//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 - No place like home // Story: The Silent Blade // by Rhodesm96 //------------------------------// Everfree We'd been walking through the forest without incident, somehow, ever since we'd left the ninjas about half an hour ago. All the walking was starting to wear the other three out, and it really showed. "Josh," Rob said. "Are we there yet?" "Does it look like we're there?" I said. "Of course we're not fucking there yet. It's not far though, chill out." "How much further is 'not far', though?" Dave said. "We'll be there in about... now." I span on my heel, facing my companions. "We're here." The others looked around. "I don't see anything." Said Ed. "Are you just pulling our legs?" "Of course you don't see it." I said. "Wouldn't be much of a hidden base if it wasn't hidden, would it?" I walked over to a seemingly random tree and plunged my hidden blade into it's trunk. The tree bleeped once, before an ethereal voice emanated from it. Authorisation recognised; Altair Ibn-La'Ahad It said, echoing in our minds. Suddenly, a rune circle appeared underneath my feet. "Everyone, get in the circle." I said. They complied, and I removed my blade from the tree trunk. The circle flashed, and we found ourselves in an underground cavern. "Gentlemen, welcome to my hideout." I said. "I'll give you the tour later, but for now I need to check that everything is okay." I left them in the entrance chamber and walked further into my cavernous lair. As I passed the pillars at the entrance, I heard voices from up ahead. "I'm telling you, the teleporter just activated. Somepony's down here." Said one of them. They sounded young, male. Trottingham, judging by the accent. "Don't be foolish." Replied another voice. "Nopony's been here in years. There's only the three of us down here, and that's all there'll ever be." This one sounded like an old man. As they passed the corner I was hiding behind, I crept behind them, bashing their heads together before pulling them both into a chokehold, the boy under my right arm and the old man under my left. "Stay still." I commanded them. "Do exactly as I say and I'l let you live. Resist, and I'll kill you both." The young boy quickly nodded. The old one, however, attempted to elbow me in the ribs. I grunted, more out of surprise than pain, and loosened my grip slightly. He tried to take this opportunity to wriggle free and run for it, but I threw the boy under his hooves as he got loose, tripping him up. I leapt onto his back. "I warned you." I whispered, before cutting his throat. I stood and walked back over to the boy. As I approached, he looked up at me and gasped. I raised my blade over his face, and he threw his hands up in front of it, in a pitiful attempt to shield himself. I stopped myself from stabbing him just in time, when I noticed something. "Show me your hand." I said. He raised his hand in front of his face, revealing his missing ring finger. I grinned. It seemed my order had survived all these years. I grasped his hand and lifted him to his hooves. "Well, this is a surprise." I said. "I hadn't expected you lot to still be around. I trust that you recognise me?" He nodded fervently. "Altair Ibn-La'Ahad, greatest assassin who ever lived. It's an honour." He said, bowing. "Yes, it is." I said. I heard footsteps from behind me and turned to face Ed, Dave, and Rob. "Hey guys, turns out my order is still around. At least one of them is, anyway." I turned back to the pony. "Anyway, give me the info. How many members do we have?" "Only three, counting you, now that you've killed him." He said, indicating the old man. I facepalmed. "Shouldn't have gotten my hopes up..." I said. "Well, anyway, show me where this third member is, uh... What's your name?" "Dodger." He said. "Artful Dodger." Of fucking course it is. I thought. At least now the accent makes sense. "Well, Dodger, get on with it." I said. We followed him through a series of tunnels, heading deeper into the hideout. Eventually, we came upon a huge door. Dodger knocked three times on it. "Enter." Came a deep, rumbling voice from beyond it. Dodger pushed the door open, with no small amount of effort, and led us inside. It was pitch black inside, and just as our eyes were adjusting a large gout of flame sprang up and spun around the edge of the chamber, lighting dozens of torches, and we were able to see who we were standing before. An enormous white dragon stood before us. Drawing himself up to his full height, he growled menacingly. Ed whipped out his guns, while Dave and Rob backed off slowly. "So, Dodger, what is it this time?" He said in a voice that sounded like thunder. "And who are they, that you have brought into my sanctum?" "Ah, shut up." I said. He brought his head down to me. "Who dares speak to me as such?" He said, blowing a puff of smoke over me. I reached up and took my hood off of my head. "Why, don't tell me you've forgotten me so soon." I said, looking into one of his gigantic eyes. It took a moment, but eventually a spark of recognition flashed in his eyes. "...Master?"