by Hugo Damas
Zaniyah saw the door she was to cross.
“Go ahead, Hunter, the Head Enchanter awaits you.”
The Head Enchanter was the leader of the House of Magni. Zaniyah was guessing she was about to meet the final liaison for the Shadow Conclave.
I will defeat them, she thought to herself in assurance, Whoever my opponents are, I will rise to this great challenge and defeat them.
On that thought, she went in.
The matriarch was behind a desk with a stack of books in front of her, one singled out for her to read. Her large and bulgy dark blue robes hid the heavily aged figure that could have easily belonged to a healthy grandmother. She did not divert her eyes from her book.
“Welcome, Zaniyah. Please, have a seat.”
I should not be surprised that they know my real name.
She silently assented and had a seat on the large chair in front of the desk. At that point, the Matriarch pulled a paper mark and neatly closed the book over it.
“Such an odd timing,” she said, pondering, “for two contestants to visit me so very close to each other.”
So the child is a competitor… Zaniyah said nothing, though, instead allowing the lady to continue.
“You are the Hunter, yes? The Eighteenth?” The Head Enchanter asked. Her hair was heavily greyed but still strong and straight around her head, except at the front. Her eyes gleamed with a captivating purple.
Zaniyah looked up through her fringes. “Yes,” she simply said, her voice sounding as unfamiliar as it always did. Even after all these years, she still had not grown accustomed to it. She also hated that it betrayed her young age.
“Prestigious title, the Hunter. Up there with the Shadow and our own Sorcerer.”
Is it? Zaniyah questioned in her mind.
“Don’t be mistaken by the numbers,” the Matriarch added, accidentally or knowingly letting Zaniyah know she could read her emotion. Or mind. “Magni and Kagekawa actively substitute their agents as soon as possible, while all the other titles are followed up in a much more…organic manner.” She smiled. “Street Rat, for example, is in its fourth iteration…but despite that, it was the very first title made world-famous by a thief. Do you know how these titles are assigned, Zaniyah? Or maybe it’s more accurate to use the word awarded?”
Zaniyah shook her head because she did not know. She had one day arrived back from a treasure hunt to find out she was now being referred to as “the Hunter” by world media, and the underworld itself. She did not know much about society, so she only knew what she was told about it by her guild-mates. Then the letter from the Shadow Conclave had come, and she was informed about that. And what it was.
“The people. The media. The underworld. One of these recognizes a thief as a holder of the title. If the other two happen to accept it, then it is done.”
“And how is…” Zaniyah’s voice felt weird in her throat but she struggled through it, “How is a thief recognized?”
The Head Enchanter smiled, slightly amused and probably mistaking Hunter’s reluctance to speak for shyness. “Modus operandi, of course. Your methods and appearances. The Hunter, for example, is usually someone associated with the wild, deprived of civilization and employing gears and skills associated with that of a jungle tribe.”
Zaniyah clearly fit the profile. While she had dispensed with the face painting, she was still dressed as formally as she considered necessary, and the tattoo of her guild was clearly visible emerging from her left hip and encroaching on her belly.
She nodded in understanding.
“My name is Eliza,” the matriarch said, greeting with a slight bow, “I am here to answer all your questions, and then direct you to the place of competition. Do any come to mind?”
A couple did, but the Hunter did not feel it necessary to ask. She knew enough, so she shook her head to say no, and Eliza smiled.
“The deaths will toll, and screams will run,” the Head Enchanter began saying, taking out a scroll from a drawer in her desk, “misery will mold a shadow around the sun. And when the time comes, look to darkness for the save.” She pushed the scroll so the Hunter could see it, finishing her rhyming riddle. “For hope will be pitched from the very best of the Shadow Conclave.”
The scroll had that poem written on it in shining red letters. It was long dried out, but Zaniyah could tell it was blood.
“About fifty years ago, I was the Sorcerer,” she revealed. “The first Dark Runner and I were the only survivors of an attempted invasion by a race of underground creatures. The Shadow was with us, but he stayed behind. The Shadow is the Kagekawa’s agent, in case you don’t know.”
The Head Enchanter leaned back and let nostalgia guide her through a past that Zaniyah expected to be relevant to the poem.
“We cooperated. It was the first time world-renowned thieves, especially in this culture of infamy and codenames, cooperated. It was suggested and brought upon by the Shadow, and it prompted Dark Runner to name the venture…he meant it as a joke, of course, but he called it a shadow conclave.
“A year after my return, The Oracle cried for a future that was coming.”
Sighing, Eliza tapped the scroll. “This is what she wrote using those tears of blood.”
Zaniyah opened her eyes in surprise.
This is not just a simple competition…
“This is why we again banded together to create what you’re about to participate in. It is called a Shadow Conclave because world-renowned thieves come together to work on the same place, once again. Our objective is to help the prophecy become real by gradually and frequently selecting the best thief in the world, and then making sure he or she lives to enact the prophecy. In other words, we mean to protect the best of the Shadow Conclave…while constantly testing who that really is.”
Eliza hugged hands on her belly and offered Zaniyah a very simple smile.
