The Royal Assassin: Shadows of Myst

by Shireen Nemnich

  “Impossible!” I say.

  She waves her hands at me and says, “Go look if you don’t believe me.”

  I jump right up and off the bed shifting straight into a shadow and there lying perfectly on the table in the kitchen is the tray lid. I shift right back to her. “How did you do that?”

  She laughs, “Oh, like you don’t know how.”

  “I don’t.” I say.

  “Yes you do. You do it all the time.” She says taking a huge mouthful of swey-cake.

  “No I don’t.” she nods and mumbles something I cannot understand due to food in her mouth. I frown and she swallows then says, “Your blades, and the veils.”

  “But I don’t fling them through a shadow.”

  “But you could.” She says taking another bite of food.

  I cross my arms. “How?”

  She waves me away and takes a bite of swey-cake, but this is important. “Shadowen, how?” She gulps down some ponamilk moaning then says, “Reis think about it.”

  “Think about what? I know no one who can do that. No one.” I tell her with my hands now firmly on my hips.

  She sighs. “Call for your blade.”

  I do and it’s in my hand.

  “Find a shadow and just touch it a moment.” I take a breath sighing, knowing this is silly, but I do it just the same. She takes another bite of swey-cake saying with her mouth full, “Frind the wadow you froant that...” I give her a look and she swallows a bit sheepishly. “Sorry. Find the shadow you want that leads to the room you want.” I find it. She then says, “Move the blade.”

  I think about what she's saying and then I move the blade. It shifts slightly then leaves via the shadow. I'm speechless. I look at her, she smiles with her cheeks bulging again with a mouthful of swey-cake. I immediately shift in a shadow downstairs and sure enough it’s right where I wanted it. I shift back up stairs and look at her. That’s so easy. I’m staring at her and I have to ask. “Have you always been able to do this?”

  “Yes.” She says biting into more swey-cakes.

  “Can Phantom do this or Essence?”

  “No. They can barely move objects with their magic and they have no idea we can do it.”

  “We as in you and Shade?”

  “Yes, I think you have to be strong in moving objects. And you my adorable consort are very strong in it.” Adorable consort? I smile at her. Must be the swey-cakes talking. She continues speaking, “When you move something I taste your magic on my tongue, and it tastes so good. Mmm, like these swey-cakes! Oh goddess they are so good.” She devours yet another one. I chuckle at her sweet moans, which I have grown accustomed to.

  I sit back on the bed and I decide I will meet with Shade in the morning. I must take the risk for Shade and Shadowen’s sake. Perhaps I should have asked for Shade and Shadowen both when they were young. Should have made him my apprentice and made her my consort and if I’d known... I would have even though I didn’t feel the response I needed from him.

  My mind however drifts back to that moment so long ago with Shadowen asleep in my arms exhausted from her reckoning and Shade next to me. I remember so clearly though that Mysteria was consoling him and inside I know I had made the right choice. But now I must make a new choice and also must figure out how to protect Shadowen while I am away.

  The night is filled with passionate love making with Shadowen. Each time our bodies join we become fused in more than just passion and magic. I can feel her love and this is so important that I am easing right into her heart.

  I’m holding her close to me and she is in such a sound sleep. Our magic combined makes her exhausted but ignites me to heights I never imagined possible. I know I must get up soon or I will not have enough time to do what needs to be done.

  I slowly move and her arms come around me causing a smile to touch my lips and heart. My lovely consort clings to me even in her sleep. I gently slide my hand along her side then just as gently I roll her over so she is flat on her back. I slide my body atop her and I feel her ease with this closeness. I realize I could easily make love to her in her sleep and she would let me. Her magic is already swirling around me, tempting me, enticing me to partake in what she offers. I smile down at her. She is definitely the only consort I can have. Any other consort would be neglected as my love and need is only for her.

  I gently reach up making a sign of rest on her head thus allowing her to slip further to sleep. This allows me to actually move without disturbing her. I’m off the bed and in a matter of moments I’m dressed in my assassin garb and I’m setting my shadows and magic in place around her to protect and call for me like an alarm.

