A Dangerous Game (Combined) Part 3

Note:

Fixer:
Here is your doctor named Lance Kildare. He is joined by accident by his father Martin Kildare, a highly trained Auror. Sorry about the inconvenience but could not keep either of them here. One other small wrinkle actually too, Lance is Arianna’s grandson and Martin is her son-in-law and they are both mind-divers.

I found a message in the cabinet which said Tarik’s blood-magic had been set loose, so the two elves are for him. They have been especially trained to handle the blocking of blood-magic and can be trusted, because they know the consequences of not doing the right thing for you. As far as the men go, two of them are blockers and the other two are stupid fools who didn’t check to see who they were kidnapping and chose my great-nephew. Once they have helped get Lance and Martin there and secured, please dispose of them by whatever method you choose. Because of the inconvenience, I have added a bonus to your money.

Also please let me know when you can handle some more men. I told you once I would supply up to 50 men of which you could choose any of them for your own personal use. Rules still apply: I will pay their salaries for one year and each will get a bonus.

You can return the elves when they are no longer needed.

Khalid

Lance was having a hard time seeing his friend in this condition, he concentrated on being a doctor first and a friend second, “Alright Rich … here take this for the pain.” Lance had given Richard a sleeping pill. The man had to sleep or he was not going to survive and he could not treat him like this. When the pill had taken effect he said to Cole. “Cut him down…. I cannot treat him like this and I have knocked him out.”

Cole looked momentarily mad. “You have done what…. Doctor you were supposed to fix him up so we could continue with our discussion.” Cole started to rub Arianna’s shoulders harder, when she let out a small grown he stopped, and bent down, saying, “Sorry Princess,” Standing back up he continued to talk to her, “Your grandson has just taken away our whipping boy, and we are not finished getting answers to my questions. Now what am I supposed to do.” Cole motioned to one of the man standing guard over Greene to cut the man down, while he looked at the members of the table. Tarik was still out cold; Arianna was out because he did not want her bleeding or injured when he had his planned little one on one with her later; Neo would be able to take the pain and he would never say anything; Franco would not talk if his brother was being hurt, because he was now convinced he would die before anyone else, was put in pain because of him…. Cole stopped because Franco was his answer. Neo had shown he cared about the man and would fight to save him…. So if Franco was being hurt…. Odds were Neo would talk to save him.

Neo did not like the way Cole’s eyes had stopped on Frankie. His brother had still never looked up for more than a second from when he had collapsed. His color was better and so was his breathing but he still lacked energy and he had given up. For his heart, this was probably a good thing, but it also left him vulnerable. Whispering he called, “Frankie …. Frankie …. Come on brother fight …. Stay in this, please.”

Franco picked up his head momentarily and nodded, and then put it back down. Neo could barely hear his return whisper.”I am fighting Neo, but my head hurts and I am having trouble focusing my eyes. … I think I am in trouble.”
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Ari had been watching her grandson's every move. He was efficient and now had Richard asleep and headed for the bar so he could take care of his wounds. Her ears picked up the whispers from both Neo and Franco. “Franco …. Saint …. Can you hear me? I order you to fight this and stay with us.” Air knew she was being ridiculous in the order but she had to say something.

Franco did not even lift up his head when he said back, “Yes Amira…. Fighting as ordered.”

She even saw the corner of one side of his mouth curl up in a very weak smile. “Good, Saint stay with us.”

Franco’s head rubbed against the table in a nodding motion.

Cole smiled and called one of the men over to him, whispering in the man’s ear he gave his instructions. As Richard was being laid out on the bar, so Lance could get to him easily the man Cole had whispered to walked over and said something to another man and then both men walked up behind Franco and nodded to Cole. Cole smiled and as he released the restraints on Franco the men grabbed him and dragged him over to a space between two poles, the one Richard had been on and the one next to it. They tied the struggling Franco up with one hand on each pole, and then fastened his legs the same way. He was spread eagle and could not mover for than an inch or two in any direction.

At first, Franco did not even realize two men had grabbed him. When it had sunken in a terrified, Franco watched in horror as he saw where they were carrying him and fought with every ounce of his strength to prevent his arms and legs from being tied to the poles. Even when he was secure, he still did not stop fighting until all his energy was expended and his breaths started to become labored again. Finally stopping he looked at his hands and then at each of his feet. His eyes finally went to his brother, pleading for help.

“Remove his shirt.” It was torn away from Franco.

Franco felt the cold air of the room hit the upper overheated part of his body. It felt cool and refreshing and he wished he could give into the feel.

Lance was helping to ease Richard face down onto the top of the bar. The men helping him were actually trying to be gentle. Lance thanked them, knowing their gentleness had to do with the fact he was a doctor and they wanted him to remember their kindness if they needed his help. Lance found some of the material had struck to Richards’s back where he had bleed; He asked for a bowl of water and had it within seconds. His “mind blocker” had laid out his medical kit near Richards’s head. Lance did not have any false hope of getting to an instrument fast enough to help the others, his first concern at the moment was Richard.

Behind him, he heard frenzied movement. Turning he saw Franco being roughly dragged around the table. Before he could move, his friend was tied spread eagle between two poles. He took a couple of steps, toward the man, when he was stopped by his “blocker” and told he could not help to get back to what he was doing. Lance looked at Franco then turned back toward Richard, stealing glances over his shoulder as he tried to mend Richards back.

Martin still stood at the end of the bar, bound and held by the same goon who had brought him in to the Hog’s Head. He saw what was about to happen and made a try to get to Franco. Still bound he could not do any damage but he could not just stand there. His guard grabbed his hair and hit the back of his knees forcing him to the ground. The man stood over him with his wand pointed at Martin’s forehead, a savage grip on his hair and a big smile on his face. Martin kept trying to see what was happening to Franco. He did not like what he saw.

Arianna, who had been watching the removal of Richard and the placement of his injured body on the top of the bar, had noticed too late the two guards standing behind Franco. She was only able to get out the word “Watch..” when he had been grabbed by the two very large men, dragged around the table and behind her, only to be fastened spread eagle between two nearby poles. She darted a look at Cole who was standing behind her absentmindedly rubbing her neck and shoulder. When he saw her look, she received a smile, as if everything was fine. Her next glance went to Neo seated off to her left. If he could have done wandless magic, Cole would have been dead.

Neo had been watching everything going on in the room. They were still out numbered but there were now two more very skilled Caretakers in the building. Even with the extra men and the blockers, the odds in their favor had just gone up. When Cole called a man over and whispered in his ear, Neo started to follow the movements of the man. He watched as he went over to one of the other larger goons and whispered in his ear, turned away so Neo could not read his lips. He saw the man nod and both walked up behind Franco. The first man nodded at Cole, and before Neo could do anything, his brother had been grabbed and was being dragged around the table. Neo started to fight his bonds, but they only grew tighter, he had to stop or he would not be able to breathe. As the bonds slowly loosened his brother was fastened between two of the poles on the other side of where Arianna sat. “Cole let the boy go, you need someone to hurt, use me….” His bonds had loosened enough for Neo to move, so he started fighting them again and try and stand. He was jammed back down into his seat, by the goon standing behind him, and had to stop because the bonds were again threatening to squeeze the air out of his lungs.

Cole just smiled and waited until Franco was secure. Then in Neo's general direction said, "I think not Neo, see your brother has made the decision in his mind to die for the rest of you … I saw it in his eyes earlier. On the other hand I do not think you want your brother dead, so I think we will continue …. unless you have something to tell me of course."

Cole watched the reactions of those around him. Lance had reacted, but realized he was a doctor and although and he had no misconceptions of the man’s abilities, doctors tended to treat the injured before fighting. Martin was now on his knees; his Arianna was shaking, but she would be alright for the moment; Neo had tried to get to him, although what the man planned to do if he had, he could not fathom. When he looked at Franco, he saw he was mad, by the way he continued to struggle even tied as he was, and there was fright, a large amount of it, but he was gradually becoming resigned to his position and had stopped fighting the bonds, looking back and forth between his brother Neo and himself. Cole thought this might just toughen the man enough for him to survive what Khalid had planned for later. Cole was going to do his best to give him that chance.

“Neo you know how to stop this…. All of you do… at the moment, I want one simple thing either a copy of the codebook or the name of the person who writes it…. come on Neo …. Your brother is strung up and is about to take Richard's place as our whipping boy. You going to just sit there and let him take it?” Cole was smiling because he realized he had just found the key to the codebook. This should not take long.

Neo took a moment from watching his brother to stare at Cole, with all the anger he had in him he said, “That is the one thing we Can Not Give You! One Life is Not Worth Thousands Cole! That is the number of lives that would be at risk should I give you that name and Franco would never forgive me!”

Looking over to Franco, Cole asked, “What do you think Franco, my lad? You willing to take the pain of the world on your shoulders? Your brother says your life is not worth saving because others might die. This should be interesting.” All Cole received was Franco shaking his head no, while never taking his eyes off his brother.

Cole looked at the situation and made some decision. “Doctor, do not interfere here unless requested. If I need you to do something, do it quickly…. Because your grandmother will be watching and I would not want her disappointed in you.” He knew Lance had heard because the man turned and gave him a hard stare then went back to helping Richard. Cole motioned one of the Elves over to near Arianna; Tarik was still asleep so one of the elves could be used to block her magic. To Ari bent down and said close to her ear, “I know you swore you would not use your blood-magic, Princess but things may get a little rough here, and woman tend to have a slightly different view of the meaning of honor, so I need to take persuasions.” Again he kissed her on the cheek and stood up, turning slightly toward the elf who had just arrived at his side. “This is a princess in the human realm. You will block all her magic, not just the blood-magic she possesses at a very high level. If she uses any magic, no matter what the reason, the promises made by your employer will be carried out, do you understand?” Cole received a nod. He was not sure what Khalid had promised as retribution if the elf did not follow orders but he was sure something had been promised, and it would not be pretty.

Neo listened as Cole plugged up all the avenues of possible help for Franco. Cole had finally decided to test Neo, “You are a coward Cole…! You afraid to fight me? … Come on, cut my brother down and let's see how much crap you really can talk…”

Cole had to laugh, “Neo, that would be rather stupid of me don’t you think. I promised you and I would have a contest of skill but not just yet…. I am tired of waiting for the book or the name so I think I will see how much you really care about your brother.”

Cole looked over at Franco. The man had still not taken his eyes off his brother. “Neo why don’t you explain to Franco about what I can do to him and the pain I can cause.”

Franco’s face went white, but he still did not say anything and he was still staring at his brother.

Neo felt Frankie’s stare to the very core of his body. Looking at him he said, “Frankie, it will be alright… we will survive this ….. I will get you help and Cole will go down.” Neo received several weak nods from his brother.
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Arianna looked at Neo; she did not have a lot of confidence in the man’s ability to not give into his baby-brother's pain. There was actually only 5 minutes apart in their birth, but Franco had been born sick and Neo had always saved him from the pain. They were all asking him to not save him this time. Arianna hung her head so the others would not see the regret she was already feeling at what was about to happen.

There was one more thing he wanted to take care of before he started questioning the group again. He motioned for Martin’s holder to bring the man to the table. Cole grabbed a nearby chair and paced it very close to Arianna, he was going to try and give her some comfort. Telling the man to place Martin in the chair, he said to Arianna as he rubbed her cheek. “I thought you might want some company, Princess.” To Martin he said, “Do not get any ideas, even with you close I will still not hesitate to do what I need to do. You are only sitting here because of her.”


Being pulled by your hair to a standing position and shoved toward the table would have normally made Martin fight, but the man Cole was sending him to exactly where he wanted to be ... to the table next to his mother-in-law. His eyes never left hers even when he was slammed into the chair. Reaching out with his fingers, he found hers searching. He heard the audible sigh as their fingers touched. Smiling he winked and then looked at the others. Franco's fear was evident from the poles, but there was also determination in his eyes.

Chameleon was watching Cole as if he was a god and he might miss a reason to follow the man's directions. Tarik was still out, but had a peaceful look on his face; the elves must be doing their job. Neo was the one mostly reacting to the circumstances. The man looked deadly mad.

Something was going to happen between Neo and Cole in the next little while, he would bet his life on it. Smiling slightly he realized he was betting his life on it. Returning his gaze to Arianna, he tried to settle in to the moment until something happened. Arianna's fingers were squeezing his.

Franco was scared.... This was not good and there was no way out.... he realized he was about to get beaten or worse. As he watched Martin being set beside Arianna he was, happy for her.... she had someone and the lady deserved the comfort. Martin's eyes had held regret and a signal to try to relax. Franco knew he had to try to relax. Taking slow breaths, he tried to get his heart rhythm down.

Even with the scene in front of him, his mind floated to some lessons from Darik about handling his surroundings. He could see his elfin friend standing at the head of the room telling about finding your other self.... the part of you that was disconnected to your feelings. Franco remembered the first time he had actually succeed in the quest.... it had scared him to be so disjointed but he had been able to take the solid punch to his gut and had not flinched.... he also remembered when he came back to the moment his stomach had hurt. Darik had said it was a lesson in concentration.

Neo watched his brother. Every time Cole moved, he followed him but always came back quickly to where his brother hung between the two poles. He could not help Frankie, and it was only feeding his anger of their captor. Suddenly his brother's face changed only for a moment. There had been peacefulness to his looks.

Neo sent up a silent prayer. His brother had all the looks of a man who had found his place outside of himself. He had not held the place for long, but Neo had only seen him find it once before, during a training exercise by Darik. "Find it Frankie and hold on tight, he thought trying to send the thoughts to his brother, knowing his personal blocker would not allow it. This was confirmed when he looked at the man and received an evil grin.

Looking around again he double checked what was going on. Lance was repairing Richard at the bar, and his blocker was paying attention to every move Lance was making plus the two men who had been stationed to watch Richard were standing there; Tarik was still asleep, but his elf blocker was watching him intently and his two guards were not being laxed in their duties; Neo had quieted down, his blocker was standing very close and his two guards were right behind him; Martin, had settled in and when Cole looked down he saw the man had taken his mother-in-laws fingertips in his, which made Cole smile, Martin’s blocker was alert; Arianna was still shivering, but not quite so violently, and her blocker was also intent on watching her. A quick glance behind him let him know Franco had reached the point of waiting to see what was going to happen next, his eyes still held the look of a cornered animal, but he was breathing steady. Although he gave Cole a quick glance his eyes never left his brothers otherwise. Cole felt success just around the corner with this setup.

Walking out into the center of the room, he called one of the “off duty” men over to him and sent him upstairs to relieve the man watching the back window and the cabinet. In a moment the other man came down and Cole called him too him. He patted the man hard on the shoulder and then asked in a loud clear voice so the other men in the room could hear, including the man who had just gone upstairs, “When the Amir’s magic started to go wild you sent a note through the Cabinet alerting the people at the other end what was happening, correct?” Cole received a hesitant nod. “Because you did that we were sent mind-blockers of the highest caliber very quickly. Your reward is permanent employment on my team if you choose to take it…. one word of warning though, permanent means forever until you die of natural causes or you are killed…. during your job or by me because you no longer wish to serve or because you have done something to displease me. What is your choice?”

The man smiled and enthusiastically nodded saying, “I wish to serve you, sir.”

“Good then join your friends, and continue to not disappoint me.” Cole watched the man head toward the bar, where he was greeted with slaps on the back, well wishes and a very large glass of some liquid. Cole smiled as he looked for his next two victims. Finding them standing with their other guards he called them over. They came with smiles on their faces, under the misconception they were also going to be rewarded. When they both stood in front of him, Cole motioned for four of the other guards to stand behind them. The two in front, started to look worried although they had not totally dropped their smiles.

“When you two arrived with the others, you brought me a note from my employer. In the note he told me how you had kidnapped the doctor over there and his father a high ranking Auror. He was not pleased with your choices. He said you could not have done any preparation for who you would choose or when you would make the choice, and grabbed the first Doctor you saw who looked like he knew anything.” By the expressions on the men’s faces, Cole realized he had called the situation correctly. So he continued, “Your past employer has turned you over to me. I am a great believer in following orders and expect mine to be followed with no hesitation but…..” Cole took one step closer to the two men, but did not lower his voice. “I also expect my teams to give some thought and preparation to a job if they have the time…. And gentlemen you were give the time. From what I understand a doctor was planned for and you had a full 24 hours to find one, who would not be missed much and who was expendable. Instead you bring, the Head Physician of the Emergency Medical team and his father, a highly respected and high ranking Auror to your employers home, giving him no choice because of my need but to send all of you here.”

