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Description
Chapter 9, part 3

"What do I do?" he asked aloud. "What do I do?" His pulse was racing, and his breath became rapid.
Footsteps on the cobblestones alerted him to the enemy's approach. He could hear other doors being opened systematically, each followed by a brief, whispered note.
Hefting the massive blade, he stood in wait behind the door. It was poor choice of weapon for one reduced to natural strength, but a room shared with children rarely provided alternatives.
The footsteps slowed and became softer, as those they came from approached more cautiously.
Paragon strained to lift the sword as the door creaked open. He could see them through the crack between the door and the wall; three men carrying assault rifles of some sort, and moved like SWAT or military personnel.
As they stood just behind the doorway, he heard a click and a beep-- the sound of a walkie talkie. He gently put the sword down in the corner, as quietly as possible, and tried to get a better look at them.
"This is Delta One. I have a visual on the juniors," said a retribution trooper with dyed blue hair, "but there's no sign of Jack or Jill." The transmission ended with another click.
"Roger that," came the slightly-distorted reply. "Keep looking. They can't be far."
Another beep signaled the end of the communication.
"Should we take the kids?" asked an other.
"Our orders are to eliminate the sorceress-- that's it," replied the one who called himself Delta One.
"Not to kill them," explained the other. "But, like, hostages. They'd make a hell of a bargaining chip, if it came to it."
"I did not join Retribution to kidnap babies," Delta One said in a hushed growl. "I'm here to knock off bad guys. Now, let's check the room in case--"
There was a beep, and a crackled voice came from their com unit.
"This is Bravo Two," said a deep voice over the com, "we have a confirmed visual on Jill in the gallery. Requesting backup from all units." The transmission ended with a beep.
"This is Delta One. We hear you, and are en route to your location."
"This is Alpha Leader," said the leader's voice over the com. "Avoid contact until all units are present."
"Roger that, Alpha Leader. Over and out."
And with that, they turned and left.
Once they were gone, Paragon went to his children.
"Well, it looks like you're in the clear," he said as he gently picked them both up, "but you'd better hide anyways, just in case. Daddy has business to take care of."

Checking to make sure the hall was clear, he went to the room across the hall. In the closet was a pile of blankets, from which me made a makeshift bed. He set the infants down gently and stepped back.
"Stay quiet, please. And stay safe."
They were as adorable as they were helpless, and he hated the idea of letting them out of his sight. But they weren't at immediate risk. Sycorax was.

Description
Chapter 9, part 3

"What do I do?" he asked aloud. "What do I do?" His pulse was racing, and his breath became rapid.
Footsteps on the cobblestones alerted him to the enemy's approach. He could hear other doors being opened systematically, each followed by a brief, whispered note.
Hefting the massive blade, he stood in wait behind the door. It was poor choice of weapon for one reduced to natural strength, but a room shared with children rarely provided alternatives.
The footsteps slowed and became softer, as those they came from approached more cautiously.
Paragon strained to lift the sword as the door creaked open. He could see them through the crack between the door and the wall; three men carrying assault rifles of some sort, and moved like SWAT or military personnel.
As they stood just behind the doorway, he heard a click and a beep-- the sound of a walkie talkie. He gently put the sword down in the corner, as quietly as possible, and tried to get a better look at them.
"This is Delta One. I have a visual on the juniors," said a retribution trooper with dyed blue hair, "but there's no sign of Jack or Jill." The transmission ended with another click.
"Roger that," came the slightly-distorted reply. "Keep looking. They can't be far."
Another beep signaled the end of the communication.
"Should we take the kids?" asked an other.
"Our orders are to eliminate the sorceress-- that's it," replied the one who called himself Delta One.
"Not to kill them," explained the other. "But, like, hostages. They'd make a hell of a bargaining chip, if it came to it."
"I did not join Retribution to kidnap babies," Delta One said in a hushed growl. "I'm here to knock off bad guys. Now, let's check the room in case--"
There was a beep, and a crackled voice came from their com unit.
"This is Bravo Two," said a deep voice over the com, "we have a confirmed visual on Jill in the gallery. Requesting backup from all units." The transmission ended with a beep.
"This is Delta One. We hear you, and are en route to your location."
"This is Alpha Leader," said the leader's voice over the com. "Avoid contact until all units are present."
"Roger that, Alpha Leader. Over and out."
And with that, they turned and left.
Once they were gone, Paragon went to his children.
"Well, it looks like you're in the clear," he said as he gently picked them both up, "but you'd better hide anyways, just in case. Daddy has business to take care of."

Checking to make sure the hall was clear, he went to the room across the hall. In the closet was a pile of blankets, from which me made a makeshift bed. He set the infants down gently and stepped back.
"Stay quiet, please. And stay safe."
They were as adorable as they were helpless, and he hated the idea of letting them out of his sight. But they weren't at immediate risk. Sycorax was.