Genesis : Knights of Salvation Series
Chapter 3: Stranger's in Tree's

We pass the farms growing wheat and other needed crops. Thankfully, Orion had the foresight to bring some of the Sparrow teams’ horses. I guess he figured there would be no way to bring horses on the train.

The horses are stunning, bred especially for endurance and obedience which is important when doing work outside the walls. The horses each had a special leather saddle with a small black bird burned into it. I have no idea where we are going, and I’ve learned to blindly trust Clare even if I do not want too. I guess following her blindly is easier than putting up a fight anymore. We ride until the sun drops behind the far-off mountains and everything begins to take on a pink and orange tint. I start to worry if we will arrive at our destination before dark. Clare and Orion make a small amount of small talk, its obvious Orion is aware who Clare is, and he asks her small questions about how the train ride was or how the inner wall citizens are. His questions say he is genuinely interested but his voice is dull and uninterested in the answers. I turn back to the ride, my mind growing distracted as I take in the small mounds of houses to the right of us. I do not know what is waiting out there for us, but I don’t particularly want to find out.

We pass the last of the farms and enter a forest. The trees start out sparse but quickly become denser. Then I see the clearing. In the middle of the clearing is a two-story cement building. I am amazing by the ancient architecture. I have only seen buildings like this in books. It has few windows and looks to have a tower on the west side. The cement is chipping in some places, but it just adds to the feeling that we are entering another world. Behind the building is obstacle courses and shooting ranges. This must be the Sparrow’s Headquarters. A shiver runs down my spine. These are not A-Status people. My nerves grow rawer at the thought, I had grown up around A-citizens and had only seen a few lower status citizens every few years.

As we get closer, Orion takes an immediate right and we are engulfed with trees. A small path takes us behind the Headquarters. The horses trudge through the muddy path and we arrive at a rundown stable. I wait for Clare to unmount her horse before I do the same. I land in a mud puddle and feel the cold-water seep into my shoe. Clare looks at me and rolls her eyes as if my ungraceful landing cast a bad light on her and her elegant goddess like demeanor. Clare and I follow Orion as he makes his way to the cement tower.

We arrive at the back steps of the building and Orion is clearly more at ease in his own environment. I notice his stature change to a more laid-back way, his shoulders sagging just the littlest as we approach the steps to the building. Orion bounces up the staircase, Clare glides and I just focus on my feet in an effort not to trip. Near the top of the stars sits a woman. She sits with her back leaning against the top step, one leg is lying flat and the other is pulled to her chest and used as an arm rest. The closer we get the better I can make out her features. She is tall and strong. Her hair is tide back into a long ponytail. The right side of her head has beads braided in her hair and her skin tanned from the sun.

She wore a standard black Knights uniform and on the right chest was a sparrow symbol. The clothes suited her body perfectly allowing for movement and style. We stop just in front of her and a tattoo on her right arm catches my attention, I can only see part of it as her sleeve is covering the majority of the ink.

“Foxglove, where’s the captain?” Orion asks.

“He’s in the trees. Who are they?” She says with a nod in our direction.

“None of your concern,” He replies clearly annoyed with the lack of information Foxglove supplies. “When will he be done?”

“How should I know?” Foxglove huffs. Orion gives her a look of pure irritation and she continues, “All I know is he’s showing Talon some new moves, so they won’t be long and with Talons temper and dexterity, or lack thereof, I assume they will be back any minute.” She laughs more to herself then us.

I look at the ground in an attempt to avoid any eye contact. It has been a year since anyone has seen my violet eyes. I was tired of people asking me why I looked like a freak. I never knew what to say and frankly, I was forbidden by father to tell the truth. I don’t know if those same rules applied in this circumstance, but I’m not going to risk it.

Suddenly, a noise startles us and our attention is at the trees in the distance. A few birds fly out of the canopy and another noise echoes out. I recognize it as branches breaking…large branches breaking! I can just make out a larger man tumbling to the ground out of a tree. I squint trying to make sure he is still alive. That was quite a fall. I breathe a sigh of relief as the man slowly gets up and I can faintly hear grunts coming from his direction. The sun is almost set, and the lack of light makes it so I can barely see shadows. Another figure falls out of the trees and I can feel a scream get caught in my throat but this one lands directly on his feet next to the larger figure in a far more graceful manner.

“There they are,” Orion says looking into the shadowy trees.

“Stay here.” Orion says over his shoulder to Clare and me as he jogs down the stairs and out towards the tree line. Clare frowns. I don’t know why she expects everyone to be as well-mannered as her. I continue to stare at the ground only glancing up briefly to see what Orion is doing with the two shadow figures. I am hyper aware of Foxglove staring at me and I try my hardest to not notice the nerves grow with every second of it. I turn a little to insure she can’t see my eyes.

