Our Family Has Fallen

”If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t be saving you now. There’s only one way left—I’m taking you to Hamlet.”

Laura was no saint; if she wanted to defect, she needed to bring a gift. Right now, she had nothing, but this woman was definitely a valuable commodity. Even I find this woman beautiful and alluring, Laura thought. The Noble Lords will like this gift. Of course, there’s another reason: to use her as a decoy in uncontrollable situations. All I need is a slight delay.

”Hamlet… What place is that?” The woman was somewhat hesitant upon hearing this, as if she had never heard of it.

”A place safe enough unless you want to get caught. This is your best opportunity,” Laura replied.

Laura didn’t explain further. She was quick to act, immediately rummaging through her belongings. Taking someone like this woman required preparation. Soon, a green robe similar to Laura’s was wrapped around the woman. Her white skirt had been discarded, and she now wore Laura’s clothes underneath, with a bird-headed mask concealing her face.

Laura, being part of the Eagle Flock, naturally had these things in reserve. The two women had very different figures. Laura was lean, while the other woman was curvaceous, making the costume a bit ’tight.’ But at a time like this, once the hood was pulled over and the green robe wrapped around, nothing could be seen.

Laura also donned her iron armor and gathered all her belongings, packing them into a bundle tied at her waist. A tightened leather bag held the rations for her Hawk—Rats.

”Follow me in a moment, walk naturally, and don’t speak if any issues arise,” she instructed, handing over a Short Sword she had found. ”If someone approaches, rest your hand naturally on the hilt, but don’t draw your sword rashly.”

The woman had no objections and nodded in agreement.

Laura then opened the window and extended her left arm outside. Pressing fingers to her lips, she let out a sharp whistle: FWEEET!

In just two or three seconds, a figure emerged from the darkness and landed on her arm—it was her partner. It had lost quite a few feathers in a previous struggle, but after some rest these past few days, it looked a little better.

”Come in,” Laura said, uncharacteristically gentle, opening her cloak to reveal a cloth bag designed to hold the Hawk.

The woman by her side looked on curiously as the Hawk actually hopped into the bag as instructed—their interaction was very natural.

”Let’s go.” But as soon as the Hawk was bagged, Laura reverted to her indifferent demeanor, signaling with a call and pushing the door open to leave.

Laura had been prepared for trouble, but miraculously, they walked out of the garrison unchallenged. The first hurdle was passed. The second would be the city gate, but fortunately, the city defense force wouldn’t dare provoke the Eagle Flock.

The two moved swiftly through the streets. In this era, most towns imposed a curfew. The reason was simple: maintaining law and order at night was too costly. Of course, curfews were mostly nominal. The upper class enjoyed a rich nightlife, and commoners, even without curfews, couldn’t afford to indulge.

There were also many who didn’t comply with the curfew: taverns buzzed all night, brothels only opened after nightfall, and gambling dens operated around the clock. Gangs or, to be precise, territories of various factions also didn’t adhere to the curfew. These industries were backed by influential figures who maintained order themselves, and their areas were often safer than most. After all, gangs meant business when they threatened to cut off hands. No one would pity those who trespassed into the Eagle Flock’s territory and got shot down. The sheriffs’ patrols were virtually ineffective, more a formality than a deterrent.

Bastia was known as a formidable territory on the rise, yet its administration was a mess. Although Laura looked down on those sheriffs, she wasn’t looking to stir up trouble, especially with someone in tow. Therefore, she chose less-traveled paths to avoid potential problems.

KREEE!

Suddenly, a cry resounded in the night sky. Laura paused, tilting her head to listen, as if trying to discern something from it. Ordinary people might not be able to distinguish the sounds of different bird species, but Laura, born into the Eagle Flock, had been around birds since childhood. To put it bluntly, she spent more time with birds than with her own parents.

That’s a Night Hawk... and not a wild one, but one trained by the Eagle Flock. There are more than one or two; they’re relaying messages. Are they hunting something?

Laura quickly made a judgment: a part of the Eagle Flock trained Night Hawks, which were active at night.

No wonder no one bothered me when I left the encampment earlier, Laura realized. Something must have happened.

Laura was an elite, after all. The dark gaze beneath her hood swept over the surroundings, and she noticed something amiss.

Why are the Night Owl sounds getting closer? Could the leader have let me leave on purpose, only to deal with me here?

The woman saw Laura suddenly stop. What’s going on? she wondered, confused but daring not to speak, anxiety churning within her.

Laura refocused her gaze. ”Quickly,” she whispered, then hastened her pace.

However, after only a few steps, someone darted out from a nearby alley. In the sudden panic, both parties spotted each other and froze.

Laura couldn’t help but pause, almost immediately understanding why so many from the Eagle Flock were deployed and what they were looking for.

It was Margaret, whom she had briefly encountered at the previous celebration. When looking for a task earlier, she had heard that Baron Lawrence’s daughter was missing, and the bounty was quite high.

If I turn Margaret in now and kill that other woman... or maybe... Laura mused.

KREEE! Just at that moment, another chilling screech from a Night Hawk pierced the air.

”Follow me!” Laura snapped, listening to the approaching sounds. Without hesitation, she turned and ran.

The woman naturally followed. Margaret, on the other side, was also stunned. Isn’t that an Eagle Flock uniform? But why...?

The pursuers were right on their heels. At this point, she had no other choice but to grit her teeth and keep up.

Laura was made for this kind of chase; she could run for thousands of miles without fear. Her own legs had carried her all the way from Hamlet back to Bastia. But Margaret had already been chased for some time, and her stamina was severely depleted. The other woman, who had recently suffered a head injury, was struggling just to keep up.

Laura noticed their condition. Continuing to run will just slow me down, she thought.

Her gaze swept the surroundings. For a member of the Eagle Flock, constant environmental observation was a required skill. She quickly found an unlit house nearby. The lock on its door yielded easily to her touch, as if it weren’t there at all. Turning back, she added in a low voice, ”You two hide inside and don’t make a sound. As long as you don’t move, they won’t see you. Don’t come out until I return.”

The woman did as told. She really couldn’t run anymore and entered without hesitation.

Margaret, watching these two odd members of the Eagle Flock, was also very puzzled. But having come this far, she had no other choice but to follow them in.

Laura quickly relocked the door and then plunged into the street. Her rapidly moving figure stirred her green robe, making it billow like wings. More remarkably, the billowing green robe seemed to muffle the sound of her passage through the air. Even her footsteps were silent, her strides so light it was as if she were flying.

Indeed, these Barbarian Tribes possessed unique skills, essential for their survival in the rugged Mountains.

SKREEECH!

Not long after Laura left, a Night Owl landed on the edge of the house, its pupils shining in the night like tiny orange-yellow orbs, nothing escaping its vision.

A moment later, a masked member of the Eagle Flock emerged, scanning the surroundings. Though their face was hidden, a strong sense of confusion was palpable.

This isn’t right... the Eagle Flock member thought, puzzled. We’d almost caught them. How did they suddenly disappear?

But the Night Hawk seemed to spot something. It screeched, took flight, and the Eagle Flock member quickly followed.