Galford anxiously fumbled with the hilt of his sword; something just didn't seem right. He stood motionless, his internal alarm system screaming danger.
      Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea after all…
      He should have listened to Kiko and forgotten all about Ruoh's scheme…or at least waited until his enemies came to him on his terms, not theirs.
      Galford listened closely to even the most imperceptible of noises, and studied every featureless rock, but couldn't find anything amiss. Still, the whole situation just felt wrong.
      "Ruoh." He breathed, almost inaudibly, his unease growing.
      The black clad ninja appeared silently at his side.
      "How many of the Iga know about this passage?"
      "Not many. Only the higher ranked ninja know of its location. That would be no more than two dozen of us perhaps, myself and Hanzo included."
      Hmm. Galford could probably handle several Iga at a time, more than that if he caught them off guard. But Hanzo he would have to face alone, the ninja lord would require all his skill and undivided attention to defeat. If he could even overpower him that was - many had tried to destroy the master assassin, none had ever succeeded. But he had an edge, the power of lightning walked by his side. Hanzo would not be able to stand against it, no matter how adept he was.
      "Are there guards?"
      "Sometimes. One or two at most. But not here, farther up along the passage."
      "Good. How will I reach Hanzo?"
      "His chambers aren't too far from here. You should find him there, if not, you'll have to lie there in ambush for him. It'll be tricky getting to his abode undetected, but I think we can do it unseen."
      "And what will you be doing while I slay your leader?"
      "I will be elsewhere. For my alibi to work, I must be visibly among my brethren while you do the deed."
      "Very well, coward. But how do I know you won't sound the alarm and have me slaughtered as well?"
      "You will just have to trust me."
      "I think not. You're turning against your own clan and you expect me to put my faith in you? Don't make me laugh. You'd better come up with a better answer than that, or I'm marching right back the way I came, Ruoh."
      "We have a deal, Galford. You do your part, and I'll do mine."
      Galford growled, but did nothing. He'd have to take a chance on Ruoh's trustworthiness, no matter how questionable it might seem. A little risk was worth the price if he got another shot at his other half.
      "All right, Ruoh, but if you double cross me, mark my words: I will reveal your part in this plot before I die. Whatever Iga I fail to slay before they overwhelm me will tear you to pieces after I'm done away with."
      "Understood, Galford. But fear not, we both shall get what we desire, without incident."
      "We shall see…" Galford muttered, slowly drawing his blade, very carefully so that the steel wouldn't shriek. Weapon thus drawn, he gingerly strode forward, head moving back and forth, sweeping the shadows for the unknown danger his senses told him was there.
      Ruoh stealthily followed.
      Galford pulled the hood of his cloak up over his glowing eyes, so that they would not betray him. The gleaming blue light that sprung from them could be seen at a great distance. They'd be the perfect target for an arrow or throwing dagger…
      They moved in silence for a time, only the soft echoes of their passage broke the stillness. At length, they rounded a corner of moss and lichen covered granite, and beheld the end of the tunnel. The muted lights of Fortress Iga could be seen in the distance.
      Galford danced uneasily from foot to foot. His dread was growing stronger, but so was his excitement, and the palms of his hands were greasy with sweat. All of his instincts told him to retreat the way he had come, but he refused to obey.
      There was no turning back. Ruoh signaled him with his hands that they should proceed forward and then circle around the first building that stood directly ahead of them. Galford nodded his understanding.
      He started forward, and then there was a soft rustle from above. Galford had just enough time to look up and see the spidery tendrils of the net falling down upon him.
      He had been tricked!
      He snarled, blade whistling through the air to disembowel the traitor Ruoh, but it was too late. The heavy, lattice mesh covered him, and he fell to the ground trying to untangle himself.
      Then something struck him on the back of the head, hard, and the world dissolved into nothingness.