The Hour of The Wolves

Chapter XVI (Liam)

As the evening and with that the start of the festival got closer the crowed on the streets started to grow. Liam knew he has to hurry because making an easy escape became harder and harder by each minute. The sun on the horizon painted the sky to the color of blood. He approached the Cathedral with caution. There were guards everywhere overseeing the final preparations of the festival and trying to regulate the crowd. It seemed like the whole city wanted to be there to see the opening ceremony where the bishop will make a sacrifice for Fenrisúlfr.

“Where could they store all those masks?” Liam thought. “It has to be close, so they can easily refresh he stocks. I need a better view ,can’t see a thing from the crowd.”

He looked up to the roofs and saw a guard there. If he could take him out unnoticed, he could take his place. There was a small alley between the two houses. Liam looked around and when he was sure no one followed him he entered the shadows between the two building. Now all he needed is something to get the guards attention and of course the knock him out fast. He looked around the street and saw a pile of rock used for road construction that would just do. He grabbed a few and threw on up onto the roof. It made a loud crack as it smashed one of the tiles and it cracked. He could hear the footsteps coming from the other side of the roof. Liam grabbed the gutter and pulled him up slightly to see. The guard was only five more steps from him. Looking around for the sound of the noise. Liam took another stone and throw it to side farther from the square. The sentry followed the sound with increasing annoyance.

“If I find the kid who is playing with me, I will make strips for my boot from his skin.” He cursed as he passed Liam. He was so focused on his plan for revenge he took little care for his surroundings. The young Fenris pulled himself up silently as the man passed and sneaked after him. He focused and turned his hands into wolf form to increase their strength. He stepped silently behind the guard and snapped his neck with a fast fluid jerk. He took the body and tossed down to the alley. He changed into the sentry’s cloths and hid the body under the rubble he took the stones from. Liam climbed back to the roof and took a look around as he could finally see the scene properly. The Cathedral square was full of stands and tents where people could buy some handmade products or food. There was a large tent near to the left end announcing whit gigantic letters.

“The masks for to festive events can be acquired here. Every citizen is obligated to take one or will be banned from the city for the time of the events.”

Before the tent there was a massive crowd gathering, waiting for the monks from the cathedral to start the handing out. There was a warehouse a bit down the street behind the tent. Temple servants were rushing back and forth between the two places with packed crates.

“That must be the place.” Liam thought and started to look for a stealthy way to get there. The crowd got to big, so trough the streets he could not go unnoticed. To go around would take up too much time. Fortunately, the sun was almost set, and it blinded most of the guards on the roofs, so they only looked down. The roofs were close enough to jump from on to the other. This way he might be able to cross the distance to the warehouse in stealth.

“Here we go again.” Liam murmured under his breath. “ I am about to do something so risky that I sure will be scolded if I can come out alive, but that’s the only way for now.”

He took a deep breath and jumped. He flew over the street and managed to arrive on the other roof with relative silence. After he made sure no one noticed him, he continued. Gradually Liam gain momentum and started to enjoy it. He got so caught upon in it he miscalculated the power necessary for the last jump and overdid it. As he arrived on the roof of the warehouse a tile slipped under from his leg and he tumbled. He slid down into an open window and fell. There were two church servants under the window taking a break and he would have fell on the heads if his luck weren’t that good for today. There was wire stretched out under him which he could grab and stop his fall. He took a relieved sight as he could saw the two men leaving. Liam slowly climbed down and look around. The room was full of crates filled with masks. They were indeed the same kind he saw in the valley two nights before.

“Oh, this is bad. If this madness going to spread about the people, it will be a bloodbath. “ He cursed under his nose. As he further inspected the scene, he understood that he was too late even as it is. At least half of the initial amount were gone already. He heard steps from the door, so he hid near the wall behind some crates. A group of servants entered chatting.

“I hope we can finish fast my wife is waiting for me the start the festival together.” Said one cheerfully.

“Stop bragging man. We know you are lucky enough to have a wife. The rest of us will have to celebrate in our small boy group.” Complained the other.

“Oh, how I wish I would have a woman too.” Sighed the third.

While they were talking Liam made his way around the warehouse silently. He put down small packs formed from the ores Durthan gave him and a rod of dynamite. There was a mechanical ignition on each of them, it was the invention of the old dwarf. Liam could time the explosives with that so they will blow up at the same time. He spread out the twelve bundle he brought with him evenly in the room then waited for the men to leave. The servants finished their talk meanwhile and each grabbed a crate. As their hand were full, they left the door slightly ajar. Liam sneaked to the door and peeked out. There was nobody nearby and the people a bit further were focusing on the podium in the middle the square because the bishop was about the start the opening ceremony.

“Well the old man will have a bit of firework to start his speech with. “ Smiled Liam as he made his way through the road the canal exit nearest him. He turned back when he was about to enter to see as the whole building was blown up into the air. Flaming bits fell on the houses nearby making the people on the street scream. Liam looked at them and felt sorry. He did not want to bring more woe to them, but harsh things need to be done to save them. He turned his back to the street and disappeared into the canals.