked off first with Marenzo behind her and Nate last. She came to stand just off the boarding deck as she looked around sadly at how the land had changed. The forests were not as beautiful or lush as they once were, no birds were singing, and several of the unique flowers appeared to be dying. “This is Flora?” the wizard asked as he stepped up beside the teen, putting his hands behind his head as he appeared relaxed. “Man, not how I imagined it.” Marenzo commented bluntly, stumbling as Nate waited until Alura stepped away before nudging Marenzo with an elbow. The wizard gave the demon a glare to cut it out but got back a look to be nice.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnaBeBS2XH
Alura shook her head slowly. “No…” she said quietly in disbelief. “It used to be a beautiful land filled with flowers and birds,” she scanned the landscape as a warm breeze blew, “and so many things that would make you want to return and see it again.” She came to a stop, turning her eyes down as her head tilted forwards. “It was great with the sales of flowers. We had so many rare breeds here around the docks but now,” she sighed kneeling down to softly touch a wilting rose, “they’re dead…” she finished with her eyes on the dying blue flower being held up by her delicate touch.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3gLy0xvwG
Marenzo felt his heart sink hearing her fallen tone and stepped to near her, reaching out to touch her shoulder but stopped just inches above the fabric covering her skin. “…He did this…” her tone had lower to a more deadly sound which brought him to retract his hand. He watched her stand and watched her lead the way towards a lightly paved roadway. Quickly he followed with Nate following up from behind. Biting his cheek the wizard decided to peer into her mind but quickly exited.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRt7iMSrCY
As they went it felt like a dream turned nightmare. She clinched her fist in anger towards what Amoxious had let his demons do. “Flora has changed so much since I last saw it. I can’t believe it got into this state after I fought to protect it.” Nate said breathlessly, feeling taken aback at the difference. Then again, most demons aren’t known to be great gardeners like most humans.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qZfvZSpJj
Alura then went to follow a roadway going west towards the main city, passing under a canopy of trees. “Three years after you left Amoxious returned and framed mother. After that, his men moved in and invaded a second time.” Alura felt her fists start to curl into fleshy hard balls. “He nearly killed Talon and I but we lived…” she then dropped her voice to that of a whisper, “thanks to Ginsu.”1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU3xKaBIdd
Nate listened with regret he hadn’t been able to be there. “Too much has happened to you and your brother. I’m so sorry I never returned after the battle when you were still young, but I hope to make amends now.” Nate apologized and Alura shrugged as what he said, on some level, felt empty and almost as if it was nothing to her. It hurt because that ‘what if’ existed but the past wasn’t going to change while the flow continued forwards.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEVeisHpGA
Apologizing will do nothing… Aluras eyes closed some as she watched the road. All that matters now is ensuring a correct future. The three walked in silence which allowed the quiet song of the ground crunching below their shoes to sing, given life from the dry, ill cared for and emptiness that filled the remains left behind. The dream like state filling Alura combined with her anger and fears, causing a feeling of numbness ready to burst. During all this time she had barely even given Nate a glance and although she was glad he was there, she strangely felt what she took as resentment towards him.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYygaFOR9op
Seeing the hurt and wishing to break the silence, Marenzo began to try and make small talk with the demon. He even demonstrated a few tricks of magic he could perform to try and help ease up on the heaviness of the air.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxD6KykLpG
It would be some time later when they would near a billboard along the roadside a few miles outside of the city. A couple of villagers were standing in front of it, one with bags in both hands as the other folded his arms and shook his head. The trio noticed this and Alura quickened her step, curious to what had their attention. It wasn’t often things were on the board for the public, or at least, before the takeover had never been anything to result in head shaking. She came up to stand beside one of the men and as her eyes skimmed over the notice her jaw slowly started to fall.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RHClqtAR7
“What is it?” Marenzo asked as he approached before coming to stand behind the teen and looked at the notice, reading it aloud for his own understanding. “Here for all to see! Come in four days to the town square and witness justice being served! The criminal Sophia Syta will be hanged on charges of theft, treason and assault to the crown. At noon will be the execution for all to witness.” He then muttered the name signed under the decree, “Amoxious,” disgust in his voice saying the Dictator’s name.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqnDODIEdf
