The Royal Assassin: Shadows of Myst

by Shireen Nemnich

  “Greetings Shadowen.” I say smoothly reaching out with my magic towards her and I instantly feel Phantom’s magic surrounding her. I say nothing but I should not feel him around her like this. He’s either protecting her or he’s trying to block me from her. “Shadowen is a lovely name.” I say and she tilts her head towards me and then I see before my eyes a vision of Mysteria standing behind her. I can’t move or speak. It’s as if time is standing still. Mysteria whispers to my heart. “Take her. Take her as your consort. Claim her now before he takes her away.”

  I speak before I know it. “I claim Shadowen.” I feel Phantom’s anger instantly then just as quickly I feel him put it under control. I promptly add, “I will also like to take her as my consort when she comes of age.”

  Phantom speaks smoothly but I can feel all his anger. “That hardly seems fair since you have six consorts as it is. She deserves to have undivided attention.”

  Mysteria moves along Shadowen and whispers again to my heart “Forsake your consorts, take only Shadowen. He cannot refuse.”

  My mind is working furiously now at what to do next. “So you would agree to her being my consort if I forsake all others and take only her as consort?” I'm sure to add an edge to my voice to make that sound like an impossible deal. “What if I keep only one and her?” I add quickly.

  Phantom shakes his head saying, “No deal unless you keep her as your only one and you’d have to be rid of your consorts immediately.”

  “So I’d have to get rid of my consorts now and wait for her to come into her magic and then take her as my consort, plus train her to be an assassin for the Royal House?” I question him slowly.

  Phantom nods, “Yes. You will have to agree this or you may not have her as your consort.”

  “I get her as soon as she comes into her magic? So that could be in what? Twenty years?”

  “You get her as soon as she comes into her magic, not a day sooner or a day later and only if you agree to getting rid of your consorts now. Otherwise…”

  He has no idea what he's just said. I do not even allow him to continue I interrupt him saying. “Done. By my word as the Royal Assassin for the Royal House of Darkness and Shadow I pledge to forsake all my consorts and to take Shadowen as my only consort the day she comes into her magic. I will also train her to be an assassin for the Royal House.”

  Essence gasps and Phantom goes completely still realizing I just tricked him into a binding agreement with me. I not only see Essence trembling I feel her shock, anger and regret. I knew she chose Phantom over me but I didn’t think she despised me yet now this emotion is streaming off her towards me. She hurriedly turns to the children. “You may both go back outside and play.”

  Phantom waits until they leave and he turns on me, “You tricked me.”

  “Did I?” I say smoothly.

  “You will not have her.” He practically spits out.

  I adjust my gloves saying just as smoothly, “We just made an agreement. You are honor bound as I to hold to this agreement.”

  “You are trying to take her from me because I took Essence from you.”

  “I hardly think this compares.”

  “You just want the Heir to the Chalice. You could care less about Shadowen.”

  “Obviously you are mistaken I do not care for Essence.”

  “I’m not talking about Essence! You know Shadowen is first born and the chalice is bestowed upon the first born.”

  My heart stops. I had no idea she was first born. “You brought the boy in to see me first. I assumed he was first born.” My heart is dancing with joy, but I make sure not to let them know it. My dream is to come true after all. Seeing a vision of Mysteria guiding me makes me realize that my destiny is in motion now. “May I spend a few moments alone with the girl before I leave?”

  Phantom turns away disgusted and instantly shifts into a shadow and is gone. Essence nods, “Of course, Royal Assassin. I will get her right away.”

  I step back to the window and see her once again outside with her friend. I watch Essence bring her inside and I wait for them. She ushers the girl inside the doorway then shoves her gently in my direction. She doesn’t move from the spot Essence pushes her to. Once Essence is gone I step to the girl, bending down on my knees. “My name is Reis, what is yours again?”

  “Shadowen.” She says and I feel my heart make a loud thud as if it’s stopped.

  I gather my wits and ask, “Do you always take care of your brother?”

