Since I was absent for awhile, I'm making up for it by posting the next chapter! Enjoy! And as always, your feedback is most appreciated! :)
____________________________________-xxxXxxx-____________________________________
Aryana ran the edge of her
dagger over the guard's throat, watching with grim satisfaction as his life
blood bubbled from the gash and dyed his chainmail a deep maroon. Next to her,
Talon dispatched another guard with practiced ease, though it was hard to discern
any emotion from behind the silver mouth guard he wore.
"That's
the last of them," Aryana said as she wiped her blade clean against the
fallen guard's boot.
"For
now, at least." Flex withdrew his sword from the chest of a serving girl
and turned around. "But we have yet to find our target."
Aryana
glanced at the slender man. He was tall and lanky, his long hair pulled back
into a tight bun and his clean-shaven face speckled with the blood of his
victims. In the glimmer of the torchlight, he looked every bit as content with
his job as one would expect a Hunter to be. It was his enjoyment, however, that
sent shivers up Aryana's spine.
"We
have no target, Flex," she said after awhile. "A few deaths, some
drawing on their walls and then we slip out just as we came in—unnoticed."
"We're
getting paid a hefty sum for a few deaths and some painting?" Gereth spoke
up, scratching his beard with the curved point of his battle axe. He glanced at
Flex and chuckled. "If only more jobs were this easy!"
After
traversing through the underground passageway and striking down the two guards
that blocked their entrance, they had armed a handful of prisoners and set them
loose on the keep. By the time the royal guard secured their Noble and dealt
with the escaped convicts, her group would have exhausted their paint and
disappeared into the woods. No one would ever be the wiser, and their pockets
would be heavy with gold come morning.
Shaking
her head, Aryana absorbed their surroundings. Books lined the sturdy wooden
shelves of the small library they had entered; a few lay open on a table in the
alcove to her right, their pages stained with the blood of a scholar that
Gereth had killed when they first entered the room.
They had
followed the two guardsmen and the serving girl as they fled from the
prisoners' dining hall massacre, determined to leave no witnesses.
"Did
you remember to paint the war symbol back in the dining hall?" Aryana
asked, turning her gaze to Flex.
He nodded
in response, his fingers twitching anxiously against the sword hilt. "I
even mixed some blood into it this time." He shrugged. "For added
effect."
Aryana
grimaced, but made no comment. Turning to Gereth, she asked, "And how are
we on the berries?"
The broad
man fished the wooden bowl out of the depths of his cloak and tipped it over.
"All gone."
Aryana
cursed and turned to Talon. "You're sure they paint a symbol at every
scene?"
The
Badalan nodded as he untied the leather strap and removed his mouth guard. A
smirk played at his lips as Flex and Gereth took a noticeable step back,
finding humor in their obvious concern. "The Shyrr would use the blood of
their victims once their paint ran out," he explained as he met Aryana's
gaze. "At this point, though, we've painted symbols for each of the tribes
so it really doesn't matter what we use anymore."
With a
hesitant nod, Aryana motioned to Flex and Gereth. "Do it."
Gereth
tossed the wooden bowl out of the alcove window before dipping a gloved hand
into the hole in the scholar's chest and drawing swirling red patterns along
the wall. On the other side of the library, Flex did the same.
Stripping
the last chunks of eumbrox fur from the chinks in her armor, Aryana knelt down
and placed the bits strategically on the guards' bodies for what she hoped
would be the last time tonight. To the angered, untrained eyes of the remaining
guardsmen, it would look as if their fallen comrades had managed to tear out
chunks of Badala fur from their assailants before their untimely demise.
Everything
had gone according to plan thus far—they executed their orders with the
precision only a Ghostwalker could provide, and they did so undetected. I can only hope the night stays in our favor,
Aryana thought as she applied the finishing touches and stood up. Maybe after this is over and my purse is
filled, I'll retire, myself.
The thud
of hurried footsteps drew Aryana away from her thoughts. "Talon!" she
cried, brandishing her dagger and turning to the library entrance.
With a
grunt, Talon reattached his mouth guard and flanked Aryana's left. Gereth and
Flex stood to her right, weapons at the ready as the wooden door was flung wide
open.
"We've
found them, sir!" a man called out as he gestured behind him.
Before
her group could flinch, six guards in heavy plated armor entered the library
and encircled them, shields raised and lances aimed for their throats.
Aryana
cursed and leaned into Talon. "These men are better armed than their
comrades," she observed as her mind raced with different scenarios.
"We've been careful; there's no way the guards would've been able to mount
a counter-attack so soon. It's as if they knew we were coming!"
"How
right you are, lady Hunter."
The
guardsmen parted to allow entry for the newcomer, a tall man with peppered hair
and an unnerving look in his gray eyes.
Aryana
blinked in disbelief at the man's attire. By the circlet crowning his head and
the many rings that adorned his fingers, it would not take much for Aryana to
guess that he was a Noble; however, the color of his jewels and the crest on
his breastplate—two scythes crossed above the half-circle of a wheat stalk—told
her that he was not the Noble of this realm.
