Kapitel 5: Amateurs

It was rare enough to find a half-orc thief, but Tyro was some sort of exception. Most half-orcs inherited a simple, impulsive nature from their orc ancestors. Raw physical power was what these half-breeds were suited for: warriors, perhaps a few paladins. Stealth and patience? Almost unheard of.

Tyro, however, broke the mould. He was calculating, patient, and crafty-which, to a certain extent, made him more fox than orc.

His slyness proved very useful to him over the years, and his knack for being perpetually one step ahead earned him a rather rare spot as a trusted associate of Caius. And with cunning came caution also; no matter the ambitions he might have held deep within, Tyro was often wary and hesitant when it came to direct confrontation.

From the second floor on a platform overlooking the warehouse, Tyro had seen everything that had led up to Adrian's entrance and his lightning-fast takedown of Brandon. For all his ruthless reputation though, Tyro couldn't help but get a chill watching Adrian's brutal efficiency.

He had known Adrian to be one of the most powerful fighters in the mercenary corps, perhaps in all of Revernus Town. But he had never seen Adrian harness his strength as he had there.

That display brought Tyro to his senses. For a moment, he wondered if choosing to support Caius over Adrian was not the right decision after all. But a memory flashed in his mind: the promise by Caius - wealth, power, rank. All that was required for him to keep his resolve steady was that reminder: the rewards Adrian would never give which Caius promised him.

He stepped out of the shadows, took a deep breath, and called down. "Brother Adrian, too long it has been!" He spoke in a light, friendly tone. Tyro's half-orc features were sharp, and his attempt at a smile was as practised as it was forced.

Adrian could see right through him. He didn't need sharp senses to look through the friendly mask. "Enough," he said bluntly, his voice low and menacing. "Cut the small talk, Tyro. I will ask once— where is Kuro?"

Pretending to be amazed, Tyro flung out his arms. "Kuro? Brother, he's not here. I'm just following orders, checking up on the regiment's supplies."

"Cut the act," snapped Adrian, taking a step forward. His tall figure seemed to cast an elongated shadow over Tyro. "This warehouse is mine. Goods inside are mine. Kuro was entrusted with protecting them for me. And you come in here, steal my stuff and lock my men. Do you think you have the right to do this simply because you're hiding behind Caius?"

Tyro winced but continued, "Brother Adrian, you are mistaken," he said politely. "I am merely doing as is demanded of me. Caius had me check the inventory from your last raiding—

"Fox ass, shut up!" Adrian cut him short, voice filled with barely restrained anger. "WHY do I have to ask again and again, where is Kuro?"

Tyro's practised smile quivered. He knew he had no choice but to submit. "Okay," he said, glancing aside. "Kuro is in the back storage room."

He turned and walked down the aisle of the warehouse to the rear. Tyro's men shifted uncomfortably before him, but no one could meet his gaze. The angry glance Adrian shot them sent them scurrying from his path.

Tyro watched over Adrian's back, grinding his jaws hard with resentment. He was making a small gesture toward the shadows and moving some of the people into the darkness where their forms became one.

Adrian stepped deeper into the warehouse. Tyro observed closely, hoping that the ambush would occur. He brought with him four of his finest assassins—thieves trained for stealth and surprise attack. Knife-wielding men who used to strike from blind spots, they could prove murderous if presented with the right circumstances. Posted around Adrian, they crept forward hesitantly, steeling themselves for an orchestrated attack.

Just in time, Adrian's stance shifted to include the assassins who had stepped forward. In a reaction almost otherworldly, he dodged to the side, sidestepping back from their blades with very unexpected agility.

He'd drawn his sword, and struck out in one motion catching one of them off guard. The assassin stumbled backward, wounded before he had even the slightest chance to react. Down to three.

The other three realised that their initial attack had failed and rallied in closer to overwhelm Adrian with a direct assault. Tyro sat at his platform frozen in disbelief. He hadn't thought that anyone, least of all Adrian, would sense the ambush in time.

Adrian was not fazed by the serious expression he was meeting because he dodged another sword strike and rushed forward with high speed, and a second assassin fell backward clutching his wound as blood splashed around him.

The other two thieves made their move to close in. Adrian sidestepped one, with a fluid and sharp movement. The other blade almost slashed but Adrian's hand shot out to ensnare the thief's wrist with an iron grip. Turning his body, he disarmed the assassin, his own dagger clattering to the ground. In the same motion, Adrian finished the attack, leaving the stunned thief where he lay.

Only seconds had passed. It was all over. The battle was over. Adrian stood calmly between the bodies of his attackers, deep breaths, face untouched by the chaos. He turned around, looked up at Tyro, his eyes narrowed, unforgiving.

"A bunch of amateurs," he muttered, shaking his head.

Tyro's bravado was broken. He had counted on his trained ambushers to overwhelm Adrian but instead they were immobile and he helplessly watched Adrian slowly, carefully make his way back towards him. Each step made Tyro realise the weight of those choices he had made.

Adrian said not another word to the ambushers. He turned away while Tyro looked over at him from above, then walked deeper into the warehouse towards the room where supposedly Kuro was held. The few mercenaries left nearby gazed over at him and then immediately averted their gazes unwilling to meet him now after what they'd just seen.

Behind him, Tyro gritted his teeth, resentment apparent in his eyes as he watched Adrian's back disappear deeper into the warehouse. His gaze flickered to the remaining men who seemed to hesitate, unnerved by Adrian's power and unshakeable confidence. There was no looking back for Adrian.

He said his piece, and he knew Tyro heard him. He stood up straight, continued walking with purpose, steeled himself for what may lie ahead and with intent to recover his men and settle the score.

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