Cole stopped, turned around and took a couple of steps. Spinning back around, he said, “Grab them and hold tight,” to the four men standing behind the two in question. The two did not move for a moment because they were too shocked, but when that started to wear off they started to struggle, struggling which did them no good. Cool walked up very close to them, and in a venom laced voice all could hear he said, “I will not have men like you in my group. Your past employer is not willing to take you back, so I must dispose of you. ….” Cole looked at the men holding the now quiet men and said, “Strip them down to their shorts.” He stood quietly as this was done. When the man stood there shaking in just their shorts, he said, “I have decided to give you a chance…. You are to be apparated to the South Pole as you are and left..” He chuckled as he saw the look of comprehension on the men’s faces. Cole turned and waved them away, “Get these men out of my sight… and return immediately when you have left them.” Cole did not look back or at the expressions around the room. The room had gone deathly quiet, so he knew he had made his point.

As one of the men fought to get away, Cole saw something, he did not like. "Hold a moment, let me see their left hands," he said to the men holding them. On both of the men's hands was the mark of the Dark Wizard.

Apparently he was being spied on not only by his employer, who he was sure was getting reports by someone in the room, but his employer and he were being watched by the Dark One. "Thank you.... take them away." How many of the others in the room were marked.

Looking around the room, he took out his wand and randomly moved it about. "Everyone we are going to play a little game. I want everyone to hold up their left hands and I want everyone to look at their neighbor's. Anyone refuses to hold up their hand or they have an extra mark on them I want them grabbed. Cole watched as all the men in the room held up their hands. When none showed any markings, he sent one man upstairs to check the watcher.

He walked back over to his one calm spot, behind Arianna. He gently rubbed her hair and put his hands on her shoulders, not paying attention to the stare he was receiving from Martin, or the look Lance had shot him from the bar, or the worried looks on Neo and Franco’s faces. He did not like killing men because of their stupidly, but he had to make his point, or the 50 or so men he hoped to eventually have under his command would not follow orders. He had shown he could be generous and he had shown he could be tough. Taking a cleansing breath, he turned back to the problem at hand.

Cole turned and stared at Franco. The man’s eyes were still shifting back and forth between him and his brother. When he stared though Franco’s eyes locked on him. They were not begging, more to the point of daring him to do what he was going to do. There was a lot of bravery in there, now if he could learn to control his fear and bury the pain while whatever was happening preceded, he would be well on his way to surviving his future.

Franco swallowed hard, they were about to get started. He even tried to give Neo a weak smile. He was scared tremendously but he was determined to "take it like a man" as his brother Marco used to say. All he could hope for was try not to cry, scream to loud or faint. His head was already spinning so he concentrated on his breathing.

Cole turned and not letting go of Ari’s shoulders surveyed the room. Even the off duty guards were paying strict attention to his every move. Scanning the area he finally found what he was looking for…. He called the two men over to him from the bar. When they arrived he asked to the first who had been standing at the bar, opening and closing his fist, and no wand in hand. “You are a street fighter, I gather?” to which he received a leary nod of the head, “Any good at it?” ….. the man said, “Yes sir, I am.” Cole through a punch and the man blocked it… Cole smiled and asked, “You have your own street gloves?” receiving a nod he added, “Good put them on.”

Franco had been watching Cole. He was the man who would be directing what happened to him. As the two men walked over he had chosen, Franco discounted the first one fast. The man used his hands it was obvious by the way, he opened and closed them, even while he walked. The second man sent a shiver through him because of the whip. Franco shot his brother a pleading look knowing he could not help.

Neo had been watching his brother. When Cole motioned two men to come over, Neo saw all the blood drain out of his brother's face and how he started to shake. Looking behind him and off to the right, he saw what had affected his brother. There was a man who was good with his hands; Neo had seen many like him. The other man made him intake a quick breath. The man had a small but dangerous bullwhip. The end was not split, so whatever he hit with it would cut precisely not put multi cuts. Neo started to fight his bonds. Cole was planning to have that whip used on Frankie. The pleading look on Frankie's face almost undid him, but he also noticed Arianna staring at him. He knew she had seen the two men who had been chosen, but she was shaking her head "no" and giving him a look of no defiance to her orders. Neo swallowed hard and looked back to his brother.

Cole only looked around when he heard Neo start to fight his bonds. Taking the three short steps to the man from where he stood he put his hand on Neo's shoulder, bent down and quietly said, "This is all up to you Neo... you can stop this." When Neo gave no sign of giving in to Cole's demands, he squeezed his shoulders with all the strength he had and walked back to talk with the man holding the whip.

Cole then turned to the next man who had a small whip in his hand asking, “You any good with that whip?” The man nodded. “Show me….” the man walked over to the bar and set three glasses on the edge of the bar about two inches apart, backed up and unfurled his whip, the men nearby scattered all except one, who held his position, very close to the three glasses. The man who had not moved turned toward the bar and casually sipped on his drink. The man with the whip smiled and started to play with his whip, all of a sudden the tip shot out and the glass in the center disappeared …. The others had not moved and the man sipping his drink had not flinched. Cole smiled calling the man with the whip and the man who had been drinking over to him. “Nicely done,” he said to the whip barer. Turning to the other man he said, “You are either very brave sir, or very stupid,” The answer he received was interesting, “No, sir… I am neither. I have been friends with Ted here for many years, we have been mercenaries around together and I have seen him use his whip before. The test was a simple one for him.” Cole looked at the man and said, “You heard my offer to the man before about employment. I offer the same to you…. but let me remind you this will be the only job you ever have…. No one leaves my employment alive…. Your answer..” The man looked at his friend and said, “If Ted joins you I will, it is time to settle down into one job and you seem fair in you dealings.” Cole looked at Ted and when the man had double checked with his friend he said, “We accept employment sir.” Cole now had three definite in his new group.

Neo had watched the man put the glasses on the bar and with effortless ease take out the center one and not even disturb the other two. If they had not been in the position they were in he would have praised the man and possibly asked for lessons. The only thing this man expertise meant at the moment was Frankie was in real trouble.

“Nice, you can return to the bar… Ted you stand over here… not really sure if I am going to use you yet because it all depends on the determination of Franco here.”
Cole called the street fighter back over and asked, “You want employment under the same rules I have given the others.” The man nodded, “then follow my instructions to the letter and you are in.” Cole walked away from Arianna a short distance and whispered in the man’s ear what he expected, the man nodded and Cole walked back to Arianna the street fighter stood just off to the side of where Franco was strung up, adjusting his gloves then folding his hands in front of him, watching Cole for a signal.

Franco looked at the man standing beside him and then at the man with the bullwhip, and swallowed hard. There was nothing anyone could do for him; this was going to be one trial he would have to live through himself. If he failed then his brother would fail. Franco tried to straighten and looked straight ahead. "Concentrate Franco, Concentrate like your life depended on it. but his head was starting to spin.

Cole looked at the people at the table. “We have been having some difficulty getting the information I wish concerning a certain book. Greene over there is being treated by the doctor for very bad lacerations because you all have refused to help me in my quest. Tarik had been worn out and is now unconscious because of the energy he had to expend, because you all have refused to help me in my quest. Even the Princess here,” he rubbed his hand down the length of Ari’s hair stopping at her shoulder and gently rubbing her cheek, “has had some rough moments because you all have refused to help me in my quest.” Looking over his shoulder at Franco, he added, “Well now it will be Franco’s turn to see if maybe we can come up with a book or a name….”

Suddenly Arianna felt a familiar tickle in her mind. The elf standing behind her was requesting permission to talk to her through their thoughts. Arianna granted the connection. "Amira, thank you for listening to me. My name is Tbell and the other of us is Rebell, my offspring. We are from the coastal Clan. We have both been trained by Tacoferty (Son of father who gives life or prince) Darik, who serves you well. We were especially trained to prevent and harness blood-magic. The human tied to the pole is important to you?"

Arianna did not dare nod, but in her mind, she acknowledged the fact.

"They are holding two of our boats hostage to make sure we do not help you or the Amir to escape. My mate is on one of those boats Amira. I cannot stop the pain your friend is going to feel, because this he must experience, but I can keep him alive and possibly have the pain last for a shorter amount of time. We wish we could do more you Amira, but we cannot. The doctor must request our help if needed. I cannot restore major damage but will try and use all of our training for you."

Arianna did not smile, but in her mind she said, "I am honored by your presence Tbell and your offspring Rebell. I will gladly accept any help you may be able to give us …. how is my brother?"

"He sleeps peacefully Amira …. when you wish for him to awake, signally me and Rebell will awaken him."

Arianna tried to relax a little more. She could not get a message to anyone else at the table, but if Lance was needed, she would suggest one of the Elves be used for the medical problem.

Cole paused, then said, “Question: Who is going to give me a copy of the book, or tell me who writes it? Answer is…..” Cole waited but no one moved. He held up three fingers. The man off to the right of Franco stepped in front of him and hit Franco in the mouth twice and in the mid section once, then stepped back to his previous position and looked at Cole. Cole smiled. Neither Neo nor Martin moved. Ari had jumped when she heard Franco’s groans, but otherwise she only stared straight ahead. Lance had turned from Richard and looked like he was going to try and head in their direction, but at that moment Richard moaned, so he turned back to his patient.

It was taking every bit of Neo's will power not to move. He looked at Arianna for some type of signal, but her eyes were fixed on an unknown spot directly ahead of her. He looked at Frankie and felt the pain his brother was experiencing. His brother was losing blood and his face looked swollen. The swelling would go down but the blood loss could be very bad for his already weakened brother. Shortly he caught Frankie's eyes, and mouthed the words; "Hang in there Frankie, please hang in there,"

To a short sentence he received a sharp hit upside of his head, by the man standing behind him. "You are not allowed to talk to the prisoner." Neo saw the man look at Cole and receive a smile and a nod. Neo went back to looking toward his brother but was careful not to open his mouth.


Grabbing a tighter grip on Arianna’s shoulder, to hold her steady, Cole asked again, “Question: Who is going to give me a copy of the book, or tell me who writes it? Answer is…..” Still no one moved, ever Arianna had stiffened under his fingers. Cole put up four fingers. The man beside Franco again stepped in front of him, administered two very hard jabs to Franco’s face, on to his front mid section and one to his side, and then stepped back to his position. Franco’s nose was bleeding heavily and there was a large cut over his right eye. Bruises were also starting to form on his mid section. His breath was coming fast and even a couple of tears had escaped his tightly closed eyes.

Neo's eyes bore into Coles and he said, "Stop this Cole you will kill him …"

Cole smirked and replied, "Neo you know how to stop this …. tell me what I need to know and your brother will be cut down, and the doctor will be able to patch him up…"

As Cole watched, Neo turned his head to Arianna and he picked up a slight pleading look from the fighter. Cole only shook his head when he saw Arianna shake her head no, to Neo's non-verbalized question.

Franco's eyes were almost swollen shut and he could taste the salty blood in his mouth. His stomach and side were on fire. He could feel his heart laboring at pumping the blood through his veins. He really did not want to die this way, but Neo could do nothing for him, and Arianna had asked before he signed the papers of agreement, if he was sure he wanted the job. He had agreed and over the few years he had been a member, Arianna had put her life and the Caretaker Group on the line to help him and his brothers out of more than one scrape, so maybe now it was time to pay her back. He still did not want to die this way.

“We can keep this up for a while folks, so how about it….. Question: Who is going to give me a copy of the book, or tell me who writes it? Answer is…..” Arianna turned her eyes toward Cole and with them pleaded for him to stop. He smiled and said, “Ah princess do not look at me that way. You know how to get me to stop. It is not a hard process …. I get book or name ….. Franco gets cut down.” Arianna only slowly shook her head no. Cole saw Martin trying to get a better hold on her finger tips. He knew there was nothing they could do. They had all signed up knowing days like this could happen. It was hard to go through and Martin hoped they would all survive, but they had given their oath to protect the group. Giving up the codebook would not just save their lives it could cost others their lives and even innocents could be hurt. There was a chance they could come up with a trap, but it was not certain.

Cole leaned on the back of Arianna’s chair and stared at Neo as he put up five fingers…. He did not turn as he heard Franco being hit five times…. He only watched Neo who was watching his brother and shooting him looks which promised retribution later. …. Slow lingering retribution. Cole had no doubt, if the man got a hold of him he would suffer long and hard before he died. The man who had been doing the hitting, spoke his name. When he turned he saw Franco had fainted….. Cole was prepared.

“Doctor you are needed over here please.” Cole smiled as he watched Lance pull the blanket up over Richard’s back and slowly make his way over to the table. Meanwhile Cole had firmly stationed himself behind Arianna and with his foot had shoved Martin’s chair away far enough he could not touch his mother-in-law. As Lance got closer Cole put his hand under Arianna’s chin and gently pulled her neck back so it was fully viewable and she was looking up to the ceiling. “Doctor, I have promised your grand-mother I would not mark her skin … and I will keep that promise, but we both know there are other varied ways of inflicting strong unbearable pain which do not show on the skin…. So what I want you to do is revive Franco…. I do not want his pain lessened and if I think you have lessened the pain… your grandmother will suffer. Now revive him and keep him revived, no matter what, understand?”

Lance had finally gotten Richard to the point where he was resting comfortably. He had sealed the cuts on his back from possible infection. As soon as they could get him back to St. Mungo’s Hospital, they would be able to wipe away all the evidence they had even existed. Richard’s fever had broken which was a good sign and Lance had administered another sleeping potion. He man would be out for hours. He was just putting away some of his equipment when Cole called him and requested he come to where they were savagely beating on Franco’s body. He took a deep breath, covered up Richard, picked up his medical bag and made his way over to the carnage. Up close he could see the damage which had been done. He was hoping Cole was going to let him treat Franco; instead all he wanted him to do was revive him.

Lance shook his head no, and watched how Cole’s hand tightened around his grandmother’s throat and she moaned. He dropped his chin to his chest, put down his medical bag and took out a revival potion. Walking over to Franco, he whispered as he forced the potion down his friend’s throat, “Hang in there Frankie, think of Darik’s lessons.” He had purposely used Neo’s pet name for his friend, in the hopes it would give him some courage. When he lingered longer than Cole thought he should, Cole had Lance’s blocker, jerk him back to the table. “Move doctor, other than when I tell you too, and your grandmother will be giving more than a small grown.”

Cole turned back to the group, “Round two….. Question: Who is going to give me a copy of the book, or tell me who writes it? Answer is…..”

Neo was just sitting staring straight ahead. Cole looked at him, he knew the man had a breaking point but had not reached it yet. “Neo, perhaps you would like to say something, before we continue.” Cole smiled…. “I am getting tired…” bending down to Arianna he said, “Aren’t you getting tired Princess, maybe you would like to say something to help them understand what I want,” Arianna shook her head no and continued to stare straight ahead, her eyes focused on nothing in particular, Cole patted her roughly on the cheek and then forced a kiss on her lips, “Wrong answer, princess. “ He put up five fingers again and waited to hear the pounding on Franco. One….two…. three…..four…. five hits one right after the other. The man behind him said quietly, “Sir, doctor needed again.” Cole did not even look up from the top of Arianna’s head; he just waved Lance over to the unconscious Franco.

Lance walked up to Franco and noticed his skin had turned an ashen gray. He was not getting enough oxygen into his lungs, which were most likely damaged, a fact he could not ascertain without his wand, which he was not allowed to wield.

Arianna quietly said, without turning her head, "Lance one of the elves would be able to help you with medical problems where Franco is concerned."

Lance looked at this grandmother and then at the elf standing behind her. Snapping his eyes to Cole, he asked, "Cole I need one of the elves to help…. if you want Franco to stay alive then I need one of them now."

Neo had begun to panic …. he looked at his brother and with all his will power he tried to get past the blockers walls… but it was no use. The blocker sent a searing pain back to him for his efforts. "Lance, please …." was all he could manage to say, changing his glance from Arianna to his brother. "Why wouldn't the woman give him permission to give the information….. why wouldn't she help…?" but he knew the answer. It was confirmed as one single tear left the corner of Arianna's eye and slowly trailed down her face, even though she had not moved her eyes from looking straightforward.

Cole looked at Lance for a long moment then at Franco. He had to bring a live Franco to Khalid when they were done here. "Ok, you there," he said as he pointed to the elf behind Tarik who was still out cold, "help the doctor, but remember your employer's warnings."

Rebell slowly walked toward Franco, momentarily stopping at Tball's spot. Receiving a nod, he continued until he got to Franco.

Lance said quietly, "It is his human heart… Can you repair it?"

The elf nodded and placed his hand on Franco's chest. After a few seconds, Franco all of a sudden took a deep breath and color started to return to his skin.

Lance said, "Thank you my friend, I will remember your assistance."


As Lance turned back to Franco, Cole waved the elf back to his spot. "Finish doctor and step away."

All Lance could do was say to Frankie, "You will live my friend and I will help as much as I can. Hold on Franco, just hold on a bit longer."

Franco only groaned in response to Lance's words.

When he had heard Franco moan again, he looked hard at Neo, “You are some brother, making him go through this. You know you can stop it…”

Even though it was one of the hardest things he had done in his life, Neo looked Cole in the eyes and shook his head no, then looked at his brother again, while following Cole's moves out of the corner of his eye.

