Go Time.

Layah.

I sleep for two hours exactly, after my shift on watch, before Jordan wakes me and we begin to go over the details of the plan once more. I’ve scoped the area before, exactly one month ago now I spent three weeks just watching and learning. Being able manipulate my size comes at a huge advantage for such things. I had learnt many years ago that I could shape shift in a sense. If I wanted to, I could grow my wings out in my current size or tuck them away unseen. I could also reduce my size to be as small as a butterfly, taking on the more stereotypical form of a fairy. I am also extremely fast at that size, making it easy as pie to zip in and around the dragon’s village and gain all the intel we needed to form a perfect plan.

“Okay so once more.” I say holding out the old map in front of us. “We enter through this cave, the tunnels from that should bring us directly under Damicus’ house. Mean while the rest of the group will create a diversion on this side of the village. They will light fires in these three locations, drawing any attention towards them. When we hear the signal, that’s when we pounce through the small hatch that leads into basement. Now remember I don’t know the inside layout, so we spread out and find his room as fast as possible. He has a wife and a son, if they become a problem, I will handle them while you keep your eye on the prize. You take the kill, we sneak back through the tunnels, using our signal for everyone else to retreat and we meet up in this location to regroup.”

“Piece of cake.” Jordan smiles at me.

“Lets hope so. Everyone should be prepared for the worst-case scenario, but we want as little casualties as possible.”

“Got it, slayer. Let’s wake the others and make sure they all know the plan.”

After a quick breakfast of rabbit and a run through of the plan with everyone, we’re ready to go. Jordan and I heading in one direction, while the rest head in the other. We’re using the trees as coverage, from being seen by the patrols that we’ve already scoped out so we should be fairly safe until we actually get onto the peak of the mountain. We’re all dressed in camo gear as usual, blending in with the foliage and we make sure that every step we take is calculated. No snapping of twigs or crunching of leaves. We’ve all learnt very quickly how important it is to be silent, stealthy, quick and deadly to survive. Jordan nudges my shoulder, pointing to the cave face that’s coming into view, and I nod as we proceed forward. That’s our ticket inside. The very first step into taking down Damicus. Once inside the cave we stop to listen for any sign of life and after finding none, I make a simple ball of light in my hand to guide us through. We go down a way, then left, then right, then a left again before we hit a step incline. I can only imagine this once secret entrance is supposed to be a failsafe for the council member to flee if needed but today, it’s the opposite. This won’t be a failsafe, and he won’t be fleeing. Once we’re standing under the large wooden hatch, I quickly check to make sure my weapons are all in their sheaths and easily accessible and I listen closely for any movement above. Dragons are naturally heavy, so their footsteps are well heard even by those without shifter enhanced hearing and right now, I can’t hear anything. Perfect.

The distinct sound of a magical bird whistle floats through the air in the distance and we know it’s go time. Jordan goes first, pushing open the hatch quietly from his spot on the ladder and I scramble up behind him as we come out into the darkness of the basement. We quietly make out way up a set of stairs that leads to a door and through to a kitchen. Everything still quiet as he signals one direction for himself and the other for me. With a dagger already in my hand I creep through a massive loungeroom, past the front door and up a set of stairs that reveal a hallway. I begin checking rooms quietly and find a library, a bathroom, an empty bedroom, and another, with just one more door at the end. I place my hand on the knob and let out a silent breath of air before I open it slowly.