"I
feel I must commend you on your performance. You've done quite a good job, and
releasing the prisoners as a distraction was an especially nice touch. Roren
must be proud to call you his best Hunters."
"You
kill us," Aryana spat, "and our Headmaster will come for your head
himself!"
"Your
Headmaster won't come after the man who employs him. Especially when that
employer makes good on his promise." With a grin, the Noble moved a hand
to his belt. Instinctively, Aryana raised her dagger, but the man tsked and
waggled a finger. "Ah, ah, ah," he said as his guards stepped
forward, the tips of their spears pressing closer to the Hunters' throats.
"Take care, young Hunter, or you will fall where you stand."
Her
nostrils flaring in frustration as she blew out a gust of air, Aryana dropped
her dagger to the ground and held her hands above her head. The clatter of her
companions' weapons as they hit the floor echoed in the small library, and
Aryana shook her head. They allowed themselves to relax before the job was
completed, and this was their reward for such reckless behavior.
A Hunter should know better, she thought as she
glanced back at Talon. He caught her gaze and nodded, discretely patting the
bag hanging from his sash. She felt the weight of her own bag of nightbloom,
tucked into a pocket on the inside of her cloak, and her heart sank in her
chest.
"Now,"
the Noble began as he removed two pouches from his belt. Holding them up, he
grinned as he turned his gaze to the Hunters on Aryana's right. "I believe
you'll find this to be sufficient compensation for your troubles tonight."
Aryana
whipped her head around, her pupils narrowing in anger as she hissed.
"What?"
Flex bent
over to pick up his sword as Gereth shrugged. "You had your orders,"
he said as he took his axe from Flex and secured the haft to his side. "We
had better ones."
She felt
the heat of vexation flush her cheeks as she watched her fellow Ghostwalkers
slip past the armored guards and accept their reward from the Noble.
"Inform
your Headmaster that his payment will be delivered as promised, along with an
added bonus for handing over the Asiri woman intact."
Flex
snorted as he pocketed his bounty. "A shame she's worth more alive than
dead. Would've been a pleasure to split her prissy little face in half."
"What's
so special about her, anyway?" Gereth sneered.
"She's
no longer your concern. Keep in mind that her life is worth more than the both of
yours combined."
Gereth
pointed to Talon and grinned. "Can we at least kill the barbarian? They're
a copper a pound out there, and with this war we just started—"
The Noble
frowned as he stared at them. "You've outlived your welcome here,
Hunter." He motioned to his guards. "I suggest you take your leave
before your comments end up costing you your life. And take care not to be
seen!"
"Don't
wander too far," Aryana growled, drawing the attention of the room. Her
slitted gaze remained fixated on Gereth and Flex. "Once I get out of here,
I'll be coming for your heads."
"I
wouldn't wager on it, sweetheart." Smirking, Flex slapped Gereth on the
shoulder. "C'mon, let's go."
Aryana
glared after the two Hunters until they disappeared from view. "I told you
I didn't trust them," she muttered to Talon over her shoulder, then turned
her attention to the Noble. "How did you know I would be here, Lord
Divikus?"
Dominik
directed his gaze to the remaining captives and chuckled, amused. "You
know me? I'm impressed."
"Don't
be," Aryana snapped. "I'd be a piss-poor Hunter if I failed my
lessons in politics. Now, how did you know I would be here?"
Dominik
shrugged and tucked a thumb inside his belt. "Who do you think recruited
your services for your little 'mission' tonight?"
Aryana
shook her head. "No, how did you know I'm Asiri?"
"You
mean, besides your pointed ears and amethyst eyes?" Dominik scoffed as
Aryana averted her gaze. "Please, lady Hunter. You aren't the only one who
did their research. Your people are renowned for their...colorful attributes,
though I must admit I'm amazed to see one outside Tandros at all. After the
Great War, your kind withdrew from the world and went silent."
Aryana
clenched her fists as she raised her eyes. "Roren told you he had an Asiri
in his employment, didn't he?" She shook her head as she answered her own
query. "He must've, if you're giving him a bonus for turning me
over."
"Enough
gold can sway even the most devout of friends, I'm afraid." Dominik
quirked a brow, his lips raised in an amused smirk. "If it's any
consolation, it took a considerably larger offer than I anticipated to earn his
favor. He spoke admirably of you—before taking the job, of course."
Her eyes
flashing, Aryana turned to Talon. "When we finish slaying these bastards,
Roren's going to have a lot to answer for." The Badala nodded, his eyes
conveying the same anger and betrayal that she felt burning in her chest. Then,
turning her fury back to Dominik, "What do you want with me? What makes my
life so valuable that my own Headmaster would betray me?"
Dominik
laughed and spread his arms wide. "I have no desire for you, lady
Hunter!" he exclaimed. "Nor do I owe you an explanation. Just know
that I have my orders, as well."
"Lord
Divikus!"
Dominik
turned as one of his guardsmen approached from the hallway.