Not getting the answer he wanted from Neo he stood up straight and walked over to the man with the whip and whispered to him. The man nodded and took a stance in front of Franco, uncoiled his whip and started to snake it back and forth on the floor, while watching Cole.

Franco panicked and started fighting his bonds. Tears freely flowed from his eyes. Soon the fight was all gone out of him and he just slumped, the only thing holding him off the floor was the ropes tied to the poles. He had given into despair with every cell of his body. Slowly he raised his head, looked at Neo mouthing one word only, "Sorry.", and let his head slump back down to his chest. The only thing he could see was the end of the tail of the whip, dancing on the floor in front of him.

Arianna jumped when she heard Franco fighting. Every muscle in her body flinched and tightened. She was asking for steadfastness far beyond what she had asked for in many years. Neo was going to break, but she could not give permission for him to do so. She was already planning ways to mitigate the consequences of what was going to happen. It would not be the first time the Caretaker Group had to go deep underground and it would probably not be the last.

Cole looked in each of the set of eyes at the table, he looked at Lance, and he turned and looked at Franco, who had tears freely coming down his face, but had not said a word to beg him to stop. Cole looked him in the eye and said, “Franco what happens from this point on is your brother’s doing, his and only his actions are responsible.” Then he whorled around to face Neo and said in a calm measured voice, “Question: Who is going to give me a copy of the book, or tell me who writes it? Answer is…..” Neo moved and looked at his frightened brother, but Cole realized it was going to take at least on bite of Ted’s whip to loosen his tongue.

“Neo,” Cole said, capturing the man’s eyes, as he held up two fingers. Neo eyes shot to his brother just as the whip cracked twice and a two twin three inch cuts appeared on Franco’s stomach. Arianna came really close to screaming, Lance took a few steps toward Franco stopped, by a deadly stare from Cole and his blocker grapping his arm. Cole looked at Neo, but said to all, “You all know what it want.” He did not wait for an answer from anyone, but held up three fingers then slowly closed his fist.

Ted, the man with the whip, started to watch the end of his whip as it swung back and forth from in front of him to behind him. Within a blink it flew forward and recoiled four times in quick succession. When he had stopped three more three inch breaks in Franco’s skin climbed up his chest stopping just below his collar bone. There was one more deep slash which went from his left shoulder, across his chest and ended just above his belt.

Franco screamed and arched his back. The pain was spreading fast and his whole chest was on fire. Even though he knew there were individual marks, because he had seen each of them created in the slow motion of danger, he could not distinguish any of them. The first two made on the first pass, were controllable. They had not been deep and he had cut himself that bad in practice with his brothers before, but the second pass had taken away his breath. The cuts were deeper and he had watched as they climbed higher on his chest. When the last one crossing his body was made he watched as blood started to seep out of it traveling down toward his right side. His world started to swim in front of him and his head felt light. Soon blissful blackness took over, and he felt nothing.

Neo jumped when Franco screamed and fought his bonds almost to the point of crushing his chest. Soon the lightheadedness he received from not being able to take in air, forced him to stop fighting. "Frankie, stay with us …. Frankie, listen to me … stay with us." He did not even feel the right cross his blocker had given him upside his head.

Looking at Air, he saw her just sit there, not moving.

The original man with the fists said, “Doctor needed again.” Cole half turned from where he had not taken his eyes off of Neo and waved Lance forward. “Revive him doctor but do not stench the bleeding…. I want the evidence visible.”

Lance looked at Cole and said, “I cannot keep reviving him Cole…. Soon the potion will have no effect or will build up in his system and cause heart problems, because it is a stimulant. It could cause his death faster than anything you can devise.” Lance then walked over to Franco and gave him another part of the potion. It was the only one he had with him in his emergency kit. He had plenty, but he had told Cole the truth, if he was forced to continue to give it to his friend, Franco’s heart could start to race and literally shake itself free of the arteries servicing it.

For a long moment Cole looked at Lance, the doctor was not lying to him. “All I want you to do doctor is keep him alive. The treatment he gets otherwise is totally up to his brother. Cut back on the potion if you need to, but if he passes out, you will, I repeat, you will continue to give him the reviving potion. His brother will decide when it is no longer necessary.”

"I need the elf's help again Cole," Lance almost begged.

Cole motioned for the elf to again help Lance. When the elf arrived, Lance talked to him in a whisper, and then all watched as the elf put both his hands on Franco's chest. A slight glow radiated out from the Elf's fingers and slowly spread across Franco's chest. Franco did not appear to be responding as he did before. Lance leaned down and whispered to the Elf, " I know it is his heart, can you repair it here?"

The elf took his eyes away from Franco long enough to shake his head "No", then returned his stare to Franco's injuries.

Lance had worked hard to keep his emotions under control. As a doctor he had to think without being bogged down with possible regrets is what he knew he needed to do was done and did not work. This situation was pulling at the physician's wall he had erected over time. He put his hand on Franco's shoulder and felt the man cringe because he was past the point of being able to distinguish between a soft caring touch and a tortuous move. He dropped his head to his chest and prayed for strength to keep Franco alive.

Neo had not heard any of the conversation between Lance and the Elf, but he knew his brother was in physical trouble. He started to shake, which he could not control. It was not just anger but hopelessness was starting to seep into the wall he had established to get through his brother's torture.

Turning partially toward Neo Lance said to Cole, “Frank I know your employer wanted you to get a copy of the codebook or the name of the person who writes it, but even if you have it, the words can be changed and the person is very well guarded… it would be difficult to get close enough to capture him.” Lance hoped he was giving Neo the idea, that if Cole went after Seth they could set an easy trap, because they knew he would be trying.

Neo knew Lance was saying something to Cole, and he should be listening, but he was not able to take his eyes off his brother. Frankie's breathing seemed to be a little better and his eyes, which were barely open slits, were staring into the Elf's eyes. Something was passing between the two of them.

Franco fought the pull to come back into the world of pain and agony. He felt a heat on his chest, not the heat of the cuts but a warmness, which pulled the pain away. Trying to open his eyes, and succeeding only slightly his eyes fastened on the elves eyes.

He heard a voice in his head, "It will be alright, Master Franco, I will keep you alive until you can get to the hospital, but you must fight also to stay in this world. You must not go to the 'land of the last breath' because it is not your time to visit there. Hear me Master Franco …. hear my words of wisdom." Franco concentrated on the calm smooth voice in his head and tried to nod, but he hurt beyond self-endurance. He would fight to stay in the world.

Cole looked at Franco and noticed he was alive and had his eyes opened. He grabbed the elf by the arm and almost through him back to stand behind Tarik. To Lance he gave a stare and motioned for the man's blocker to pull him back. Lance barely retained his feet as he was yanked back to stand beside the table.

"That is enough … Franco is still alive at the present." With a slight chuckle, he turned back to Neo and added, "Hopefully he will remain that way." Looking back in Lance's direction, he continued with his explanation.

“It will be my job to get close to the man …. I do not think it will be hard,” Cole had learned a long time ago the tighter the security net, the better the chance there was a break in it. When people think they have all avenues covered, they get sloppy and complacent and that is where his expertise came in, finding the chink in the armor. “My only job as far as the book is concerned, is to get a copy of it. What happens after that is up to my employer.”

Cole looked at Neo raised his eyebrows and said, “Question: Who is going to give me a copy of the book, or tell me who writes it? Answer is…..” Now he waited, starting to raise his hand which had five fingers sticking out from the palm.

Neo willed his body to sit perfectly still and to relax. He had to loosen the bonds as much as possible. Clinching his fist, he looked at Arianna and stared until she looked at him. All he could manage was a barely audible whisper when he said, "Sorry Air, I cannot lose him."


Cole held himself ridged. He could see they had just reached the turning point and he did not want to set Neo back to the point where he was going to fight him. He watched as the situation played out toward the ending he wanted. It was almost anti-climatic, but it would let them proceed farther.

Then he turned to Cole with fire in his eyes. "Stop Cole, the name you are looking for is Seth Wright, the Senior Undersecretary of the Minister of Magic….. now cut my brother down and let Lance take proper care of him."


"Oh very good Neo… It is good you have finally decided your brother should not be harmed any more at the present." Cole was not going to say anything about the future, because he was not totally sure what Khalid had planned for the man, but he knew Shadow was going to be involved, so he was making no promises to anyone he would be about to save Franco's life.
Arianna's head dropped to her chest and she looked at the table in front of her. She knew Neo was going to break; she was making plans on what to do when he did, but the break cut through her heart the same. Taking a deep breath she raised her head and slowly looked toward Neo. The look she gave him was not exactly forgiveness, but acceptance of what he did. Fastening her eyes on nothing in particular in front of her, she started to think of about possibilities of the future.


Gently with his hands he pulled the hair back from Arianna's face, where it had fallen when she had given into the confession of Neo. "It will be all right now, Princess … the worst is over I think. From here the questions get simple and will be easy to find answers too." Leaning down he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Cole leaned on the back of Arianna's chair and gave a sigh of relief, then straightened and signaled Tom to stand down with his whip and for the others to cut Franco down. "Lay him on those chairs along the wall. Fasten his hands over his head and tie his feet to the end chair. If he gets loose I will find someone to punish." Cole knew the men understood his orders because Tom, his friend and the street fighter made quick work of cutting Franco down and laying him as Cole suggested. Each checking to restraints. The three of them had made up a team it appeared to Cole.

Next Cole waved Lance over to where Franco was laid out and allowed him to give what help he could. "I need him up and moving, doctor, very soon, understood?"

Lance knew he did not dare say anything or Cole may keep him away from Franco, but he sure would like to tell him to go to someplace he would not like the accommodations. He would enjoy giving the man a "shot of his own medicine" right in the backside if he was not so worried about what the others in the room would do to him or the others.


Arianna still kept her eyes forward but she was well aware of Franco being moved because out of the corner of her eyes she could see Neo watching every move.

Neo could not look Ari in the eyes, so he kept his concentration on watching the other's set his brother on the chairs along the wall. He could see his brother was breathing. He kept repeating to himself in a barely audible whisper, "It is going to be alright, Frankie …. just keep breathing. … It is going to be all right …. it is going to be alright … " He was saying it more to convince himself than his brother who he knew could not hear him. For a second his eyes locked on Arianna's and he sharply cringed and looked down at the table. There was nothing he could say now … there was probably nothing he could say later … but he would do it again. Whatever Ari asked him to do to help save Seth he would include laying down his life. He would deal with any punishment she metered out later.

Not waiting for an answer, he looked at Neo and said, "Very good Neo. You actually lasted longer than I had given you credit for, I am impressed." He realized Neo was not listening to him, because the man's eyes were glued on where Lance was working on Franco.

Neo thought trying desperately to keep the fear off his face, as he stared at Frankie, “I just have to hope and pray that I just didn't get both Frankie and our nephew Seth killed.”

Looking at Cole as he said in a bare whisper, “Marco, you better know what you are doing trusting this friend, cause if that codebook or it's writer is to be given to Shadow...then you and I, brother have just given our nephew and every protector of Tia's to a man bent on destroying both. I can only hope that you know something I don't.”


Giving a small chuckle, he listened to Neo calling on his hopes Marco knew what he was doing. Cole owed Marco a couple of favors and when he found out Franco was impersonating him and that Shadow was setting a trap, he got a message to Marco he would try to keep Franco alive, but could not promise the man was not going to suffer. The message had been sent quickly and Cole knew Marco would not have time to answer him before he was in the Hog's Head, starting the mission. Cole knew Marco would realize he would do everything he needed to complete the job, but if he promised to try and keep someone alive he would do his best. There was no way to tell Marco; Franco would be leaving with him to go to Khalid's. Hopefully he would be able to continue to keep his promise.

Bending down, he looked at Arianna and chuckled, "What's wrong Princess …. upset I broke one of your people. It will be alright though because now we can move forward and maybe get this whole night over with."

If Arianna was not a lady she would have considered spitting in the man's face. "Take your information and go Frank Cole. … I promise you we will meet someday under different circumstances and you will find I am not always the lady you see here."


"Oh, Princess I wish I could …. your people have held out longer than I considered. I will be missing another job because of their stubbornness… My present employer will make it worth my while, I am sure…. We still have a few points to cover than I will leave and take my new little army with me."

Kissing Arianna on the cheek he looked at Martin who's dagger filled stare only made him chuckle again. Knowing what it would do to Martin's sensitivities, Cole stroked Arianna's cheek lovingly and added, "She is beautiful don't you think." then gave a small chuckle.

"Stay away from her Cole …. you do not deserve even to be in the same room with her …. keep your hands to yourself. "


Cole definitely got the reaction he was looking for. He was having trouble trying to figure out how this Auror was considered so good at his job… he was much to quick to goad into a reaction especially when someone he cared about was involved.

Walking over to beside Martin's chair he said, "Martin, in the first place you are in no position at the moment to tell me what to do, so drop the Auror attitude. I think I have already demonstrated how I deal with people spouting off when they have not been asked questions. There are several ways I could go with your punishment and none of them involve touching you." Cole watched and realized Martin was reading between the lines.


Martin froze …. The man could only mean Arianna or Lance. "Just stay away from her Cole." He continued to look forward biting the inside of his cheek to try to keep his temper under control. He had seen Arianna go through pain training at the Caretaker Group secessions. The lady never asked any of the men to go through anything she did not show she had experienced. With the members being brought in at different times, she had gone through all the training several times over the years. Martin knew she could handle some of the pain but she was getting older and although he did not dare say anything in front of her, she was getting frailer. She may only look like she was in her 40's but he knew for sure she was over one-hundred years old, and only the elfin blood in her vains made that possible.

Looking around the room he said, "I think everyone can use some refreshments, even our table guests here. …. Chameleon could you please see they get something to drink?" The expression on Chameleon's face made Cole realize he needed to add to that explanation. ......

The expression on Chameleon's face made Cole realize he needed to add to that explanation. "You can still not have Vodka Chameleon and the refreshments for our guest must be non-alcoholic and not laced with anything."

The chest fallen expression on the Chameleon's face showed Cole he had guessed right. The man was planning on adding Vodka to his drink and maybe adding a little extra stimulant to the others, probably just to see what would happen.


Arianna sent up a thankful prayer when Chameleon was told he could not lace their drinks with anything. Looking back over her shoulder she was just barely able to see Lance kneeling down beside Franco. It looked like Franco was moving his head but she was not sure, so she listened and heard positive words.

Lance put his hand on his friend's chest as Franco started to become conscious and tried to move. "No, Franco stay still so I can check you out … you are down at the moment and everyone is still alive. Now hold still while I stench the bleeding and try and repair some of the cuts from the whip. …. all you need to do is breathe deeply and see if you can relax some of your muscles."
Franco opened and shut his eyes several times trying to focus them. His mind finally cleared enough for him to form coherent thoughts. "The only way I would be down is if somebody gave up Seth ... I need to warn Seth and make Cole think that..." Then reeling and feeling his stomach role, it dawned on the Saint who gave up their nephew to save him as he said almost in tears, "Neo...Air will have his head for this...How many times have we been told in training that the name of our contacts is the one thing we never give up? Neo, The Writer of Our Codebook is worth more than every life in this room...if Air don't kill you over this breach...Marco and Leo will...Cause our family has lost enough members, we won't lose Seth as well..."

Lance pressed firmly on Franco's chest as his friend and patient tried to get up. Quietly he said, "Shh …. Franco, Neo did what he thought was necessary to save your life …. You know my mother, is already planning how she is going to handle the situation …. Neo will answer to her, but first we have to keep you alive long enough to speak in your brother's defense … now lie still or I will give you a sedative and then you will not have a choice." Lance made sure Franco focused on his eyes and weakly nodded, before he removed his hand from his chest and went back doing what he could do for the injuries without his wand.

"Doctor, if the man has enough energy to keep up a conversation with you, you can bring him back to the table." Cole needed Franco up so he could judge how soon the man could withstand Khalid's questioning.

Lance looked over his shoulder and replied, "He is just barely alive, Cole… if you let me use magic then I can have him up sooner." Lance could only hope he could use his wizard skills … it had been a long time since he had worked with pure Muggle abilities.

Cole watched as the men in the room started to move about; drinks were brought to the table and each of the guards made sure their charge received an adequate amount of drink.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the notes he had received. It was time to get to them and then obtain the signatures Khalid wanted and get out of here. The next time he took a job for this man, he was going to place a time limit on his services.

As he read the note from Khalid on the other information the man wanted, Cole started to put the pieces together on who was writing the codebook for the Caretakers. Seth Wright was related to the Spellman's. He would be their nephew, even though he was older than them by 20 plus years. In his research Cole had also figured out Seth was Codebreaker a man he had done several jobs for in the past. Seth was considered one of the "good guys" but Cole did not choose sides.

Cole started to read the note. Richard was still out cold, but all he needed from the man was a sample of his signature ,,, Antonio was still caught in the persona of Chameleon, but Cole planned on pulling Antonio out soon. … Franco was still too weak and Tarik would need to be woken up… so Cole decided to start with Arianna ….

