Aeris lunged forward, using the stumbled bodies of the drunkards and the gaurds. She stepped on them on by one, her steps were precise and quick.

  She had her gaze focused on Kael. He was having a duel against two gaurds ontop of the pool. One gaurd was a tall brute of a man, welding a curved sword he slashed at Kaels vicnity.

  The other gaurd was much more nimble, wielding duel daggers , crouching low he aimed at Kaels feet.

  Now two gaurds attacking both sides, would be a challenge for most people, most people. For Kael it didn't look much of duel , instead of a one sided bout.

  The sword wielder slashed varticly towards his torso, while the duel wielder at th same time slashed at his feet. Kaelith without breaking a sweat. Jumped in place, twisted his body horizontal, and easily squeezed between the gap.

  Than his twisted his staff at the sword wielder, causing a strong gaust of to toss the gaurd backward and then with a loud stomp landed on the duel wielder head with a loud thud. He was knocked down unconscious as his head sack under the broken table

  Aeris clicked her tongue in annoyance. Not because Kael was bad, it was because he was wasting time. He is acrobatic enough to escape this mess easily. The only reason that brat is dancing and swaying is because he wants to.

  The sword wielder got back up, ayed his sword for a round two—

  *Thack*

  Aeris kneed his face with so much force he went flying to the other side and crashed among the other bodies.

  She turned and glared daggers at Kael. Even under the hood, one could sense her blood boiling.

  Kaels eye widened, his hands flicked to his staff. “ Hey Aeris, didn't know gambling was you pastime too. Why don't we–”

  Aeris hit his head against the wide side of her sabre.

  *Thwak*

  Kael squated down, rubbed his head to ease the pain. Which hurt like hell.

  “ Zip it,” Aeris commanded. “ I’ll listen to your excuses after we get out of here .” Her voice was filled with contempt and annoyance. “ Than I'll decide on weather to kill you or just break limbs.”

  Kael voice low and hesitant. “ Yes ma'am.”

  “ Where do head out? You should this place well,”

  Kael clicked his tongue. How did she know he had been here before? Was he that obvious to read. He turned to look at the mess he created. Several bastards climbing on each other, people stealing the booze and getting drunk. Yeah, perhaps he was to obvious.

  “ There should be another edit in the owners office. You know the one they use to escape raids and inspection” he pointed at a direction where the owner left after barking his orders.

  *Swish*

  A gaurd shot his crossbow aiming at Aeris head. The arrow whisteled in the air and hit the wall as she effortlessly dodged with a slight tilt of her head.

  “ Sound good enough.” She replied, turning to face the remaining gaurds. “ Let's knock this fools down and then grab Edric and Xantha”

  She grabbed a broken stool handle, eyed the gaurds direction and throw it like a spear. It sharp end implanted the gaurd shoulder and pierced out.

  “ Also don't use you magic. We don't want people spread more rumors than necessary.”

  Kael nodded , without wasting time he got back up, rested his staff over his shoulders. He scanerd the gaurds in there path, only a few remained. So it shouldn't take long.

  —---

  Edric twisted his sword at just the right time to deflect the bartenders slash. But the quick fetted bartender, using the slash’s motion bent low, twisted his body, rolled and give a kick to his torso.

  He rolled over the counter, getting back on his feet. He clicked his tongue, met the gaze of his opponent.

  A man wearing a nice uniform, well kept hair, thing muschtash ressembling the French and somehow was skilled enough to fight with a broken bottle. Honestly how he so good at it?

  Edric delt with the croonies of sailors fairly quickly. But he had to admit, they weren't nowhere as easy as he expected. Earl especially was annoying, punching him felt like hitting stone.

  He eventually knocked them out, by tossing them at the shelves that stored liquor. Some very expensive liquor at that.

  The echo of broken glass made the placid bar tender , who remained neutral for the most part, take a turn in his stance.

  The next thing he saw has he calmed down, was the sharp of edge of a wine glass aimed at his face. He narrowly blocked it, the impact caused his dagger to lossed from his grip.

  He took out his sword hastly, looked at the bartender hoping some few words would ease his temper. But he was grvaly mistaken. The bartender had the eyes of a man with a mission, a mission he won't stop.

  “ Bloody hell,” Edric cursed under his breath, as he prepped for his next opponent.

  Several minutes later and after parrying blows from his bottle, which didn’t break because it was infused with mana. Atleast he thought. Since there was no reason for a bartender to give him trouble.

  *Clank*

  He traded several more blows, while taking a step back he trips and rolls beside the counter. The bartender without wasting the opportunity leaps, with the sharp bottle aiming at his face.

  He rolls at the knick of time, the bottle cracked itself beside his head, the cracks echoes through his ears. The bartender scoffed, not in anger, just in annoyance. While the bartender was on top, Edric let out a kick and used the force to roll himself back.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  The bartender stumbled backwards. Giving Edric just enough space and time to think of something. His first thought which wanted to avoid was using his gun. The space was a perfect opportunity to shoot him or at least freeze him. But ever sense coming here he wanted to avoid drawing any attention and his gun sticks out like a sore thump.

