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Thirty-Two: Countdown

I am at the police station where I have turned in Woodward's most wanted employees, interfering in the progress of uniformed men filling pages with their reports, when I pick up a telephone. The number that I dial, naturally, is that of the Sanctuary. The one to answer is a secretary at the front gate. I say plainly, "Get me the head of security." I have to wait, but not for too long. Before he can finish his greeting, I say, "It is I."

Themba speaks, "I thought you were better-mannered, Sister. How urgent is the matter?"

I look at the nearest officers at the rows of the joined desks, all filled with printing presses. I reply lowly, "Very urgent. Tell me whot you know of the hostage situation."

Themba says bitterly, "Of course, that would concern you."

I add, "I am the only one to blame fer it."

Themba retorts, "But you are not the only one worried for the High Priestess and the five kittens."

I sigh. "She got me through my grief, Themba. I owe her fer that. And this man must die fer the thousands of families that he divided."

Themba lets that sink in before explains, "The High Priestess's former husband is here. He is aware of the Dahalan government demanding something from Symphon. The Lowell House is mindful that they damaged Dahalan property and dismiss the threats. I know not whether Lowell himself exchanged the messages with Lord Saqqaf, but they have been in contact over the past week. Lord Saqqaf threatens to hunt down both Lowell and his sister and kill them if they refuse to give up Pasht and Ghaliya.

"Lowell called his bluff of damaging Symphonian property, of course. So, Lord Saqqaf inquired Lowell about a payoff. He considered offering money to see to their safety. I do not believe him, but Lowell claims that he has no interest in money, let alone from a foreign country. The whole time, it sounds like, the High Priestess and the kittens have been alive."

I weigh in, "He only allows them to live because I got to his last conspirators before they could report me to 'im. Giffard and Nadine 'ave only hostages for bartering now."

Themba continues, "I know not where they are. In their conversations, Lowell has been vague about their locations. So he claims, Lowell only wants, and I quote: 'the condescending, sword-wielding, masked bitch'. In his last message, having come in last night, he threatens to leave Highcond with Ghaliya and never come back." I doubt that Giffard would. I scowl, looking down. But Nadine would!

I quickly look back up, stating, "I see only one way, Themba." I sigh, my heart heavy. "There is but one that Giffard could want more than a spymaster that also directs an embassy."

"But the risks, Sister..." Themba pauses. I patiently allow him to put his opinion into words. "I saw him there, at the Grand Temple. He could double-cross you."

"We are all sentimental about something, Brother. My sentiments lie primarily in Pasht, Ghaliya, and oll other cats. I must reiterate: they are my responsibility. I brought them into this; I led Giffard and 'is men to the Sanctuary. Now that 'is last middle-woman died last night here in Tolden, he must be 'ere, too, whether he likes it or not."

Themba sighs, knowing that his efforts to dissuade me are futile. "I hope you know what this means, Sister."

"I do. And I swear, Brother, I will come to you and the others again." However, I am not convinced that I will. That chest of mementoes in the stores might collect dust from being untouched. "Farewell, for now, Themba."

"And to you, Sister. Best of Symphon." I have to smile at that. Though of the same genus, he is from Dahalo. I hang up the receiver and allow it to settle for a few seconds before turning the crank and the dial again.

"Good morning, Jack," I speak into the telephone.

The fox replies, "Oll right, Lady Death?"

I respond, "I wish I were." I pause, awaiting a question. I follow curiosity first, querying, "Whot know you of Giffard's reaction to his friend's severed head?"

He chuckles, "It was comedic. Giffard howled so loudly... that the whole... block might 'ave 'erd 'im... He wos such... a Haymes... that people claimed that 'is maids hurried the hell out."

You may find humour in that, but I fail to in such dire circumstances. "And whot of Nadine?"

Suddenly stern--as indicated by a pause--he states, "I... would know nothing of 'er actions. She bin secluded since yeh departed." He adds somewhat energetically, "I thought that she would be out of the city by now, but me informants say otherwise." She must be in Tolden now, looking for me.

I explain, "Jack. Giffard and Nadine 'ave leverage on me"--

He interrupts, "The woman and her daughter?" Pause. "Y-want me to find them?"

"That is not why I speak t-you now, Jack. I see only one way to see the cats again... I plan to offer myself to them." A long moment of silence.