“It is for this reason that the following is to be respected at all times:
“Never make any kind of attempt to physically harm a competitor. If the prophecy refers to the enemy we met back then, we are confident the ability to cause physical harm is quite irrelevant. We are here to see who the best thief is, not the best warrior.”
Zaniya nodded in understanding.
“Now, you are here because you believe you are the greatest thief. I would ask you why, Zaniyah.”
She thought for a few seconds, holding Eliza’s expectant stare without much effort. Zaniyah was used to being peered at by someone waiting on her to reply.
“I…” Zaniyah started to say, “am the greatest thief, because no other is as attuned to the world surrounding as I am.”
Eliza smiled, pleased. “An answer worthy of The Hunter. And what is your interest in this competition?”
“I…” she gave it a moment’s thought, gauging her own feelings, “I wish to test my skill against the best. I wish to find out if I am the best.”
“A good answer,” Eliza said, writing it down. “Welcome to the Shadow Conclave, Hunter.”
The Head Enchanter put away the small scroll and then faced Zaniyah, cupping her hands together on top of the scroll. “This year, we have many competitors, so we will be hosting a three-match tournament to single out the best. Your first trial will take place in the city of Edho, in the Orient. Do you know it?”
“Yes.” Zaniyah did not truly know it, she had never been there, but she could read a map just fine.
“It will be held on the Seventeenth of October, from sunset to sunrise. There will be thirty-two of you in total. Only sixteen will advance to the following round. You may use whatever gear you wish, whatever strategy you wish, but your starting point will be dictated by us using this.” She handed a map to Zaniyah.
Good, giving me a map already. Zaniyah looked at it and noticed the mark representing her starting position. It was on the outskirts of the city, and immediately, she could guess everyone was being placed in a perimeter around the city. Knowing they were thirty-two, she made a qui
ck and probably correct prediction of where all others would be positioned.
“And finally, here is the gear that we provide.” Eliza took a small pouch and a scroll from the drawer and pushed them towards Zaniyah. “The pouch is magical, it will transfer anything you put inside into our vault, tag it and price it. Not that I need to tell you, but anything that is worthless, or near enough, will count negatively towards your score. So no use just piling everything you see into the pouch, understand? Believe me, we have enough socks.” Eliza chuckled, but the Hunter was too weary to laugh at anything. She always was when faced with the conversation.
“I understand,” Zaniyah simply said.
“Your ability to correctly appraise valuables is vital. You will accrue points according to how much money you make. Meanwhile, the scroll is provided by the Kagekawa, it gives us the ability to silently communicate with you, no matter our distance. Look to it for information like the times at which the match will start, and the location of the next ones.”
Zaniyah took the items with a nod.
“That will be all. If you start outside your given starting position, you are disqualified. If you cause permanent physical harm to anyone, you are disqualified. If you use the pouch outside of the official period of competition, you are disqualified. If you lose any of these two items, you’re also disqualified.”
The Hunter looked up at Eliza inquisitively.
“Yes? You have a question?”
“May… others attempt to steal this from me?” Zaniyah asked.
Eliza smirked knowingly. “Yes,” she answered, “and you can steal from them, too.”
The Hunter nodded thoughtfully. “Okay.”
Eliza chuckled softly, peering at her with interest. “Every one of you asks that question, it is quite promising to see.“”
Zaniyah stood up with a slight bow and waited for Eliza’s word.
Eliza smiled peacefully at her. “Are you also representing the Wild Felids?”
“Yes.” She had been warned this question would come up. Answering yes meant that if she won, the prestige and protection would be extended to the group.
“Very well.” Eliza wrote it down and then started rolling up the prophecy scroll. “May fortune favor you, Hunter.”
“No. My skill… will favor me,” Zaniyah seriously stated, bowing her head again before turning to leave.
She walked out and followed a guide back into natural territory. The guide left her alone, confirming it was now up to her to make it to Japien on time. Zaniyah first looked around for the child, but the girl was nowhere to be found.
Good. It is better that I not meet any of the contestants, Zaniyah considered.
Still, Zaniyah felt she should be on her toes and never let her guard down. She had no interest in robbing the others of the items, thereby hindering their participation since it was very much contrary to the purpose of the competition. She would instead focus on not letting that happen to her.
First, however, Zaniyah would have to find a train to transport her to her destination. And aquire the funds to pay for the trip.
* * *
Edho looked like the capital city of Japien, and it didn’t.
It was certainly crowded enough, but at the same time, experienced little to no nightlife. Its buildings were close together, stacked on top of each other to reach heights ranging from one to ten floors. The roofs that were easy to traverse while still being heavily inclined, having been built out of flat tiles that were sturdy and not slippery at all.
The street lighting was not electric, instead being provided by little balloons -- seemingly made out of paper-- which were tied to the ground. The fire inside raised them up to illuminate the environment. Those balloons were painted with different colors to generate a cacophony of colored luminescence all around the city, and because the light was provided by fire, it made the city seem all the more pulsing and alive.
It had quite the beauty to it, the Hunter was forced to admit.
