The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

The trap, Part 55

As the plan took shape amidst the growing excitement of newfound hope, Mer-Mer felt a sense of urgency well up inside him. Time was short; Solaris would not rest while they plotted against him, and every moment spent in hesitation could cost them dearly.

"Very well then," Mer-Mer said, tightening his grip on his dagger. "Ragnar, Latina, and I will go into town tonight. We'll gather whatever information we can find on Solaris' movements while we look for the watchmaker. The rest of you can continue preparing for the main offensive."

Julia nodded approvingly. "Remember to stay under cover. The city is full of Solaris patrols."

"And keep out of the shadows," Shadow-Kat added, her eyes narrowing with determination.

 "They can offer you help if you're discreet enough." Mer-Mer felt the shadows within him stir at her words, a reminder of their unbreakable bond and the hidden power he expected to unleash. He inhaled deeply and centered himself before returning to the game as a leader among companions involved in various missions.

"Let's act fast!" Latina urged as she adjusted her grip on her spear, glancing towards the slumbering sun that was dipping over the horizon. "We don't have long before darkness falls."

They made their way silently through the thickets surrounding the rebel camp, following familiar paths towards Capua. The cool air enveloped them like a shroud as they made their way through shady groves and under low overhanging branches. With each step further into enemy territory, Mer-Mer's heart grew fonder.

Soon they came to a narrow road that crossed the landscape toward Capua. As they neared the outskirts of the town, sounds of merriment danced in the air, a stark contrast to their goal that night.

"I can't believe we're coming back to this place," Ragnar murmured nervously, his former bravado diminishing as apprehension crept in. "I barely escaped with my life last time!"

"A reminder of why we're fighting today," Latina retorted firmly, her fierce gaze fixed forward. "We fight not only for ourselves, but for every soul shackled by tyranny!"��The words seemed to rekindle a fire in Ragnar's spirit; he straightened his stance and prepared himself for what lay ahead.

As they slipped into Capua amidst the evening crowds milling about - hoping to continue their merrymaking, unaware of how dire the situation had become - Mer-Mer led his friends through shaded alleys and busy streets.

'The watchmaker's shop must be nearby,' he muttered as they maneuvered past taverns filled with laughter and drunken boasts.

Latina carefully surveyed her surroundings as she kept an eye on Ragnar's growing nervousness. "Remember our mission - we enter quietly, gathering information first before making a fuss.

"A trio of figures appeared just ahead of them, a group of men adorned with the insignia of Batiatus lounging outside a dimly lit tavern, half-vociferously boasting of past victories as they drank pies.

"Keep close to the walls," Mer-Mer whispered urgently as she led them around the corner of a building where the shadows gathered tightly beneath flickering lanterns.They crept cautiously forward until they spotted a small wooden sign swaying slightly in the breeze.

"Now it's time, "Mer-mer whispered, and motioned for his friends to slip into the clockmaker's house. His workshop is in the back, Latina said, leading the group.

Shadow-cat was furthest back when he sensed something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Don't go into the room, it's a trap",  she shouted but it was too late.

A large fishing net fell on top of her friends and swatted them. Shadow-cat barely managed to leap onto the beam , where she jumped out of the window and sank into the darkness.

"The cursed cat ran away," shouted some.

"There's nothing," said a familiar voice that was none other than Batiatus's." Here is a fish which Mark Anthony will pay very very well...very well indeed. "