Cole walked up to Arianna and turned her chair so he could get down on one knee to talk with her face to face. He gave a pointed look at Martin who started to strongly test his bonds. "Relax Auror, I am not going to hurt her, I just have some questions." Looking back at Arianna he started, "Princess, I know you are smart enough to have made a very logical guess on whom I am working for so I will skip the part about describing how bad my employer wants the information he has requested. You know he wants a copy of your signature so I will get to the other part of his message to you. He wants me to suggest you find another job or at least start to really concentrate of being the best Librarian you can be at Hogwarts… He cares about you and does not want to have his hand forced, as he puts it."

Cole knew Arianna was not going to follow the advice. She was too strong a personality and if she had given into the request, he would have to figure out how he had read her so wrong.

Arianna had been staring straight ahead, trying to monitor what was going on and pick out any weak points in the people in the room. She had not realized Cole had walked up beside her, until her chair was turned toward Martin's and Cole was on one knee in front of her. She plastered a smile on her face and listened to what he said. He was correct in the fact she knew his employer was her older brother Khalid, a wizard who had turned toward the dark magic's. It was not hard to also read Cole's face so she realized he knew she would not follow Khalid's wants. "You can tell my brother too …. well just tell him thank you for his offer but I need to decline his wishes." The smile never left her face as she stared into Cole's eyes and then looked over to where Franco was being treated by Lance. Saint's color was better but Lance looked worried. Her eyes turned to meet Martin's and they exchanged words of encouragement through the looks in their eyes. Neo was still refusing to look at her.

"I did not tell you to look away, Princess," Cole said angrily and put a hand on each side of her face forcing her to look back at him. The look she gave him would have put him down if her blood magic were not being blocked.

Cole took his hands away and placed them on her lap, then let his head drop. Bringing his eyes back up to hers he added, "Sorry Princess but I need you to really understand what you are being asked to do.

"Oh, I fully understand, Frank Cole, but you are wasting your breath, so why don't you just leave."

"Not quite yet Princess, you are not the only one I need to get a message too." Cole stood up and looked around. He turned Arianna's chair back to the table and walked toward Tarik. He looked down at the man and signaled the elf to wake the Medjai up. It surprised him the elf first looked over to Arianna for permission to do what he was being asked to accomplish. He raised his hand to hit the elf for not following instructions, just as Arianna nodded.

As the elf moved to stand in front of Tarik, Cole leaned down on the back of the chair, so he was very close to Tarik's ear. He was ready to move quickly because the Medjai was not going to like being woken up. Cole watched as the Elf placed his hand on Tarik's forehead and closed his eyes, mumbling something under his breath. Tarik's breathing changed almost immediately.

Cole stood back up and leaned on the back of the chair as he realized Tarik was going to pretend he was still asleep. Cole smiled at Ari and motioned toward her brother. Leaning back down he said, "Amir, do you really want to play it this way? Your sister is worried about you and if you do not open your eyes soon, I will have to go over and comfort her as only I can do … so what do you say …. do we talk or do I go and comfort her?" Cole was wondering how Tarik wanted to play the situation, and it made him smile playing the game.


Tarik was furious as he attentively tested the bonds on his arms, saying, "Cole, I thought that taste of what my magic is capable of would encourage you to not want to test my Blood-Magic again? I have no control so I would advise you to stay away from my sister! By the way Cole, the elf can tell you...he can't promise that his skills can keep my magic under control...so don't push me!" At first Tarik had hoped his bluff worked but he doubted it as he had finally remembered Cole as one of the wizards who worked from time to time for Greene's uncle in exchange for training in the ways of the Madjai.

Cole smiled and patted Tarik on the shoulder. "Ah, Amir I am glad you decided to join us again." Still not standing up straight, he said close to Tarik's head, "Amir, you better hope your blood-magic stays in check… the first to suffer will be the elf standing behind you and then I am sure your brother has a backup plan to make sure they behave."

Walking around so he could sit on the edge of the table and see Tarik's face he started, "It seems you have some translations which your brother is very interested in obtaining. If you can just tell me where they are, I will be happy to retrieve them when we are done here. On my honor I promise not to touch anything else." Cole was not expecting a positive answer, but he had to try. His main concern was the codebook and the signatures. He could tell Khalid he would hunt down the other things for no extra charge. It had been a long time since he had been on a treasure hunt.

Tarik closed his eyes for a moment and thought to the elf behind him, "I will try my friend not to use my blood-magic … do whatever you need to do to keep me in control, I will understand and will not be responsible for your people." Tarik knew the only way Khalid could get the elves to follow directions was to hold some of their clan as hostages.

Opening his eyes he said, "The material you are look for was destroyed in a fire at the Dojo and there are no other copies. I have destroyed every copy I know of … tell my brother maybe he should have studied the ancient writings more if he wanted to know what they said. The information will not come from me." Tarik continued to stare into Cole's eyes.

Cole looked over to Arianna who was stubbornly looking straight ahead to a point somewhere on the wall behind the bar. He wondered if it would make any difference to use her as a threat. If Tarik was telling the truth then the information was gone, if not then he would ask Khalid if he wanted to him try to find what he could. "Amir, you know what I can do to try and make you talk, but I think you are telling me the truth, although probably only partially. I will let my employer know what you said and find out what he wants me to do. After all," he said as he shrugged, "I know where to find you and your lovely family if I am being lied to …. I do not think they will enjoy hearing you did not tell the truth." Cole stared at Tarik to see if there was a reaction. Receiving only a stare in reply he got up and walked over to where Lance was still working on Franco.

As he passed Neo, he could not help but stop and see if he could make the man madder. Putting his hand on Neo's shoulder he said, "Neo, I again want to say thank you for giving me the information. … I can promise you it will be used wisely… as soon as I am finished here I plan on visiting your nephew," Cole smiled when he saw Neo realized he had made the connection in the relationship, " … yes my friend I know who Seth is, and how he is related to you." Adding a questioning look to his face, he went on, "Although I always thought family was a little more important to you." Leaning down so only Neo could hear he added, "I was not planning on killing, your brother although he needs to learn to deal with the pain don’t you agree?" Standing back up Cole patted Neo's shoulder again saying, "I will of course make sure Seth realizes who told me to speak with him about the information my employer needs … I am sure he will be very grateful." Cole tapped Neo's check with several stinging slaps, chuckling to himself as he continued his walk to check on Franco.

As he passed Martin, he saw the man's eyes glued to Arianna. The man was an Auror through and through and it was galling him not to be able to do anything about the situation. Cole did slam his fist into the man's arm, "Having trouble concentrating Martin, well let me give you something to think about…. Ari is safe now. If you are good I may even let her stay with you when I leave." Cole had no intention of taking Ari with him but the Auror did not know that, and it was satisfying to see the man had become ridged. He still did not say anything, just kept staring at Arianna, but he face mussels had changed and become harder. Cole did slam his fist into the man's arm.

Martin had listened to Cole talk with Neo. The man was good at psychological pain and goading. Neo had gone through the grueling training the rest of them had worked though but if Martin had read the security reports correctly it had been noted by Arianna the brothers were physically and mentally connected and she had been afraid it would cause problems in the future. She had been right as usual. All he could do was wait and be ready for anything she had planned or for a break in the situation, which he could use to improve their position.
========================
Arianna had never moved her head, but her eyes were shifting between the men sitting at the table. Ari and Neo's eyes lock for a moment, before Neo looked away. Ari willed him to look back at her as she thought, "Cole is winning the battle with Neo. He is slowly melting the Cooler, and taking away the man edge. When their eyes finally locked, Arianna shot Neo a look which could only mean, he needed to start thinking again and worry later about what he had done, because it could not be changed. Cole knew she had heard everything he had said to Neo. She was watching for any kink in Cole's methods she could use. He smiled at her and blew her a kiss.
Arianna was fighting her own demons, which were starting to unravel her abilities to stay in control. Cole was paying too much attention to Franco. The man was planning more with the Saint and Ari was not sure he would be able to survive even with Lance's medical help. She wanted to send him a mental message but if Cole found out, the elf guarding her mind would be punished. Thinking to the elf, "Can you do anything to help the doctor?" . The only reply she received was, "Will try Amira."

When he reached the wall, Cole noticed Franco's eyes were opened. They focused on him as soon as he walked up, holding a look of hatred and weariness. "Well Doc, can I have him back at the table now."

Lance froze in what he was doing, looked at Franco, placing a comforting hand on the man's chest and slowly looked up at Cole. "He is not stable yet, Cole. Without the use of my wand I am depending on my knowledge of Muggle care."

Cole shrugged and commented, "I know and I hate to hold you back, but the use of your wand is out." Cole looked over toward Chameleon who was scanning the room and trying to look menacing and what the man apparently thought the look of "being in charge" was supposed to look like. Turning back to Lance he said, "You have about 20 minutes to get him back to the table, whether he is ready or not. I need to talk with him ….Twenty minutes doc." Before Cole walked away, he stared at Franco who had closed his eyes again. The man was a fighting the situation, which was a good thing. Under his breath he said, "You are doing great kid …. but there is still more to go … I hope you can hang in there."

Martin saw his mother-in-law cringe. Franco was in trouble and needed more help than Lance could give him trapped at the Hog's Head. Ari was fighting with herself on what she should do. She was trying to make a decision. Martin stared at her until she turned her head, then he smiled and nodded. He had to let her know whatever she decided it would be all right and they would all work through the consequences.

Air had to keep them all alive; if possible … it was one of her responsibilities. She also knew her team had been able to turn circumstances around and were good at damage control, but they had to survive to get to the point they could block problems. If she did what she had in mind, it was going to open up the door for the others to give in and survive. She felt Martin's stare, so she looked his way. Her son-in-law had been a treasure to her, because he was strong, cared deeply for her daughter and could be counted on to back her up or tell her to her face if she was doing something dangerous. His expression now was one of agreement to whatever she was planning. Air smiled back at him took a deep breath and said in the most level voice she could manage, "Cole I have a proposition for you."

Cole had only been able to take a couple of steps before Arianna's voice stopped him in his tracks. He had made it as far as Martin's chair. Slowly he turned and said, "Yes, Princes … are you wanting to play?" He could not help but smile, because he knew she realized what he meant and he was positive that was not what the proposition entailed.

Arianna, looked away in exasperation for a moment, then with determination she looked back, "Franco needs help from Lance which he can only give with the use of his wand … I know you do not want him to die here," Arianna was not sure why Cole needed Franco alive but she knew the man had plans for the Saint. "I will give you a sample of my signature if you allow Lance to use his wand on Franco, for medical purposes only." Arianna knew Khalid had copies of all their signatures somewhere in his paperwork, but they were old and he was making sure none of them had changed how they signed documents. Ari was also not planning to give Cole the way she signed Caretaker Group documents, just a copy of how she would sign an everyday letter.

Cole smiled and stared for a moment. He knew Ari was only stalling, but all he had been told was get copies of the signatures, he was not told to verify if they were true copies. "Princess, I think I can agree to that."

Turning to Lance, Cole said, "Doc, you have my permission to use your wand on Franco, but I will have your word of honor it will only be for medical purposes …. just enough to keep him alive." While Cole waited, he signaled Tom to guard the doctor. "If Tom thinks you have done something you should not do he has my permission to knock you out and no one will get your expert help."

Lance heard Ari and cringed, she had given in to save one of her team. He did not take his eyes off Franco, but said, "I agree and give you my word of Honor, I will only use my wand for medical purposes on Franco." Looking out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Tom move closer to him and felt the man's wand on the back of his neck. Tom also handed Lance his wand and told him to proceed. Lance went to work immediately, temporally resealed the whole in Franco's heart, which had broken open again, fixed the broken rib, which were busted during the beating and sealed the cuts on his chest so they could heal. Franco was still going to be very weak and alive… it was all he could do for him at the moment.

Looking over toward Chameleon he started to wonder how he was going to get the entity to allow Antonio back out again. As he walked toward the man, he read the note of instructions and an idea came to him.

Chameleon watched Cole move around the room. The Saygar was so relaxed. Trying to appear relaxed himself Chameleon listened closely. He was trying hard to learn how to talk in a way people would obey. Cole had made it very clear to him he expected him to learn how to handle a situation with minimum bodily threats. He was in awe of the man. As Cole started toward him he straightened even more and stood at relaxed attention … waiting for further orders.

Cole stood next to Chameleon shoulder to shoulder, surveying the room. With a quick side-glance he said, "Well Chameleon, you have done very good today … I must say I am proud of you." He watched as Chameleon's body took on an air of confidence. Still looking around the room, he continued, "Your grandfather has suggested you may be interested in working for me and learning more … it would mean you would have to follow my orders. I will always try to answer your questions, but there will be times you must not question what I say. … Do you think you would be interested?"

Chameleon's felt true joy as he thought, "This was what I wanted a Saygar that saw my full potential." Looking toward his new teacher he tried to sound very professional as he said, "I would consider it a great honor, Saygar to learn from one such as you. Question, if I may?"

Cole nodded, noticing a childish glee in the man's eyes. "Yes you may ask your question."

"Would I still be answering to Shadow or just you? Reason I ask is that Uncle would have me reporting your activities to him and I think I would have to refuse his request as I know he only wants the knowledge to find a way to have a hold over you as he does most."

Turning toward Chameleon, Cole looked pointedly into his eyes. … Shadow was not going to like his answer to the man, but Cole would handle that situation later. "If I accept you as my apprentice, you will answer to me only. I will set this up with your grandfather. When Shadow has a problem with this situation, you send him to me. Oh and one other thing you should know. I will back you up but you must learn to think and not just react, because Shadow and others will try and make you mad on purpose in order to get you to do something, which you know I would not like. If you have questions then ask …. I will either explain it to you or just tell you what to do … either way you will be expected to follow my orders with no questions asked. Am I understood in this Chameleon?"

Chameleon smiled and nodded.

"Ok, then consider yourself as part of my team." Cole was wondering how easy this was going to be. The next few moments would tell him. Walking over to the bar, Cole told one of the men to give him a glass of very sweet tea. When he had it he walked back to Chameleon. Holding out the glass he said, "Drink this, I need Antonio out now." Cole raised his eyebrows as he saw the look of questioning panic, spread across Chameleon's face.

Chameleon shifted his eyes between Cole and the glass of tea. Shadow had always used bringing Antonio out as a threat. The Saygar was asking him to willingly let one of his alter ego's out. "Did I fail him in some way …. Or Is this a test concerning me be able to obey without question? I want this..." Chameleon decided if he really wanted to learn from the Saygar he was going to have to trust him, so he thought to Antonio, "He can teach us so much...If I let you out...Don't mess this Up for Me...Please."


Antonio was startled to hear Chameleon actually talking to him in his head. His other self always fought the connection. He was not going to take any chances there would be another closure on the thoughts. He quickly grabbed the tea and drank it as he said to Cole, "That is the first time that Chameleon willing let me out...I Don't Know what you have done but this shows that just maybe the plan can still work...That he can become part of the group again...What did you do Cole?"

Cole's shoulders visibly relaxed as Antonio was definitely out. "I gave him a choice. He has never had the ability to decide how he wanted to survive. He wants to be part of your little group and has become his own unique entity enough to want to survive. You created him to kill and be your evil side …. but he has gown past that point." Cole did not know how much Antonio had been able to understand while he was locked away in Chameleon's time out. "Antonio, you grandfather has given me a chance to have you in my small group …. Chameleon wants it, because he wants to learn … I will tell you the same thing though … you are either in or out. I expect total obedience to my orders. This is going to mean locking Tony and Anthony away and not allowing them out.. do you think you can do that? It is definitely going to pit you against those who you call friends, but I will promise you I will try to make it so you do not have to harm them… but Antonio, if I say hit, stab, slap or grind down about someone I expect no hesitation on your part."

Cole was not sure this was going to work, but he was willing to try. After all he could always trick Antonio into letting Chameleon out and then keep the entity out for whatever time period he required.

Antonio cringed and thought to Chameleon, "Chameleon you want this? Then here is the deal! We all made a pact to protect Tia and get the one that killed our partner! No Matter What We Had To Do...I Can't Be Worrying That you Will Side Against Us Again and kill an innocent... Chameleon's was silent for a moment, making Antonio think, he had totally broken away but soon he heard the answer in his head, "Then Don't Kill Me Afterwards and I will not have to betray your trust!

Antonio let out a silent chuckle and shook his head slowly. The other entity was only worried about being destroyed. He was almost childlike in his response. "So me and you are that connected...Okay but Chameleon I need Your Oath! I Trust Cole but the Question is can I Trust You?"

Chameleon agreed. Antonio did not hear the agreement in words it was more of a strong feeling of the Chameleon relaxing and floating into the distance. Antonio let his eyes focus on Cole while saying, "I trust you Cole. You know the lines I will not cross or have Chameleon cross. Answer this Question first, why have you chosen to work outside most of "The Pact"? Is it for the same reason I trust very few of our old crew? My reason as Marco knows is I smell a Rat!"