  I press my hand to the wall thinking of Spector and look it over. Keeping my voice soft and low as not to disturb her, “If you are truly there, protect her for me while I am gone.” If I'm hoping for a response I sure don't get one. I turn gazing back down at her sleeping so soundly. “She is my life, please help me protect her.” I release my hand and as I lift it I see a lingering shadow touching my fingertips. I stare there only for a moment, waiting to see if I will feel or hear this shadow speak. Nothing. It fades back into the wall. I may not be able to commune with shadows but I feel positive they or he heard me and the response was to let me know I was heard.

  I swiftly turn my eyes away from the wall to Shadowen, placing my veil on my head then pulling my cloak over my shoulders. I call for my blades then slip my hood up. I'm leaving a few minutes earlier than planned because I have a pressing need to make a stop prior to arriving at the Royal Court.

  I'm quickly shifting from one shadow to another. I’m really feeling juiced up on Shadowen’s magic and I’ve never moved so swiftly through shadows and I like it… a lot.

  I find my landmark and I enter my father’s home. He doesn’t claim me but I am welcome in his home. I've never asked if the reason I'm welcome is because I'm his son or that I'm the Royal Assassin. My father is the Royal Seer and me being the Royal Assassin means I’m bound to protect the Royal House and he is of the Royal House. He obviously knows I’m coming because he is waiting for me in his grand foyer. He greets me formally, “Royal Assassin, welcome to my home.”

  “Royal Seer, I am so welcomed.”

  His voice is not as cold as I remember when he speaks. “You have come for a reason and I do have what you desire.” He’s always been one to not mix with words but getting straight to the point. I'm sure this is due to having the gift of sight. I would well imagine having to replay it all constantly is annoying or boring. “They will be waiting for you when you arrive home.”

  I nod and say as warmly as possible under the circumstance, “Thank you.”

  He turns away as I expected but then he surprises me by calling me by my name, “Reis…” It’s the first time he’s ever used my name that I can ever remember and I’m speechless. “My condolences…” He pauses again as if he's searching for the correct words. “Madrigal was a very wise and unique woman. Your mother would not have been as lovely or as wonderful as she was if not for her.” He looks back to me then adds, “...and you would not be the Royal Assassin if not for Madrigal. She did right by you where I...” I remain quiet, it has been over three years and he now gives me his condolences over her death. I have no idea what he expects me to say.

  He straightens his clothes then turns away again but not before I feel his magic sweep lightly over me then he says in the voice of a Seer, “Your consort is safe for the moment but Phantom’s wrath will come and when it does I see tragedy and loss. But in this wake I do see a new future for you with her, one that Mysteria has given you.”

  I’m astonished he looks in the future for me at all. But I am pleased he did as it gives me a little bit of breathing room for the night, although all Seer’s are cryptic with their messages. He turns back around moving his arms in a strange circle then he opens them moving towards me. He places his arms around me in a gesture of warmth.

  He's hugging me and I'm not used to this show of affection coming
from him. All my life I wanted my father to be proud of me. To claim me as his, only for him to deny me, forsake me publicly as well as privately. I'm not sure how to respond. His words are smooth to my ear, “You are a great man just as your mother was a great woman. She loved you so intensely when she carried you in her womb and I...” He pulls me a tad closer to him then says, “I am not worthy of you, but please accept this from me.”

  It’s awkward but I return his hug and instantly I'm thrust into a vision of his making. I realize he has the magic, power to share what he sees with me. It’s like flashes of images of Shadowen and me very happy along with such sadness and pain. Then I see Shadowen bathed in blood… her blood and Phantom’s death by my hand. Next I see Myst dying with trolls everywhere. I see Shadowen in my arms and a child… our child… then nothing but shadows. He releases me and nods his head. “You will have a full life with her.”

  I’m speechless but before I can even recover he leaves quickly up his stairway. I'm startled to feel his pain and anguish. I never felt any emotion from him before. I have to wonder if it's because I'm so juiced up on Shadowen's magic or he's allowing me to know. I'm left alone standing in his foyer pondering what I saw, felt and what affection he's given me.