"Death... No..." the fox says breathlessly. "You know nothing about makin' deals with an icon of the black market"--

I interrupt, "Yeh live up ta your bargains, yes, but I know the risks of proposing a dangerous trade with a treacherous figure. He has nobody left ta lose but his hostages."

He barks, "But there are innocents that could die, not just the kittens."

I say calmly, "Jack... Fer seventeen years, I 'ave wanted Giffard dead. But I also want the kittens to be safe. He already has another problem as he obtained them as hostages from assaulting a Dahalan embassy. Giffard 'as caused grief to me and countless families, for which he must pay. The bastard deserved ruination. Now, he deserves to die."

Jack pauses at that. "Is that where me traitor led Giffard's mercs? An embassy? Does he not know the trouble that he caused?"

I answer, "He claims to not care. He will not release them until he gets my head on a pike."

Jack sidesteps, "Or he could then demand a ransom to compensate fer 'is crippled empire. I know the man better than you do."

"Wrong again. I told him the kind of man he is, and still did not shoot when he had a gun on the woman. There must be a reason he hesitated. I indeed saw rim play dirty, but he is a bloody coward."

Jack implies, "I'll believe that when I see it."

Scowling, I infer, "Then, you might not be far off. I expect things ta get bloody whether he accepts my offer or not."

Jack says sternly, "I hope, what yeh plan, works."

I reply ruefully, "So do I. I also 'ope, this will not be the final farewell, Jack."

Jack yips, "Yeh won' go dyin' on me any time soon."

After hanging up the receiver, I look to the doorway, where Wickerson stands, arms folded. He says bluntly, "Police don' negotiate with hostage-takers. Neither should you."

Approaching the grizzly, I retort, "Y-would not comprehend the situation, Payton"-

He interrupts with a growl, "I damn well do!"

I add, "I have to do this alone"-

He interrupts more loudly, "Like fuck!" Pause. After another growl, he continues, "Everybody here is a man with a job and following orders, just like the bastards that assaulted the embassy. There are now warrants in Ventine and Highcond fer Lowell's arrest. Like it or not, the police will be after 'im. And he cannot buy officers anymore."

True. He cannot hide for long, but when he re-supplies and the police begin pursuit, they could be too bloody late. I focus on the gaps in his fur, his scars. I cannot risk that kind of impact on his head. I raise a finger, saying, "Payton, this 'as been personal since the start. I slew people on his payroll to get to him. If you know nothing about personal vendettas, you know nothing at oll."

He scoffs, "Bollocks that could be no bigger."

"You know how it is. Oll it takes is one pull of the trigger. I need ta plan this myself." I stride past him, and ignore his calls to me as I head out the front door.

"To the Lowell House:

"The time has come, to end the war with your crime clan. Without your conspirators, let alone their connections with others, you have only your hostages to hide behind. I intend to change that situation. I am done with you hiding them from me, and I am done with you using them.

"You already get hell for keeping a foreign spymaster as your personal prisoner. You will get even worse hell if the local police discover your location. I offer you the chance to depart peacefully, for the safety of the woman and the five kittens are of higher priority to me. All I ask is that you bring them to me safely, and then we can discuss the condition.

"Meet me at Unit 44 of Nimrod and Barnaby, the north-easternmost district of Tolden. I will await you just outside the house. I expect you to be there with the woman the kittens unharmed. That is my demand. If you do not meet it in thirty-six hours, I will hunt you down and execute you myself."

I hand an envelope labelled "Urgent: To Lowell Manor" to a courier and pay him the fee, saying plainly, "Get that delivered." He looks at me awkwardly, and then at the envelope. His gobsmacked visage returns to me. The fact that I have business with the Lowell House is enough to baffle anyone. News has travelled quickly about him dismissing possible threats from the Dahalan government. News has circulated even more rapidly to the public about him being a crime lord and seeing his business in ruin.

The courier accepts the money and begins a rushed drive with a horse-drawn carriage to Knightsedge. I can only hope that this works. If Giffard does not heed my words, I really will search every house in Tolden for where Woodward was tasked to keep the High Priestess and the kittens. They do not deserve to be prisoners of even a gang war.