Cole stared at Antonio, checking the man's eyes and the hold of his body. He had learned whom Chameleon carried himself. Chameleon was a child who wanted to please and to be treated as an adult. The relaxed body of Antonio and the leery eye set told him he was again dealing with the hit wizard. Allowing only one corner of his mouth to turn up Cole replied, "Hang onto that theory Antonio. It may just save your live in the near future…. Now go sit down and be ready to follow my orders."

Antonio nodded mostly to himself as he said, "Then Count me in Cole as I want the Rat even more than I want Marcus' Killer!"

"We will be able to take care of 'the Rat' as you call him in due time… if you are going to work for me though you will not be able to go off on your own vigilante hunt. I will not always let you in on my plans Antonio, so never consider you know what I want you to do … until I learn how you operate you are basically a 'yes' man to me. Understand that now and we will not have problems."

Smiling as he felt Chameleon say, "We should Deal with Both, oh and Antonio, I didn't kill the lawyer...Grandfather has traitors even in his group."

Antonio nodded as he said for only Cole could hear, "We need to talk about my job at Hogwarts as I really don't want to give that up?"

Cole motioned Antonio to step away from the table for a moment. Then he turned so his back was too the table, preventing anyone from reading his lips and said, "Antonio, if you can work it out where you can keep your job at Hogwarts and still be available to me then I will agree … but there are many at Hogwarts, including some in this room, who are not going to be happy if they find out you are in my employ. I will require Chameleon's services for than I will yours …. I want that part of you trained to think and not just react … you will be letting him out more often so see if you can work it out. If not then decide whether you want to work for the school or me and let me know within the week after we leave here. Once you make your decision it will be final." Cole needed to clarify one thing for Antonio, "No matter what your decision Antonio, I will still be requiring Chameleon's help … I would much rather get it voluntarily but either way … you other self is mine." Cole gave Antonio a hard look. Chameleon could be brought out easily … all Cole had to do was keep Antonio in one place long enough to force Vodka down his throat. Now I will not sa it again Antonio, go sit down and do not interfere unless you are told to do something. This job is taking way to long for my tastes. I have some good benefits coming from it, but I do not like being stationary this long.

Antonio sat down at the table continuing to sip on what was left in his glass of very sweet iced tea, as he realized just what Chameleon was telling him. He would need to talk with Cole and then Greene, as they needed to know.

Arianna was glad Antonio was out, but she was worried because it was too easy for Cole to manipulate the situation between the entities. Cole could have brought any of the other personalities out. She understood why Tony had not come out; he was not a fighter, just the fun side of the personalities. Antony was a trained Auror and would be more trouble than he was worth, but Antony had more skill than Antonio did. So why had Khalid said, and she was sure Khalid had said, to keep Antonio as the main personality on top. Chameleon would be allowed to surface if Cole wanted something done, which the Antonio personality would have questioned. At least Richard had a chance to live if Antonio was out … Chameleon would kill the man in a heartbeat, orders or no orders from Cole.

It took her a couple of moments, watching Antonio/Chameleon to realize the man was having internal conversations with himself. It had never occurred the entities could communicate with each other. Marco had said they left notes to let the other know what was happening … apparently communication had moved up a notch.

It was interesting to Cole how Antonio would freeze almost in mid sentence. It took a moment but Cole realized he was having an internal conversation with himself. A connection had been made between Antonio and Chameleon; a connection which was not there before due to mistrust. It would be interesting to see how the connection grew.

Smiling at everyone around the table, Cole looked over at the wall and noticed Lance and Franco carrying on a conversation. He motioned Antonio to take a seat and then walked over to stand behind Franco's original chair. "Time is up doctor, return him to his seat." When Lance looked like he was going to say something, Cole slammed his hands on the back of the chair, and added, "Either you bring him or I will have a couple of my friends here bring him … your choice … but do it now."

Arianna jumped when Cole slammed his hands down on the back of the chair. It was too hard for her to turn to see Franco and Lance so she looked at Martin and Neo. They had both struggled with their bonds for a second. They knew Lance had been able to use his wand, but the wand was only for minor emergency repair. Without the services of the hospital, Franco was still on the boarder of failure.

Lance looked down at Franco who was looking at the ceiling, "Sorry my friend it looks like I have no choice in this… just keep taking deep breaths when you can and concentrate on keeping your heart beating."

Franco nodded and closed his eyes while one of the goons undid his hands and another undid his feet, and then helped to swing his legs over to the floor. It took a moment for him to make his head stop spinning. A goon stood on either side of him and took his arms. Franco considered fighting but he knew he was too weak to put up much of a struggle. Cole would just take it out on someone else. He allowed himself to be roughly assisted to his original seat and not so gently set down. Within an instant, he found his arms again bound to his side. Just the short walk had make his breathing labored; he did not look up but stared at a fixed place on the table trying to gather what energy he could. Lance stood behind him and just off to his right.

"This is not good Cole… the man is not strong enough to take your questioning methods. I thought you needed to keep him alive." Lance knew Franco was still very weak and his heart was still racing.

"I do doctor … and he will stay alive." Putting his hand on Franco's shoulder to let the man know he was close, Cole continued, "but it will be up to him and the others on whether everyone else stays alive." Cole reached in his pocket and pulled out a Muggle hypodermic needle and before anyone else could react, he stabbed it into Franco's neck and pushed the plunger. "Now that should help…" he added with a chuckle dripping in evil intent. He did not like using drugs because it could take too long to get the person coherant depending on the reaction the person had.

"Cole, Lance knows his business. If he says Franco is too weak, then he is." Arianna had to try and get Cole to let Franco rest.

Cole looked over to Arianna. "Quiet Princess, or I will make Lance here stand at the other side of the room. We will see then how good he is…You and your friends here have decided to fight me at every turn and I am getting tired of dealing with you. so either be quiet or I will push all the buttons to find the information I need and Princess…" Cole stopped for a moment then continued, "I can guarantee not all of you will survive so make your choice."

All Arianna could do was look down at the table. She did not dare show the anger she felt. If Cole got frustrated enough then he would do something desperate and he was telling the truth, not all of them would survive.

Franco's head came up as the needle went into his skin. At first he felt nothing.. but then his body started to quiver, then shake…. No matter how hard he tried be could not stop the ever increasing shaking of all his limbs. After a moment, his mussels started to quiet down, but he still felt like he was going to jump out of his skin.

Arianna had been watching Cole's movement carefully, still looking for anything, which would give her the upper hand in dealing with him. At first, it did not register what Cole was holding in his hand, but when he jabbed it into Franco's neck, her breath was pulled in gasp, as a tear slide out of her right eye. The only thing she could hope for was what ever was in the hypodermic would not kill Franco.

Lance had jumped toward where Franco sat, but he was grabbed by his blocker and thrown to his knees. Cole looked at him and said, "Hold doctor, it is only a very fine Muggle stimulant."

In unison Arianna and Martin both said, "Lance no…"

Lance said, "A stimulant that strong can kill him Cole … it can destroy his heart…"

Smiling Cole looked in the doctors eyes and said, "Then doctor do not make me give it too him again. I have three more hypos in my pocket, each filled with the same solution…. Now shut up and let me talk with Franco." Leaning onto the back of the chair again, Cole asked, "Franco can you understand what I am saying?" After a moment, he received a nod to his question. "Good then I have a few questions and requests for you from my employer. If you listen and give me the answers, I know he will accept then all will be well, if you refuse then you or someone else will get another boost of the medicine I just gave you. First request: It seems like you have been checking on stories which would revel information your family and friends do not want reveled. It is being suggested you be more careful in your choices and less tenacious in finding out information."

Franco tried to focus his eyes on anyone at the table. He heard Cole talking to him but all the faces were swimming in front of him. His mouth felt dry and his tongue was refusing to move, as he wanted it too. He tried to think of the stories he had been checking on recently. His mind grabbed onto the fact there was something wrong with someone saying he could not work on a certain story. He looked at Cole and tried to smile. "I think I like working on the stories I have been working on …. whatever they are. So tell your employer to take a flying leap without a broom." Franco smiled and tried to nod to the others at the table. His head bounced up and down, but it also hurt.

Neo watched his brother. Something was wrong. Quietly he asked, "Frankie, what is it? What is wrong?" Realizing Franco was not going to be able to answer Neo looked at Cole and said, "What did you give him Cole? Marco could not have approved this?"

Cole put his left hand on Franco's left shoulder and with his right hand grabbed Franco's hair and turned his head so the man was looking at him. "Franco, your brother is asking what is wrong. I want you to tell him everything is okay and you feel fantastic," then he turned his head toward his brother and said, "tell him now Frankie tell your brother how you feel."

Franco could still not totally focus on his brothers face. His brother kept jumping around but he smiled and said, "I am fine Neo …. never felt better in my life …. I sure wish you would sit still though, because you are making me dizzy." On his own Franco looked back up at Cole and smiled. Cole chuckled and roughly slapped Franco's face saying, "Very good Frankie, very good."

"Neo, Franco really is fine as long as he answers my questions … as the serum wears off he will begin to have a greater understanding of what he is saying to me … if he fights the answers pain will be galvanized in his brain … so let's hope he answers my questions."

"Cole," Martin started because he knew what drug Cole had used by his description, "that serum was banned in the Muggle world about five years ago, because it was too much of a stimulant and even a simple falsehood could cause debilitating pain. It is also highly addictive … which shows up only after it had completely left the persons system.

"No worries, Martin," Cole said with a sickening smile, "I have more, so if he needs it, I will be happy to give it to him." Cole looked at Arianna and added, "No Princess do not say anything. He will still be alive, just strung out on a very powerful stimulant… although I have seen the results of trying to bring someone off its dependency … not a pretty picture, I must say." Cole did not let the smile slip from his face. He had been the one who had been forced to live through the downward spiral of coming off the exact medication he had just given Franco. He had six shots of it before his tormentor had said he could have no more. Cole could still hear himself begging and pleading, promising he would do anything if only he could have another shot … never again.

Cole looked at Franco again and realized the man was coming out of the drugs just enough to start having a bad effect on him if he refused to answer. Cole tested to see how far down he had come. "I think we will test and see if Frankie is at the point I want him at." Looking at Franco and again pulling his hair so he was looking at him, Cole said, "Franco I want you to tell Neo exactly how you feel about what he did giving up Seth's name." Cole dropped the man's head back down and held it so Franco was looking directly at Neo and could not move. "Franco tell him now…"

The smile on Franco's face went from broad to nothing and then to anguish… pain shot through his head, but he was unable to stop the words coming out of his mouth. Tears formed in his eyes as he said, "Neo...Air will have your head for giving up the writer...How many times have we been told in training that the name of our contacts is the one thing we never give up? Neo, The Writer of Our Codebook is worth more than every life in this room...if Air don't kill you over this breach...Marco and Leo will...Cause our family has lost enough members, we won't lose Seth as well..."

Neo cringed because everything his brother was saying to him was true. He could not take it back now. "Frankie, " he started, but there was nothing else he could say to his brother. The only thing he could do was take the first chance he got and try and give some of the others the ability to get them out of the situation.

It was Martin's turn to cringe. Franco had reached a point in the medicine where if he fought saying anything his brain would register pain, which would increase the more he fought. When he did say something, it would be the truth only. Franco would also, at this point be able to realize he had no choice but to tell Cole exactly what he wanted to know and that would increase the pain. Martin looked at Arianna and tried to tell her with his eyes everything was going to be all right, knowing she felt like he did and was not sure that was true.

Cole smiled and patted Franco face again, "That was very well done Franco, oh and thank you for confirming the name your brother gave me." The smile which had started to spread across Franco's face, dropped away quickly and anguish replaced it. Franco started to fight his bonds. "Neo," Cole ordered, "convince your brother to stop fighting his bonds or I will give him another gab."

Neo looked up and said to his brother, "Frankie sit still …. it will be all right …. but you have to remain still." Neo kept watching, seeing his brother eventually stop fighting the restraints and concentrate on focusing on his face. Neo forced himself to smile and give a nod of reassurance.

"Saint, listen to your brother, that is an order," Arianna could only add her voice in the hopes Franco could use it to focus.

"Very good gentlemen … now we are getting somewhere. Franco pay attention please …." Slowly Franco turned his head away from his brothers and tried to look up over his shoulder to where Cole was standing. "We are going to try for some more information. My employer would also like to congratulate you on your new job as editor of the Daily Prophet and hopes you can come to some satisfactory arrangement with him on swapping some information. He also hopes he may be able to suggest some very interesting stories for you to follow. I want you to tell me who in your office I should talk with to get the most information about your present stories, so we can help you decide what information is true and what needs to be changed."

Arianna stared at Cole, because he was now going to bring in "innocents" to the problem. Their only hope was for the group to get to them first. She placed it high on the list of thing to do immediately, when they could get loose.

Franco lowered his head and looked at the table. There were several names he could give but if he gave any of them up he would be putting that person in danger. "I cannot give you…" his head started to pound and shooting pains shot through every snap's. The names were forming in his mouth, they were going to come out, and he knew he was not going to be able to stop from saying them. He looked to his brother and then to Arianna, pleading for help to prevent the names from being said. Their faces were contorted and they were saying something, but the pain in his head was blocking out the sounds. Franco felt sick as he said, "Ken Williams and Margaret Holmes." As soon as he said the names the pain started to diminish, but he still felt violently sick to this stomach. He had mellowed out from the drug enough to realize whatever question he was asked he would be giving the true answer too.

"Franco you are doing marvelous … how do you feel… would you like something for the headache? Doctor Lance is right here and he would be happy to give you something, I know." Cole took another hypodermic needle out of his pocket and held it down behind Franco's chair. The next bit of information was important. With enough of the serum in him Franco would just tell him the answer and not even realize he had. Cole needed to keep the man semi-lucid though because he needed the serum to get out of his system before he was delivered to Khalid.

Franco turned his head to the right and looked at Lance who was being held on his knees just back far enough he had to turn his head sharply. "Lance should I be taking something for my headache?"

Lance looked to where Cole's hand held the hypo behind Franco's chair. Another shot of the serum in the needle could put Franco in a coma. Shaking his head no he said, "No Franco you need the headache to keep you conscious, sorry."

Franco took a few moments to process the information. He did not like the headache … it felt like his whole head was being beaten with a hammer, but if Lance said no then he would have to deal with it. Again forcing his head so he could look at Cole, he said, "No, I think I will pass." Cole only smiled and put the hypo back in his pocket.

Arianna had not realized she was holding her breath. She did not know what the serum was, but Martin had voiced what the results of another shot could mean. "Good, Saint, well played. You are doing great."

Cole looked at Arianna and only shook his head. The woman was marvelous … strong and trying to valiantly stay in control. "Oh, Arianna, we could make such a great pair together." he thought to himself. In his line of work, it would never contentiously happen but even he could dream occasionally.

"Franco, the person I have been working for would be very interested in getting from you, in the hopes he may be able to correct any misconceptions on your part, what you may know of the activities of the Ornaris family. How about giving me a geneal outline or letting me know where I can look at your notes… we would not want you to publish anything not true would we …. a good reporter always double checks his information and my employer would like to help you check your facts." This was just too easy, Cole was almost board with the process.

Franco felt the pain returning to his head, even before Cole had finished his statement. "You cannot have my notes, they are …" his head hurt and he heard himself scream because of the pain. He gulped air into his lungs as he tried to keep the secret of where his notes were … but it was not going to happen. "In my office there is a safe…" he tried to stop but couldn't, "In the safe is a folder with my information in it, but you …" Franco again tried to stop talking, but the pain only grew worse and the words would not stop."You need a combination phrase to open the safe." Franco tried to breathe deeply again.

Cole stepped around Franco and sat on the edge of the table. "Franco, you know I need the combination phrase, right, so what is it?" Cole watched as Franco tried to fight saying the words. The man shook his head from side to side and tried to clamp his mouth shut; his eyes looked at Ari, Martin, and his brother, begging with his eyes to have them prevent him from giving the information. Tears came from his eyes as he said; "Mine and only mine." then let out a grown and dropped his head to the tabletop.

Lance's blocker would not let him up off his knees as he watched Franco's breathing grow more labored and his skin start to sweat. "Cole, let me help him … please … just let me help him with the effects of the serum.

"Now why would I do that Doc," Cole said as he turned briefly toward Lance, "he has just reached the point I want him at. He cannot control what he is saying and the pain will help convince him to just tell me so I will stop asking questions … it is an exquisite serum don't you think. The after effects are not so much fun but I will try and let you be with him long enough to bring him totally down from the first shot." Cole smiled as he turned back to Franco.