I can see Orion say something to the figures and the bigger of the two turns and starts making his way towards us. As he gets closer, I can see that the figure who fell is a very tall man with broad shoulder, only heightened by how muscular he is. It looks like he could have pulled that tree out of the roots if he wanted too. Soon he is at the bottom of the stairs and I try my hardest to not stare at how tall he is. He continues up the stairs and stops in front of Foxglove. He towers over every one of us. Like Foxglove, his skin is tanned but his eyes are the purest hazel I have ever seen. I am sure any girl, even an A-status, would have swooned over him.

“I should have listened to you and not tried that move Enyo does. I all but broke my neck falling out of those trees,” He lets out an embarrassed laugh as he rubs his neck. Then flinches at the pain.

“Told ya, your good at fighting but Enyo is great at everything,” She replies rolling her eyes at him. The man turns his attention to us. He looks us up and down once and I turn my face slightly into my hood. I am so glad it is dark out.

“Who are they?” He asks Foxglove.

“Don’t know they came with Orion,” She shrugs dismissing his question. The man shrugs to and turns to us reaching out his hand with a broad smile. I am pretty sure he is the only one I have seen in this group give us a genuine smile so far. I instantly like him.

“I’m Talon…Noah Talon, the best of the Sparrow team, pleased to me you,” He says the smile plastered to his face. His smile is infectious, and I can’t help but smile too. It has been a long time since I have met anyone so friendly. Clare lifts her hand out from under her cloak and gently clasps his. She looks like a child shaking hands with a giant. I can’t help but notice that even the way she shakes his hand yells an A status woman with how graceful and elegant she shakes his hand.

“Clare Westlake, please to make your acquittance,” She says with a warm welcoming voice. Leave it to Clare to put on a politician’s smile. He releases her hand and reaches out towards me.

“You are?” He speaks warmly.

“Aspen,” I say tentatively. He squints at me slightly. No doubt because I did not give a last name, but I feel like it is for the best at the moment. I hold my breath and wait for his reaction.

“Well, pleased to meet both of ya,” He tilts his head and even Clare gives a true grin. Suddenly Orion and the other man reach the bottom of the stairs and begin walking up. I pull my small hand back into my cloak.

“Orion!” Talon greets the two men, “I was just saying hello to your guests. They seem nice, I wonder what they’re doing with you?” Orion just rolls his eyes at Talons tease.

“I would like you to meet the captain,” Orion says gesturing towards the other man. I finally get a good look at the other man. He is not what I was expecting. I expected the captain to be a large brooding older man with scars from all his life experiences, instead I am faced to face with a tall, young guy about 6 feet tall and slim. His arms are well defined, and his hair is long but pushed back carelessly out of his face. He looks to be of Asian heritage which is rare due to the distance and not very many people made the distance to Twin Wall without meeting an untimely death.

I found myself staring a little too intently at the captain and I quickly drop my gaze but I couldn’t help but take another glance. The other two were easy to read but this man was harder. I wonder if Clare could even read him.

“Captain, Clare Westlake, it’s a pleasure,” Clare reaches out her hand to shake his, “My apologies for being so abrupt but may we speak privately about some pressing matters?” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Nice to meet you, let’s head inside and we can talk,” The captain motions to the door. The captain heads in followed by Clare. I keep close to Clare in an attempt to avoid any unwanted conversation. Foxglove and Talon whisper to one another behind us. I suddenly feel very self-conscious. The main entrance opens to a large room with old cement stairs leading to the second floor. The main large room is warm with an old-world chandelier. A few candles are lit and sit randomly on bookcases around the room. A large over worn rug with an unusual pattern of red and blue lays on the floor. A long wooden table sit in the middle of the room.

The captain pulls out a chair and sits down while the rest of us stand around him. I try my best to linger out of the immediate light and keep the shadows of my hood over my eyes.

“So, about this mission from the general?” He starts off grabbing a cup from the table and sipping whatever is in it. Clare steps up pulling her hood off her head allowing her hair to fall once again.

“Captain, I’d much rather speak of this highly sensitive topic in private,” Clare says with some authority.

“The names Enyo Hawthorne, you may call me Enyo for now,” He says ignoring her request. I am confused by Enyo’s response. He didn’t even seem fazed by Clare’s beauty and is completely unraveled by her air of authority.

“Please, I must insist that we speak about this in private,” She pushes the topic.