As before, I surprise myself with the fact that I returned to this piss-poor area, let alone this shoddy old house. From the looks of the floor's dankness and the tatters indicating moths having eaten the furniture and blankets, nobody has resided in these walls since my departure for Ventine. The layout of the kitchen and living chamber remain unchanged, but the scum and mildew have changed the colours of the tables, furnace, and stove beyond recognition. The decaying floorboards have spread their mould to the kitchen table, which caused it to stand on an angle on only two legs.

I sigh. I get to work now that I am here at sunset. I unpack the sticks of dynamite that I have bought from a black-market dealer almost immediately after fulfilling yet another bounty hunt. I line them up against the walls. I am careful as I expect the dirt of the walls to give way. As I do so, memories flood of my mother and step-father. If I had done this years ago, they would have given me their watered-down lecture on attracting the attention of the wrong people. I often stole, just for them. I was willing to steal, for begging was an empty gesture. I wanted to do anything but hold my hands out and ask strangers for their money. The war between the peasants and nobles has barely changed over the centuries. The residents of only a few boroughs can afford the luxury of fresh foods, good clothes, and sufficient hygiene. The poor are divided because of the gang wars and the nobles only laugh and scoff, taking it for sheer entertainment. Some difference must have come into play now that the public is aware--if they were not already--of the Lowell House being a crime clan.

Images flash of me cuddling with my mother as a small and fragile cub, my mother teaching me to read, us dining in silence as I hated talking about school, and my mother tending to my bruises and minor cuts from the fights. No matter what I would do, my mother and step-father would worry only about my safety from anyone who could threaten any of us. I wondered if they planned to take me to the Sanctuary when I was to turn twelve. That was Giffard's error: making me go there early. Now, he will realise it.

By the time I line all sticks, my mind runs to the day I would become an orphan. I envision the sight of my mother lying facedown, dead. I focus on the spot where my step-father sat, breathing frantically. The moment I regretted pushing him away so many times and for so long. I still wish that I could turn back time, to change our relationship, but I instantly dismiss that. I will make this right. For all of us. Your legacy will not be defiled.

In the morning after, I find the same courier approach the dilapidated house. I have not slept much because of the revolting odours. I would have been both too eager and too nervous anyway. As a return of the favour, the envelope handed to me is unlabelled. I wait for the cat to be out of range before I open the envelope.

"Masked Wolf,

"We will meet your demands. Lord Lowell will meet you outside the destinated house as you want, bringing our prisoners alive. Beware: we refuse to make deals with those who interfere in our operations. You would be correct to presume that your best offer is surrender."

I scowl. They both know what I am prepared for. I turn to the window. The bombs remain where I planted them. If I am to die with Giffard, then so be it. At least I will know that he paid for his crime. Even now, I keep my Katana and Naginata as well as my Khopeshes. I am still prepared for a fight, even if it ends with me losing. All that I want is to see the kittens. This is how I will atone for my error making you suffer, High Priestess. I owe you my life. You convinced Death to bring me back into the mortal realm. You convinced me that I have someone to live for and die for. I have been thankful for you, for your deeds. Other cubs are grateful for you. I might have high hopes for your daughter to take up your mantle. I hope that she has the proper guidance for becoming the woman that you are.

I have stayed low for the day, after an evening of taking down petty thugs. That gives me time to consider my strategy. If only I could convince Giffard to get in the house, I will get what I want out of the "deal". I also wonder if he will recognise this place after seventeen years. The wolf hybrid deserves to know why I selected this specific place. He deserves to see the pain that I endured before a clan of Samurai moulded me into a gargoyle driving away and slaying demons.

It is the sunset of this cloudy day, when I expected Giffard--maybe accompanied by Nadine--to march with mercenaries toward the house. He indeed leads a march, for I make out the black and red of the first figure in my sight. At his side is the emerald-eyed silver cat, pistol pressed against the side of her head. Alongside him are mercenaries--

But only four kittens are here! And Nadine is absent! I growl, and my hackles rise as I watch Giffard and his... squadron of dapper yet rugged canines approach. Good God. The size of his group could match the entire crew of a naval ship. He could be close to broke by now with his funds dwindling, but he has apparently taken the drastic measure to make sure that he wins this fight. Regardless, I draw my Khopeshes, only to toss them aside.