  Then just as suddenly as he leaves I realize I have absolutely no words for him. I turn shifting into a shadow and in a matter of moments I am waiting for Shade and the Royal Conjurer to show themselves outside in front of the Royal Court.

  I’m stunned to see the Royal Magistrate swiftly coming outside from the inner works of the Royal Court. His voice is hushed more so than a normal mystic. “Royal Assassin, we haven’t much time. I hoped you would come and also hoped you would come early to help us prepare.”

  “Prepare?” I ask.

  “Yes, Shade will arrive but he’s not going to really know what’s happening. It’s a spell the Royal Conjurer has done, to prevent Phantom in finding out what we are up to.”

  “What are… we… up to?” I ask wondering how he got so involved and who else is here. My worries of Shadowen increase although my father assured me she would be well.

  “Phantom is beyond corrupt and he’s been using both Shadowen and Shade for their magic. There is no limit to his treachery, he's planted shadows in Shade and we must get them out.” He sighs deeply then continues, “We need to get the boy away from him. The bastard is very sneaky about it and as much as I try to figure out how he’s done it, I can’t. The Royal Conjurer found them by accident while she tested Shade. So she placed several spells on the boy to allow him speak freely to her and to come see you. The boy has a lot of faith in you for someone who doesn't even know you. So I’m counting on you to help me with removing them.” He tilts his head, “You will help me? I cannot trust another assassin to remove them and the Royal Conjurer cannot reach them, but she says he’s got four inside him.” He shakes his head. And I hear his disgust so plain in his voice, “Four!”

  Two is the maximum for anybody to hold comfortably, four would mean Shade is in constant misery and has no idea why. I nod agreeing to help. “Good. Good. We must move swiftly. When he arrives he will walk to the Royal Conjurer’s chambers. He thinks he’s meeting us there to discuss his apprenticeship. But once he’s in place the Royal Conjurer will begin blocking Phantom’s shadows and we need you to get them out before Phantom even knows you are here. If he discovers you are here without Shadowen, he will go for the girl and we can’t have that.”

  I nod and we both shift straight to the shadows up the halls. Once we are inside the Royal Conjurers chambers she greets me with her magic and I with mine. No words pass. I sway back deeper in the shadows as we all feel Shade approaching. Unfortunately we also feel Phantom is with him.

  I slip even further back into the darkness and draw upon my consorts lovely magic she blessed me with last night. Suddenly I see the Magistrate lift his head and the Royal Conjurer both turn towards the shadow I’m lurking in. They turn to each other then the Royal Conjurer says, “I hope he returns or we won’t be able to do this.” I smile with the knowledge they cannot even feel me and I’m still in the same room with them.

  My heart slows and my blood takes on the flow of an assassin. It's a special rhythm that assassins learn during training to conserve our energy and heighten are senses, which only enhances our abilities. I’m very much ready as calmness soothes over me and all my senses come alive.

  I await Shade to enter and then we will see what Phantom does. I might be fortunate and kill him. Of course the kill will not be sanctioned and I’d be put to death. That is how the last Royal Assassin died, making a non-sanctioned kill against a Royal. Then of course I’d not be with Shadowen.

  A thought only.

  Perhaps this is why my father showed me my future. I now know I will kill him at some point. This may be enough for me to hold onto so I will do what needs to be done until that day comes.

  Shade enters, “Royal Magistrate?” he questions and Phantom is with him. They greet Phantom and him warmly. Phantom is cautious as well he should be. I keep my emotions under key as any good assassin does. I take note that Shade looks in my direction. Oh! I didn’t think about him seeing Shadowen’s magic. I sway a little further back in the darkness. Now Phantom looks over in my direction but Shade steps in front of him sending a steady stream of gentle magic in my direction, blocking any connection. Always trying to protect her from him. Good boy!

  The Magistrate gestures for Phantom to join him in his office to give the Royal Conjurer time with Shade. Phantom agrees and they both leave. Just as the door closes the Royal Conjurer flies right into action. Her magic swarms like flames along the door, walls, ceiling and floor in a protection spell. It's well worth coming just to see such magic in action.