  “Yes, he needs me.” She whispers and it’s filled with whispering singsong notes that make my heart burst into fluttering. I realize I need her too. I already long for her to grow up so she will live with me so that I can hear her voice daily. I reach out gently with my magic and instantly I feel her respond to me. Her breath quickens and she stands a bit straighter. She is the one. I know it with every fiber in my being that she is the one. “I would like for you to remember my name, do you think you can do that?”

  “Yes.” She says so sweetly.

  “Can you say my name? Reis?”

  She softly repeats my name, “Reis.” My heart is fluttering with unbelievable joy.

  “Would you mind if I come and visit with you now and again?” I ask gently.

  “I will not mind.” She says moving a small step closer to me and I feel something within her reaching out to me. It’s so soft and so gentle but I cannot tell what it is, it’s unlike magic and yet it’s so much like magic. But she is far too young to have magic.

  “If you ever need me, you can call for me, and I will come.” I tell her.

  She reaches out with her gloved hand to me and asks, “You will?”

  I’m almost afraid to touch her but I do. I gently touch her gloved hand with mine and I feel a sweet sensation wash over my hand and I know it’s the connection of consorts. I know she is already mine and I am hers. I look up and there is Mysteria smiling and nodding to me. “I will.” I whisper to her. Then I stand up and wave my hand to her, “Run along and play. We're through here.” She rushes to the doorway then turns back and looks at me. Oddly I hear her soft voice in my heart. Reis, I will remember you.

  Once she is gone I say my good-byes to Essence, as Phantom is nowhere to be found. I’m shifting from one shadow to another with joy singing in my soul. Until I realize now I have to figure out how to get rid of six consorts.

  I can’t even contain how elated I am by the time I arrive home. However my elation is met short by Phantom and the Royal Advocate, Chi. I wasn’t expecting Phantom this soon but worse to see Chi again, made even my heart grow cold. She was the one who fought for Phantom and Essence in the Royal Court when I protested their relationship. Now she and he are waiting for me in my parlor.

  I remove my cloak and Madrigal takes it from me. Her voice is low for my ears only, “Whatever you’ve done? Fix it swiftly. He is tainted and needs leave this house.” I turn to ask her what she means but she is already putting my cloak away.

  I step quietly in my parlor and I paint a smile on my lips whether they can see it or not. “Welcome to my humble home Royal Advocate. It’s a pleasure to find you here upon my arrival. I had not expected such royal treatment or I would have prepared something special for you.” I reach out for her hand as I bow. Being good mannered and bred she takes it despite my Nightelf blood.

  She returns my bow with a slight one and with a greeting of her own, “I am also humbled by your greeting and we do appreciate your graciousness on our uninvited visit.” I turn to Phantom and nod only briefly.

  Madrigal enters quickly with nectar filled glasses and I realize I am forever indebted to my grandmother. She doesn’t miss protocol for a moment. She has been a servant in the Royal House of Assassins for at least three generations and she perhaps could write several books on etiquette, formality not to mention social climbing… and especially scandal.

  I take a glass of nectar handing it first to Chi then hand one to Phantom. I take the other and gesture for her have a seat. Phan
tom can stand and rot as far as I’m concerned. I wait until she places the glass under her veil and she sips. I then do the same. She lowers her glass but before she speaks I waste no time cutting straight to the chase. “If I may be so bold as to assume you are here due to the agreement Phantom, Essence and I have made this day concerning their daughter, Shadowen?”

  “Why yes…” she begins.

  “Splendid!” I say and I know immediately she is caught off guard and so is Phantom. “Shortly after Phantom left I was given the opportunity to reach out to the child with my magic. She out shined even my rigorous expectations. She will make a fine assassin for the Royal House.” I remain seated and I can feel Phantom bristle at the very idea that I touched her with my magic since now I know he was blocking me.