Giffard is but a few metres away when he stops, and his mercenaries, in turn, do so. The wolf hybrid wears his black suit, white shirt, and scarlet tie. Curiously, his blazer's shoulders have gold plating. I can tell that he has the same pistol that I saw him point at the High Priestess before. The fire in his yellow and blue eyes match that in my orange and violet eyes. Anger having overcome me, I growl, "You double-crossed me, Giffard."

"Lord Lowell to you, bitch! And you deserve this fer beheading my best friend."

I scoff, "Best friend? You knew I fought him before encountering him in Knightsedge, and he lost that time, too."

"This woman is the next to lose", he parries.

Addressing her, and attempting to hold back my rage, I orate, "I regret that we see each other under this circumstance. This wos never meant to be your fight, High Priestess, but the coward ignores that this is between him and me."

The High Priestess has been wearing the same robe, which has too many smears of dirt and dust to look white anymore, and the blue sash has greyed and torn. The kittens wear the same clothes, now looking ragged. Nadine has Ghaliya; I just know it. Pasht implies, "You must have a great plan, knowing that you gave him thirty-six hours."

"Let us address another issue", I speak. "The Dahalan government is riding yer arse fer the High Priestess, and they have ways of dealing with kidnappings of their officials. I have read stories of their elite soldiers and assassins raiding properties to rescue politicians. Barbaric, but resultant. If you walk away now, you could still 'ave them harassing you until you pay them some compensation. I doubt that it means paying more money than you 'ave."

Ignoring that point, he says plainly, "Tell me you summoned me for more than insulting my choices." He continues sternly, "You forget who holds the gun, Death. Even if you save this woman, you forget the others having guns on the kittens."

I spit, "And don' think I don' know how t-count! One of the kittens that you took is the High Priestess's daughter!" I growl, "Nadine planned this, correct? Because you could not think to be one prisoner short for exchange. Whot are Nadine's intentions: poisoning her mind to make a successor, or to train 'er to become a sex slave?"

He growls back, "Leave 'er out of it, Munter! Yeh said it yerself: this is between you an' me!"

I rebut, "Tell that t-yer mercs!"

"Tell me whot your offer is!"

"I wanted you here to say that I offer to trade you my life for the safety of oll yer prisoners. Until Nadine brings the kitten to me, there will be no bargain!

"Nadine 'as bin using you oll along. If she 'ad a husband that shares her vision, she wouldn't need you, but it won' be that way. Your relationship is bollocks, to put it mildly. You are merely the face of the Lowell House, willing to coerce people into joining your business, but you are really a coward. You continue to prove such by beating these cats and threatening to kill them. The first coward I saw resided next to me. He beat upon his son, my friend, until the man killed him."

Though Giffard bares his teeth as he growls, he represses the urge to kill my mother figure.

I speak, "Today, you learn why I pursued you and your cartel." I place my good hand over hand, gripping the gold alloy covering my face. I lift the mask over my head. and I drop it, taking a step forward. "You were here, seventeen years ago. A slave named Malentha wos on the run from your mother. She killed Malentha's lover and Rodica's traitor."

Giffard interrupts, "Now I know! You attempted to use Nadine against me. You tricked her into giving money to Coombs, which went to MacNiadh along with Ignisater Pillars!"

"There is more than that. Malentha lived here: this house. She had a husband named Clement to help her raise her cub. Unlike your mother, Malentha showed affection and worry for her cub. Unlike your father, Clement wanted the cub out of trouble." I sigh and continue heavy-hearted. "But she pushed him away. She despised him only for the fact that she knew that he was not her birth father. Upon realising his acts of hypocrisy, she stopped speaking to him at oll. Only when he had survived getting shot but was bleeding out, she instantly regretted how things were between them. The cub had been away long enough, but instinctively returned to find Malentha dead and Clement alive but not having long. She still did as he said with 'is dying breaths and had time to get away before she could be spotted and you could claim her, as well."

Giffard grinds his teeth and growls, "You... The one that escaped me..."

I say bitterly, "The she-wolf that you wanted as a step-sister. A sister that you alone could attempt to manipulate because of your mother and sister. You only wanted somebody with which to share your hatred toward Nadine. You also intended to marry the step-sister that you wanted. You could 'ave bullied me oll y-wanted, Giffard, if it were that way, but it changes nothing about the legacy that Rodica left behind. She created a deformed puppet that her daughter could control. You deluded yerself with yer own hallucinogen into believing that you could fight Rodica back, but you still mistook me for 'er."