Alura growled and reached out grabbing the notice, looking closer at a printed date for when it was posted and began to tear the paper up in rage. The pair that was leaving glanced back and quickened their steps, not wanting to be near someone like that. Marenzo sighed watching them silently then set his eyes on Alura as she threw the pieces roughly to the ground, although despite her flaring emotions the simple paper shreds glided down softly like scattered snow. “That….ugh!” she let out a noise that sounded like a shriek mixed with a growl turned yell, her head flying back as she turned on her heels and grabbed her head. Her hands slid down her face as her head snapped up. “He’s going to kill Sophia at noon in two days!” she exclaimed while throwing her arm out to point towards the city. “We have to hurry and get her out!”1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdE1cdBKfF
Alura snapped quickly with her extended arm trembling, her eyes glaring at both a slightly stunned wizard, who now was weighing the chances that pair would like a magic user around since he was there, and a sympathetic Nate. Swiftly she turned on her heel again to start moving to march into town only to not go anywhere, due to a firm hand taking hold of her upper arm. Alura whipped her head around to glare at her father who maintained a calm air, although he did wear a sterner expression. “Let go of me.” She snarled coldly as her body tensed.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEvrfXgTHU
“You can’t just rush in blindly. They will be waiting for a fool to act on blind rage.” Nate warned as he knew Amoxious was no fool. He hadn’t seen them but he had smelt the demons carrying the dictator’s scent. “We will have to play it carefully or all is lost. If we are caught then Sophia won’t have a chance.” Nate paused as he held her eyes with his, feeling her arm start to relax as he continued. “She doesn’t have powers like you or I do. I’m sure you know this but she’s a full blooded human, making you and your brother half demons.” Nate’s voice stayed firm as did his gaze.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYft2QVzEwo
Alura bit her cheek with the feeling of anxiety rising. “But what do we do if he bumps it up?”1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAaC443sql
“Trust me, he may seem unpredictable and at times that is true, but he loves control and to show off. He won’t be changing the date on a whim since everyone who wants to see will have already planned for the listed date.” Nate explained while releasing her arm. “Now, come, let’s go into town and get a room so we may think of a plan before the execution date.” With that the demon started to take the lead, taking his time as the other two followed behind him.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw267Ko74sU
Alura eyed her father in dead silence as Marenzo kept in step with her. Softly his fingers brushed hers and gently they laced to weave in with hers, hoping to comfort and assure her that everything would be okay as well as work out. Although she had this reassurance the doubt never left her mind, adding to her internal fears which were made worse by her mind drawing forwards her nightmares.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsm19QxaOM
About two to three miles away from the city’s entrance, Nate slowed his steps to a complete stop. “Marenzo, can you cast a spell to hide who we really are?” he asked without removing his eyes off the buildings in the distance.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzGYN7TEVp
“Uh yea, why?” the wizard asked as he walked up to stand beside the demon with Alura at his side also looking at her father.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbILhXNUId
“Because I have been thinking and I haven’t aged. Also I don’t know if anyone would recognize Alura right off or not.” Nate explained gently. “If any were to recognize me or Alura right off then word could spread. If that word spreads then Sophia goes from accused criminal to hostage real fast.” That will also lead to my definite execution alongside my family. He thought grimly.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpoV7NZ1QF
Marenzo blinked as he took that in. That did stand to reason as a risk since some might freak seeing a presumed dead guy walking around with a, perhaps presumed, dead girl. “No problem, it will be easy as pie.” He said with a confident grin, moving one hand to adjust a couple rings.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnsHoyKqJ3
“Then please do so.” Nate instructed calmly.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGvsq8DSLN
Marenzo nodded and sighed as he moved then turned to face them both before his eyes closed. He held a hand out towards them both and just moments after did both his hands begin to glow. Alura jumped a little when she saw a light shoot up from the magic circle that had formed under her feet. Looking over she saw Nate standing patiently with the same under him. Slowly it rose up as Marenzo lifted his hands, surrounding them and began to change their appearances.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkgCs9nVqg
Nate began to grow old with graying hair that thinned out with a receding hairline. His body lowered some as his skin wrinkled as he took the appearance of an elderly man in his nineties. Alura also grew older and taller. Her appearance was maturing as she took on the appearance of a woman in her late twenties to early thirties. As her change finished she was beyond beautiful and looked highly intelligent. There was also a mystical aura about her which Marenzo was chalking up to the fact her eyes had gone browner but still held speckles of blue.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqWBQlv1cF
