Holmcross Project (Year 1)

Chapter 12: Conviction

The sun streaked down through the smoke and dust covered window. It danced across the wall and glinted off of fancy dishes left unceremoniously on the table. Wesson rested on a couch, testing the renewed flexibility in his muscles. The fires outside had finally died out and, but for the complete silence in the streets, the demon attack yesterday seemed like little more than a bad dream. They could all feel the silence though, even as Amelia and Tony helped serve a small breakfast to the others. It was thick enough to cut a knife through it.

"Thanks." Wesson said softly as he received his food.

Tony grinned. "Yeah, well. It's an old family recipe. Except that it's not my house and we had to replace most of the ingredients."

"We made do." Amelia smiled softly. "How are you feeling, Wesson and Nils?"

"You still haven't said what exactly happened." Luger said, looking over from his post by the door. "Just something about gas."

"Break's handiwork, that's what." Wesson said, biting into his breakfast. "He and Alhazad set up a little surprise for anyone that moved the bodies."

"So, there were no survivors?" Luger frowned.

"You saw that mess, didn't you?" Nils mumbled without looking up from his food. He was sitting huddled in a corner with a water canteen within arm's reach.

"I'm sure there were, but they were all taken away." Wesson continued eating, done talking for now.

Tony frowned and looked at Amelia pleadingly. "Dad's not...he's not gonna come back, is he?"

Nils laughed and looked at Luger. "We've seen demons do some pretty sick stuff, but this is extreme even for them. Why kill the men separate from the women? Why not just blow the place to bits like usual?"

"Well, this IS Break and Alhazad. When can we ever expect THEM to do anything 'usual', especially together?" Luger shrugged. "I imagine this is only the start of whatever 'game' they've concocted this time. We're in for a rough time."

Amelia looked at Tony. "I'm sure he was just captured. We can still save him!" She nodded with a smile. "We'll bring him home, don't worry!"

After they finished their breakfast, the group packed up and Luger turned to the other two. "One of us will have to stay behind and watch them while the other two destroy the harpy nest. Who will stay?"

"We need able fighters at the nest." Amelia said, looking thoughtful. "Actually, I think we should all go. If we leave someone here, they could be attacked while we strike the nest. And I'm not going to stand by and let them take any more people!" She gripped the Tear Drop. "This time, I will fight!"

Wesson looked at Nils. "Great, she's being headstrong again..." He muttered, shaking his head.

Luger looked uncertain about the intelligence behind her choice. "Amelia, you can't fight hand-to-hand. How will you fight?"

"I have one way, a way only I can use. I know he will help us." Amelia said softly.

Luger looked confused, and then his eyes widened. "The Castle Rune? Guardian Zeldukes, you mean?"

"He will protect us all." She smiled. "And, I think you can teach me some hand-to-hand combat after this. I refuse to be useless while my people are hurt!" She threw her hands out to emphasize her statement. "This is my conviction!"

"Conviction." Luger sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "...Very well. We'll keep the boy safer by bringing him, as you say. I wouldn't be down a fighter, either. But, remember my rules from earlier still apply. I'm giving you far too much leeway as it is, and we can't have you and the boy endangered by your 'conviction'."