Arianna's expression caught his eye, and he saw the tears escaping from the corner of her eyes, "What's wrong Princess, do not like the way I am handling this … I could but him back up on the pole you know." Cole raised his eyebrows as his eyes slide to Martin and Neo, both of who were staring at Arianna … wanting to help her but unable to. Cole chuckled and added, "Arianna, it is good to see such a tight team … but let me give you a word of advice …. that tightness could be your downfall." Cole knew what it was like to depend on others and too care. If he could help it, he would never go back to that point.

They had lasted 75 years as a team. Some of the members had passed away, some had been slain and some had just gotten to old to continue, but the Caretaker Group had continued. Arianna was determined to hold out herself until Tia became of age and her basic mission was complete. Shaking her head slowly from side to side a couple of times, she looked into Cole's eyes and said, "The tightness of the team is what keeps us together Cole, because if one fails the others can hold things together until a replacement can be found or the original member comes back. I would not have it any other way."

Cole put his hand on Franco's shoulder and said, "I have one more question and then I will let you rest.

Franco continued to shake his head no."No more Cole … no more."

Cole folded his arms in front of him while he continued to sit on the table, watching Franco. "One more question Franco… then I will be finished with you." Franco was almost totally exhausted. If Cole did not let him rest soon, he never would make it through the questioning when Shadow got a hold of him. Cole had made arrangements to be present during Shadow's questioning, so he might be able to soften some of the pain, but if Shadow got jealous then he would only double his efforts to get information from Franco and Cole was not sure the man would survive.

"Franco, look at me…. I said look at me …. either you look at me on your own or I will force you too." Slowly Franco turned his head toward Cole. There was only exhaustion and pain in his eyes. "My employer says you have a rather large amount of files in your possession which contain stolen information and facts he needs to know about. He wants all of the files. So if you will tell me where they are then you can rest….. You do realize Franco, the information will be obtained by my employer, so why not make it easy and give it to me?"

Franco took a deep breath, because this information he could give, "The files are in a lock vault in the Gingotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley…." A smile slowly spread across Franco's face. "You cannot get to them …. no one can …I have to personally be there for the vault to be unlocked and I am not going with you. "

Cole looked away. He was not ready to tell Franco he would be going with him and if they needed to force him to get the files, there were way that could be accomplished. For now let the man think they were at a standstill. "Well, I will let my employer know that information. Relax Franco …. Doctor you can re-examine him and give him any thing he needs. In about an hour, what I gave him will be totally out of his system." As Cole stood up he patted Franco on the shoulder.

Arianna's head shot up and her gaze went from Cole to Neo, to Martin. Cole had given in too easy to Franco's answer. If Khalid had requested the files, then Cole needed to be able to retrieve them. The only way was to have Franco go with him or someone else, get the files out of the vault and give them to Khalid. Arianna, tried not to gasp when she finally accepted the fact, Cole was planning on taking Franco with him when he left. She wondered if either Martin or Neo realized this fact.

Martin had been quicker on the realization on what was going to happen to Franco when Cole decided to leave. Franco was not going to be allowed to stay. Cole was keeping him alive for someone else. Franco's life expectancy had just about bottomed out. He was going to try something Arianna was not going to like, but maybe there was a chance, "Cole, I can get you into that vault without Franco present." He could not look at his mother-in-law because if Cole took him up on his offer, than he was most likely a dead man, and it would probably not be an easy death.

Arianna said before she thought, "No Martin, …. no you cant.."

Martin turned to her and said, "Yes I can Air, this is my decision …. not yours, Please stay out of it." The look of pain on her face just about undid him but he had to try."

"How touching," Cole said from behind Franco, "such caring … but Martin I can not take you up on your offer …. there are other reasons things will play out like they are supposed to, sorry." Cole stepped back and gave Lance some room to work on Franco. "Keep him alive doc, because he still has a road to travel."

Neo, realized before the others that Franco was not going to be allowed to stay, but he had hope his brother Marco knew it was a possibility. He added fire to his stare as said, "Cole! The road travels in two directions and your friend better know what you are doing or he and I will not be happy …. and Cole, you should know just how your friend gets when he is unhappy … you trained him!" The code Neo used was designed by Marco. Neo had just told Cole that his story better check out with Marco and Franco better be returned alive or Cole would be facing the brothers wrath especially neo and Marco.

Cole returned Neo's stare with equal intensity and nodded. He understood what was at stake. If Franco died, Cole would be on the run for the rest of his life always looking over his shoulder. He was not the one who had discovered Franco was going to try and use the disguise and have himself believed to be Cole, but he was the one who had to stop the man. He had sent a message to Marco what was about to happen, but had not given the man time to stop his brother. If he had, then his employer would have known it was him who gave his plans away, and Cole had already accepted partial payment at that time so he was committed to the job. Now it seemed he was playing both sides of the fence at once and it was not a comfortable position.

Lance stood up and went to Franco, whose head had dropped hard onto the table top. "Franco," Franco's head shot up from the table. Lance grabbed it and rested it against his own body. Tears were flowing freely and Lance could feel Franco's body shaking in spasms. Franco was crashing hard from whatever Cole had given him. "Franco breathe …. come on friend take some deep breaths for me. You will be down soon … I promise. I would give you something but I want to make sure everything is out of your system first.


Cole moved back as Lance took his position next to Franco. He walked toward the bar and leaned against it surveying the people at the table. Antonio was sitting back trying not to meet anyone's eyes directly. He was now on the outside of the group and potentially deadly to all of them.

Arianna was staring mostly at the table, probably trying to collect her thoughts. His heart still ached to think how good it would be to have her on his side, no at his side, but he knew it would never be. Her heart had been given to Richard who was still unconscious, laid out at the other end of the counter. He was a lucky man, the Professor.

Martin's glance shifted between him and Arianna. When his glance caught him, Cole smiled and winked, chuckling at the expression of discuss on the man's face. If Martin ever caught him, somewhere private, Cole's life would not be worth a plug galleon. Cole was sure he could take him, but it would not be easy. The man was a mind-diver so he would be able to out maneuvers Cole for a while.

Neo stared at Cole and it took everything Cole had in him not to look at the man. He was determined to keep Franco alive like he had promised Neo's brother, Marco, but accidents happened. Cole did not want to have to take the man out just to stay alive. Marco, knew him well enough to realize he would do everything in his power to keep his promise but Neo was a hot head and would use his wand first and ask questions later.

Tarik was still asleep. Cole was not sure if he would wake the Wizard up before he left or not. Cole respected Tarik; the man had integrity and a calmness about him which radiated authority. From the little Cole knew of him … he did not like to fight and preferred to teach. He had a greatness about him, that would always pull him toward the front of a crowd or a problem and he would be forced to fight. Cole almost felt sorry for the man who just wanted a quiet life and was most likely not going to get it.

Now he was back to Lance and Franco. The doc was good and calm under presure. Cole was glad he had arrived although he deep down wished it had been someone else. The two fools who had brought him and Martin here were supposed to find a doctor who was expendable. Doc Lance would be missed and if something happened to him the Caretaker group would move mountains to take out the perpetrator.

Cole was going to try and give Franco as much time as he could to gather his strength but his time was running out. Taking the original note of requests from his pocket, Cole realized all he had left to do was get the sample signatures from Arianna, which she had already promised to give to help Franco; from Neo … from Franco and from the sleeping Richard. He looked at the group again. He was going to have to find a way to force them to give the signatures to save something of value.

Reaching behind the bar, Cole brought out a piece of parchment, quill and ink well. Slowly he walked back to the table and stood behind Arianna placing the writing equipment in the center of the table. His time here was just about at an end and he needed to be close to the Princess at least once more. "Everyone, I only have one request left on my list. I need copies of signatures from you Princess," Cole put his hands on Arianna's shoulders and massaged gently, "you Neo, Franco and Richard over there." Gently rubbing Arianna's arms he said, "Arianna you have already given up your signature so here …" He reached and pulled the equipment to in front of where Arianna sat, and unbound one of her arm. "Please write your signature three times on the paper. Once should be your complete signature; one with your initials and last name and one with just your initials." When Air hesitated, Cole added, "Now, Princess, you gave your word and I know that counts with you."

Arianna took a deep breath as her the bond was removed from her left arm. Apparently, Cole knew she was left-handed. It took a few moments for the blood to totally circulate so she could bend her elbow without wincing. Slowly reaching for the quill, she looked around the table. It was hard seeing the pain in the other's eyes, but this was the best, they could fix this part later. She dipped the quill in the ink well and wrote out the signatures requested then put the quill down and sat back in the chair, "You do know you will regret this later, right Cole?" she asked without looking at him.

Cole said, "Yes Princess, but I am already regretting to have to do it now … I have been paid, so I have to complete the job. Maybe someday we can talk about this…" He bound her arm back to her side, and kissed her gently on the cheek, while whispering in her ear, "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, Princess." Then he stood back up and pushed the writing equipment toward Neo. Walking around the table, he stood behind the man.

Arianna could not help but shake. The man caused her skin to crawl. She watched in silence as Cole walked around the table. He stopped momentarily behind Martin's chair as if he was going to say something. Martin looked at Arianna and held her eyes as he waited for Cole to either talk to him or continue. When the man continued his walk, Martin closed his eyes for a moment then looked back at Arianna and gave her a small smile. Arianna let out a breath slowly and smiled back at Martin, then looked over to where Cole was standing behind Neo.

Neo appeared to be looking straight ahead, but Cole knew he was watching his every move as he slowly made his way to the man's chair. When he was behind him he looked down and stared. He figureed Neo was going to be the hardest to get the samples from because the man was rock. "Neo, my friend," Cole said as he put his hands on the mans shoulders expecting him to shrug them away, but he just sat like a statue. Cole continued, "I suppose you are not going to make this easy for me are you?" Squeezing Neo's shoulders hard, he was pleased with the slight grown he received from the pain. "What will make you agree to give me your signatures? … I am not going to hurt your brother anymore because of you … because as we both know I need him alive … so what else?" Cole continued to squeeze Neo's shoulders, looked over at the bar and saw something shine in the light. Cole smiled, "Neo I think we can come to an understanding."

Standing up straight, Cole walked over to the bar and smiled at the men watching him. Carefully he picked up the blade that was there and then removed the other one he had sheathed in his belt. These were Neo's Achilles heals.

Slowly he walked back to the table playing with the blades in his hands. Neo had shot him one quick look, before turning his head forward again. Cole chuckled when he got beside Neo's chair. Looking at the blocker behind him he said, "Watch him …. I think he is going to be a tad bit upset." Giving another chuckle he said to Neo, "Neo, these are fine blades …. I bet they are hand crafted and cost you a lot of Galleons…. I wonder how hard it would be for me to break one of them."

Every muscle in Neo's body went ridged. The man was crazy if he thought Neo was going to have his "babies" hurt and not make him pay. Through clinched teeth he said, "Cole, You break one of my Babies...I will one day put it's twin in your heart...As I Didn't Buy them...They were James'! But I also want them back and since you have a habit of keeping toys that you fancy...as you do my Babies..."


Continuing to flip the knives in his hands, Cole said, "I will admit they are excellent blades, extremely well balanced, that it might be better to keep them and use them where I want too. The only problem with that is I would be constantly looking over my shoulder watching for you to come retrieve them. As far as putting the twin in my heart, Neo you may have miss understood me," Cole got down very close to Neo's face, "If I break one, I break both. …. I liked James and would like to honor him with keeping them safe, but I am not sure at the moment if that is going to be possible …. do you have any suggestions on how I can solve my little dilemma? …. I am waiting, Neo." Cole stood back up straight and sat on the edge of the table.

It was time for Neo to let Cole know he had noticed the man's own blade. "Leave Them Cole as you already have a way to honor him...their Sister which hangs at your side....a gift or payment?...Leave Them and Honor your word to your friend and I will give the signatures you ask for. But Cole..."

Cole looked down at his own knife, safely tucked away in the hand tooled leather sheath. Neo was correct in his view that his knife was a sister to Neo's. Cole stood up and crossed the knives in the center of the table, looking at them for a moment. He sat back down on the edge of the table, crossing his arms in front of him, he answered Neo's question. "It was a gift for a small favor I did for James. He paid my price, but said it was not enough so he made the blade and carved the sheath… Because of that friendship I will agree to your terms. We will continue this conversation at a more advantageous time I am sure." Cole picked up the knives and walked them back to the bar placing them in the harness Neo always wore which placed the knives crossed at his back. Walking back to the table he pulled the writing equipment closer to Neo, released his one arm and said, "Here…" then stood back as Neo wrote the three forms the signatures on the parchment.

Walking around so he could sit on the edge of the table and see Tarik's face he started, "It seems you have some translations which your brother is very interested in obtaining. If you can just tell me where they are, I will be happy to retrieve them when we are done here. On my honor I promise not to touch anything else." Cole was not expecting a positive answer, but he had to try. His main concern was the codebook and the signatures. He could tell Khalid he would hunt down the other things for no extra charge. It had been a long time since he had been on a treasure hunt
Franco was next for signatures, but as Cole passed by Tarik's chair, he had an idea, which just may earn him a few more Galleons. Tarik knew how to do the translations so what if he could find a copy. He stopped and walked around Tarik's chair so he could sit on the edge of the table and see the man's face. Tarik was good at hiding his feelings, but Cole was very good at reading even slight changes. "Amir, before we discussed translations, my employer wants and you told me they had been destroyed … I believe you of course … but I have a question for you. If I were able to find a copy of the original material, even a few bits and pieces, would you be willing to translate them for me?"

Tarik looked at Cole and allowed a smile to slowly turn up the corners of his mouth, "No."

Cole looked down at his shoes and then back at Tarik, "Well, I can see Amir you do not mince words, but maybe we can help you understand how bad I really want you to give me your word of honor that you will do this." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the photo of Sasha, Mika and Silvia sitting on a blanket in the middle of the schools, Hedge Maze having a picnic. Holding it in his hand, knowing Tarik remembered what was in the picture he said, "Your family I think would want you to say yes, especially if I visit them and tell them personally what I need. What do you think Amir?"

Tarik did not look away, "I think we will have this chat if and when you find a copy...Until then it is a mote point...maybe by then...you will understand their importance..." The translation of the Runes, even the ones he remembered would change too many lives, which Tarik was not willing to let happen.

Cole looked at Tarik, What would make him promise to do the translations … his wife and children did not do the trick because he thought Cole did not have any of the inscriptions … but Cole had done his homework on the Professors at Hogwarts, because he knew several of them would be involved today, and he wanted find out how the relationships worked. Tarik was a great teacher according to all of his students. He cared about all of them, especially one group designated as the Core. Within the Core there were students with various advance abilities which he had found out about by listening to them as they sat in Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shoppe. A girl named Tia was the leader of the group; a boy named Landon was her boyfriend and was very good at the martial arts: there was a girl who would someday be an excellent profiler; her name was Silvia, which would make her the young girl in the picture. There was another boy named Luke who Cole saw as an excellent Auror someday. His girlfriend was named Star, who was an assistant to Marco at the school, she also seemed to like to work with languages and old trinkets. Maybe if …

"Amir I hear what you are saying …. you do not want to give me your word that if at sometime in the future, I find some Runes which I require translated, that you will translate them. I fully understand … you know you are an excellent teacher and the children in your class think very highly of you, especially those in your special group known as the Core … I have heard there are several in this group who may think it great fun to try and translate some old writings. Maybe I will ask them if they would be available to help me, a very friendly man who tells them how special they are. I know of at least one, who thinks translating old languages, it a great way to spend her day …. I think she would be the first one I would talk too. Of course, if you gave me your word you would help at any time, I would not have to bother the young ones. What do you day, Amir, do I need to ask them for help?"

Tarik was trying to keep his voice calm and even as he said, "Cole, I will say only this...Those translations are about that group and others...which is why I stopped translating for Marsden...The Gods saw fit to insure that Marsden never saw them...It will be interesting to see if the Gods favor you more...But you..."

Cole looked into the man's eyes and saw worry and maybe even a small touch of fear. Apparently, the Runes told of the past and gave prophecies of the future. In the past, Cole had never been one to believe in prophesies … he was a firm believer people made their own paths by just living. He also knew there were things, which happened in the world, which opened unexpected doors to other happenings. "You intrigue me Amir … My employer believes as you do, I think. … we will see what he thinks. I do love a treasure hunt Amir and the Rune writings would be a possible treasure to try to find. Would you like it if I brought you whatever I find? …. I will not promise you that I will not see if one of your prodigies can not solve the puzzle, but I promise I will let you know I have found something at least at the same time."

Cole looked over at Franco before he stood up, to see if the man still cringed when he noticed him. Then he stood up, stretched and with the signatures in hand, Cole headed for Franco who cringed, as he got closer. "Doc, I need to talk with Franco, I want you to go and wake Richard and bring him to the table. .. Antonio go help him bring Greene here… and Doc the man is to be brought to the table even if he is unconscious … if you cannot revive him maybe some of Franco's favorite meds can do the trick." Cole put his hand in his pocket, but did not bring one of the hypos out, but by the look on Lance's face, he had gotten Cole's message.

