ROSES HAVE THORNS-Chapter 102 - Infiltration

The ship groaned as it settled against the blackened stone of the pier. Heavy ropes creaked under the tension of the receding tides, and although the rain was still dense, it began settling into a steady tempo.

Kurt, Dominik, and Emelie stood in a tight circle on the slick wooden deck. The lantern light reflected off their black and red cloaks, making them look like three ghosts haunting the docks. Between them, hunched and shivering, sat their "golden ticket" inside: Mr. Shittypants. A man they had pulled from the steel cage not but a few moments ago, his wrists still bound tight with Dominik’s mana blocking cuffs.

"One more time," Emelie whispered, her voice barely audible over the lapping waves. "The plan is simple. We are new recruits. This wretch here is our delivery. He vouches for us; we show them the fake tags if they ask for it and simply walk through those gates like we belong there."

"And if he opens his mouth to scream?" Dominik asked.

"He won’t," Kurt said as his voice dropped deep and threatening. He then looked at their captive, whose eyes were wide with terror. "Because he values his pathetic life more than his loyalty to this ’brotherhood’. And also, because he knows if he makes a sound that isn’t in the script, he’ll be the first one to hit the ground. Isn’t that right, Mr. Shittypants?"

"Y-Yes! Just please let me go once you’re done with me!"

"Oh? Look who’s finally making sense?" Kurt smiled coldly. "I’m glad you’re back with us. And don’t worry. I’ll let you ’go’ once your usefulness has reached its limit."

"Y-You promise?"

"I promise."

"O-Okay. I’ll do whatever you need me to do."

Kurt then looked around and glanced toward the mast, noticing that the two prefects remained by the rigging. "Dom, why aren’t the other two coming? I thought they were here for support."

"Someone has to keep the ship ready for a fast break," Dominik replied, adjusting his hood. "If things go south, I don’t want to be swimming back to the mainland. They stay. We move."

"So what were their disguises for?"

"Just in case some random zealot decides to inspect the ship while we’re away. They’ll say that they’re servants/crewmen who were hired to help sail the ship. As far as these zealots are considered, nobody except themselves knows what’s happening on this island, more specifically, inside the fortress."

"Right. They believe that this is the place where children are ’training’ to serve the chosen one." Kurt mumbled as he nodded to himself. "Well then, let’s not waste any more time." He said as he grabbed the captive by the collar, hauling him to his feet.

Dominik removed the cuffs from his wrists, and together the four of them descended the gangplank, their boots hollowly thumping against the stone pier.

As they walked toward the massive iron-reinforced gate, Kurt scanned the perimeter, looking for a weak point in the stone, a loose grate, or a low point in the wall.

’Nothing.’

The walls were smooth, ancient, and impossibly high. The top was covered in what looked to be single row metal spikes and at the bottom, running along the perimeter said wall, were wooden spiked fences. The only feature that broke the horizon were the tall watchtowers, their silhouettes barely visible across the dark sky.

As they approached the shadow of the great wall, the torches flanking the gate sputtered in the damp wind. They were nearly past the first line of defense when two guards, clad in heavy plated armor, stepped forward, crossing their halberds.

"Halt," one growled, his visor up to reveal a face hardened by years of guardsman duty. "Who goes there? This is a highly confidential and private space. No one enters past these gates without authorization."

’Dammit. Why can’t anything be easy?’

Kurt stepped directly behind the captive, pressing his presence into the man’s back like a physical reminder of what will happen if he screws up. He felt the man shudder, and after taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.

"B-Be at ease my brothers." He said as he took down his hood. "It is I, Mr. Shi– I mean– Duncan."

"Duncan?" The guard looked at him from top to bottom. "Wait. Aren’t you one of the members who’s supposed to be in charge of Goboland? What are you doing here?"

"B-By orders of Bishop Tobias, I-I am here to show these new recruits around the facilities. Seeing as they will s-soon be stationed here in order to help with the preparations for the upcoming event that’s taking place next week..."

"Is that right? In that case, you may pass–"

’’’Yes!’’’ Emelie, Kurt and Dominik all internally celebrated.

"–after I see some verification. I know it’s tedious, brother Duncan, but rules are rules. We especially have to set an example for the newbies. Wouldn’t you all agree? Now, hoods down. Identification tags out." He commanded.

Seeing that he was the closest, Kurt stepped forward first. He reached into the folds of his cloak and pulled out his chain with the fake tag attached. After imbuing it with his mana, the popup screen appeared in front of him and he pulled back his hood, exposing his face.

"Hmm. Kurt Rosanna huh? Hmm. Mmhm, adventurer. I see, I see." The guardsman nodded as he scrutinised the info that was shown to him.

’I guess Tobias hasn’t revealed to the cult who I am yet. Lucky~’

"Rosanna." The guardsman looked up. "I take it you know that this isn’t what I’m asking for when I asked for identification."

"... Sorry. Minor slip up." Kurt quickly scanned the popup to look for the hidden prompt that would reveal the secret page.

"....."

"Rosanna? What’s taking you? Show your identification."

’Godammit! I should’ve run this by with Emelie first!’

Dominik and Emelie tried to step forward and help him, but the other guardsman was having none of it as he held his halberd in the path between himself and Kurt.