  “Isn’t it amazing how things all work out for the best? I mean who would have thought. All those many years ago when we came to the agreement in front of all the Royal Court that I’d be given one of their children to train to be an assassin for the Royal House, that I would find such a prize to train.”

  I can tell she is about to speak, but I continue to speak, “I also never thought this same child would also turn out to be my consort as well. I honestly didn’t think I’d find one of their children worthy to be either.” I had to put that dig in. But I continue, “It is a shame that I have agreed to give up all six of my consorts now and wait until the child comes into her magic. I suppose sacrificing twenty years for the chance to be consort to an exquisite assassin will be highly worth it.” I barely pause, “Can you imagine my surprise that Phantom agreed to such, especially after he stole Essence from her obligation and duty to the Royal House by becoming his consort. Whoever in a million years would have thought he would give his daughter to me at such a young age? Not I. However we all must fulfill our obligations to the Royal House, don’t you agree Royal Advocate?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “I spent the first forty five years of my life preparing to become consort to Essence. It was so agreed upon before her birth as you well remember. Then to have this taken away… I am forever grateful though that in your wisdom you not only advocated I be given one of their children as an assassin but be given a consort as well.” Nothing like reminding her of the agreement she came up with that allowed Phantom to have Essence. The agreement that I allows me pick and choose from their children. “Well I must tell you I have been grooming one consort after another since then, and no one has even held a hint of what Shadowen has shown, and she is just a mere child. I wait with anticipation to help her explore her magic when she comes into it. I realize now this is a blessing from the Goddess to me for being so patient and understanding at your ruling that day so long ago.”

  Now I sit back and allow her a moment to digest. She doesn’t even take another sip. She sets the glass down and rises. Her voice is not warm, not cold, it is indifferent. “So it is agreed upon you will remove your consorts and not take another and wait for Shadowen? Then she shall be your sole consort shall you both live? You also agree to wait to take her the day she comes into her magic, not a day before or the day after?”

  “I gave and still give my word upon the Royal House.” I say knowing now Phantom has lost.

  “Then I find this agreement binding.”

  Phantom hisses and I nod to her, “You are fair and wise as always, Royal Advocate.” I walk them to the door and just as it closes I shift straight up the stairs. I have no idea how I will tell my consorts but they must be out by tomorrow morning.

  Two

  It went far smoother than I thought it would be in releasing my consorts. Surprisingly enough when I told them of the deal I made and my shock to learn she is Heir to the Royal Chalice they were all elated as I am. Destiny is at hand and they know that I have to take it.

  Kismet is the most supportive, which doesn't surprise me as she was my first consort. She knew much of the tragic that befell me and to know now that it was supposed to be this way is an amazing feeling for both of us. I’ve been living my life as if I've been wronged but in truth it only makes me wiser in knowing the gift Shadowen will be to me.

  Madrigal is a little more reserved however. She feels Phantom will do something to stop this. She says he is tainted and his taint grows by the hour. I’m not sure what she means exactly because I feel nothing different but I take her word for it. She has lived countless centuries seeing much that I have yet to know or understand.

  Now however I must prepare for my consort for when she comes into her magic. It may take twenty years but twenty years can go by quickly and I must learn everything about her, absolutely everything. Like what is her favorite color? Her favorite food? Favorite song? Favorite flower? Madrigal can feel my excitement and she places her hand on my arm. “Slow down. Slow down. She is a child and will be one for awhile.”

  I laugh aloud, which is not a Mystic trait but is a Nightelf one. She is correct, she is a child. Yet this child will grow up to be my consort and I will teach her everything about being an assassin and guide her through her magic and mine. I realize I love her already and I want to take care of and protect her. I want to touch her soul with mine. I want to make love to her soul and to do that she will have to an adult. It might be a longer wait than I am prepared for. But it will be worth the wait.

  I kiss my last consort good-bye and she shifts through a shadow when a messenger arrives. Madrigal leads him into my study as I watch the last of Spirit’s shadow leave. I take a slow deep breath turning to the guest. “Welcome, you bring me a message?”

