Tellman Slate sat down without asking a follow up question which unnerved Naffur more than the womanÆs shrill inquisition earlier After that most of the questions were easy they addressed the newly promoted Orders and when the next batch of probationary Orders would be scrutinized
But at the end of the press conference Naffur called on one of the unfamiliar men at the back of the group on a whim You sir at the back WhatÆs your question
How long will it take for the Image Virus to cripple Expira
The man looked grimly at Naffur a strange defensiveness in his posture and ambient emotions Without an introduction the words he tossed out were stark against the stretching silence
Naffur titled his head to the side unsure about the question IÆm not sure what you are talking about
Right now there is a virus out there infecting and weakening images The man shook himself and then pointed a finger at Naffur And if you mean to tell me that the Order Ducis doesnÆt know a thing heh Do you think we are sheep If you keep playing dumb IÆll have no choice but to expose you as the culprits DonÆt think the Ghosthound can save you from the truth
Chapter 1914
Annie squinted at the horizon surrounded by the rugged beauty of the snow capped mountains The first signs of snow sent a tingle through her body like calling to like But for now the powerful wind through the Nordawn Mountain Range dragged leaves and twigs through its high passes leading to strange rivers of airborne debris that whistled past their cabin However she spotted a few dark smudges clambered up one of the nearby passes Their slow speeds made her roll her eyes and turn to go back inside
To think my instincts picked them up Ugh what a waste Annie mused as she sauntered back into the building to her family But still better make some preparations to properly entertain so many guests
DozerÆs massive form was hunched over the stove where he deftly flipped over pancakes and removed the steaming items to a waiting plate This plate he placed in front of Delilah who sat at the table with a morose expression on her face She made no moves to apply her usual liberal helping of butter and syrup to the pancakes
For a brief moment a look of genuine concern flashed across AnnieÆs face She felt her daughterÆs pain and confusion keenly But then she covered it up and loudly walked out of the entranceway kicking off her boots and draping herself across her daughterÆs shoulders Why so glum cookie
No reason Just bored Delilah said quickly but she flinched as she spoke As though before that moment she had been so sunk into a funk that she hadnÆt even noticed her motherÆs return to the cabin Annie cracked her jaw as she reached across the table and blithely stole the proffered pancake Her daughter remained inert quickly returning to whatever fretful oblivion that she occupied
Annie leaned forward Seems like youÆve got something on your mind I get that you donÆt want to talk about it with me but how about you tell Mister Pancake
Annie happily used a fork to sculpt out two eyes and a misshapen mouth Then she flipped around the plate and proudly displayed her masterpiece
DelilahÆs soon to be teenage attitude still thrived in her body even if the rest of her was somewhat preoccupied she immediately pushed back from the table and rolled her eyes Moom ThatÆs kidÆs stuff And really IÆm fine Just thinking about stuff Look at dad He thinks about things all the time but you never badger him about it
Dozer pivoted and gave Delilah a mild look A ghost of a smile flitted across the girlÆs face Okay okay you badger him sometimes
What are you thinking about Annie replied generously ignoring the implied jibe at her and her own sorrow that her daughter didnÆt know how to appreciate art She added syrup to the eyes and mouth and began to eat Mister Pancake
Just well maybe I shouldnÆt enter into the fighting tournament next month DelilahÆs eyes went back to the table Maybe I donÆt know I can wait until next year I really feel like my image is near an evolution and I donÆt want to force anything
Annie arched an eyebrow When her daughter said I donÆt want to force anythingÆ something was definitely wrong So she cleared her throat and cut to the chase I know what this is actually about You are worried about the fact the tournament will be on the GhosthoundÆs island yes You think he holds a grudge against you
DelilahÆs face whipped up Then she tried to pretend she was just yawning Oh what No thatÆs
Well itÆs true Annie announced She jabbed her chin forward even as she earned a mild glance from Dozer Randidly Ghosthound really does hate you and has been purposefully torturing you for years
I knew it Something between fear and excitement warred across DelilahÆs face as she forgot that she had previously been trying to play it cool
Annie nodded full of sympathy the picture of motherly care DozerÆs expression twitched slightly I know cookie it must be rough to have such a constant figure hold a grudge against you But I also know why heÆs being so petty and what you can do about it
Delilah’s head whipped around again her tiny eyes bright What
The sun sank toward the horizon allowing the shadows and wind to run rampant Yet due to its sturdy walls the cabin remained an idyllic retreat full of warmth and comfort It was exactly the sort of thing that provided an excellent escape from the stresses of civilization She had a hard time imagining anything more dangerous than a flying cougar reaching her up here
Annie took to standing at the window with her tea watching the sunset and sighing without actually observing the beauteous natural like some war wife waiting for her partner to return home from the front
Finally a knock sounded on the door and a delighted smile crossed AnnieÆs face About damn
The only warning was the crunch and spray of splinters She hopped lightly to avoid the massive cleaver that ripped horizontally through the previously sturdy wooden walls demolishing the side of the cabin and ripping the furniture to shreds She broke out of the wooden roof and then spun midair to avoid several thrown daggers that glinted in the half light She alighted on the top of a nearby pine tree the powerful wind whipping her hair around
Dozer is going to be in such a mood when she sees this Annie felt a pang of regret Somehow it will be my fault
Yet that was for later Now she could give herself over to the dance
A sly smile spread across her face as she looked around in the twilight and saw a dozen cloaked figures waiting around her on the nearby slope They stood in the shadows of trees and on top of stark rock outcroppings blending into the grey in the low light The largest of the figures straightened and laid the massive cleaver across his shoulders Well well such late callers And so many of you as well Certainly my husband wonÆt appreciate the liberties youÆve taken with the architecture
One of the figures wore a thick golden medallion the only outward differentiating feature amongst them He gestured and several others leapt forward without even bothering to respond to her Annie sighed and got to work
A bow bloomed in her hand as she settled into a crouch A white blur became an arrow as she pulled back the bow and fired three times barely pausing to aim As soon as the projectiles left her bow they swirled into a winter wind dispersing and reforming into loping white wolves then ran toward their targets
The group responded quickly They pulled out knives daggers and needles and shifted trying to maintain their encirclement Their physical Stats were clearly lacking but they had at least trained heavily for this
Annie flitted sideways and fired a volley at the distinct figure right as the first cloaked individual slashed at a white wolf with his dagger The weapon passed harmlessly through the forehead of the wolf in a burst of snow and the suddenly returned arrow struck an individual in the throat Annie pursed her lips as she rolled and avoided another throwing knife the noise of the arrow meeting the target wasnÆt very satisfying
The cloaked figure with the massive cleaver interposed itself between AnnieÆs volley and the one with the medallion It was violence incarnate swinging its massive cleaver with a solid enough image but the arrows thundered against the weapon and sent him sprawling back