  He turned his head in quick succession, scanning the possible audience in the den. Let’s see more were either beat up or stealing the coins from the onces who were beatup. What about Kael?

  He took a quick glance at the pool table. His eyes widened quickly as he saw a familiar figure that wielded dual sabres alongside him. Before his could process anything, a sharp sound of glass hitting flesh interrupted .

  *CRACK*

  He looed at the bartender, who had his hand behind his head squalling in pain. His vision became blurry as blood dripped from his head. Slowly and surely he was drowsy and lost consciousness. Than dropped on the floor with a loud thunk.

  Edric froze in confusion, until he saw the person or you could say savour behind him.

  “Xantha? Why are you here? “

  Xantha's eyes smiled under the hood and robe. In her hand was a rather large bottle of whisky which was shattered in all places. “Do you really think you can ask me that?” she stared bluntly pointing at the crowd.

  Hmm. well she got a point there.

  Edric let out an awkward chuckle. “I mean can you blame me. It’s all Kael’s fault. I’m the victim here.”

  Xantha didn’t buy a lick of it. “Yeah, sure. Tell that to Aeris after we get the hell out of here.”

  Edric gulped. “Anyway, you got a plan.” He looked around to see a way out. The main door was across the hall, only main challenge was the scattered number of people they had to cross. He looked back at the main pool table.

  Kael seemed to be talking to Aeris, his body language was closed and less the drunk dancer from before. Looks like Aeris brought some sense into him. He pointed at a direction on the other side of the den. Edric frowned as to why then remembered that the owner left in that direction after barking his commands.

  “Looks like that’s where they're headed.” Edric gestured the direction to Xantha

  Xantha rubbed her chin, thinking for a second on the next course of action. “Seems like it. Do we help them?”

  “Them? Seriously ? They can handle themselves just fine. Let head there first and check if the coast is clear.”

  Xantha nodded . With the agreed plan they crouched low and waited till the chaos cleared a path. A few moments later, a path was clear between the west side near the counter where chips are traded for money. Which was odd, it would make sense for people to rob the counter with chaos.

  Edric didn’t bother with the details and lead the way. They tiptoed there way to the counter. The brawl on the table was going quite well until.

  “Get them,” A deep growly voice was heard nearby. They turned there heads to see, a guard, no not just a guard. But a captain from the looks of it along with four other guards beside them. All having somesort of weapon from swords and bows.

  “Why does it just get worse,” Xantha scoffed, clutching onto Edric’s robe tight. The duo lept closer to the wall and low enough not to draw attention.

  “Don’t worry, they haven't seen us yet. “ The guards went to a fighting stance and charged at the pool table. “See we go from behind them and cause a distraction. Oh that reminds me”

  Edric grabbed something from his magic bag. Something he planned to give Xantha later but now seems the perfect time. He grabbed the item from the bag, the metal umbrella he bought from the blacksmith.

  “Here, I thought it would be useful.”

  Xantha's eyes winded with excitement, her finger grazed the metal grooves and handle. “Thank–”

  *Thwack*

  The thanks was cut short from an arrow almost hitting them and Edric blocking the arrow with his sword and hitting the wall behind them from the impact.

  Not knowing what to do. Xantha expanded the umbrella shield and troddled closer to Edric. “Edric you alright!”

  He rubbed his head gently. “Yeah, what the hell was that?” Then another bang was heard from the impact of something hitting the shield. Edric peeked his head to the side to see one of the garud. A hooded archer aiming for them from across the room.

  Come on! Why us? We didn’t even do anything. Then another arrow hit the shield.

  The vibration sent shivers down Xantha’s hands, almost sending her back. Edric held her firmly. While trying to come up with a plan in his head. The only option now was the gun. Then one more idea struck his head as a last resort.

  “I have a plan, can you hold out for a second.” He pulled Xantha closer to the wall, such a way that there bodies are completely hidden from the shield. Then activated ghost steps phased through her , ran with heavy steps to the trading counter and vaulted behind it

  *Thwack* the sound of impact echoed but it didn’t seem like the archer noticed. Good.

  Edric grabbed a throwing knife which he had bought in one hand and a paralyzing poison vial in another . Without wasting time, he dipped the knife in the poison . He slowly peeked above the counter. Using his marksmanship skill, he aimed at his hands.

  1,2,3– He threw his knife, with a soft whistle it flew, and embedded itself in the archer’s main hand. He screamed in agony and was mainly surprised on where the hell did the knife come from.

  Before he could utter anything, he body felt numb and slowly his legs fainted following his torso.

  That worked faster than expected.

  Xantha peeked her head carefully from her shield to see the archer collapsed on the floor like a corpse. A corpse with a very angry frown that it. She folded the umbrella , breathed out a loud sigh.

  She crawled over to the counter and joined Edric. “This day just keeps getting worse.” She laid on the floor sweating the sea, her breathing was hard and deep. “Well what now.”

