#dlchronicles

‘Estimation?’

Auden thought for a moment; ‘At least fourteen parties of twenty armed individuals, Maybe two or three parties more in total.’ He finally said. Then he frowned; ‘Didn’t you notice?’

The Colonel looked at Auden’s feet.

Auden’s eyes narrowed.

‘I was otherwise occupied.’ Reginald finally said, his mind flickering briefly to a memory.

You mean you heard Sutherland’s screams. ‘It did happen quickly.’ Auden said magnanimously, ‘One of the reasons their raid succeeded.’

‘And they attacked from several angles simultaneously.’ Reginald mused.

‘Very Waterloo.’ Auden agreed, ‘And highly effective, unfortunately.’

‘Once we take back the mansion we should remedy that.’

Auden frowned. ‘How would you bar against that?’ He wondered, ‘Outside of relocating to a lonely mountain or so?’

Reginald’s gaze rose to the ceiling in contemplation. ‘First of all; sub-terrain metal-detection units set unobtrusively in a half a mile parameter around the complex.’

Auden grinned, ‘What, no laser-grid?’

The Colonel shot him a look, ‘Too random a system, we don’t want regular fauna tripping the alarm.’

‘As if any wild fauna willingly gets within any distance of Nemesis and me.’ Auden chuckled.

‘Regardless,’ Reginald sighed, ‘Lasers will only be put on as decoys.’

‘Aye, sir.’ Auden said with a mock salute.

Reginald rolled his eyes.

Success, Auden though jubilantly.

Knock, knock.

Both men looked towards the door.

‘Enter.’ The Colonel said.

Sutherland opened the door. ‘I collected some supplies.’ He said, ‘And Ms. Nemesis was prowling the hall-’

As he spoke Nemesis shot by him, jumped and landed on the foot of the bed, eyes fixed on the Colonel. ‘Are you back? Back to stay?’ She asked.

Reginald’s eyes narrowed at the uncharacteristic softness of her voice. ‘I am.’ He replied.

She nodded as she settled down on the bed, hugging her knees against her chest. ‘Don’t go for so long again.’ She said, voice slightly scolding, ‘Suthers and Auden were really miffed.’

The Colonel held her gaze. Then he nodded once without breaking eye contact. ‘I shall endeavor to return earlier next time.’

Nemesis’s face brightened.

‘You do know that now we’ve got a free pass to shake you silly when you’re out of it.’ Auden added.

Reginald looked at him and shrugged, ‘I shall just have to avoid going anywhere.’ He said, ‘After all, there is too much work to be done in this world. ’

Nemesis giggled. Then she leapt forward and gave him a hug.

As the Colonel tolerated the added pressure around his torso, arms gingerly on the defensive incase she needed to be bodily moved, he spotted Sutherland who hadn’t moved from the door opening.

‘Sutherland?’ Auden asked on following the Colonel’s gaze

Before Reginald could verbally voice his rising irritation at the digression, he continued.

'I think.... Had Sutherland just been by to bring my morning newspaper? Either that or he it had left for a while, Schopenhauer was engrossing me something fierce. I think that's when I heard the first signs of what was to come. Nothing major, but a small... ticking sound?’ Auden frowned, ‘It was a repetitive short sound that wasn't any clock we had in the house. I still am unsure what it was exactly, but it was innocuous sounding. Therefore it didn't alarm me at the time. I assumed it was part of a game Nemesis was playing or so.'

The Colonel nodded.

'But then I heard the what would be the first bomb-blast on the other side of the manor.’ Auden shrugged, ‘Nemesis has blown up things before, so that again didn't alarm me as much as it should have. I set my book down, and my drink, and began to search for the blast site.' He stopped for a moment. 'I saw you in the door opening of your parlor, didn't I? I nodded to you as I passed.'

The Colonel nodded again.

'Well, like I said I wasn't alarmed in the slightest, despite hearing something moving around in glass and debris further down the hall. That is, until I came across Nemesis.’ His face darkened for a moment, ‘As I passed she emerged from the war room with Little Cuca in her arms, asking what just went boom.'

Reginald's lips tightened.

‘Indeed.’ Reginald said after finishing his drink, ‘I hope you have rested sufficiently.’

‘Yes, I have.’ Auden said as he walked in and sat on the only chair by the bed.

‘That is fortunate as I wish to initiate planning the counterstrike.’

Sutherland frowned slightly, ‘But, sir, you are still healing.’

Reginald tensed and then looked at him out of the corner of his eye, ‘I am sound of mind, if not of body.’ He said, ‘I can plan from this bed is necessary, Sutherland, so if you would gather papers, pens and other such materials we will need…’ His voice trailed off meaningfully. Abscond, Edwin.

Sutherland’s eyes lowered sharply and he nodded infinitesimally.

Trouble in paradise? Auden thought mordantly as Sutherland left the room. He lifted a brow at the man in the bed.

Reginald copied his expression, ‘Yes, Auden?’

‘What?’ Auden asked innocently.

The Colonel’s brows rose.

Auden quirked a smile. ‘Nothing.’ He said sweetly. Nothing you are admitting to yourself at the moment.

The Colonel’s eyes narrowed. Silence.

Blocking me again, Reg… To your own peril. The vampire’s smirk grew. ‘You know, Reggie, with the bed-head and the blankets up to your chin; that glare really loses its sting.’