  He is a Nightelf and his magic is minimal so I quickly dismiss my protective shield allowing him to come closer. He reaches out handing me a parchment that has a Royal Seal on it. My heart stops as I nod to him. He doesn’t hesitate to leave and I wait to open the parchment until after Madrigal has seen him out. When she returns I break open the seal and the parchment falls open with a shadow rising forth. I recognize Phantom’s handy work immediately and my protective shield comes up blocking any foul magic he may have conjured.

  The magical shadow hisses, “You shall not see, touch, speak to or come within one-hundred paces of Shadowen until the day she comes into her magic. Upon the day of her reckoning if she chooses not to go with you, our agreement shall be null and void and you will release her as your consort and assassin in training. If you do not show on her day of reckoning the agreement is null and void so decreed by the Royal House of Darkness and Shadow.” The broken seal shatters in pieces then dissipates into shadows and I watch the parchment bring forth the same words filling the page ending with the Royal Seal.

  Madrigal shakes her head and I toss the parchment on my desk. “He is determined I shall not have her.” I say in a soft gasp.

  It is Madrigal who brings a shred of hope to me as I watch it fade from my heart. “He cannot go against the will of the Goddess and expect to win.” I turn to look at her and I lean over kissing her on top her head saying. “Of course.”

  I quickly head toward the foyer taking my cloak and she is hot behind me. “Where are you going?” She says hurriedly.

  I turn sweeping my cloak around my shoulders pulling my hood up. “To see my consort of course.” I say with elation.

  “But…”

  “You honestly think he or anyone else can keep the Royal Assassin away from his consort?” I laugh knowingly.

  I see a smile touch Madrigal’s lips. “Of course not… but don’t get caught!” she giggles and I smile shifting into a shadow.

  I step into many shadows and soon I begin marking the trail from my home to Shadowen’s. I begin planting shadows in my wake to block anyone from following. I then come within exactly one hundred paces of Shadowen’s home and I begin to mark it. I send out magical buoys with shadows so they will change all markers to wherever Shadowen is to show me the path to her that doesn’t break the one hundred paces.

  I’m much smarter than Phantom realizes. He thinks I will break the decree to get close to her. He is planning on me
slipping up and only staying one hundred paces from their home and then he will have her out and about and bring her close enough to me that it breaks the decree and I am forced to relinquish our agreement and her. But this will never happen.

  Phantom may be a great conjurer and he may have some assassin skills but I am the Royal Assassin and I know every nook and cranny to fade into. No one can hide from me in Myst and no one is safe from me. Especially him now that he is determined to make himself such a nuisance. The only thing protecting him right now is that he is of the Royal House and I am duty bound to serve the Royal House.

  I slip the last shadow in place and I take a moment to bask in the afternoon light. I stop quickly as my shadow alerts me that Shadowen is on the move. I follow my shadow back as it moves marking the distance I need to be at. I look over to the house and I see she has been pushed outside and not too gently by Phantom. I feel my blood cooling and my heart slows to the pace of an assassin. Shadowen stumbles slightly in her gown and I desire to go to her. Yet I sway back into the darkness I create so I cannot be seen by her or Phantom.

  I see the neighbor boy quickly rush out the door of his home and he makes a straight line to Shadowen. He’s quite a bit taller and obviously older. I do not think I like that this boy is overly friendly to Shadowen. It could prove harder for me to convince her to be my consort if she falls in love with him before she comes into magic. The day of reckoning is hard but when there are already feelings of love and devotion to another. I do not think I can fight against that.

  I stand and watch her. She looks happy with him. She pokes him with a stick and he does nothing about it. I smile. That’s my girl beat him up! She smacks him harder this time and he makes a small yelping sound and I hear her whispered giggle as all little girls do. I smile again. Keep hitting him dear and maybe he will go away.

  Now I see Shade is shoved out the door and he immediately goes to Shadowen and she turns, dropping the stick. Not giving the boy another thought. Interesting.