Court of Owls- North's Legacy ch 3A

On Unstable Ground

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Maximillian North tossed the young boy into the limo, looking to the driver and recognizing im as a Court member. The talon took a moment to look around and make sure that they were safe for now. Things checked out as a woman in a padded suit exited the limo. He knew of her, not by name, but reputation. Her auburn hair was in a short bob, not much for extenuating her looks.

"The boy. Did he see much?" she asked, worried. Max shook his head, wondering if she was the relative.

"Not at all. Though I fear the acceleration of his growth is the least of our worries." the talon mused. He was starting to not trust a number of people that he should have no problems with. Realizing this, his handler spoke out quickly.

"Quite right...you’re certain they were dressed as members?" she asked, wanting a definite answer. In her hand was a pen that she was fiddling. As she was waiting on an answer, it flew out of her hand, stunning Max at how worried she was over things.

"Well. I recognized at least one of them as well…he did his best to kill me, and he would know how futile that is,” Max answered as he saw several men checking on Tobias. “is it safe to bring the boy in now? I fear a shift in power if we are having the same thought."

"You will protect him regardless. if there is a coup, all the more reason to keep him out of arm’s reach. This Is your redemption, Talon, do not forget that. To save the bloodline," she answered, to which Talon only nodded. "Now then, you’re next task is to find Barnes. He's been shady, missing meetings and the like. See what he's up to..."

"Your head of security? Odd person to betray the court." the Talon grunted, realizing just how out of the loop he was with how calmly the order was given.

"Some people's faith have been shaken. They think of they can get away anything at this point."

"That is a mistake...will he be expecting me?" Max asked, trying to gauge something else from the woman, but she was good at hiding her intentions. It didn’t matter in the long run since Max had little choice but to follow her orders.

"Will it matter?" the woman asked before checking out the boy herself now. When she turned back, the Talon was gone. “...do me proud,” she mumbled before entering the car. The answer was that it wouldn't matter, not to the Talon. Not while he had yet to redeem himself and that fact would be held over his head.

Max had actually met Ira, the trainer just after being revived. She didn't look tough, but that was the deception. Max kept low in the alleyway, imagining that Ira would expect an attack from above so Max came from the streets. The shadows were the Talon’s friend as he zipped across streets and between alleyways in the city slum. Ira was becoming more suspicious by the second for why a high class security officer was doing in a hellhole. Max finished his thoughts as he had arrived in time to see her meeting with several men dressed in dark jackets. Nothing seemed to stick out to Max, aside from an odd Penguin emblem.

“Who are you dealing with?” the Talon wondered aloud as she was escorted inside an armored car. Realizing his prey was going to simply drive off, he drew his knives and they found their targets in the back tires. They deflated as several gunmen became a lot more alert. A few looked up and one enthusiastic man on the right of the car opened fire down the street. Talon did have to duck for cover.

Did she share our tactics with these thugs? Max asked, worried how compromised he was already. He decided to move up, climbing halfway up the building for his moment to strike when it occurred to Max that they kept firing, in the opposite direction. A black streak zoomed through the darkness, and Max ran into the fray after. Wondering if the woman sent help, he saw the black shadow deal with the three gunmen already.

“Oh…” Max stopped in his tracks when he saw something he did recognize: The Batman. The man who had defeated the court before he was awoken, and whatever Ira did, it seemed the Dark Knight wanted her too. Max clutched his blade as he saw a pair of white eyes stare him down.