"You’re testing my patience, Rosanna. I’m giving you until the count of three. One."

’Shit! C’mon Rosie! Think! What stands out to you!?’ Kurt internally panicked as he desperately searched the screen.

"Two."

’Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!’

Emelie and Dominik were readily positioning themselves to quickly dispatch both guards in case worse comes to worst.

"Thr–"

’There!’ Kurt quickly pressed down on the screen. Suddenly, the whole popup started glitching and the screen changed from a blue display, into blood-red which showed new pieces of information.

Personal Info (Brotherhood):

Name - Kurt Rosanna

Currently Positioned At - Eldoria

Rank - New Devotee

Lost Lambs Converted - 0

Leader - Tobias (Bishop)

Mission - TBA

".... Hmph. So you did know what I was talking about. Why did you take so long to show me?" The guardsman asked as he checked the new information.

"... Because I like stalling until the last second. The heart throbbing suspense is what gives me life. Other than my love for Goddess Bula, of course." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Yeah yeah..." He grunted, and after a few agonising seconds he looked up and nodded. "Okay. Looks like everything checks out. You may pass through, Brother Kurt."

Kurt nodded back and stepped through, exhaling a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding.

Next was Dominik. He played the part of the extreme devotee perfectly, nearly going on his hands and knees, exclaiming how blessed and overwhelmed with joy he is to be here.

"Wait a minute." The guard paused. "I’ve seen your face before..."

"I-It’s no surprise, my dear brother!" Dominik dramatically leaned back with his hand on his forehead. "For I am Dominik! Second in command for the prefects! Originally, my job was to capture the ones known as zealots! However, after apprehending a few of our brothers and sisters and seeing the absolute faith they have in their cause... I was moved! I had to find out more, and so I begged! I begged them to show me the light, but they wouldn’t tell me! I left lost. Empty. And just when I was about to give up all hope, is when Bishop Tobias showed up at my doorstep."

"B-Brother Dominik *sniff*..." A tear fell down both guards’ faces. "I deeply resonate with the plight you have been in. Please, come through and witness the future of the world before your very eyes."

"Thank you, Brother Guardsman." Dominik bowed and walked past him.

"Please. Call me John."

’What the hell did I just witness?’ When Kurt looked at Dominik, Dominik flashed a playful wink at him as he slid the hood back over his head.

Finally, it was Emelie’s turn.

As she pulled back her hood, the guards both froze. They didn’t reach for their weapons; instead, their mouths hung open. Emelie was not just a random new devotee; she was a woman whose face had graced posters and newssheets across the whole world. She was a well-known figure of high society and even higher scandal.

"Wait a minute," the younger guard stammered. "You’re... you’re THE Emelie Herst?!"

Emelie didn’t skip a beat. She tilted her head, giving them a look of practiced boredom. "I am. And like our friend Dominik here, I am working undercover for the Brotherhood. I’m working with Gary and am on standby at the academy with him. Surely the higher-ups briefed you on the need for discretion? If not, that’s fine. Since now you know."

The guards looked at each other, then suddenly burst into a flurry of excitement as their professional demeanor evaporated in an instant.

"Oh, Goddess above! We’re your biggest fans!" the front guardsman exclaimed, nearly dropping his halberd. "We saw your last performance at Evergreen Park! Could we... is it too much to ask for an autograph?"

The guards began patting their pockets frantically, looking for paper or parchment. "We have nothing! Nothing to sign!"

Dominik, always the one being prepared, suddenly reached into his cloak. "Fear not, brothers! A true fan is always prepared!" He pulled out a rolled-up poster of Emelie and a charcoal pen.

’Is this guy for real?!’ Kurt stood with his mouth agape.

The guards thanked Dominik profusely, their faces glowing with childlike joy. Emelie took the pen, her expression flat and deadpan, the face of a woman who truly didn’t care anymore. She scribbled her name across the poster with a sharp flick of the wrist and handed it back.

"There. Can we go now?" she asked dryly.

"Of course! Of course, ma’am!" the leader squealed.

But before they could move, Dominik leaned in and reached back into his cloak. This time he pulled out a heavy glass bottle filled with a dark, amber liquid. "A gift," Dominik whispered, sliding it into the guard’s hand. "The Goddess above has blessed us with the warmth of a buzz on a night as cold as this. Consider it a thank you for your service."

"You’re too kind, brother! Truly!" He looked back at the long, winding path that led up the hills toward the fortress. "Listen, it’s a long walk to the main entrance. Take the carriage and horses waiting in the courtyard. It’s the least we can do for a good man such as yourself."

"Thank you, Brother John. Many blessings be with you."

The four of them, three infiltrators and their shaking captive, walked past the iron gates and into the courtyard. There, a black carriage stood waiting with horses huffing steam into the cold air.

Emelie, Mr. Shittypants and Kurt all climbed inside while Dominik took the reins.

"We did it." Kurt said softly at his two companions.

"Let’s not celebrate too early." Emelie replied as she looked out the window, scouting the area.

"Now comes the hard part." Dominik chimed in. "Finding a way to rescue those kids. All while not being too suspicious about it."

"Yeah. Things are about to get a whole lot messier." Kurt muttered as he smiled, looking out the side of his window. "And I can’t wait."