Perverse Thirst: A Ghost Walkers Prelude

Chapter 11

Calmly walking down the hall allowed Pilo and his escort to fool the guards into thinking they weren't a threat. For the guards, one of the approaching men had a familiar face , and their arrogance wouldn't let them think one man stood a chance against the four of them. The door they guarded sat at the base of a set of stairs running up behind the library. At the top of the stairs, Pilo could see a guard on each side of another heavily locked door. Metal chest plates and helmets protected the men from attack. Swords were the preferred weapon of most guards, but one of them had a crossbow slung over his shoulder. Underneath their armor they wore red uniforms to symbolize they were members of the elite guard. One of the soldiers stepped away from the door and watched the approaching men, with a confused look of his face

"Baker," the guard called out. "What on Earth are you doing down here, and who is that with you? This is very unprofessional, and will have to be reported."

"I'm escorting this man, per the Mayor's orders," Baker answered.

"Bynan doesn't give a damn what the Mayor says. Civilians aren't supposed to be on this level. You know that. Go ahead and return upstairs. Until I get official word, he isn't allowed down here. I don't care how many stamped letters he has."

Baker turned his attention to Pilo, and said, "He's the one with the keys."

"What the hell did you just say," the guard barked at Baker before turning his attention to one of the other guards. "Go and get a detention unit!"

Pilo knew he had to react quickly. His heart wouldn't allow him to attack lethally. These were good men just doing their job, and he respected their job. If not for a misunderstanding on Pilo's motivations, he felt they were all on the same side. Killing anyone would only hurt any future efforts to build bridges over the valleys of mistrust created since the curse began.

On the walk to the door, Pilo thought on Ladieta's words. He asked her to explain her approach to her powers, and she explained she just had to unlock what already existed within. The fight with the witch revealed his hidden powers. He now had knowledge he had super human strength, including speed. Now would be as good a time as any to test out what he could do.

Pushing Baker out of the way, Pilo moved swiftly through the hall. The guard addressing them went for his sword first. Pilo knocked the guards hand out of the way, and unsheathed the man's sword himself. Spinning around, Pilo threw the sword through the air and broke the crossbow being raised to eye level by another guard. Bringing his focus on the retreating guard, Pilo couldn't allow anyone to escape. The final armed guard to Pilo's right went for his sword. Pilo grabbed the man by the chest plate, planted his feet, spun around, lifted the guard off of his feet, and threw him down the hall. Landing on his back, the guard slid across the floor until he knocked the retreating guard off of his feet.

Running down the stairs, the other two guards moved down to join the fight. With the numbers growing, Pilo knew it would become difficult to not hurt anyone. Looking at the large lock, chains, and plank, locking the storage room door, Pilo knew he didn't have time to gain access the traditional way. Taking hold of the guard beside him, Pilo held the shoulder straps to the chest plate. Taking a hop, Pilo spun, and lifted the guard off of his feet. Keeping hold of the straps, Pilo sent the guard flying out of his armor, and across the floor. Using the empty metal chest plate, Pilo beat on the locked door. Splinters and woods chips flew through the air as Pilo forced his way inside the storage room.

Breaking the plank laying across the door, on hooks, Pilo yanked the chain attached to its ends. Spinning the plank ends in the air, Pilo made contact with the chest plates of the two guards making it to the bottom of the stairs. When the guards were on their backs, Pilo moved toward his destination. One final guard still remained on his feet, with pieces of a broken crossbow in each hand. Pilo flinched at the man, causing the guard to turn his back to him. Placing his foot on the man's butt, Pilo forced the man away from beside the doorway.