Sitting on the edge of the table as he did with Tarik, Cole looked at Franco's face at least what he could see of it. Reaching down he put his hand under the young man's chin and raised his head. Just as he had it too the point where their eyes would have met, Franco shook his head out of Cole's grasp. Cole chuckled, grabbed Franco's hair, and pulled his head up to a farther angle than necessary. Franco needed to look down his nose to look at Cole.

Franco looked a little flushed, and there were some tear stains on the side of his face, but his eyes were in focus and that was all Cole needed. "Franco you really need to look at me or this is going to take a lot longer than it has too." Cole made a quick glance toward the bar, where it appeared Greene was just waking up.

Richard's eyes shot open. The first thing he realized was that he was not tied to the pole anymore. Apparently, he was lying on a hard surface. Turning his head to the left, and trying to focus his eyes he found Lance watching him and smiling. "Hello Lance, fancy meeting you here." He tried to sit up, but all it did was make his head hurt. Allowing himself to relax back he looked toward the table. "Lance how is Ari?" he asked with some desperation.

"She is fine Richard … everyone is still alive …. Franco has had a rough time of it, but he is stable again. Cole wants you back over there. Some things have changed, but I will bring you up to speed as much as I can as we get you back to the table.

Richard cringed. It had taken everything out of him to survive the last time on the pole … he was no coward but to think about being tied back up there again, made his heart churn. "I don't know if I can do it again, Lance …. I'm not sure I can hold up."

"It will be alright Rich, you will see, now come on let me help you sit up." Richard swung his legs over the side of the bar and Lance was pushed out of the way, allowing room for two of the goons to take a hold of his arms and lift him down. It was good they were holding him because at first his legs rebelled about having to hold any weight. Richard looked at both of them and took a tentative step. Looking back at Lance, to make sure he was near, he tried to keep his feet moving.

Looking back at Franco, Cole used his hold on the young man's hair to shake his head, knowing full well he was causing a headache. "You either look at me and hold the look, or I will continue to shake your head. I can tell you from experience, the headache you are feeling now is nothing compared to what I can cause."

Slowly Franco's eyes met Coles. "That is much better. I am going to let go of your hair … do not let your head drop, or we will start this whole process over again." Cole let go of Franco's hair and even though his head dropped a little it came right back up. "Franco look me in the eyes …." Franco's eyes finally met Cole's. "Now we can talk … I have Arianna's signatures and your brother was nice enough to give me his. I am lacking yours and Richards." Cole looked at the bar again and saw they were starting to walk Richard toward the able at a very slow pace.

Richard notice Cole had been holding Franco's hair. He let it go roughly and looked in his direction. Richard did not raise his head he was concentrating on putting one foot in front of another. He could hear Cole talking to Franco, but his brain was not registering the words. Looking up his eyes fastened on the pole and they seemed to be headed directly for it. Richard started to fight. He just could not go quietly back to the pole. He knew Lance had repaired his back to some extent, but it still hurt and felt raw. He could not act brave anymore. The goons took a firmer hold on his arms and forced him forward … a grown of fear escaped Richards throat.

Lance saw Richard's reaction and looked in the direction his friend was looking … it was toward the pole. Walking up closer behind him he said, "No Richard, it is all right you are not going back on the pole … try and relax … you are going to sit at the table."

Richard looked over his shoulder, and nodded but the fear was still in his eyes.

Cole looked around, "What seems to be the problem?" he asked as he saw Richard fighting his two henchmen.

Lance stared at him and answered, "Richard thinks he is going back on the pole and I am trying to convince him he will be able to sit at the table." Lance pleaded with his eyes to make this a true fact.

"Of course, he is not going back on the pole." Catching Richards's eyes, he added, "take him over and put him in a chair next to Arianna …. would you like that Richard?" He smiled when Richard seemed to straighten up slightly and tried to walk faster toward Arianna. When they had reached her side of the table, one of the henchmen grabbed a nearby chair and put it close to the Princes chair …. putting Richard in it he bound Richards arms to his side … and both men stepped back.

"When Richard gets here, I will see about getting his. You are the one I am concentrating on at the moment… I don't suppose you would be willing to just give me the signatures?"


Franco was having trouble focusing his eyes. Lance had told him they would come completely back into focus as soon as all the stimulant was out of his system. It made him angry and scared at the same time to think, he had been given something, which made it so he could not keep information to himself. He hurt all over also, and the pain which Lance had explained he could not block until Franco was in the hospital, was gnawing at his body. Lance had it too the point he could deal with it but only with concentrated effort. As his eyes met Cole's he shook his head no, then stared at the man. Slowly he was learning to deal with his fear.

"I thought so," Cole again looked at his shoes he had one thing in his possession, which Franco cherished, beside his brother. One of the men had found it stuffed under a table near the front of the Hog's Head. From how it was positioned under the table in-between chair legs, it had been purposely hidden. Cole knew Franco loved to take pictures and his reports about the man, had told him he always had a camera with him, so Cole knew the found very old camera had to be Franco's.

Cole raised his hand and pointed to the top of Franco's head. One of the goons behind the bar reached under the top and brought the camera to Cole, who pretended to examine it in detail. "This is nice … don't you think Franco … would you know who it belongs too?" Cole pretended to have the mechanism almost slip out of his hands. "Opps, I can be so clumsy sometimes… things just sort of slip out of my hands if I am not careful. … Franco would you like me to be careful with this camera?"

Richard's eyes had gone to Arianna and he tried to smile. She looked so beautiful and so scared and there was not a thing he could do about it now. He gave her a wink and then tried to focus on what Cole was talking to Franco about. His eyes roamed the room while he listened. Arianna sat next to him and Martin was on the other side of her. He thought, "Martin must have arrived when Lance did…. Martin was bound so he must have tried something or Cole was worried he would try something." Richard nodded in his direction.

Next to Martin was Neo, who apparently had lost his shirt… "Darn they must have really searched him really good and made sure he was not hiding anything. Richard smiled at Neo. On the other side of Neo sat Tarik, Richard tried to send him a thank you through his brain, but nothing happened. He tried again and still noting happened. Tarik was being blocked. At this point Richard realized there were two elves in the room …. one behind Ari and the other behind Tarik. Richard tried to contact them, "Are you blocking the two humans?" … the one behind Tarik nodded. Richard gave the elf a very small nod to let him know he understood.

Next to Tarik, a little ways farther around the table was where Franco sat, talking to Cole. Antonio sat on Richard's right but the man was not going to look at him. He was drinking iced-tea so Richard had confirmation Chameleon had gone back under and Antonio was on top, but it was not a good sign Antonio would not even acknowledge him sitting so close.

Further surveying the room quickly, Richard saw one man strung up on the wall. He could not remember if he was supposed to know who the man was. There were also other goons stationed around the room. His attention returned to the table quickly as Cole raised his hand and a man brought Franco's treasured camera to the table and handed it to Cole.

Franco looked at the camera, the only thing, still in existence that had belonged to his deceased mother and for him it held all of her memories. His heart skipped a beat when he first saw it in Cole's hands, because he thought he had stashed it where no one would find it. When Cole almost dropped it he thought he was going to scream and had just barely kept the words, behind his clinched teeth. "Cole, but the camera down and we will talk." Franco said, never taking his eyes off the camera. He could not let the man will again, but he could not think straight. He needed time to think …. but in his heart he knew he was not going to get it.

"I think not Franco my friend. I bet this camera means something to you. The question is does it mean enough for you to give me samples of your signature, knowing they will be used in the future, by not so nice people.

What was going on in front of him, took Richards mind away from everything, which had happened so far. He cringed, because he had never seen Franco without that camera, since his mother had died. Richard could even remember teasing Franco, asking him if he took it to the men's room with him. He had received a definite yes. The cameras, vary rarely left his person. When they had first arrived Franco had hide it under the table at which he had joined Arianna, when he was still in the disguise of Cole. Apparently, it had been found, and Cole had figured out the significance of it.

" Cole had purposely but the jab into his question. Franco was very close to being a broken man. If Cole could get him to hit bottom it would be easier on him when Shadow started to question him, because he would not fight giving the answers. Cole hoped this would make it easier for him to get Franco out of Khalid's clutches and into the hospital where the young man belonged.

With pleading eyes, Franco looked toward his brother and then at Cole, "The camera is the only thing I still have which belonged to my mother. It is all I have left of her … please do not break it."

"Well, what do you need to do to make sure I take care of it?" Cole asked smuggly knowing he had won.

Franco looked around the table. No one could help him …

Richard looked Franco squarely in the eyes. Whatever he decided to do Richard wanted him to know he would stand behind him. After all Richard had already felt what Cole was capable of and now he was awake he did not want to see his friend hurt. Even when Franco looked away, Richard kept his eyes on his friend. Under the table, Richard had also found Ari's fingertips and he was holding on tight. There was no other connection, he could have with the Elf behind her blocking her mind, but just touching her gave him comfort.

They had all given in … even Air…. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly he said, "I will give you the samples of my signatures you need, if you do not damage the camera." Lowering his head he fought the tears threatening to escape his eyes.

"Very good, Franco…. look I am putting the camera in the middle of the table." Cole pulled the writing equipment over to Franco and released his left hand. "There give me the signatures." It took great effort for Franco to lift his hand and make the signatures on the parchment, but he finally was able to accomplish it. His eyes went straight to the camera and stayed there.

Richard never looked away from Cole and Franco. As Franco stared at the camera Richard noticed the redness of Franco's eyes. Franco also had a single mindedness stare going on the camera. Franco was either now on drugs or had been at some point when he was knocked out. Richard looked at the Fixer. Cole looked tired and a bit haggard. Some of the strong fight the man had started with had left and Richard could read him enough to know Cole was looking forward to leaving, but also when he left whatever job he was on was not going to be over. Cole was not finished with them yet.

Cole stood up and patted him on the back. The boy was becoming a man. "Rest Franco."

Richard froze when he saw Cole stand and pat Franco on the back. He had the feeling he was next on Cole's list and his strength had not totally returned. Although he was shaking inside, he tried to control his body, only partially succeeding. He still had a firm grasp of Arianna's fingertips, which helped.

Cole stood still and slowly looked around the room. His eyes stopped on one person longer than on any other. Nodding to himself, he turned and looked at Richard. The man's signature was the only one he was missing. Raking his hand through his hair, Cole turned and slowly walked over to where Richard was sitting and perched himself on the edge of the table between Antonio and Richard. Using his hands to balance he looked past Richard, and down over the edge of the table. Richard had a grasp of Arianna's fingers. Smiling he decided to let the hold continue. Richard was already a bad shade of gray and he wanted to make this easy if possible. "Richard, your signature is the only one I need. When I have it we can get everyone on their merry way. So how about it, make your mark on the parchment."

Richard looked at Arianna, who tried to put a smile on her face, and then up at Cole. "I think not Cole. From what I have seen you have gotten the others, because you have had a hold on them in some way. I do not know what you did to get Arianna's but I would guess it was not to save herself," He squeeze Ari's fingers gently. "Neo would have been something to do with his brother or maybe something he did not want to lose." Richard looked toward the bar and noticed both of Neo's prize blades were in their cross back-harness. "Looks like it may have been his blades." Richard stared back at Cole. "With Franco it is obvious is his treasured camera which belonged to his mother… So what do you have on me, Cole? What will make me sign you parchment?"

Cole held Richard's stare for a moment, not missing the movement of his fingers on Ari's, then looked down at the floor. "Richard, why are you making this so hard?" was the one thought which ran through his brain. Slowly he lifted his head and turned it toward the bar, catching the eyes of one of the goons. He motioned with his head for the man to join them at the table.

When the Chinese man reached the table and gave Cole a sketchy bow, Cole introduced him. "Richard I would like you to meet someone who you may know about but I do not think you have ever met …" Indicating the new arrival, Cole said, "Richard I would like to introduce you to Fai Sung, perhaps you have heard of him…" Cole smugly smiled, because Richard would know exactly who the man was, a very talented member of Khalid's staff and a member of the Tong, an association or a secret society of Chinese in the United States, who many believed to be involved in organized crime.

Richard looked at the man … he had never met him in person but Fai had been a person of interest to the Caretakers for a long time. He was very allusive and not many outside of the crime world had even seen what he looked like. To show him to the group sitting at the table was a strange happening and not one, Richard figured would be happening again anytime soon.

Cole chuckled as he looked around the table. They all knew about Mr. Sung. He was a hit man in the truest sense of the word. He had no problem killing anyone he was told to get rid of … he was fast and efficient. The group at the table was wondering why he was here. Cole knew it was to spy on him. Khalid probably hand more in the group, but to send Fai, meant Khalid did not completely trust him to finish the job. Turning to Fai, he started his explanation. "Mr. Sung, I require your assistance. Richard is refusing to comply with my wishes…" Cole saw Richard's face go a shade whiter, and he noticed, Ari had made the move this time to grab Richards's fingers tighter. Continuing he said in a very level voice, "I need to talk with Richard privately and I need you to assist Antonio to watch the group." Cole really needed Fai to be occupied doing something else other than listening and watching him.

Looking at Arianna he said, "Princess, I am afraid, I must separate you and Richard for a short time. I promise to eventually bring him back," seeing Arianna's expression of horror, he added, "… alive of course and not too much worse for wear, although that will depend on Richard,"

Cole did not wait for an answer from anyone, but signaled for two goons, to put Richard on his feet and start him toward the storeroom. He needed to talk with the man and hopefully get him to agree to give up his signatures without further damage to any of them.

Richard froze as the goons roughly pushed Lance out f the way and he was forcibly manhandled into a standing position. He looked at Arianna and tried to tell her how he felt with his eyes. Cole had promised he would be alive when he returned to the table and he would trust in that fact. If he was alive, Lance could keep him that way until they could finish. Richard managed a deep breath, forcing his legs to move toward the storeroom; at least Arianna would not have to watch what was going to happen with him.

As Cole followed the threesome, he looked back over his shoulder and said, "Fai, no one dies unless I personally order it and know one is tortured unless I personally order it… If I do not come out of the storeroom though, the Princess dies first, understood," Cole smiled, because the look of consternation of Fai's face told a true story about how the man was mad he was being used as a babysitter, and would not be able to have any fun. Turning back toward the group ahead of him he shook his head. Khalid would have to learn not to send spy to watch over him. Cole knew Khalid liked his work, so if the man wanted to hire him for something else he was going to have to learn to leave him to his own devices and let him be until he reported the completion of the job.

The one guard who had been stationed at the door to the small room, stepped aside and allowed the four of them to enter. Cole indicated the chair he had originally used to hold Arianna. The goons put Richard in the chair and stepped back. Richard had pinned his eyes to the door they had just come through. Cole fastened Richard securely to the back of the chair and then fastened each of Richards's legs to a leg of the chair, and then he signaled for the others to leave and closed the door, behind them.

Leaning up against the closed door, he watched Richard for a few moments. Standing up straight he walked over to in front of the man, magically called another old chair to him and sat backwards in the chair resting his arms on the back of it, "Richard, you and I are going to have a talk. When we are done, I am hoping you agree to give me your signatures, because I am tired and I really do not want to hurt anyone else."

Slowly Richard allowed his eyes to focus on Cole. "I doubt we are going to come to an understanding Cole, but I am willing to listen." Richard tried to relax his mussels, there was going to be a little time where he would not have to endure the pain. He would take all the time offered to try and regain some strength.

Cole reached into the watch pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small watch-bob with a locket on the end of it. "Perhaps you will remember the other half of this."

Richard gasped when he saw the charm. It was the other half of a pendant his adopted sister wore. When Margie was 22 years old she had returned home from her adventures and informed the family she had gotten married and was going to have a baby in about six months. She refused to give the man's name and had only told them, he was very handsome, a gentleman, pure blood wizard and had given her a pendant to wear, because he promised someday to come for her. A few weeks later she had received an Owl and ran out of the house walking on air with happiness. Two weeks after she had left the family received an Owl from an unknown person stating Margie had been found dead in the Black Cuillin Hills on Isle of Skye in Scotland. Her body was returned but no man had returned with it. The family had decided the man was the one who had killed her.

Now Cole sat in front of him holding up the other half of the pendant, which would have completed the heart and the letter M. "Where did you get that, Cole?" was all Richard could make his mouth say.

"Ah I see you recognize it." Cole turned it in his hand and allowed a slow sad smile to spread across his face. After a short time he replaced the pendant back in his watch pocket and leaned on the back of the chair with both arms again. "Margie and I were married in Scotland about one week after she discovered she was pregnant. And yes Richard to answer you unvoiced question, the baby was mine. It took some convincing on my part to have Margie agree to marry me. Your sister was a very independent soul and did not want to burden me with a child." Cole looked down for a moment collecting his thoughts, "At the time my connections to the world were not the most stellar …. technically I was on the run … but I loved her with all my heart and wanted to take care of her, so I gave her my name, what money I had, the pendant and a promise to come get her when I could ..." Cole stared into Richard's eyes. "I meant to keep that promise, Greene. She had become my life."

