River climbed down the vines moving silently until she was close enough to jump. Landing in a crouch, she waited to see if she could hear anyone close. She could vaguely hear men moving off to her left but they were far enough away she could make it to the House without being seen. Running swiftly, she leaped up onto the railing surrounding the front entrance. She had a feeling she knew where they were heading. During her early days of exploring she had discovered a passageway under the training room. The door had been locked but it had not been a problem for her to pick and she had discovered it lead to a cave inside the mountain before coming out onto a rocky ledge and a waterfall under the House of Kassis. It probably acted as a service tunnel for the water system. She had followed it and noticed a slippery path leading to the bottom. She had not ventured down it for fear of falling without some time of support to hold onto. Obliviously this was not going to be a deterrent for Tai Tek.
Reaching up, River climbed over the railing and ran to the open door. Pausing before entering, she waited a moment before doing a roll into the entranceway. All members of the House had been asked to remain in their living areas for the evening to protect them. Anyone out would be considered hostile. River came up beside a large plant near the door and took cover looking around carefully. She could see a faint trail of blood leading through the foyer towards the stairs leading down to the training room. She smiled grimly. Tai Tek was on her home turf now. Just as she was about to move she heard footsteps running up the steps outside and four of Tai Tek’s men ran in. Moving towards the stairs without looking, River could see the panic on their faces as they looked wildly around as they ran.
“This was a suicide mission. No female is worth this!” One of the men growled as he ran. “Tai Tek was a fool to think he could defeat the House of Kassis. We are all dead men.”
“Shut up. We have to get through the tunnel and down the mountain to the shuttle before he leaves us.” Another man growled.
River grinned. Yes, they were dead men if they got in her way. She would never have thought of herself as a blood-thirsty person but these men had meant to kill her family. She could never let that happen. River followed them quietly stopping as she watched them turn around trying to find their way in the maze of passages. They glanced at the floor trying to follow the specs of blood Tai Tek had left. She was about to just kill them when an older man stepped out holding a laser pistol.
“Gentlemen, you are under arrest for your unauthorized entrance into the House of Kassis. Please drop your weapons or I will be force eliminate you.” Je’zi, the elderly man who had greeted them the first day, was standing dressed in his uniform holding a laser pistol.
River almost groaned. He looked like he was a hundred years old and the pistol shook in his withered hand. The four large guards would have laughed if they hadn’t been so desperate to escape.
“Move aside old man.” One of the men growled pulling a large sword out.
“I’m afraid it is my duty…” Je’zi started to say.
The largest warrior growled and charged Je’zi. Je’zi fell as he moved backwards falling into the room and slamming the door. The laser hit the huge warrior in the shoulder knocking him back a step. The warrior shook for a minute before transferring the sword to his other hand.
“Stop!” River called out moving to stand behind the four men. She had four knives in her hand.
The men turned as one to look at River. “Please stand down. If you surrender and swear allegiance to the House of Kassis you have a chance to live. If not, you die now.”
The men stared at the beautiful warrior woman standing in front of them. They had never seen anything like her before. She seemed to glow as she stood before them. Her hair hung down around her in waves and her skirt and top clung to her showcasing her willowy figure. Their eyes widened when they saw the knives she held in her hands.
“I will kill you before you even know you are dead. It is your choice.” River said softly. “Tai Tek left you to die. You have no loyalty to him.”
The largest warrior snarled taking a step forward, “He promised us the females. I claim you!” He took two steps towards River before freezing, a surprised look on his face. Grabbing at his neck he felt the two knives embedded in it. River had already pulled two more knives to replace them.
“Does anyone else want to die?” River said coldly looking as the huge warrior collapsed on the floor in front of the others.
The three warriors looked at their dead companion and quickly dropped their weapons. Bending down on one knee, all three bowed their heads, “We pledge our allegiance to you, My Lady.”