Chapter F IV E: Desiree

Rhen smiles and pats her horse on the neck, signaling it's time to saddle up and ride. She and Zin are saddled up, leaving Myra's and heading to the dreaded Desiree projects to face the Rusian Death Priests, hoping to save Mr. Toms's wife, Levee. In addition to the problem of safely entering the complex, they also have the issue of the evil Magic the Priests of the Russian death priests use, which is highly deadly. Thankfully Rhen grabbed two totems that made them immune to Magic for four hours. This would prevent them from suffering from any spells the Death priests cast. She had a feeling this was going to be a nasty encounter. It was the entry to the Desiree projects she was primarily concerned with. To further elaborate, even though the Department of Magical Use occasionally enters the Desiree projects, they

never return. They only hoped to find Levee quickly and escape with minimal to no contact with the Russian death priests. This proved more difficult than initially anticipated as Mr. Tom didn't know which building she was being held in, only that the address given was somewhere in the War District. But with Myra's Magic, they could determine the exact building where she was being held. With the street map, their last task was to formulate a plan of attack. As they got closer to the projects, Rhen and Zin started to develop a plan of attack. Rhen had always been the most strategic thinker between the two of them during times of battle. So she devised a program where they would cause a distraction; she thought a small bomb would do nicely. This would direct the priests' attention away from the building and Levee briefly and have them investigate the incident. When the plan failed, it would, of course, so they created a second plan of attack where Rhen would use her knowledge of the projects to get her and Zin inside unnoticed. This was a risky plan, but they had no other choice. Rhen and Zin arrived at old housing projects at night, with the least security. Rhen knew the back paths and sewers from her experience of living on the streets when she first arrived in the city and hadn't established a job and home yet. This would be the second plan of entry and exit as well. No one but the street kids used the sewers, and Rhen was still friends with all of them. One of the benefits of being a bounty hunter is that you are not easily frustrated and can take your time in order.

"Are you sure this will work, Rhen?" Zin asked as if almost scared. "Do I detect fear in the great Zin's voice? Should I check your undies? Are you telling me that you're afraid to go to that place? You don't trust me?" Asked Rhen. "I trust you, Rhen. It's the damn Russian Priests. They pray to the god of Death and war. They have nasty death magic," exclaims Zin. "Oh Hon, ain't nothing you have to worry on. Don't worry about the Russian Priests; I know something about muting their Magic. Here, I brought two totems for us to wear, which will make their Magic null against us; this one is for you and will work for four hours. They won't be able to do anything unless they physically attack us. I had a hunch this was a big case from the start, so I b, brought them before we left for Myra's." Explains Rhen. "If you say so, girl. ." Says Zin as they venture closer and closer to the project further. I was further turned still.

The wind appeared to have stopped altogether, and the cold night became apparent as the chill hit their ears and hands. The castle of darkness seemed to stretch out before them, making it impossible to tell what was in the shadows and what was alive. More obvious security than before noticed them as they ventured closer.

They recognized Rhen but could not yet decipher her deeds or purposes. This was a standard security check, but Rhen conveyed a threat with a simple gaze, almost like a warning not to move a muscle. The priests were spotted in the same building Las was supposed to be in. Rhen and Zin approach slowly but stealthily, careful not to alert the Priests too soon.

"We need to stick to the shadows to set off the bomb. That should draw everyone's attention and may give us a chance to grab Levee and jet out of here unnoticed, but I fear this isn't work, and we will have to go with my plan B, which is the sewer entrance. "Explained Rhen. "I've been here more times than I can count. I know where the entrance to the sewer is located; I can take you there." Rhen looks at Zin and smirks, "That's a brilliant plan, right partner? Let's go." Rhen Zin swiftly makes their way toward the building in the darkness to set off their first plan, the distraction bomb. Rhen had a magically-infused brick C4 sure t,o make a loud commotion commotional for everyone for about three miles. There was a situation here in the area.

They did their best to stick to the shadows, go unnoticed, and get as close as possible. They were close enough to see in through the windows and could see Levee. She had three guards, which wasn't bad odds, but there were two guards in the hall and two more outside for yards or Death priests. That could prove to be one too many. Rhen secured the C4 to a piece metal pole and added the ignition switch. The bomb was ready. She gave Zin the thumbs up and slowly backed away. They retreated to a safe distance, the sewer entrance using this as cover. At the same time, they implemented the distraction plan and snuck in through the sewer. Rhen notices a few street kids watching them as they prepare to enter the sewers, and she gives them a silent nod of thanks.

She looks at Zin and says, "Are you ready, bud? Better cover your ears. This gonna be hella loud!" she presses the ignition switch, and BOOM! A loud explosion sounds, and they quickly enter the sewer. Zin and Rhen then make their way through the sewers, slowly and carefully, to avoid anything or anyone waiting to surprise them. After an arduous journey, the two make it to the other end of the sewers, where they emerge unseen and unheard by anyone. Now the real job begins. Rhen and Zin make their way through the building to the part where Levee is being held. They've circumvented the two guards outside, so they only have the five guards inside to deal with now. They come to a door that is locked. Quickly and silently, Rhen picks the lock, and they enter the room, where they finally find Levee. They have somehow circumvented the two guards in the hall. The three guards in that room are gone. That explosion must have worked better than she thought. Levee sat bound and gagged and just stared wide-eyed at them. Without a word, they untied her quickly. They took her to the sewer, where Rhen had left an extra horse in case of emergencies, and from there, they explained that Mr. Tom had come to them for help to rescue her. She smiles, nods, and gets, is on her horse. As they ride away, Lavee turns to Rhen and Zin We and says, "I can never thank you enough for rescuing me. You saved my life and showed me that no matter how hard life can get, there is always hope and that you can conquer anything if you fight for it. "Well, Ms. Levee, I'm just,t thankful there were none of those nasty priests we ran into. We got miserable means fortunate. There's still more to investigate, and I'm afraid you and Mr. Tom aren't safe yet. We still have no idea why they wanted Mr. Tom to kill that young man at the Magic Academy.