Blood War

Chapter 2

"Where are they?" the brown-haired one asked, flipping a box over in anger.

I looked at Rogue who kept staring at the Mages. Were they talking about us?

"I don't know," this Mage had gray hair and was clearly the other one's superior. "That mangy man by the docks said they were in here. Clearly, he was wrong or they're just gone at the moment, it's no use getting your robe in a twist over it."

"Or that peasant lied to us," the first one growled.

"I highly doubt that," the older one said, leaning over to check behind a pile of cardboard. I narrowed my eyes.

"Oh ho ho! They will pay for stealing that wagon! When I get my hands on them-," the first Mage smiled, a malicious one, if I hadn't fought people with more intimidation I might have been scared.

At the mention of the wagon, I glared at Rogue. They were trying to lock us away because of his recklessness. The only indication he made of my death stare was a slight twitch.

"I agree," the oldest one lifted himself up and cracked his back. He flicked his head in an indication to leave. "All this running around for some troubling lowlives. This is getting tiring, the sooner we can obtain it, the sooner we get rid of these pesky vermin."

Obtain what? I thought at the same time the younger Mage asked, "I still don't understand, what is that supposed to do for us? I thought it was just an old children's tale." Now he too was stopping his searching. Resting his hand on the hilt of his sword he started walking away with his superior.

"It's not a children's tale," I could almost see the old man rolling his eyes as they turned the corner. Suddenly they went quiet, I couldn't even hear their footsteps anymore, but I still wanted to know what they were talking about.

"Rogue, can you still hear them?" I asked, standing up. Hopefully, I could at least see where they went from here.

"No," he stood up too and walked to the other ledge for a better view. "Can't see them either."

This puzzled me. Rogue has way better eyesight and hearing than me, if they were even a little far away he would have been able to spot them. "Teleportation magic?" I asked. He shrugged. Teleportation magic wasn't uncommon, but it did use a bit of magic so it was rarely used over short distances, which must mean they were headed to the Capitol. "I wanted to know what they were talking about," I continued. "It sounded important."

"Eh, doesn't concern me," Rogue took a half-eaten loaf of bread out of his pocket and shoved it into his mouth.

I blinked at him, a disappointed look plastered on my face. He probably stole that, but I didn't have the time nor patience to scold him. "It does concern you if they were actually going to get rid of us. I have a feeling that whatever they were talking about means trouble." Leaning over the edge, I looked out to sea.

"Oooo! Your feelings!" Rogue mocked. He hopped onto the ledge and started climbing down. "Come back when your feelings tell you where you put that sock last week."

I snorted, thought for a second, then smiled. "What if we went after them?" The rustling on the wall stopped and Rogue's head peeked over. Taking out a dagger from my side holster, I tossed it in the air and caught it. "You know, we could sneak into the capitol building, they could tell us what's going on. You could even fight someone..."

He glared at me, knowing full well what I was doing. He may not completely like it but he wasn't flat out saying no which meant I still had a chance. I was about to sweeten the deal when Rogue cut me off.

"Fine," he said. "It was getting boring here. Who wants to live forever anyways?"

Well, that was easier than expected, I thought as I made my way into Cardboard Town. Normally Rogue shoots down any idea I have for no other reason than he just wants to. The fact that he caved so easily must mean he actually wants to do this.

A short debate later we decided to leave tonight. Better to hit them sooner than later. It didn't take us long to get ready, fact-check, we have little possessions.

While swinging my rusty sword to my side I thought for a moment. Why was I even doing this? It probably doesn't even have anything to do with me. If it hurts those jerks on the streets, so be it! It wasn't like they ever helped us. But there was a possibility that it could mean something bad for me, me and Rogue.

"Rogue, what are you doing?" I asked. Completely done, my weapons sat hidden and ready to draw, while I thought Rogue would already be ready considering he doesn't need any stabby stabby's, he was still rummaging around in the cardboard.

"Looking for my flash-fire-boom grenade," he said, flipping over a box and looking inside. "Help me find it!"

Still standing where I was, I rolled my eyes. "That thing you made years ago? It doesn't even work, besides, you don't need it. You have your own flames."

"I'm very proud of my beautiful creation," he put a hand to his chest then pointed a scolding finger at me. "Don't diss it! Ah-ha! Here it is!"

Pulling a piece of metal the size of a golf ball out of a dirty rag, Rogue looked at it, pleased, and placed it in his pocket. He skipped up to me. "All right! Let's go!"

I shook my head and turned around.

A surprise stood face to face with me. A beautiful, blond surprise.

"Maulo!?"