Once he had dropped the spells for both of them after their changes were finalized, Marenzo did himself last. He gave himself the appearance of a young man in his mid-thirties, maintaining for his enjoyment a handsome appearance. After he had finished and dropped his spell he stretched his arms above his head. In doing this he slipped off the two rings that were cracking into dust, concealing this fact as he brought his hands down with an exhale of air, slipping the dust away with an outward swing of his arms to either of his sides. “We will need different names and backgrounds couldn’t hurt.”1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3vFxG6lhY
Nate thought briefly before speaking up in his new elderly voice. “Cain will be my name.”1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02upgHtosZ
“What about you Alura?” Marenzo asked in a deeper voice.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbKHnyYig4
“Um…” Alura looked down, holding her chin in one hand as she thought. “What about Lin?”1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwP7x2H7mN
You couldn’t think of something else more creative? Marenzo thought in a deadpan voice. “Okay that sounds good. I’ll be Roy.” The two nodded and the three continued on to town, softly speaking of their background story so everyone would be on the same page. It came to be final at Lin and Roy would be husband and wife. Cain would be her grandfather who enjoyed to travel and wished to see the world before he died. A good lie that they felt would fit nicely to keep them out of the eyes of Amoxious and his men long enough for them to save Sophia, or so that was their hope.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjPaPibVhp
As they started to enter Alura sharply inhaled and quickly glanced back only to be swiftly hushed by Marenzo. “I made sure the spell hides weapons and any suspicious luggage, so don’t worry. None can see them but us.” He whispered softly in her ear as he held her shoulder, softly planting a kiss which brought her face to flush red. The wizard smirked softly as he started to leave her neck, having caught her panicked thoughts. “Had to make it look real for our marriage.” He muttered quietly as she took a deep breath to try and cool the heat from her face.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4q6MOCqPK
The three arrived at the inn and rented a room for two days with the hope they would succeed. They made their way to the room, entered and Alura went to one of the soft beds while pulling out her mother’s necklace. She sat down and looked to the still cracked stone, her face fallen with concern and dread in her heart that Nate was wrong about Amoxious not being one to change a date on a whim.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGad56jIJy0
Marenzo moved to make his way over to Alura as he aimed to hold her close. This didn’t go as planned as Nate shifted his body, acting to stumble and reached out to catch himself on Marenzo. When the demon had hold of the wizard he pulled down then shoved the young man roughly without warning. Marenzo released a startled noise as he was pulled down then shoved, the one wall catching and stopping his body. “Oh my I’m sorry, I guess I’m not used to walking around as an old man. You see, demons don’t age this quickly.” Nate apologized with an innocent tone and elderly laugh.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgmMKcuP35
Marenzo groaned, shook his head then snorted before blowing some of his loose hair out of his face so he could see the old demon clearly. “Uh huh, you had no problems outside.” He pointed out flatly.1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7wLvnDFTu
“I have no idea what you mean. I was stumbling some now make me or get me a cane.” Nate ordered as he made his way over to one of the beds that was on the opposite wall from Alura’s. Kiss my daughter like that again and you’ll be my barbeque. That’s my little angel and no damn guy is going to steal any innocents she has. He warned in a dangerous growl in his thoughts upon locking eyes with the wizard. And if you think of changing sex to be with her I’ll rip your lower body right off your torso. This threat brought Marenzo to gulp and nod quickly in fear of the demon. This brought Nate to smile before he released a yawn, stretching his arms above his head. “We should rest. That walk tuckered me out.”1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYyAAXbjG9
“Yea, you’re right,” Alura said with some absents in her tone as she put away the necklace, this time into her bag before setting it on the floor. Her swords she removed, as now she discovered the discomfort of their pressure on her sitting body, and leaned them against the wall next to the head of her bed. She looked over to see Marenzo standing and dusting himself off. “Do you want my bed?”1053Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU8MswUvEO
The wizard shook his head, waving his hand dismissingly. “Nah, don’t worry I’ll be fine as the sofa looks pretty comfy so you keep the bed.” He assured her upon which she accepted this and pulled back the blankets to take a nap, also due to the evening passing into night. Nate smirked and also got comfy under the blankets of his bed to rest, leaving Marenzo to find and get himself a pillow and blanket for his sofa bed. “At least it’ll be better than that chair was.” He mumbled to himself as he got situated and was the last to drift into sleep.
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