"We can slow down now.", whispered Eff after he and Ray sprinted through the shadows for more than half an hour.
"Carre to tell me what that was about?"
"I would rather not but… I guess you deserve to know. Over the last few years, the three kings were in conflict. The hidden king doesn't tolerate unstable elements in his territory."
"But this shouldn't affect Feathered Blade.", commented Ray with a frown. Her words caused the corners of Eff's mouth to twitch.
"If it were before, the hidden king wouldn't dare to touch us. He wouldn't be able to afford the consequences. But ever since twenty years ago… today's Feathered Blade is not what it used to be."
Ray pierced Eff's back with her eyes. Thinking about it, Feathered Blade had always relied a lot on the café. They used this connection to hire contractors like herself with various diverse abilities. But no one ever expected the café to suddenly disappear. Feathered Blade lost its advantage. But was that enough for it to fall so low?
Perhaps there was more to it. But Ray didn't continue asking. She had a good relationship with Mau but her interactions with Feathered Blade were of entirely utilitarian nature.
The conversation died down and a minute later the duo reached their target. There was an old channel which hadn't carried water in a hundred years. Ray and Eff snuck below one of the bridges. Eff fished a strange piece of bone from his pocket and held it against the stone wall, which suddenly turned illusionary. Ray and Eff passed through, and everything returned to normal.
Entering the familiar tunnels Eff felt much more comfortable. He led Ray left and right thorough the tunnels until they passed another large door and entered a spacious room.
Boom!
Ray was unperturbed as hay and dust scattered through the air. She looked to the left and saw a member of Feathered Blade retract his heavy sword. Only some sad remains of a training dummy were left.
"Soron! Didn't we agree to hold back?!", shouted another member.
"But I'm so close! Only a little more and I can take that next step!"
"Well…"
Frowning, Ray further observed the room. She was not unfamiliar with the spacious training hall. There were some targets made from hay, wood, and stone. Training weapons stood around as well. However, why was it so empty? Was the situation even worse than she thought?
Eff noticed Ray's actions, inwardly feeling quite ashamed. He was glad that Ray didn't comment further as they moved on. He led her through Feathered Blade's hideout until they reached the elder's hall.
An oppressive atmosphere engulfed the dim room. The steps of Eff and Ray on the smooth stone floor were like ringing bells. The walls were adorned with legendary weapons, each having once left their mark in the history of the Boneplains.
Opposite the door there was an elevated platform forming a half circle. A dozen people occupied the platform, resting cross-legged with their eyes closed. They were young men and women, each with their distinct appearance. Their black clothes were decorated with different symbols hinting at their area of proficiency.
Although these dozen figures seemed to be young, only a fool would underestimate them. Seasoned fighters would have their instincts scream warnings just from laying a look on any one of these twelve figures. However, by that time it would already be too late.
Eff and Ray came to a stop in front of these enigmatic figures. No one talked. No one opened their eyes. Yet Ray could feel that she was being observed.
While Eff lowered his head, Ray showed an indifferent expression. Although the twelve elders of Feathered Blade were much more powerful than her, as a queen she would never show weakness.
"You have improved a lot."
Finally, the elder close to the centre opened his eyes, looking down on Ray with the benevolent eyes of an elder praising the younger generation. The man's grey skin was smooth, without wrinkles, but his striking green eyes gave one the impression as if they had seen through time itself. Even the elder's codename was Time, indicated by the golden hourglass adorning his clothes.
"Thank you, Elder Time. It has been a while since we were able to meet like this."
"Yes. We had our doubts…"
"Still have!", came a cold voice from the side. The elder didn't even open their eyes. A few others nodded in agreement. Ray didn't care. She knew that the resentment wasn't directed at her but at the café. Perhaps even at themselves.
"Heave, is this the right moment? We have a guest.", reminded Time.
"I know. This is why I spoke up. I want to hear her opinion."
Ray raised her brows faintly. She had no desire to get drawn into the elders' differences.
"My opinion should not be of any importance to you, elder. I have only accepted your call to do business."
"Hmpf."
Heave snorted but he didn't try to make things difficult for Ray. Time didn't show a change in expression as he addressed her:
"Well, I guess we shall postpone our catching up. Let us discuss business. We have a job for you."
"Does it concern the plains?"
"Yes. Our client is convinced that a rift has formed to the south of the Capital City. We entrust you with finding this rift and informing us of its location. Feathered Blade will take care of the rest."
Ray nodded lightly. She had completed similar jobs for Feathered Blade before. In this strange place called the Black Galaxy rifts might spontaneously open connecting to other locations within the galaxy. These rifts could be dealt with in many ways but the most common was invading the other side, plundering whatever one could get their hands on. The Feathered Blade originally became powerful by invading rifts as mercenaries for various clients.
"Eff, you will inform Miss Ray of the details!"
"Yes, elder!"
Time closed his eyes, indicating the end of the brief audience. Ray and Eff didn't dare to stay, leaving quietly. Once outside the elders' hall, Eff took a deep breath. Ray eyed him strangely but didn't say anything.
The duo advanced through the compound and quickly entered another room. It was quite chaotic. To the left, two members of Feathered Blade were shifting through documents behind large desks, posting missions on a black board next to them.
There was a large table at the centre of the room. It carried a model of the city and its surroundings. The details were quite intricate. There was the majestic mountain with the Capital City surrounded by seemingly endless plains. Multiple dangerous places were marked all over the plains. Ray frowned faintly as the number of dangerous locations seemed to have increased by a lot since the last time.
"Let's take a look."
Eff waved his hand to draw Ray's attention towards the map. One of the clerks flicked his wrist and a piece of paper glided through the air, falling into Eff's hand.
"So, that's the situation. Our client is confident that a rift has opened south of the city…"
"How would they know?"
"No idea. Didn't ask. The rift can't be close to the city, or it would have been detected by others. We estimate that it has to lay at least beyond Fog Demon Ridge."
While Eff was talking, the relevant positions were marked on the map. A certain point shone brightly. Knowing that Ray was not familiar with Fog Demon Ridge, Eff handed her a note with some information.
"We are currently somewhat… short on people. But this job is of high priority for Feathered Blade. We will organize an escort of twenty men for you. Until we reach Fog Demon Ridge there shouldn't be much danger. But afterwards we need to proceed extremely carefully. Since we don't know if the rift really exists, the elders came to an agreement with the client. If you don't find anything after thirty days, you can turn around. However, for these thirty days we count on you to search thoroughly."
"Don't worry. It's not my first time after all."
"I know. Still, the danger of the plains is not what they used to be. Remain careful. No need to take risks. Our only job is to confirm the existence of the rift."
Ray nodded and stared at the map, committing it to memory. Never underestimate the Boneplains. This was something everyone in the Capital City got hammered into their heads. Common people might not leave the city in their lives. Those with ability, warriors, explorers, treasure seekers, showed even more respect. The dangers of the Boneplains taught bloody lessons to those behaving recklessly.
Thus, Eff and Ray continued for hours, briefing Ray on everything she had to know, especially the changes since her last foray into the Boneplains. After a while an old man joined them. Grey hair and face weathered with hardship - this man was called Oru. He was one of Feathered Blade's most accomplished members, just below the elders in status. He would lead the team escorting Ray.
Two more days passed. Feathered Blade finished the preparations and finally the day arrived for Ray to head out.