The eyes narrowed slightly more. Auden…

The vampire’s tone became playful, ‘You’re almost… adorable like this. Like… like a little, angry puppy.’

The eyes narrowed even further.

The vampire tilted his head, narrowing his eyes and pursing his lips in speculation. ‘Nope, still an angry puppy.’

The grey eyes closed with an aspirated sigh. ‘I see this past week hasn’t dampened your sardonic wit.’ I was looking forward to the reprieve of it.

Auden grinned. ‘No chance, bro.’

‘Bro?’ Reginald repeated deadpan, ‘I see my presence is sorely needed to uphold our venture’s professional standing.’

‘Who else keep our hindquarters whipped in line towards the greater chaos?’ Auden sighed melodramatically.

‘Yes.’ Reginald said, ‘Despite Nemesis’s capabilities with the lash; she is no commander.’

Auden frowned in confusion and looked at the Colonel, noticing a small glimmer in his eye. Excellent. If he’s making wisecracks, he’ll be fine. Auden chuckled, ‘I don’t know, Reg; she had started picking up her dolls after playtime these past years.’

‘True.’ Reginald replied, ‘She might make Lieutenant yet.’

Auden chuckled louder. ‘It’s good to have you back, my friend.’ He said quietly.

Grey eyes met gold eyes. Reginald nodded once. ‘Down to business.’ He then said.

‘Yes, let’s get started.’ Auden agreed lightly.

‘First we must synchronize our knowledge of the assault.’ The Colonel said, ‘Please.’ He added with a gesture.

Auden clapped his hands once, ‘The night began as most others.’ He said dramatically.

Reginald rolled his eyes.

‘How long,’ He stopped speaking to clear his throat and take another drink, ‘How long have I been… unresponsive?’

‘Eight days, five hours and a handful of minutes.’ Sutherland said softly.

The Colonel blinked, ‘Unacceptable.’ He said, voice edging on bitter.

Sutherland stepped forward, his voice soothing; ‘The events that occurred-’

‘Are no excuse.’ Reginald said sharply, voice clearing up. ‘I should have been aware and sane a week ago. This is unacceptable.’

‘Sir, you were nearly ripped apart!’ Sutherland’s voiced nearly raised an octave, then he collected himself, ‘You are still recuperating. There is no shame in healing.’

Reginald blinked silently again, eyes pensive. ‘My memories are quite vague.’ Reginald said slowly, ‘I recall the siren alerting us the security breach. I also recall sudden loud explosions, fire and many… soldiers?’

‘They did seem military-grade.’ Sutherland agreed softly, his face paling slightly.

‘The grids and defensive shielding were not responding.’ He enumerated, eyes on the faraway wall as he forced memories to surface, ‘The weapons’ room was the first target of the assault. I remember hearing indications that the Pack was attacking…’

‘None survived.’ Sutherland confirmed.

Reginald closed his eyes for a moment. ‘And I recall crashing and shouting…’ He looked at Sutherland.

Sutherland looked at his feet.

‘How were we harmed during the attack?’ Reginald asked, his rough voice deceptively calm.

‘The house was damaged, but I believe it is still standing. We all sustain varying degrees of injury.’ Sutherland reported looking at the other’s shoulder, ‘You were by far the worst casualty.’

‘Details if you please, Sutherland.’

‘Auden had scrapes from fighting mainly. He was fully healed within a day. Nemesis was similarly scraped. Additionally her hair became tangled with the nets and ropes they used, to a degree that Auden ordered it to be cut. Otherwise she too was unharmed.’

Reginald looked at Sutherland sternly, ‘And what of your injuries?’

‘Minimal, sir.’ Sutherland dismissed.

‘You were never part of martial forces, Sutherland.’ Reginald said, ‘And despite my experiences; I was overwhelmed.’

Sutherland’s eyes shut sharply.

‘I am aware of your skills of evasion, but even those skills have their limits. And I have memories of screaming.’ Reginald said gently, although his eyes narrowed, ‘Visions of you being held down, surrounded by half a dozen soldiers…’

Sutherland fidgeted, eyes still closed.

‘Details.’ Reginald demanded quietly.

‘You prevented any real damage from occurring.’ Sutherland said quietly. ‘I was… anxious, very anxious, that they would do… harm as they threatened to. But I was only punched and kicked several times. Before they could realize their bigger threats, you appeared.’

Reginald’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

‘I am sorry you needed to come to my aid,’ Sutherland whispered, ‘and that they fulfilled some of their threats they made to me on you. It may be your responsibility to keep me unharmed but-’

‘But, nothing.’ Reginald said firmly, finishing the glass of water, ‘Now I wish you to find Auden and bring me another drink.’

Auden swallowed with difficulty.

What would I do? … wow. I’m just as poorly connected as Nemmie…

 I had a family once. A happy one. Till they were butchered like cattle…

 I had a love once. A true one. Till she was slain, together with our unborn child…

 I had a plan of vengeance once. An honorable one. Till it ended my life as I then knew it…

 I had a place of importance once. A good one. Till I disappointed him because of who I am….

 I had a life once. A fulfilling one. Till the people I depended one crumbled-

 He shook his head.

He has to get through this, for all our sakes.

The sky in the meantime had become a near featureless black. In the distance he could see patches of sickening yellow light polluting the sky.

He’ll come around, he insisted internally, someday.

 A door creaked. Auden turned towards the house and listened as Sutherland walked through the corridors carefully.

The man knocked on Reginald’s door and gently opened it.