Chapter 10: A Plan Failed
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	Kohlingen had defiantly improved since last she had seen the
blackened village.  Xyo shuffled towards the alley with haste, Garland was
along side, taking in the surrounding areas.
	They walked in silence, each pondering on the previous evening's
curious events.  Xyo pulled her cloak around her and sighed, she wondered
if Valron had discovered anything of importance on his little jaunt to Zozo.
She looked up, they had reached the alleyway that led down to a dead end.
Garland glanced at Xyo apprehensively and she returned is with a slight
glance and an unsheathing of her dagger, Garland nodded and drew his own
weapon.
	They glanced around and ducked into the alley and headed through
the maze of crates, boxes, and garbage bins.  They reached a dark corner
at the end of the alley and came upon an empty area.
	Xyo quickly glanced around and scanned the dark corners for life,
but of no avail.  Garland relaxed his weapon slightly, "We early?" he
whispered.
	Xyo shrugged slightly and began to kick the boxes roughly.  The
large boxed shuddered slightly. She finally kicked something solid and it
yelped.  Garland gripped his weapon again and ran over to the container and
tore it open to reveal a soldier... one of Akfek's men.
	"Don't hurt me.. please!" he cried, "I am unarmed.
	"How many more are you?" Garland demanded roughly.
	"I.. I.. just me.. I come with a message..are you Merine's Lot?"
	Xyo's eyes narrowed as she glanced uneasily at the rooftops, "Maybe,
who are you delivering for?"
	The guard glanced around nervously, "Valron.. he couldn't make the
rendezvous point.  He wanted me to get help..."
	Xyo frowned, "Did he at least tell you what he found out?"
	"No, he only paid me 1000 Gold and a gem to come here and tell you
to get him out."
	Garland grumbled, "Well, where is he?"
	"They took him to Doma's Prison.  He's in the central ring.  They
interrogated him too I believe.. he did not look too well.." He cut short
when he found Garland's weapon dangerously close to his throat.
	"Stay right where you are," Xyo said in a harsh tone," If we find
you even a speck behind us we will kill you."
	The Guard nodded nervously and he watched as Xyo and Garland
retreated back down the alley.  As he watched them vanish he raise his arm
and activated a comunicator, "This is Grim One calling home.." he grinned
evilly as he spoke," they took the bait......."

		             *     *     *     *     *

	Xyo met up with Merine, Setzer and Daryl later that evening and
related what she had heard.
	Setzer rubbed his chin, "I smell a trap...  it stinks worse than
Lich."
	Merine nodded and shrugged, "But what do we do?  We need that
information.."
	"Lets get supplies and get going.. if they got him, I'll bet two
to one that he's not gonna live for long.  We also need to know what he
told Akfek and Sascha."
	Garland shrugged and turned towards Tucker, "Think we'll have any
'beastly' troubles during this?"
	Tucker shook his head, "I may be from the future but I am no
prophet."
	"Well have to take that risk," Merine said firmly, " And we need to
leave as soon as possible so everyone take care of whatever business they
need to her in Kohlingen and then...." She sighed as she absently fingered
the fresh green ribbon in her hair," To Doma."