Richards anger was climbing fast. The man sitting in front of him had murdered his sister and now was trying to explain it away. "You murdered my sister… I will kill you Cole.

Cole flinched and sadly shook his head not. He drew in a deep breath and looked at Richard, "No Richard, I know your whole family figured I had killed her … I have kept track of all of you and that kind of news travels fast."

Richard watched in disbelief as a single tear, escaped Cole's eye. "If you did not kill her then who did and why didn't you explain to us who you were?"

"I was on the run not from the law but from some people who would have made the Echelon or even the now debunk Seven, look like a nursery class. Just listen ok… Three weeks after I made sure Margie was safe back at the family farm I was captured by the group looking for me." Cole squirmed in his chair. "They wanted information which I was unable to give them … not because I did not want too … but because I did not know the information. They decided I was not telling the truth so they shot me up with truth serum and when that did not even give them results they had me tell them what would make me talk … it took six shots before they found out about Margie. They sent her an Owl as if it was from me, telling her to meet me on a small farm, which I owned on the Isle of Skye, in Scotland."

Cole was visibly shaking as his memories unfolded. "They let me come down from the serum which only made it so I was in tremendous pain and had no control over my body. I could not even sit up without assistance. When they realized she was coming happily down the path, they propped me up in a chair so she would see me when she came in the door and waited…." Cole stopped talking and cleared his throat, wiping another tear flowing down his face. Then slowly he continued, "As she came in the door she smiled, but one of the men was waiting behind the opened door and he grabbed her. I could barely yell, but her startled face told me she was beyond yelling. Richard …. they beat her in front of me …. eventually realizing I had nothing to tell them. They received an Owl and suddenly left …. Not before they released me, beat me unconscious and stove in my ribs.

Cole got up out of the chair and paced the room raking his hands through his hair. Turning to Richard he finished his explanation, "I figure I was out for about six hours … when I came to … Margie had dragged herself to a bucket of water in the corner and wetted a towel then made it back to me and was washing my face…. that sweet smile of hers turned up the corners of her mouth …. But did not connect with her eyes … when I could finally move I held her in my arms and realized she was bleeding internally. She had also lost our baby …. She died in my arms …. For a full day I sat there and held her then my brain started to function and I arranged to send her body home to the family and I disappeared for a long while." Sitting back down in the chair, Cole hesitantly added, "So I guess I did kill your sister… but Richard I loved her with my heart and sole."

Richard was having a hard time processing the story Cole was telling him. Tears were escaping his own eyes. His mind went back to when Margie's body had been delivered to the farm. His mother had fainted and his older sister had almost lost the baby she was carrying. Only the fact she was eight months along allowed the doctors to save her son Mattie.

"You should have protected her …. At least given the family some knowledge her life may have been in danger. We could have protected her." Richard could not seem to form coherent thoughts. He should hate the man in front of him, but the expression on Cole's face and his body language told Richard he was telling the truth and had been torn apart by what had happened to Margie. It would be something Cole would have to live with and remember for the rest of his life. Trying to take a couple of solid breaths, Richard asked, "So why make yourself known now, Cole…. It does not change the fact I will not help you help Khalid and his kind to destroy innocent people."

Cole sat and gathered his thoughts before he continued. "Richard I have a plan. You know I am working for Khalid and he is the key to finding out who killed Margie … I am hoping to use the codebook and the signatures to flush the killer out into the open … they are things they would not be able to pass up. Khalid will not help me unless I prove to him I can get the information… there are names in the codebook, Richard which even Khalid does not want to be known."

Richard looked questioningly at Cole, trying to figure out is he could trust what the mercenary was telling him. "If I help you then what happens next?"

Cole did not smile because Richard was still on the border of assisting him. "With your signature, I will have everything on the list Khalid has asked me to get from the group." He did not dare say he was still taking Franco with him. "I will leave and take my men with me …. I will be leaving Travis, the man tied to the wall, because I have confirmation he is the man who butchered your Uncle … you can do what you want with him. He can not return to his employer though Richard, check out his left hand and you will see why." Cole looked into Richards's eyes searching for some type of confirmation on his help. "So … the ball is in your court …. What will it be?"

"Prove to me you trust me … while we are in here let me up. I give you my honor I will not try and escape." Richard wanted to see if Cole would trust him

Cole had been looking at his arms poised on the back of the chair. He half looked up and fastened his glance on Richard's face. He trusted Richard's word, the man was too honest to give his word and not mean it. Rubbing his face with his hands, he nodded and with his wand released Richard's restraints.

Richard had no hope of over powering Cole. He was still too weak. He did manage to push himself to a standing position and using the back of his own chair he was able to maintain a shaky upright position. There was something else Cole wanted, he could see it in the man's eyes. "You are not finished with your requests Cole. What else?"

Cole also stood up, not preparing to hurt Richard, but prepared to catch him is he could not remain standing. "You are very perceptive Professor. After Margie was killed and your Uncle had been killed, I came across a large group of files. You will remember Margie's half of the pendant arrived by Owl about two weeks after her burial … when the two halves of the pendant are assembled and the M is rotated, the pendant becomes a key to a hidden room at the farm I still own on the Isle of Skye. In the room is a large collection of files and other information which can be used by whoever you choose… all I ask is personal items be set aside for me to retrieve later. Cole reached into his watch pocket again and pulled out the watch fob, carefully removing his half of the heart from the clasp. He handed it to Richard. "I need everything moved quickly Richard. If I am taken prisoner again, I need to know they cannot get the files."

Richard took a couple of tentative steps then carefully turned and returned to the chair. He stretched out his hand and took the pendant Cole offered. The other half was in his office safe. The family had decided that he had a better chance of finding the matching half because he traveled more than any of them did. Everyone in the family was looking of course and would have let him know if they had found anything similar. "I will promise you I will get to the room and remove everything from it. Personal items will be sent to my family farm for safe keeping. I will also tell your story to the family …. But Cole when you decide to retrieve the items, be expecting to be questioned …. A lot of pain has been floating around the family about this … and it will take some hard times for them to come up for air and listen to you."

Cole nodded. "I will contact you first and not go after any items until you can accompany me. I will even agree to be bound in some way until they believe me." Richard had to smile because the man would be putting himself totally under someone elses control, if he carried through with what he was saying. Richard reached out his hand to shake Cole's. " I wish you had told me this before Cole …. It would have saved us all a lot of time and pain." Richard raised his eyebrows when he said the word pain.

"I could not take the chance you would have believed me and wouldn't have killed me on the spot…. I knew your reputation Greene as well as the others, but I have learned the hard way you cannot rely on what others tell you. After all your group has been through, I have witnessed the closeness and the caring toward each other. Even when I brought you in here I was undecided on what I was going to do…. When I leave I am going to be very busy taking care of some other important business and I will be watched closely. I will not be able to go after the files and I will be out of contact for probably a couple of weeks minimum. We need each other in this and I am putting my life into your hands. I loved Margie, Richard and I would give anything, including my own life to have her back with you and your family. No matter what you hear about me … never doubt that fact."

Richard stood up as straight as he could and walked from behind the chair and walked up closer to Cole. "I will give you my signatures Cole … and I will go after the files. Do what you need to do but do not contact me until it is safe … or at least as safe as you can make it …. To be walking around society again. You know how to contact me, if you need me." Richard put his hands down to his side.

Cole nodded, took out his wand and bound Richards hands to his side. Then he smiled, got behind Richard and walked him toward the door. Opening it he lead Richard back to the table, sat him down, released his right hand and pulled the writing instruments toward him. Richard signed his name in the three ways necessary and then put his hand back down to his side, where Cole bound it again.

Cole picked up the piece of parchment and looked at it. He could not contain the shy of relief. With Richards signature he had everything Khalid had requested …. He still had to visit Seth Wright the Secretary of Magic, but that would not be hard to arrange. Most government officials kept regular schedules so all he had to do was find the best place to interrupt that schedule where Seth would not be missed for a few hours, kidnap him and get the information about the codebook. Rather a simple thing considering what he had just been through.

Cole walked over behind Arianna's chair, it had been the one place he found any sort of peace in this job. Looking down he saw Richard had again grabbed Arianna's fingertips. The man was lucky to have the beautiful Princess and Cole hoped he knew it and took care of her. Inwardly he smiled because taking care of Arianna was not going to be an easy job …. The woman would fight the care because of her need to be independent. But he figured it would only make Richard stronger in his love for her.

Cole did not have his Margie anymore even though he did not spend one day not thinking of her. In his whole live she had been the only one he had let down the wall he had built to allow love inside and it had gotten her killed. It would never happen again.


Standing behind Ari's chair, he surveyed the group and the room. The men around were either talking quietly among themselves or watching him for further orders. Tom and his friend Burt, along with the street fighter, he had learned was named Jack, stood at the end of the bar relaxed but alert. Fai had returned to behind the bar as soon as Cole had started to walk Richard back to the table. He was good at hiding his emotions, but Cole had become very good also at reading hidden emotions. The ability had saved his life a couple of times.

The occupants around the table had varied expressions on their faces. Arianna was staring straight ahead, but occasionally she would take a side-glance at Richard. Neo was watching his every move. Cole was going to miss the opportunity to fight the man. It would be interesting to see if he could take him. If Neo was relaxed, their may be a problem, but Cole had learned the man could be goaded into anger easily and that would give him the advantage.

Tarik sat stone-faced looking straight ahead. Cole wondered how much of a conversation he had been carrying on with the elf guarding his blood-magic. He knew they had been talking by the expression which traveled across Tarik's face now and then. He deeply respected the Medjai and thought maybe someday it would be fun to spare with him with different arguments.

Franco kept looking back and forth between his camera and his brother. Cole was beginning to think Franco was realizing he was not going to be staying with the rest of them. Cole had decided to leave the camera with Neo. If Khalid found out about how he could control the young man with it he would destroy it out of spite. Cole planned on staying close to Franco, he was going to keep his promise to keep the man alive. Khalid was not going to make that easy.

Antonio sat relaxed back in his chair, sipping on his sweet iced-tea. Cole knew he could trust Antonio as long as he never ordered him to hurt any of the others in the group … for that he would need Chameleon out. The only problem is Chameleon and Antonio had started to directly communicate with each other. Cole was not sure what would happen if the two of them were in opposite corners on what needed to be done. He was not going to look at problems which had not presented themselves yet.

Patting Arianna on the shoulders and kissing her on the temple for the last time, he quietly said, "It has been fun Princess. Talk with Richard later and he will explain a few things." Arianna's eyebrows shot up and she looked at Richard. Cole took a couple of steps to the side and said, "Can I have everyone's attention please. Since the Professor had graciously complied with giving me his signatures, my job here is now done. I need everyone to check vary carefully around the room for anything, which will identify any of us from being here. If something is left behind, I will find out who left it and that person will die. When you have collected everything please make your way upstairs and I will meet you at the beginning." The cabinet would transport them back to the original room where they had started, a small barracks on Khalid's property. "Wait for me and we will all talk about possible future employment. "Tom, Burt and Jack you can go to my personal living quarters and wait for me there. There is food in the refrigerator and other forms of Muggle entertainment if you prefer."

While the men were looking around and collecting their gear, Cole walked over to Travis who was still hanging on the wall by his bound hands. He leaned against the wall next to the man who stared at him. "I am afraid Travis you will be staying here. Do you remember a man by the name of William Ward? He was Richard's uncle. Richard knows you are the man who tortured and killed his Uncle." Travis started to fight his bonds. "I have promised the man you will be turned over to him … I would say enjoy your stay, but I know you will not." Cole smiled at the man who was now pleading with his eyes and patted him on the back. As he walked away, he could hear the man's screams. Turning quickly he used his wand and gagged the man's mouth, then turned back and walked back toward the table.


He checked the room to make everyone was moving in the desired direction. "Fai, could you please remain. I have a job for you after everyone has left." Cole had to fight the desire to add a laugh to his smile. Fai was itching to get back to Khalid and report everything he heard and his suspicions on what he did not hear. Cole would beat him too it and that fact galled Fai.
Cole walked to the bar and retrieved Neo's knife harness and lovingly carried it to the table and put it down beside Franco's camera. He ran his hand over the finely tooled leather and said, "They are beautiful, Neo. Take care of them and maybe someday you can show me how good you think you are." Cole chuckled at the look on Neo's face. "Oh and I will remember my promises." Cole had promised Marco, Neo and Franco's brother, to keep Franco alive when he had realized he was going to bust Franco's try at getting Arianna into the Echelon encampment, a place he did not even want to go. Hopefully he was going to be able to keep that promise.
One more look around the room told Cole everyone had left except the blockers, the two elves and Fai. He looked at the elves in turn. "You will stay until we all have left. I know these people will not harm you and they will help you get to where ever it is you need to travel to, in order to fulfill your orders. I will make sure our employer knows you have done a perfect job. Now please take over watching Neo and Franco also, because I need the assistance of the other two men." Cole received a nod from both elves.

Turning to Fai he said, "When we have all left you will unlock the doors and take the shield off the outside of the building so it will be visible to everyone, not just a select few. Then you may walk outside and aspirate home or use the cabinet before it is dismantled. … your choice."

Cole chuckled when he saw Neo and Tarik's faces. They had never realized they and Darik had been allowed to find the Hog's Head. It had been a trap to get them to come. To the regular populous the Hog's Head did not exist and hand never existed. When it reappeared though, everyone's mind would recognize it as always having been there. Cole loved magic.

Calling the two blockers off to the side, he whispered to them quietly, so no others could hear, "We will be taking Franco with us. He is going to fight you hard so be prepared. All you need to do is get him in the cabinet and take him back to the barracks. There you will hold him until I follow. No matter what he is my prisoner and it will mean your lives if anyone else gets hold of him. Understand?" Both men nodded and slowly made their way to stand behind Franco's chair.

Franco looked up at them and cringed. He looked over at his brother with fear in his eyes. Without taking his eyes off his brother he said, "I told you I am not going anywhere with you Cole! I will stay with my friends and suffer their fate."

Cole smiled and shook his head, "I am afraid Franco you have no choice in the matter. My employer would like to have a talk with you about some files and about your future. Your friends are not going to be harmed. I was not given instructions on what to do when the job was over, and I have chosen to let them live…. Although I realize I will probably live to regret it later. Accept you fate Franco." Cole gave the signal and the two blockers grabbed Franco's arms and lifted him to his feet.

"Fixer," Neo said as he watched his brother, "you have made promises and your story will be checked. Keep those promises or you will never have a moment where you do not have to look over your shoulder. You will beg to be killed just to be released from having to always live in fear we will find you…. And Cole we will find you."

Cole nodded at Neo as he turned to follow the two men struggling to get Franco up the stairs. "I will remember my promises, Spellman. Just remember if you follow, your brother will be the first one to suffer. I will not be able to stop it… I will have him returned as soon as he lets my employer know the information he requires. My employer has promised me this would happen and I will hold him to his promises."

Franco was about half way up the stairs, still struggling. The man was not going to make it at this rate. Cole stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned around, "Almost forgot, Martin and Lance, I will have your word of honor you will not follow us or tell where you were taken too." Cole waited for an answer. Receiving none he looked at both men and added, "Either I get your word of honor or I will let Fai decide how to insure you do not talk. … your decision please gentlemen."

Martin and Lance looked at each other then both looked at Fai. The man was itching to kill someone. Nodding both men said, "I give my word of honor to your request."

"Good," Cole smiled. "Now just one more thing Doctor you will follow me please." Lance stared at Cole not moving. Cole repeated his request adding some incentive, "Doctor you will follow me please or I am afraid Franco will not make it through his future. .. your choice."

Lance looked at Neo and then to Martin. Neo looked terrified, because he had watched over his shoulder how much his brother was fighting and he had also seen signs Franco was weakening as he was now being partially dragged up the last flight of stairs, "Lance, please," he pleaded.

Martin nodded at Lance. He knew his son was worth more to Cole alive than dead. Lance was smart and he had talents, many people did not know of so he would be alright, Martin had to believe that as fact. Lance nodded at Neo, and smiled at his father, then started for the stairs. As he passed Cole he heard the man give one more order, "Fai, no one dies today, understand this fact …. No one dies." Then Cole followed the doctor up the stairs. There was still faint scuffling sounds coming from the floor above then only silence.

Everyone at the table watched Fai as he slowly wondered around the room. He came to the table and gently rubbed his hands on Neo's knife harness, smiling at Neo. "I would not do what you are thinking of Fai…" Fai only smiled and walked to the front door, unlocked it and then headed to the back door in the storeroom. After about five minutes Darik and several of the local men, pushed in the front door and came to the table. Their ordeal was over for now.

CLOSED

(OOC: This was a combined post from Jane and Barbie. We sincerely hope you have enjoyed this thread)