Phoenix Phire

Duckie walked nonchalantly toward the stables, two guards looked directly at her but didn't comment, Sirens have an amazing non-threat talent that works on everything. Nix and Fajii snuck in quietly behind her, the three of them entered the large stables.

The Siren held up two fingers indicating there were two others close by. Nix nodded and then advanced further in. The floor was packed dirt that has been loosely covered with straw. The Stables was long and narrow with a dozen stalls lining one wall. A good portion of them were empty but the first four was occupied.

Nix carefully took the bridles of all four horses and then unsummoned them.

/Alpha Team: Fajii: Those horses looked fat...

/Alpha Team: Nix: They must keep the pregnant mares stalled up for safety.

Along one wall hung a multitude of saddles and other tack. [Authors Note: Take is riding equipment.]

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Found the vault, there's a guard. I can't take him.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Retreat, for now, we'll come back with Ducky.

/Alpha Team: Wind: F*ck Nix... We found something, three Ain'Dhassi prisoners.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Leave them, we aren't here for that.

/Alpha Team: Wind: They've been tortured Nix, and there's a piece of armor here that you've obviously upgraded. It has camo-overlay. The female is not going to last much longer.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Camo-overlay? A young Ain'Dhassi female?

/Alpha Team: Wind: Yes.

/Alpha Team: Nix: On our way, what's your location?

/Alpha Team: Wind: Go through the front door, the first hall has a door leading down to a large basement, it's a prison of sorts.

[Whisper: Nix to Del] Is Cora missing?

[Whisper: Del to Nix] How do you know that? Three of our recruits haven't returned from a training mission.

[Whisper: Nix to Del] Found her. Saigon Xai is keeping her prisoner at his compound. Gotta run.

Nix and Fajii ran across the compound, the main house was towards the back. The pair slipped in the front door that Wind had left slightly opened and then took the first hall to the stairs leading down.

The stench of burnt flesh and human waste hit Nix when he stepped into the room. Two younger Ain'Dhassi males were bound hand and foot, both had been beaten beyond recognition. They weren't the same as Cora's last companions.

Nix's face was expressionless as he approached the female that was strung up by her wrists. Cora had been stripped to the waists and tortured. There were burn marks and cuts all over her torso.

Her body glowed softly as Eron healed her, the black fox had done so without asking. "Her spirit is broken Nix, without a doubt she will die."

Nix nodded and placed an arm around her while removing her bindings. "Tend to the other two Eron."

"Nix... I didn't tell them." Cora's voice was softer than a whisper, she clung weakly to him while picked her up.

"Tell them what?" Nix pushed the Ain'Dhassi's white hair out of the dim blue eyes.

"The secret to the Camo-overlays... They think we are shielding a Master Armorer." Cora lay her head against Nix's shoulder. "I didn't say a word, not even one."

"Eron... You're the Spirit snatcher, there's nothing you can do?" Nix remembered how bright and vibrant the Ain'Dhassi's eye normally was.

"Here? No. I could be attempt a Spirit mend, but I would need a few days to complete it." The black fox had leaped up to Nix shoulder and perched there comfortably while observing Cora.

The sounds of fighting drew Nix's attention.

[Whisper: Del to Nix] Where are you? There were only a few guards outside.

[Whisper: Nix to Del] Through the front door, take the first hall then the stairs down.

A masked Del came through the door a moment later she was accompanied by two others. "Check them."

One of the Dhassi healed the two males and then approached Nix. "May I?" A male voice spoke quietly before his hands glowed over the Ain'Dhassi that Nix was holding.

Del was searching the room for gear and helping the other two youths equip themselves. "Why are you here Nix?"

Nix shrugged and continued to hold Cora. "Visiting." He was interested in hearing what the Ain'Dhassi healer would say.

A moment later the healer swore softly. "Spirit break Del."

Del stared at the healer for a moment before approaching Cora. "I'm sorry Cora, a Spirit break means there are only two paths for you. I leave the choice in your hands." The Ain'Dhassi's voice was low and wavered slightly with emotion.

Cora shook her head weakly. "I will not become a fosterling."

Del lay a hand on Nix's arm. "I will take her Nix."

"What is fosterling?" Nix hadn't heard the term in Oasis, but Cora hadn't even considered it.

"It means she would swear fealty to Morana and become one of her blood acolytes." Del pulled her mask down since everyone present already knew who she was.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Morana is most certainly a vampire Nix.

"We have a healer that can heal the spirit, but she would need to come with us for a while." Nix had already decided, he would do what was necessary." He brought up the guild menu and created special access for Cora in Haven.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Opinions?

/Alpha Team: Semmi: It's dangerous Nix. Do we want to let the Ain'Dhassi know about Haven?

/Alpha Team: Pon: We can gate directly and then have Nix take her to Phai City when she's healed. I think the risk is acceptable.