"The
fire's been set, m'lord. We must hurry before we're seen."
"Were
there any witnesses, captain?"
"No,
sir! None that we left alive, anyway."
Nodding,
Dominik shot Aryana a grin. "I'm afraid out chat has come to an end."
Then, placing a hand on the shoulder of the nearest guard, "Kill the
barbarian. Bring the girl and join me outside the city when you're done."
Before
Aryana could protest Dominik was gone, leaving six of his men to carry out his
orders.
"You
heard him, men!" one of the guards hollered out. "Kill the barbarian,
keep the girl alive."
"Lady's
tits," she whispered as the men tightened their circle around her and
Talon. When I'm done with Roren I'm
coming after you, Lord Divikus, she thought as she glanced over each guard.
There were two with their spears pointed at her throat, and four focused on
Talon. Aryana smirked. You're worried
about the wrong Hunter, boys.
"Talon,"
she said, shuffling her feet in his direction. The guards moved with her, and
Aryana halted. "Fada dí kumla
jèdama!"
Before
the guards could react, Talon dropped to the ground and rolled to his right,
grabbing his weapon as he emerged outside the circle and plunging it into a
guard's neck.
At the
same time, Aryana fell into a split and picked up her dagger. Quick as
lightning she slashed at the closest guard, her blade slipping past his armor
and biting into his lower abdomen. Before a drop of his blood hit the floor,
Aryana leaned forward and pivoted on the heel of her hands, knocking him and
two of the other guards' legs out from under them. Grabbing one of the lances,
she shoved it forcefully into a guard's chest and used the momentum to propel
herself to her feet.
As she
glanced behind her, Talon severed the head from one of the remaining guards'
shoulders in one clean swipe and tossed it at the other. The bloodied stump
smacked the advancing soldier in the face and sent him flailing backwards,
landing hard on the flat of his back.
"Thank
the gods you still understand the Badalan tongue," Aryana laughed as Talon
finished off his last opponent. "Or should I thank you for teaching me a
few words to use in moments like this?"
His
shoulders heaving, Talon unfastened his mouth guard and shook his head.
"Let's thank the gods once we're free from this hellhole, Ari," he
said as he wiped blood from his brow.
Nodding,
Aryana picked up her dagger and glanced at their handiwork. "Even after
all these years, I still best you at close combat."
A gurgle
came from behind them, and Talon shook his head. "It's a tie this time,
old friend," he grinned as Aryana moved to the remaining guardsman's side.
He was a young lad, his brow thick with sweat and his eyes filled with the kind
of fear only a boy out on the battlefield for the first time would know.
"Where
has your lord gone?" she asked, pressing the point of her dagger into the
man's neck.
Air
rattled noisily in his chest, his breathing hindered by the weight of his armor
crushing his torso, and his pulse throbbed against the blade as he pleaded for
mercy. "W-when we don't show up with you in cuffs, he'll ride for
Delkai," he gasped. "He won't be pleased—"
"I'm
not pleased right now!" Aryana snapped. "Why does he want me alive?"
The boy
shook his head. "Please, I don't know."
Aryana
was unconvinced. She applied pressure on the blade and the boy screamed as
blood seeped from the puncture. "I won't ask again."
"I
don't know, I swear it!"
Shouts
echoed down the hallway outside the library, and Aryana cursed under her
breath.
"It's
time to go," Talon said, gesturing to the boy. "He knows nothing,
Ari."
Clenching
her fist around the dagger hilt, Aryana pursed her lips as she placed a hand in
his matted hair. "You'll only feel a little sting." Before the boy
could speak, she pushed the dagger through the center of his throat and watched
as the life drained from his young eyes.
"Ari,
let's move!"
The
shouts grew farther and farther away as Aryana and Talon slunk quietly through
the dim hallways. "Divikus is heading to Delkai," Aryana said as they
turned left and backtracked to the dungeon. "And Roren's back at
Hellfire."
"Delkai's
on the way to the Northern Plains," Talon mused. "But after what
we've done here, we'll never get close enough to him. And once he learns of our
escape, he'll be expecting retaliation."
"Roren
won't expect a thing." Aryana bit her lip as she stopped and turned to
Talon. "Flex and Gereth would be heading that way, too."
Talon
studied her gaze as if reading her future. His brow furrowed as he tipped his
head in a slow nod. "They left me for dead, and on Roren's orders. Our
Headmaster has a lot to answer for."
Aryana
grinned and placed a hand on the Badalan's cheek. "You were right about
this being a suicide mission, my friend," she whispered. "I'll never
doubt your judgement again, that I promise you." She lowered her gaze and
sighed. "I just hope we live long enough to find out why a human Noble
wants me alive."
They
spoke no more as they wove their way to the dungeon and through the underground
passageway. If they failed to catch Flex and Gereth in the woods where their
equipment was buried, then Aryana hoped with every fiber of her scorned soul
that they caught up with them on the road to Hellfire.
Not even the gods can save them now.
Points: 17344
Reviews: 293
Donate