Chapter 2: Chase ---------------- The harsh winds blasted through the once populous city of Narshe. The snow-stricken roofs endured the relentless battering of the wind. The snow was quite thick and layered, covering the streets of Narshe. Siegfried could see the lights of lanterns glowing in the windows. It was hard to imagine some people actually lived here. The white flecks settled around his cloak, creating a frosty shell. He gritted his teeth at the wind and walked on, trudging through the icy walkways. Steam rose from the small chimneys and machines near the buildings. The frost-paned windows formed little patterns in the glass. The blizzard let up a bit, slowing to snowflakes. How utterly harsh this was, Siegfried thought. * * * The shadowy man known as 'Stalker' crouched behind a rock, watching all who went by. He watched the man in the grey cloak intensely. he thought. He drew his dagger and waited. Ever since his theft of Kesmer's shipment, he had become more and more recognized. A lot of people had seen him pull of the job that day. It had been a major fumble for him. He remembered his boss not being too happy, either. At least he had gotten those pearls. And boy were they beautiful. Stalker had even attached one to the hilt of his dagger. The thin shaft waited.. anticipating a kill. Stalker observed as the man stopped, and turned to look in his direction. Stalker quickly ducked out of sight. Soon, the kill would be made. * * * Siegfried could've sworn he saw a movement in that back alley. But, he shrugged it off, thinking it was just snow falling off of a building. He could barely see a thing. He suddenly saw the movement again, and heard a slight rip. That was *not* snow. He crept over quietly to the spot. The next thing he knew, he had a gleaming dagger held to his throat. "Little too nosy are we? I don't like people like that." the other cloaked man snickered. Siegfried stared, waiting for the right time. "Heh, figures. Kesmer would send someone as bad as you after me. Looks like I'm just gonna have to get rid of you like all the others." Stalker sighed. "I wouldn't count on that..." replied Siegfried. "Oh?" asked Stalker mockingly. Siegfried put a hand to his sword, then as Stalker moved to retaliate, he slapped him with his other hand, giving him the time he needed. His sword was out in an ebony flash, deflecting Stalker's dagger. "Well, you're smarter than the others. Let's see if you can take me." said Stalker as he pinned Siegfried to the wall of the building with a dagger. Siegfried kicked him in retaliation, and he drew back. Alos was out, ready for battle, but the man was gone. Siegfried was certain this was the 'Stalker' the barkeeper had mentioned. He saw a darting movement up the pathway along the roofs as Stalker headed toward the mountains. * * * Stalker dashed, running at high speed to the mountains, fleeing his pursuer. he thought. He kicked up snow as he ran, not bothering to try and cover his tracks. he thought. The icy winds bit at his face ferociously and bits of snow stuck to the stubble on his chin. He reached the base of the Narshian mountains. Stalker drew the daggers, and climbed the icy pillars with his dagger, step by step. * * * Siegfried saw a small shadow moving up the mountains. He ran as far as he could, but stopped and leaned against a building, panting, gasping for air. "Gotta catch him." he said, short of breath. He rested for a minute, then began to run again. He was careful not to trip. He couldn't afford to lose any ground here. The waves of cascading snow began again, from the sky. The heavens dropped snow on the ground, as usual. It was getting harder and harder to maneuver through the streets. Siegfried finally reached the base of the mountain. The climb was going to be hard, but he could make it, if he worked hard and concentrated. He would find that Stalker.