In the Shadows

Chapter 24: Prepare for Battle

Aaron's POV

I was not the most happy when Christine agreed to have Alex be part of the fight, however, it was better than her going out into the battle, which I knew she would do if Christine didn't agree to what she did.

"I will return to the Medical Bay, after all, helping the wounded is what I am able to do," Christine said.

"Take an apprentice with you, in case they do end up entering the guild," I told her, she nodded in response. I looked over at Alex, and nodded before rushing with Cecil to prepare for battle. We already could hear the sounds of yelling men from the outside of the guild. I heard Elliot among them. 

Running, Cecil and I made it to the outside of the guild, Elliot and a line of the guild members were yelling across the way. I scooted between some of the guild members and saw the man, Cain, who was with Olivia's sister, all those months ago when we first found out that the Spanish and French were working together. He was trying to convince the man of not attacking, though it was not working.

"We have been preparing for your arrival," Elliot said to him calmly. I was surprised that Elliot could remain that calm in this type of situtation.

Cain was only angered more at the peace talking. "Why do you think we would want to talk this out huh?" I could not help but want to rip his throat out. Oliva's sister and him were the reason we were so low in numbers, too many good men had died by his orders.

"We do not want to quarrel with you," Elliot replied, still somehow calm, however, his fists were clentched; he was getting frustrated. If we could avoid more lives lost, it would be the best path; however everyone knew that we were going to fight.

"I do not care if you want to or not! You all will die here today, and I will make sure of that," Cain spat. I saw something that Elliot, nor the rest of the men lined up saw, it was a little gleam in the trees nearby, they were so focused on the happenings taking place in front of them, they did not look around, but as assassin we always have to remember to look around.

"Elliot look out!" I yelled at him. He immidiately reacted and moved out of the way, however he was not fast enough to evade. He had turned around to block the attack, however, the arrow found its way to his upper back.

Even with being with him being tortured, have I never heard this pained scream before, I wanted to rip the shooter apart. I was glad when I saw a single arrow be shot into the tree where the enemy was, and the sound of a body falling, I had no doubt in my mind on who shot it, however, I could not think about that at the moment when Elliot fell face first into the dirt.

Cain laughed. "See? That is what I say to your 'peace talks'. You have got one hour to surrender to me or else everyone of you will end up like him." He then turned into the trees and disappeared into the shade.

I rushed over to Elliots side, his entire body was tense in pain, the arrow stuck straight out of his back, it was not in as deep as I thought it should be. I looked up when I heard the sound of running steps. I looked up and saw Alex running up.

Before I could say anything, she spoke, "Before you say anything, one: he is giving us an hour, we are in no immediate danger. Two: None of the men here have any medical experience, and Christine is busy, so all you got is me."

I stopped what I was going to say, as she kelt down next to Elliot. She breathed in for a moment to catch her breath, before grabbing the arrow and pulled. "We are so lucky that it hit a rib and did not go through to the lungs," she stated, pulling out thread and a needle to quickly stitch up the wound. "He will not be able to fight, so we will talk inside about what to do."

Cecil and I helped Elliot up, and we all headed back into the guild. We quickly moved into the infirmary, and dropped him off with Christine, who shooed us out and back to where Alex and Enzo waited in the meeting room.