“I trust my team in the fullest, so please continue,” He reassures her. Orion sits down across the table and Clare looks uneasy. Foxglove leans back against the way and starts playing with a pocketknife as if by habit. Talon stands behind Enyo and gives us another friendly grin. Clare looks around her obviously unsure of what to do now. I step back farther into the shadows. I have never seen Clare unsure before.

“Better yet, how about she fills us in,” He says pointing toward me. Clare looks behind her at me and then back at Enyo.

“Excuse me?” She asks him.

“I’m not comfortable with someone lurking in the shadows especially when we are discussing something so serious.”

He looks at me as if he can see into my soul. Luckily, my shaking hands are concealed by my cloak. I look at Clare and she motions for me to come closer to her. I take a big breath and step out of the shadows. I pull down my hood, and my hair tumbles around my shoulders. I look up meeting his stare. I pretend to be brave and hope that will be enough.

“Holy crap! Look at those eyes!” Talon shouts out in surprise. My gaze moves to him. He suddenly realizes his outburst is inappropriate and rubs his head nervously.

“Ugh, Sorry-” He begins to apologies, but I lift my hand dismissing it. I look back at Enyo who seems to be analyzing me. If I show confidence and continue what Clare was going to say, then I will be fine. At least, I hope.

“Hello, I’m Aspen, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” I am suddenly grateful for all those manners lessons my father demanded I take growing up. Enyo leans forward slightly while his gaze never leaves me.

“So, Orion has informed me of the objectives of this mission as has the general. Although, I would like to hear more information from you?” He says watching me. I could feel Clare tense slightly, she was used to being in control and didn’t like the change of events.

“Orion has informed you of the basics,” I say not sure what he already knows and not sure what I should disclose.

“Yes, your objective is for us to escort you outside the outer wall and to ground zero. All in the hope that you will find a cure, that, I might add is nothing short of a miracle,” He states leaning back in his chair.

“You guys either have a death wish or are completely insane,” Foxglove says laughing.

“I can assure you we very much wish to live,” Clare replies glaring at Foxglove, “We are far better equipped for this mission then you realize and now have the ability to find the cure.” Clare unclasps her cloak and drapes in over a chair.

“Tell me Aspen, why do you think you can find this cure when no one else can?” Enyo asks me. He looks at me intently waiting for a response. Even as they look at me, I can’t help the feeling that only Enyo’s eye holds enough wait to keep me from running.

" All you need to know is that I have the ability to get into ground zero, and identify the information we need. Your job is to get me there and back…alive,” I try to sound like I have all the confidence of Clare and hope that Enyo doesn’t know the difference.

Enyo leans forward and quietly asks, “Why would we put our lives on the line for two A-status women out on a wild goose chase?”

“Because it’s the difference between living or just surviving,” I say simply.

“First you tell me the truth,” Enyo gets up and walks towards me. Clare becomes tense and I can see her angle her body so she can intervene if he goes too far. I look at Orion sitting at the table, Talon still standing behind the chair, and Foxglove who had stop playing with her knife. All three of them are staring at me. I then move my attention back to Enyo and our eyes meet. He stares at me and I stare back. I am supposed to reveal all my secretes to a man who is the definition of mystery. I debate for a moment looking for an ounce of deceit in his eyes. All I see is determination.

“Fine-” I start but Clare suddenly grabs my arm giving me a warning look. I continue, “I’m the only one who knows what I’m looking for and I am the only one who can identify it.”

Enyo nods accepting my explanations, but I can see he is not satisfied, he will keep digging but hopefully we can finish the mission before he finds the truth.

Enyo steps back and looks towards his team looking them over, he places his hands in his cargo pants pockets.

“So, you expect us to risk our lives for two A-Statuses who have spent their whole life being pampered and probably couldn’t fight if their lives depended on it?” He taunts dryly.

Clare steps forward. Placing her hands on her skinny hips with every ounce of defiance and determination.

" The person you will be protecting and keeping alive is Aspen, she’s the mission. I on the other hand can handle myself.” She is clearly offended by his remarks. Enyo looks over at me quickly and I drop my eyes out of habit.

“Well team… thoughts?” He turns to face the other three.

“They’re crazy,” Foxglove scoffs using her knife to pick under her nails, “It’s a death wish but if we survive, we’d go down in history, so that’s a positive.” He shrugs folding his arms.

“Shouldn’t we wait for Calvary before we decide anything?” Orion speaks up.

“Please,” Foxglove replies, “Either way he’s going to complain about the decision,”

“Alright, we will discuss it later…As a team,” Enyo says adding the end with a glare at Foxglove. “Orion, show our guests to a room.”

Orion stands up motions for us to follow him up the stairs.

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