Our Second World book three: Personal Truth

Chapter 24: Nephinae

"Nephi, you've got two on your back," Aien said.
"I see 'em," I muttered, pulling my scarf up to cover my nose.
"Want some backup?" Aien asked.
"Nah. I've got this one."
It was a little past eight, but the street was full of people, despite the cold, and the late hour. I could feel the aura of the two men tailing me, though they probably thought I hadn't spotted them yet. Perfect for me, but unfortunate for them.
"Anywhere nearby without civilians?" I asked.
The link was quiet for a minute before Aien spoke again," there should be an alley up ahead. Two buildings down."
"Thanks."
I kept walking, and turned into the alley Aien pointed out. There were a few crates to block the view from the road, and there was no one else around. I waited for a minute or so before two men walked into the alley. Both wore cloaks, but I could see simple leather armor underneath, along with short swords.
"If you're following me, you must know who I am, right?" I saw one of the men smirk.
"Yeah, girlie, we know who you are."
"Then you know what I can do," I narrowed my eyes, but the two men were unflinching," I want information. Tell me what I want to know, and I'll let you go."
"We don't give information to our enemies."
"Fine. We'll do this the hard way then," I sighed.
The two men drew their swords and charged forward. Before they got more than a few steps, they froze. Blue ice held them down. It rose with my outstretched hand.
"Are you going to give up now?" I asked cooly.
"F-fine. You win! There's a meeting taking place tonight by the mine. That's all we know," one of the men said quickly," I swear that's all we know, ok?"
"Thanks." I closed my fist and the ice holding the two men shattered into thousands of tiny pieces, sending both men flying into the wall with enough force to knock them out.
"A little excesive, don't you think?" Aien's voice sounded in my ear.
"I got the information cleanly, so I don't see what your problem is," I answered.
"Have a little more self control next time," Aien sighed.
"...Sorry."~Earlier that day~After sleeping at an inn in the town of Trelf, a city in the elven kingdom of Thephilia, I got up early in the morning, before the sun had risen, and checked my equipment. I threw on my mage armor underneath a gray winter coat and sat down on the bed to put my hair pins in. My hair had gotten much longer and was down past my waist now. I had grown taller as well, but the magic in the armor let it grow with me, so everything still fit. Once I was dressed, I fished the link stone out of my pocket and set it in my ear, where it disappeared.
"Aien? Checking in." I said.
The link stones, as we've called them, were a magic tool made by Grace that let us communicate with eachotehr over long distances. I'm not sure where she got the idea from, but they've been a big help.
"Here boss. Signal looks good." Aien's voice sounded in my ear after a few moments.
I work solo right now. The others paired up in other countries, while Aien, Nym and Zylkas were at a base of ours in Croanade keeping track of all our information. My familiars, Luna and Emiko, were with me as well, of course, but they were in sleep mode inside my mana core for when I need them.
"I'm heading out. I'll link up later." I said.
"I'll be on standby if you need me," Aien replied before the link went quiet.
I sighed and stood before buttoning my coat," It's been five years already, huh?"
Pulling on a blue scarf, I left my room and went out to the street. Snow crunched underfoot as I walked. The weather was cold, but I was used to it.~Present time~"If you're going to hit that meeting you should bring some backup," Aien advised as I started walking down the road leading out of town," It could be a trap."
"Those guys weren't with Silver Phoenix, but they were probably hired by them. This is most deffinitely a trap," I answered, puliing my scarf up again," I'll watch my back, but I can handle it."
"...Good luck then."
I sighed as the link went quiet.
Once outside of town, I veered off the road and started moving quietly through the trees. Luckilly my boots let me walk on top of the snow; I didn't leave footprints and my movment was muffled.
When I got close to the mine, I found a place to lay low. Hiding in the snow on the ledge overlooking the mine entrance. For now, there was no sign of any one else. I waited for about an hour, but with no sign of any other living thing, I was starting to think there really was nothing here. Still, I waited. Another hour went by, then another. It was nearly midnight now, and still no sign of anything around.
"You shouldn't be here."