The mercs holding the kittens at their gunpoint looked at each other, confused, but said nothing. Giffard snarls, "And the same thing will 'appen here and in the same place! This woman's blood will be on your 'ands!"

I shake my head before focusing on the High Priestess, remaining calm now that we have been talking. Then, concentrating on Giffard again, I announce, "It does not change the coward that you are. I know that kind. I lived next to one, and he killed his son. Other criminals from before I pursued you attempted to use hostages against me, proving their pessimism. You went so far as to kidnap a spymaster from an embassy and five kittens living in an orphanage. Even your slavers are alarmists, keeping them down and discouraging them from fighting. 'Tis business, but it makes their acts no less heinous. I saur a different man from the one that oll of Highcond feared when I saw you in Agnarge Asylum. I know that Rodica's presence lingers. Whether you kill me this instant or weeks away, your mother's spectre will still haunt you. She will be right nex' t-you until the moment you die. You kin blind and deafen yerself, but she will continually haunt you. She will whisper in yer ear or scream fer you to do whot she would do. She damaged you, to make you the face of whot she wanted, while Nadine worked in the shadows.

"Even if you kill the High Priestess, her former husband will give yer sister 'ell. A parent could do that if they wanted to. Rodica wanted you to hate her. She wanted you to hate everybody, and yet you still hide behind yer barriers. I presented you with several chances to shoot someone, and you still 'old back. Because of your mother, who you still attempt to drive away, you fail at everything. My mother and step-father gave their lives for my safety. You will never know love or friendship. That is why you would tear families apart. I neither fear nor pity you, Giffard."

Silence came upon us like a torrent of rain pouring upon the earth. As if nature knows what we are doing, the clouds make the sky seem a little darker. Still, Giffard stared at me with his scowl. Do you not know how to process the truth?

Giffard speaks, "Is that why you sought me out all along? If you think that I allowed some phantom to watch me and judge me, that should be the same fer you." If that were true, it would be tame by comparison. He continues, "I would never remember this place as it has been seventeen bloody years, but I 'ave discouraged grudges. You know not how many relatives of slaves sought revenge on my family, if not another crime clan. If oll that time you prepared fer this, ghosts of your past have been around you, as well. They could resonate wails that only you can hear."

"Then you admit that you can hear Rodicer inside yer head?"

He seems to waver. His hesitation leads to him groaning and bending aside as if he heard someone yell in his ear again. He snarls, "You know nothing about my mother!"

"Don't deny that our encounter at the Sanctuary happened. I know her secrets. You kept a journal that somebody stole, and found himself forced to hide in the dungeon below Crowsridge Cathedral." He gasps at that. "I read the gruesome detail that you put into your mother's beatings and the times you were forced to fight worn-out slaves just to eat. You are just a slave to Rodica, and have been even when you killed 'er."

"THAT IS IT!" He moves the High Priestess right in front of her, his gun pressed at the back of her head. Still, she is calm.

In fact, she is smiling. She speaks, "I knew that this day would come." What?!"I am glad to 'ave opened the Sanctuary to wolves such as yerself, Disciple of Kumhep." I freeze. I know not what to do or say. "I have always loved you like one of my own. I always will. I am proud of what you have accomplished over your training and since your return to Symphon."

I interrupt, "Stop acting as if you planned to die!"

She continues as coolly, "You are a hero to the cubs at the Sanctuary, a saviour, and a champion."

"Not like this!"

"I am proud to have been a mother to you. Ghaliya will be proud to think of you as a sister. You will be there to protect her." I gasp. Suddenly, I feel my eyes well up, and my breathing becomes uneven. "Death is not the end of Pasht. Neither will it be for Konjal or Kumhep. I have done regrettable things, but all in the name of my people and for my high purpose."

It happens so fast. I hear the dreaded bang, followed in a fraction of a second by blood splattering on the back of her head, the bullet going through her forehead. I yell, "NO!" I watch her fall facedown on the pavement, but with her smile unwavering. I drop to my knees. I failed you. I failed Pasht. You are yet another one to die because of me. I have lost two mothers now. Without you, I have nobody to fight for.