blocked with his defense. He countered but Ana blocked and then brought the blade from the right. Andrew brought his blade to block. Ana spun and attacked with a kick, but Andrew anticipated her move. Instead Andrew dropped down and caught Ana in the knee with his boot. She stumbled and let go of her sword which clattered to the floor. Andrew was about to finish Ana, but she jumped up and retrieved her sword. It was as if Andrew knew her every move even before she did it. How could this be? Andrew leapt up on the table, and Ana followed right after him.
The banging of metal striking resounded across the walls as the battle raged on. For every strike that Ana made, Andrew was there with his own. His kicks and punches matched each and every one of Ana’s. Her level of frustration and anger were building and building. This was exactly what Andrew wanted. He was hoping that Ana would make a mistake. Andrew knew that Ana was the one who trained all the knights. She had taught them all the same moves; her moves. So with each of her knights that Andrew had fought previously; he had learned them all.
Ana and Andrew drove each other back and forth across the table surface. They were locked in a struggle to the death; each one hoped to gain the final upper hand. Andrew sent a snap kick at Ana’s face, but she blocked, spun around and caught Andrew with a blow to the chin. Andrew stumbled backwards, fell on his butt and let go of his sword. He watched in anguish as it slid across the table top and fell over the edge where the hidden room was. Ana lunged at Andrew, but he jumped up and somersaulted backwards, narrowly being missed by her blade.
When Andrew reached the edge of the table, he gave Ana a salute and vaulted off! Ana followed him and leapt from the table. Andrew had mangaged retrieve his sword and slashed Ana across both knees. Ana shrieked and let go of her sword. Like a rag doll, Ana fell to the bottom of the steps. Andrew grabbed the medallion by the chain and pulled it from the slot. The last thing he saw was the horror-struck look in Ana’s eyes as the floor panel slid shut. Andrew calmly walked over to the window, opened it, and tossed the medallion into the deep snow. Andrew retrieved the book and quickly exited the library.
Wyatt was working through his moves. He wanted to impress Ana. Wyatt was hoping to impress her enough so that he could get close enough to finish his mission. He was in the middle of a swing with a wooden practice sword when the door opened.
“You!” Wyatt shrieked when he saw Kara. He instantly dropped the wood sword and bolted for the other door. Kara ran, paused to pick up the sword, and continued her pursuit. Just as Wyatt reached for the door, Kara flung the sword. It struck Wyatt in the back of the head and caused him to fall down.
“Why did you do that?” Wyatt cursed.
Kara walked away and over to the arsenal wall. She took a sword and returned to Wyatt. He cringed when Kara swung the blade and stopped with inches to spare.
“You are coming with me,” Kara ordered.
Wyatt rose in submission. Kara had him lead the way as they left the training room.
Andrew finally arrived at the helicopter. Kara and Wyatt were not there! All kinds of thoughts; bad thoughts, ran through Andrew’s mind. He was about to go and search for them, but suddenly stopped. Andrew saw Kara and Wyatt exit the castle and head in his direction.
“Where were you?” Andrew yelled at Kara.
“Busy,” Kara nodded at Wyatt. “And you?”
“Me too,” Andrew held up the book for them to see.
“What about Ana?” Wyatt looked shocked.
“Ana is no longer a problem.” Andrew answered callously.
Kara gave Wyatt a shove and he stumbled towards Andrew, who caught him before he fell. Wyatt stood in front of Andrew, and there was no mistaking the expression contempt and anger on Andrew’s face.
‘I…I…” Wyatt began to say, but he did not get a chance to finish. Andrew knocked Wyatt out with a blow to the head. He opened the side door of the helicopter, scooped up Wyatt and put him inside. Kara took her place in the pilot’s seat. Andrew climbed inside and closed the door. The engines breathed to life and the rotors picked up speed. Kara looked back at Andrew. He gave her a wink. This time was different than the last. This time they were free.
Chapter 16
A heavy glass stein filled with beer and a pack of smokes were Nick’s only companions. He had sat at the same booth, the same time and the same Hoffbrau for the past four days.
Things were not good. After his arrest at the Berlin train station, he was booked and placed in a holding cell. Even his Chicago police credentials bought him no special treatment. The one phone call he got to make was to his Captain back in Chicago. When Nick talked to him, to say he was angry was an understatement. He reamed Nick up one side and down the other that day for, being so stupid. He also told Nick that if he was not back in Chicago in week, Nick was out of a job.
After his bail was paid, the Berlin police informed Nick that he should go to the hotel, get his things, and be on a flight back to the States by the end of the day. Nick did not listen, and instead used his train ticket to travel to Zwickau. It was more important for him to find out what happened to Andrew, Talia, and Kara.
When Nick arrived in Zwickau, he immediately went to the police station. The level of cooperation he got there was zero to none. They did inform him that Captain Brewster was still out and recovering from an accident. They told Nick to just return home. Again, he did not listen.
Nick raised the glass to his lips and took a long drink. The beer tasted good. He put the stein down and lit up a smoke. Nick inhaled it deep into his lungs. He coughed and exhaled.
On the second day, Nick had found a mountain guide to take him up into the Ore Mountains. When the guide learned where they were going, he suddenly changed his mind. He informed Nick that he could no longer do it. Nick even tried to find out where Captain Brewster lived, but had no success at that either. So he decided to give up for the day and return to the Hoffbrau for the evening. Nick was seated at the bar that night instead of his usual booth. There were some tourists talking about an incident with the train almost a week ago. Nick heard them talk about a police officer from Berlin, and a young woman that were found dead in the baggage compartment. They talked about seeing a black helicopter and that the local police captain had been shot with arrows. Nick continued to listen as they talked about a man being arrested and taken into custody. Nick raised the glass stein and took a long, big drink. He finished and ordered another one.
On day three and four, Nick just toured the city and all its sights. He found a park and spent most of the day there watching the people walk by. His thoughts drifted to Kara. He had never let any one get close to him like that, in a long time. Nick thought back to the day they first met when Andrew introduced her to him. She was all dark and mysterious. Here was this gorgeous creature that was interested in him. Nick gulped down his beer, grabbed his smokes and left to go back to the hotel.
The night air was cold when Nick walked out of the Hoffbrau. He zipped up his coat and started back to the hotel. As Nick walked along, from time to time he would look up at the night sky. The stars sparkled and never looked clearer than tonight. But one of them appeared to be moving. Nick rubbed his eyes and looked again.
The star was moving and it was getting closer! Nick ran in that direction and was soon at the park. Just as he got there, Nick heard the sounds of rotor blades striking the air. The snow on the ground started to swirl as the black helicopter came in for a landing. Nick covered his face as the snow whipped faster and stronger. Nick peered through his hands and saw the helicopter finally land. He ran over and when the door slid open, Nick saw Andrew emerge. Nick couldn’t believe it. There was Andrew alive! Nick saw some kid lying unconscious on the floor of the helicopter. Where was Talia? Where was Kara? Nick felt a tap on the shoulder. When he turned around there was Kara. Nick picked her up in his arms and squeezed her tight. Nick kissed her for a long time. Andrew delightfully watched Nick and Kara’s reunion. He missed Megan so very much. But there was one more thing he had to do. Andrew had to go back to Gothica and retrieve Talia’s body. For that he needed help. Nick and Kara drew apart and looked at Andrew. Nick walked over to Andrew.
“Where is Talia?” Nick asked.
“She’s dead.” Andrew was very solemn.
“Where’s her body,” Nick was shocked.
