Arrow's Fallen

Nighttime Raid Part 2

"Shook her eventually, but left me a few scratches. We have to get moving anyway, and it can't be helped." Falcon started off with a brisk stride towards the forest's edge. I looked at HeatPhase questioningly and he simply shrugged and followed him. As the trees and brush gradually thinned out, the sergeants became suddenly a lot more cautious, ensuring that each step was silenced. I scanned the area ahead of us for signs of the building or headquarters we were searching for. I didn't know really what to expect, because our intel on where the building was included many vague and uncertain details. Then Falcon, who was leading still, motioned for us to stop. He glanced around and brushed back a fern bush for a second.

He quickly looked back and nodded. "There's some sort of wood cabin up ahead. We were told the entrance was discrete so it's probably a good idea to check it." I nodded, and fell into step behind him. I tried my best to copy the other's silent movements over the crunchy leaves, but they'd always been irritating to navigate quietly. The moon was just a sliver through the patchy sky that was covered by clouds. I felt suddenly reassured we couldn't be so easily seen as I previously was afraid of.

The stairs to the cabin doors were a dark spruce wood, recently painted. Strange...this cabin is definitely used despite it's remote location. Perhaps Falcon was correct. The front door was a painted black with gold embellishments. Whoever does live here has taste....expensive taste. Falcon took something out of his pocket. I looked closer and saw it was some kind of modified agility knife. I leaned over his shoulder curiously while HeatPhase stood guard. "It's a Piagility knife. Pick-agility: for picking locks especially. I should get you one at some point." He commented. I rolled my eyes and chuckled. "Can't resist teaching me anything, can you?" I smirked. He raised an eyebrow at me defensively. "Hey, I can't help feeling protective since you insist on having such high standards for yourself. Besides, it's my job."

"Not for long." I shot back. He nodded in agreement. "You may just have a point there, Sergeant Arrow. Has a nice ring to it too." Verre and Heatphase exchanged a look. Then, the lock on the door finally sprang open. Verre stepped forward, eager to get out of the open, but Falcon let out a hissing curse. "It's locked three different ways. I can't get it open all the way." I turned away in the frustration we all felt.

"We cannot stay in the open. The sentries in the area will find us before long." HeatPhase pointed out. Verre let out a huffing sigh while she began the pacing routine again. I wonder...if I use the nearby pine trees...

"Does anyone have a zipline cable?" I asked suddenly. Falcon busied himself by speedily re-engaging the lock. "Um, I believe I have my fire whip, would that suffice?" HeatPhase asked with his slight norwegian accent. I considered it for a moment. His whip was pretty strong from what I had seen, and could realistically bear a person's weight. If I could attach a grapple or hook to it that could work...

"Anyone have a grappling hook?" I questioned. Verre lifted her eyebrows and took her sword from her belt, then set it in my hand. I looked at it in confusion. It was made kind of some transparent metal? "Don't touch the blade whatever you do." She instructed me. I froze as she held out one hand and the metal melted into her hands, where she slowly formed the glass-like substance into a hooked object. I gaped in shock. I had never known truly what Verre's talent was. She gave me a half smile. "My name means glass, by the way. Not my birth name, like a lot of us." I guess the sergeants were more open with their talents among themselves than with the guild as a whole.

I just took the hook from her gratefully and wove the tough black cord around it until it was stock tight. The glass piece hit the top of the gutter and stuck. I dashed to the adjacent pine tree and zig-zagged my way up it. I looked around for a suitable branch to tie the end to. I had to climb up a decent way before I found a thick enough one but it would do. I secured it, gestured for the others, and started across to the roof upside down, hanging by my hands and feet off the makeshift grappling hook. HeatPhase grumbled something about instability and trees, but otherwise crossed without incident. Verre hopped up beside him, but took a little longer. She seemed a tiny bit irritated by the way we got in too but didn't say anything. Falcon transformed and flew up beside me, and I tentatively held out my arm. Falcon swiftly landed on my arm and ruffled his feathers before flapping awkwardly into the air where he transformed. He gritted his teeth in pain, rotating his shoulder and glancing at his right arm. "Are you alright?" I asked with concern. He nodded. "Got torn up by that shape shifter, that's all." My face suddenly hit the roof painfully.