  I instantly move before Shade can even turn to ask what’s going on, both my shadow blades penetrate him. He cries out in pain dropping to his knees. I kneel behind him and whisper into his ear, “Shade… show me where they are…” I close my eyes concentrating while the Royal Conjurer is casting spell after spell. The magic is thick around us. Shade is gasping softly, unable to speak but I feel his magic and it is sweet like Shadowen’s but not as sweet. It's more like searing hot sweet. I actually lick my lips as I taste it on my tongue. I like that it has texture to it as he tries to help.

  I feel him trying to guide me but he’s having such difficulty and now I see why. A large shadow is grasping onto his magic pulling it back trying to prevent him from showing me. But I see it. It cannot hide from me. My shadow sweeps around it. The damn thing struggles against me but I’m so much stronger that it cannot resist me. I drag it out and the Royal Conjurer is ready. She quickly sweeps a binding spell around it pouring the wretched thing into a vial with a stopper on top. She then wraps another spell around it trapping the shadow inside.

  I’m already on the hunt for the next one and now Shade can show me right where to go this time and it slithers with such vileness that my own shadow hates touching the foul thing. But it too is pulled out and she plunges it down deep in a vial.

  The next one is harder to find, but I find it. However this one is different I notice right away. Once my shadow touches it I realize it isn’t from Phantom, it’s from Essence. This makes my stomach churn in bile. She is just as sick and corrupt as Phantom. Now I’m so glad she never became my consort.

  This one is easier to dispel and I know why. The moment we pull it out it alerts Essence. The Royal Conjurer was not blocking for her so it sped its message right away, which makes it back to Phantom in almost record time. He knows I’m here! He knows Shadowen is unprotected. “Dammit!” I find myself cursing aloud and then I twist my shadow in deeper. “Help me Shade. He’s on his way to Shadowen. Wake her now!”

  “I can’t!” he groans. “Your shadow is too strong. Just get the spy and I’ll try to warn her while you're on your way.” I focus all my attention on my task and I find it. I pull hard and drag it out and it’s not pretty. It’s clawing its way inside of Shade and he�
��s writhing in pain.

  The Royal Magistrate has now returned to us. I pull the wretched thing out while the Royal Conjurer latches onto it, then with speed and accuracy she’s plunging it down deep inside a vial. I pull out both my blades shouting a command. “Heal him! I’ve no time he’s almost to her.”

  I shift quickly through shadows using her sweet magic. I’m not yet close enough and I feel my safe guards explode. Damn he’s got power. Not near mine, but he’s strong. I arrive just a mere second after he does and I’m stunned to see him stumble back. I use this opportunity to swiftly step in front of him blocking him with my stov-vo-kievs drawn and ready.

  He stops short and I hear a Nightelf my father sent say, “Now, now. You wouldn’t want to be caught trespassing and going against a Royal decree to stay away would you? I think your death by the Royal Assassin would be quite sanctioned in the Royal House if you were to come a step closer.”

  He steps back even more and hisses low toward me all but ignoring the threat of my new servant, “You do not deserve her!”

  “No I don’t.” I agree with him. “But neither do you and I will protect her from you with my life.”

  “You don’t even have the capacity to understand what she is.” He further hisses. Now Shade appears with the Magistrate and the Royal Conjurer a few feet away. He looks a bit shaky but he's healed.

  “Maybe not but I do know that you will not have either of them at your mercy anymore.” I raise my hand to Shade and he moves swiftly past Phantom to me. I slip my arm in front of him pushing him protectively behind me. I call to the Royal Magistrate, “Royal Magistrate, bear witness. Shade is now under the protection of the Royal Assassin and he will reside in my home.”

  The Royal Magistrate’s voice is calm but I feel his joy, “I so bear witness.”

  “As do I.” The Royal Conjurer says taking a step forward.

  I feel Shade relax slightly behind me and oddly his hand gently reaches to touch the back of my raised arm. Although he's relaxed his fear of Phantom pours into me. This fear is nothing I’ve felt from Shadowen and now I understand why she feels she must protect him. I call to her… Shadowen… awaken… Shade needs you.