Shards

Chapter 80 - Rescue Part 1

Ghost remained motionless listening to the Announcer's faint voice call out dish after dish. The cold still night helped in carrying the chatter and noises from the banquet hall.

First Shuang's birthday noodles was served with the appropriated congratulatory wishes and cheers. Ghost smiled grimly, his expression hidden by his lowered head and unkempt hair. The traditional hand-pulled longevity noodles were the start of Lord Wen's doom. He just hoped the gluttonous lord would consume enough contaminated flour to trigger his allergies. If not, it would be his first failed mission.

The half dead Shard listened hard as dish after dish was served. Suckling pig, barbecued ribs, venison, duck and so on and so forth. But all he heard in his head was flour thickened gravy and sauces, deep fried mashed yam mixed with flour and deep-fried chicken coated with flour and herbs. The tainted flour was also used for the various doughs, the dumpling skins, wonton skins, spring roll skins, biscuits, stir fried noodles, thickened broths and the sweet pancake ... He counted off each dish identifying which used the deadly flour and which did not. There were more dishes which used it, hopefully it was enough to get the job done.

His concentration was broken by Key's excited voice.

Ghost!! Mouse is back ... and he brought reinforcements!! They are going to save you! Hold on!!

What? Who? Ghost asked weakly without much hope. Save me? Key was just being unrealistically optimistic again. He was dying, there was no hope. All he wanted now was to complete his final mission and rest. It was almost done, if Lord Wen kept eating. He was so exhausted. Reinforcements? He almost laughed. Who could Mouse possibly have brought that would make a difference?

I'm here with Crow, came Old Wolf's rough voice.

Ghost's head jerked up eyes widen in shock startling the Elites guarding him. Quickly he lowered his head again keeping still until all six Elites relaxed in formation, but he was on high alert. Old Wolf was here!!

Yifu (adoptive father)? He whispered tentatively, almost disbelievingly. Despite himself, hope soared in his chest.

When I brought you back with me to the Dark Sect, I swore to you that I would never ever abandon you, remember?

Ghost's breath hitched. He remembered. Old Wolf's long ago heartfelt promise was the only thing that had kept a seven-year-old boy from losing himself, drowning in dark depression and succumbing to an inevitable death. It had seemed the only choice at that time, his fate was to fade quietly out of existence until the old, scarred man appeared out of nowhere to give him new hope ... like now.

Crow and Key will cut you down. Wait for me and we'll take you home. I need to meet with Lord Zhai ... to settle accounts ...

He won't like it, Crow smirked.

He doesn't have to. He should learn not to take the Dark Sect nor our contracts lightly, replied Old Wolf in a dangerous tone. Ghost, go with Crow and Key. I will come later to take you home.

That was enough for him. Old Wolf had come for him. He had kept his word to never abandon him. Ghost felt a calm settle over him, Yifu had brought Crow. The Six had never failed extracting a Shard before. He was going home.

Me? Asked Key. You want me to help in the extrication? I'm only a Level Three. I don't have a clue on how to rescue Ghost. I thought I was only reporting on the situation and being the back-up.