  Edric didn’t say a word. He scanned his surroundings for some sort of plan to pop up in his mind. The counter, though, was devoid of most money. Below the cashier desk , were rows of empty boxes which were supposed to hold money . Still he checked all the metal boxes for something. He checked one empty, another also empty…. He checked all 7 of them and was in the last box. To his luck this one actually had bags of coins in it. 6 to be exact, all gold coins at that. A grin grew on his face as an idea struck his mind.

  Xantha looked at him with a dumbfounded expression. “Is this really the time for this?”

  “Don’t misunderstand, this is just the plan.” he said while searching his bag for an item. Then out he pulls a small metal casing with tiny pale blue gem inserted. Using some thred he tied the item to the bag. Xantha observed with great curiosity.

  “This is a fog gem.” he emphasized the metal item. “The plan is, first I activate the item then it starts spewing fog . Then I throw it above the crowd just as it starts to get to the final explosion. Then I shoot the gems and boom” He exaggerated an explosion gesture. “ Gold starts raining and the confused start collecting in chaos. Then–”

  “We make a run for it.” Xantha ended his sentence . “Got it.”

  Edric nodded, turned to the crowd. The new guards were on the table, at least two of them were. At the center Kael and Aeris had their backs facing each other as they fought the guards.

  There was no time to waste, he activated the fog gem almost immediately with a small woosh sound. Pale blue smoke started forming and gradually it increased the intensity. He threw the bag in a big arc, His Marksmanship skill activated and locked on the bag. He waited for the bag to reach the highest peak above the crowd.

  Just as the gem was in it’s final phase were it exploded and made a gust of smoke. He took his shot . The bag exploded at the exact time the gem did. Causing the room to be engulfed in a very pale and wet fog.

  The guards and the patrons froze in confusion, but the confusion soon turned to something else as the feeling of gold coins running became apparent. With some cackle and tackle people started fighting for the coins.

  On the pool table, the second of distraction along with the poor visibility gave an opportunity for Kael and Aeris to trip them and get past them.

  Edric and Xantha stood afar near the door. Waiting with their weapons in hand.

  *WOOSH*

  They breathed a sigh of relief as Aeris and Kael emerged from the thick fog. Intact and without any major injury.

  Without wasting time with pleasantries. Kael without any warning grabbed Xantha over his shoulder adn ran to the door. Xantha flaied in surprise as she was wooshed across. Aeris grabbed Edric’s hand and dragged him too.

  “What the hell?” Xantha scoffed annoyed.

  “Sorry, we got to get out of here fast and your the slowest. You can thank me later.” Kael replied smoothly then turned to Edric. “Hey Ed, how’s life? You win something?”

  Edric gave him the look. He replied in a sarcastic tone. “Not to terrible , you know the usual . Everything is normal one moment and the next thing you know it. Someone is after my head. Damn I wonder why?”

  “Uhh, yeah that happened. Sorry about that. I guess i lost me temper.”

  “You THINK!”

  “Enough bickering.” Aeris cut through them instantly. Eyes forward they crossed the corridor, a long one that lead to a group of rooms in the end. Aeris made sure to cut the walls down here and there to block any guards.

  They stop at the end of the hallway, where there were four identical doors for different rooms. One of which was open barely letting light seep through. Kael without thinking opened the door to see—

  “An office?” Edric exclaimed as he helped Xantha get down from Kael’s shoulder.

  “Looks to be the owner's,” Kael said, scanning the room. THe room was fairly modest with a large desk in the center. Some chairs, papers, animal heads stuck to the wall. Nothing too unusual for a gambling den boss. He looked at the state of the desk and could tell the old man left in a hurry. “That guy left. Now all we have to do is find out how.”

  While he was doing that. Aeris tumbled a bookshelf to block the door. The faint shouts from the guard could be heard, but they didn’t look like they had the tools and skill to dig through the makeshift walls to come close.

  Edric paced around the room, his fingers gracing every part of the wall for some hidden key or door.

  If I were some with a hidden exit where would it be? What did they do in movies again?

  He approached behind the desk. On it were some papers and documents detailing some transactions and sales. Beside that were some pens, statutes and a animal head on the wall behind. The animal was of a large bull like creature with furry mane over it’s head. Wait, just then he got an idea.

  He drew closer to the large head and inserted his arm inside it. If he were right there would be some switch or could be at least. He grazed the inside thoroughly , other than a rubbery surface there was nothing. He planted his foot on the table behind and stretched even more until he hit the end of the head and his hand touched something.

  Something made of metal… a button. He pushed the button.

  The sound of motors and gears turning started abruptly. Kael’s eyes widened , before he could question it. The door attached to the head turned towards the inside to reveal a staircase leading somewhere up.

  “We found out exit. Let’s go” Aeris said, nonchalantly. Held Xantha’s hand as she went to the exit.

  Edric near the staircase, breathed a loud sigh and took a step forward.

  In hopes that they will finally escape this town.