What they did during stormy weather, though, was anyone’s guess, but then again, maybe it was a problem they didn’t have.
This type of lighting, however, generated many shadows. The crackling of the fire alone provided cover for small noises, even if that was what concerned her the least.
Zaniyah again looked at the scroll.
27 of 32 Contestants have arrived.
Countdown to Begin: 123 seconds.
They were updating it every few seconds, which was impressive to be sure since she knew someone was writing it. Zaniyah again looked around from the cover of the very high roof she was on, on top of a building that sported ten floors worth of height, but she could not see anyone of note.
This is Kagekawa territory, Zaniyah noted to herself, the Shadow will feel right at home.
The headquarters of Kagekawa was located on an island just off the coast of Japien. Where on the island was the question, but they were there, which meant this whole match was taking place in their territory. In the Shadow’s backyard.
He should be knowledgeable about the points of higher value, Zaniyah considered. If I can locate him, I can trail him to them.
The question was whether she could fool the senses of one of her most skilled opponents. It occurred to her then that she did not know who anyone was. Would they be as easy to recognize as competitors as she was?
30 of 32 Contestants have arrived.
Countdown to Begin: 53 seconds.
Zaniyah felt it was a considerable advantage to already know the child was a competitor since she would never have guessed that one in particular. She wondered how many would elude her.
Better to assume competition than to be fooled. I have little information but what little I have is that they do not have a nightlife here. Anyone I see on the streets is a potential threat.
The Hunter again checked with the scroll.
The Daredevil has been disqualified.
The Competition in Edho has now begun.
The Hunter looked around for a few seconds longer to see if she saw anyone moving, and when she didn’t, she closed her eyes and sensed.
Zaniyah had a sixth sense about prey…and this prey didn’t exactly have to be alive. Valuables always generated anxiety from their proprietors, and she could feel it in the air.
Breathing deeply, the Hunter felt her senses extending their sensibility. She could now feel wind despite being produced by the near-stale air around her. She could feel the heat coming from two lights that were near her building. Her eyes, even closed, could see the blurred spots of those lights against her eye-lids. Her feet now recognized she was stepping on essentially ceramic tiles and the hair on her skin stood up as if she was cold, giving her a better appraisal of the environment around her. Lastly, she could hear a couple snoring in the room below.
Opening her eyes, the Hunter looked down at the whole building she was standing on. Good, she thought.
The Hunter rolled forward, grabbing onto the ledge and skillfully vaulting into the balcony below, landing silently. She drew her blow tube just in case and slid open the door. Those doors opened to the side and into the wall, instead of outwards or inwards.
It sounded noisy to her, but she knew it wasn’t.
The doors are quiet too. I believe this will be the easiest of locations to work in, Zaniyah considered.
She walked right past the couple’s bed and silently browsed through the cabinets and other furniture. Again, it all sounded noisier to her than it actually was.
A jewelry box lightened up her mood, but as she was about to put the first bracelet into the pouch, Zaniyah considered that its magic might produce some sound. To make sure, she aimed her blowgun at the couple while she put the bracelet away. However, all she heard was a very faint muffled swoosh. And if it sounded that quiet to her, it would be near silent to everyone else.
Good, the Hunter thought, pleased.
A watch followed, and some other things. Everything that shined or felt like a valuable m
etal, she put into the pouch. She saw a small statue that, at first glance, was just a wooden little thing of no value. But the Hunter knew better. She put it into the pouch with a slight smile.
My experience as a treasure hunter will still come in handy, Zaniyah remarked.
Silently and cautiously, the Hunter went over the whole house before leaving, sliding the door shut behind her. She approached the balcony and looked over with all the attention she could muster, but saw no one. Zaniyah focused for a minute and felt nothing but the valuables on the floor below.
Good, the Hunter thought, content.
She vaulted over the balcony and climbed down, and then dropped to land on the floor below. Silently.
It took the Hunter half an hour to get through the building. A long time to be sure, but none of it was wasted because every room contained valuable prizes.
Looking out the last balcony, Zaniyah saw nothing that would alert her, so she sat down to use it for cover while she focused her senses once again, prodding her instincts for a hint at which direction to take. Oddly enough, only one direction felt feasible, meaning every other held no prey. At least not anywhere near.
Is a competitor in the vicinity? Zaniyah wondered. Either that or every neighboring house lacked anything of value, which was unlikely because there were many of them.
Zaniyah peeked out again, straining her eyes in distrust, but still, she did not see anything suspicious. Her instinct was alert, though.
I should take to the floor. With that thought, Zaniyah lightly dropped onto the floor, landing in a silent crouch. After giving another look around, she stood up, slightly, and began to move.
Crossing by the door, she felt a trap under her foot. Luckily, her reflexes were so keen as far as traps were concerned that she aborted the step before it applied any serious pressure. Swiftly yet cautiously, she leaned down and blew the dust off of the floor, finding a small and circular device.
What is that? Zaniyah wondered, examining it closely.
It had wires, it was made from different metals and irons, it was definitely not a normal trap. I did not expect traps in the middle of a city. Why is it here?