/Alpha Team: Wind: She won't know Haven is anchored to our Parliament Guild Office. Let's take her.

/Alpha Team: Fajii: Restrict her Gate access once we get inside. I think we should take her in.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Sheesh... I was only mentioning the dangers. I'm not against it either.

Eron sat quietly on Nix's shoulder, his dark eyes staring into Del Tali's face. "I can mend her, it will take a few days. I must start soon or the breaking will become permanent."

Del looked from the fox back to Nix and then to her Healer. "Spirit healing?"

The masked healer was looking carefully at Eron. "He's definitely a spiritual creature, I've no way of knowing what his capabilities are."

Eron seemed content to let them stare, his black tail swishing from side to side.

Del bowed low toward Nix and Eron. "I leave my apprentice in your capable hands."

/Alpha Team: Nix: Fajii, take her directly to my ranch in Haven.

Nix handed Fajii Deep Blue and then waited while She left with Eron and the Ain'Dhassi girl.

Nix glanced at the Ain'Dhassi team that looked like they were getting ready to leave. "The guards on the second floor?'

Del slipped her mask back on. "Dead. Please keep me updated on Cora's condition. I'll leave you to... whatever you were doing."

Nix nodded and waited until they exited the room.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Back to the vault, no need to be quiet now, take everything.

Ten minutes later Alpha Team had finished looting the vault and were ready to leave.

/Alpha Team: Pon: Damn... lots of skill scrolls.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: We've taken most of the valuables Nix, we can't carry anymore.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Stealth and head back the way we came. I'm going to look around for a bit.

Nix walked through the vault, all of Inferno could have shown up and they still wouldn't have been able to take it all. Saigon was a rich bastard.

[Whisper: Nix to Raine] Are you safe?

[Whisper: Raine to Nix] Yes... I should have listened to you. I've lost so many clansmen, but in the end, nothing was resolved. We are both weaker because of it.

[Whisper: Nix to Raine] Saigon still lives?

[Whisper: Raine to Saigon] Unfortunately, yes.

[Whisper: Nix to Raine] Is there any hidden treasures in Saigon's vault that you might know about?

[Whisper: Raine to Nix] You're in his vault? Leave now Nix! He's on his way back.

[Whisper: Nix to Raine] That's good. I'm actually waiting for him.

[Whisper: Raine to Nix] There are two things, one is the Clan tapestry that hangs on the wall. The other is my father's seal that he carries around his neck. If your there, take the tapestry and run now!

Nix found the tapestry that Raine had mentioned and then stealthed and took a seat in the middle of the floor.

**************

Ten minutes later Saigon and his followed arrived back at their compound. Voices and shouts of rage could be heard throughout the household. Nix only had to wait a moment before a handful of Fir'Dhassi charged into the vault.

Nix dropped stealth, the tapestry was slung over one shoulder. One hand glowed with emerald fire. "It never fails... There are always people like you." Nix spoke quietly, his flaming hand held precariously close to the tapestry.

Saigon was nothing like Nix had imagined, he was slight, even for a dhassi. "Put down the tapestry, and we can talk."

The Fir'Dhassi's voice was smooth and deep with a strong element of command mixed in. He walked over to an empty mannequin and took his armor off. "Your armor has a unique look. You are the armor master that makes it?"

Nix nodded. "Indeed."

Saigon hung his weapon next to the armored mannequin. and turned to face Nix. He wore tan-colored under armor. "I will give the human's unfettered access to Parliament in exchange for the armor and its secrets."

Nix stood up and spoke to the Siren who was watching silently from the corner. "How many in the house Ducky?'

Ducky glanced at the surprised Saigon, he hadn't even seen her standing there. "House full Nix."

"Thank you."

[Ducky has been unsummoned.]

Nix stashed the tapestry in his inventory. "I will tell you all my secrets."

Saigon raised a hand to stop him. "I require the tapestry also Nix."

Nix has activated his bloodline.

[Second Form: Salamander]

A massive explosion of green fire ripped through the compound, leveling everything in sight. Nix moved quickly before the blast could toss Saigon out of his reach. A handful of barbed emerald strands impaled him, anchoring him in place while the wave of power pushed outward in all directions.

[Burning Aura]

Nix saw a holo image on his hud. He imitated the motion and an instant later a thick strand of razor-sharp flames removed the Fir'Dhassi's head.

[You have learned Execution]

Nix released his flame strands and the FIr'Dhassi corpse dropped limply to the floor. He took a moment to check the body, Saigon carried a ring and a medallion that looked like it might be the seal that Raine had mentioned.

Unhurried, the emerald Salamander walked through the rubble and searched for the armored mannequin. After a few minutes, he found it and the sword several hundred feet away. Nix quickly dropped the Salamander form and stowed the items away before stealthing.

[Whisper: Nix to Raine] Meet me halfway, I'm tired.