The Stupid Cannon Fodder is Stunning Today

Chapter 29: Teach The Torches To Burn

This chapter is brought to you by Strangers in Disguise by Anthony Lazaro. 

---

They were making good on time. 

Nine drove the carriage into town. He noticed a solemn atmosphere the moment he went through the gate, showing his identification papers to the guards. 

The bright festive air that he remembered from his first mission as a Calypto mercenary was gone. 

Pluto's voice came on the closer they got to their destination. 

"Gianini Puadu's compound is just up ahead. According to Intel, he had come into power after two of Ohmlet's leading families fell into ruin. There was a large power vacuum that was left over after the Oldham and Elisia Family experienced a major tragedy that caused a civil war." 

Mercury sighed. "What a tragedy. Doesn't it remind you of something?"

He looked between Jovette and Rowan. 

"The irony does not escape me. The daughter of the Elisia Family and the ward of the Oldham Family fell in love."

"Star-crossed lovers from two households with a grudge more ancient than the founding of the Empire. Sounds awfully familiar..." 

Jovette and Rowan kept staring at him in confusion. 

Mercury smirked and pointed at the two of them. "Come on, I saw how you were looking at each other--"

"Dreamer," Nine interrupted, displeased by his insinuations. "Be quiet." 

The carriage thankfully fell back into silence. 

They arrived at the compound and saw a long line of carriages stretching into the main road.

"The birthday boy has lots of friends. You are all early guests to the party, so go feast and dine first." 

"Can we not call the target the birthday boy, please?" Bel begged. "It makes me feel like we're killing a kid." 

"He's a three-hundred-and-sixty-month old baby."

"..." 

They waited in line for over an hour. 

"Happy Dagger, Apothecary, Dreamer, put your masks on. The Mantle Agents are checking the carriages."

The three people in the carriage put on their masquerade masks. A few seconds later, there was a knock on their window. 

A man dressed in a dark green hooded cloak appeared. 

"Good evening--oh." He paused for a very long and awkward moment as he stared at the occupants of the carriage. 

His eyes focused on Rowan. 

Nine coughed. 

"Oh! Apologies! I mean... good evening, my Lords... and my Lady. How do you do today?" 

While it sounded like he was asking all of them, he kept looking at Rowan. 

The young man in question bunched his hands into his skirt and smiled tightly. 

Thankfully, Jovette came to the rescue and chuckled, her voice deep and rumbling like that of a young man. 

"Forgive my darling Rowana," she said, placing her own hand over Rowan's. "She is shy and has not met many strangers. Our travel has been fine, sir. Do you need to see our invitations?" 

"Uh, yes. Yes!" the man stuttered, turning red in the face with embarrassment. "Um, please." 

Mercury handed him the invitations.