by Ben Hale
“Kill them before they get out of the wall,” Jack said, and leapt to the one still burning. Jumping high, he swiped his dagger across the creature's throat, severing it all the way to the spine. No blood came from the wound and the deer didn’t stop trying to bite him. Jack jerked away, nearly losing his scalp before he fell out of reach. A glance revealed Gordon and Ursana having as little luck as he. By tacit agreement they regrouped near the ladder.
“Any idea how to kill them?” Jack asked, his voice tense as the first yanked its upper body free, revealing shortened legs and claws of steel.
“Entities can be slain by the magic that created them,” Ursana said. “Or an opposing magic.”
The one at the back ripped a withered body from its moorings and fell to the floor. Matted and clumped from being trapped in the wall, the deer's body had shrunk onto its bones. The others ripped themselves free and clambered to their feet with surprising agility. Their collective cry raised the hackles on Jack's neck.
Jack had an idea and darted forward, calling over his shoulder, “Keep them off me!”
The deer pounced, their jaws and antlers reaching for him. He dived to the floor and rolled beneath one before leaping toward the wall, rebounding and flowing over a second. The deer clawed at each other in a frenzied attempt to reach him. A crossbow bolt struck one, engulfing its head in ropes. It thrashed and tangled itself before falling into its neighbor, causing them both to go down.
Jack leaped over the last deer but the jaws clamped shut on his cloak, yanking down. Jack managed to pull the string that released it just before he would have been pulled into the fray. Then another deer reached him, its head lowered, driving its antlers towards his gut.
Rage filled Jack's frame, the rage of a predator being attacked by its prey. He knew it was the emotion of his panther but did not suppress it. Embracing the wrath, Jack turned and dropped, catching the antler on his way down. The motion twisted the deer's head, yanking it down by the weight of Jack's body. Unable to halt its momentum, the deer flipped over and slammed into the floor. As it fought to rise, Jack leapt to the golden statue at the end of the hall and grabbed the eyes.
The diamonds glowed to life and Jack ducked. The asunder hex burst from the diamonds, burning into the deer like a flaming lance. Two were caught in the midst of the blast and the magic tore through their bodies, extinguishing what held them together until they disintegrated into dust.
“Line them up!” Jack shouted, and darted forward to draw the downed deer into position.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Gordon and Ursana do the same, baiting the creatures into a line down the center of the room. Then Jack leapt to the statue, activating the trap once again. This time the blast of light cut through three of them and damaged the last, which tumbled onto its side. Its jaws worked and its legs pumped but it had lost the coordination to stand. Jack caught its antlers, dragging the wounded creature to the statue. He heaved it into place, using the deer to activate the trap once more.
“Prey should be prey!” he roared as the magic blasted through the entity, causing it to disintegrate.
When the light cut off he lowered his arms, his chest heaving from the exertion of the battle. Then the sheen of red faded and he turned to his companions. Gordon had several scratches and a bite on his arm. Ursana had eluded severe injury, but a set of antlers had scored her leg. Their eyes were wide with uncertainty and fear, and then Jack realized they were staring beyond him.
He spun on his feet to find the statue had turned, revealing an opening in the wall. A youth stood in the gap, and Jack recognized him as Gallow, the head of the assassin’s guild. The boy's eyes were the darkest Jack had ever seen, even darker than the Guildmaster’s.
The eyes of a true killer.
Jack retreated and the boy advanced. Another assassin stepped into Gallow’s wake, this one tall and wielding a serrated dagger. The boy smiled at the trio of thieves and idly spun a triangular blade in his hand.
“Prey should be prey,” he said, and then threw the triangular blade.
The weapon streaked around the room, striking Ursana and Gordon as if willed to do so. Then it spun back for Jack, who sidestepped in time to evade the strike. Anticipating the motion, the second assassin darted in, lifting his fist to strike Jack on the side of the skull. Jack growled his fury but was helpless to stop the blow.
“Take them below,” the boy said. “I want answers before we kill them.”
The last thing Jack saw was the boy's triumphant smirk.
Chapter 17: Enmity
Jack woke to the sting of a knife cutting into his cheek. He flinched away from it and squinted at the blinding light. As his vision focused, other pains registered and he winced. His attempts to stretch proved fruitless and only rattled the dark chains that bound him. Then he saw their inky texture and realized they were anti-magic shackles. He lifted his gaze to find the youth assassin staring at him, a knife in his hand with Jack's blood on the tip.
“I'm Gallow,” he said, “First of the Assassin's Guild.”
“Do you always wake someone with a knife?” Jack asked. “Is that why you don't have a woman?”
Shock flitted across Gallow’s face and then he sneered at Jack. “You intrude on our guild and dare to insult me?”
“Don’t take it personally,” Gordon said. “He insults everyone.”
Jack looked beyond Gallow to survey the room. Cavernous and vaulted, the room contained a dozen pillars supporting the rock above. Windows of aquaglass surrounded the space, allowing a view into the murky depths beyond. The assassin's guildhall was much larger than Jack had anticipated, and filled the outcropping of rock beneath the lighthouse.
Gordon was chained to one of the pillars nearby, but Ursana was nowhere to be found. The assassin with the serrated dagger leaned against another pillar, idly sharpening his blade.
“I've killed men for less,” the youth snarled, drawing Jack's attention back to him.
“I thought you were an assassin,” Jack said. “Not a common killer.”
Gallow closed the gap before Jack could blink, his knife hovering over Jack's eye. “I could kill you at any moment.”
“And prove forever you are capable of killing a man in chains.”
Rage flitted across the youth's face but the mocking had the desired effect. Killing Jack now would only reinforce what he'd said, harming his reputation among the other assassins. Gallow reigned in his rage and retreated, ignoring Gordon's laughter.
“I hate thieves,” the assassin said. “So you've at least given me an opportunity to kill three. I should say two, since one of your group has already been eliminated.”
Anger rippled across Jack's frame but he kept his voice light. “You killed the girl, first? You really do like easy kills.”
The other assassin laughed, earning a scathing glare from the young leader. Unperturbed, the second man remained in place and continued to sharpen his blade.
“What brought you here?”Gallow demanded, returning to Jack.
“Your mother told us you were in need of a whipping,” Jack replied. “We're here to deliver.”
There was an audible intake of breath and Gallow's eyes bulged in disbelief. Jack fleetingly wondered if he'd gone too far, but the rage burning the boy's face made it worth it. Whatever the boy's past, he had an issue with his parentage.
Gallow stepped forward and buried the knife in the wood next to Jack's head. “I will see your tongue cut out before this is over,” he snarled.
Whirling, he stalked to Gordon and began to interrogate him. Left to himself Jack fought to control his anger and fear. His panther side gave him enhanced physical faculties, but that part abhorred being trapped. Chained to a pillar in the assassin's guildhall made him want to bite at his bonds and scream at his captors.
His fists clenched and he wondered about Ursana. He'd liked her, and it annoyed Jack that the assassin had killed her so quickly. He considered the assassin's statement regarding her dea
th, and an idea sparked. As he mulled it over his eyes narrowed, and he interrupted Gallow’s interrogation of Gordon.
“I want to see the body.”
Both turned to face him. The assassin stared at him as if he didn't comprehend what Jack had asked. Gordon had suffered several shallow wounds but he'd maintained his composure. The lack of serious injury magnified Jack's suspicion.
“What body?” the assassin asked, his words clipped as he struggled to contain his fury.
“Ursana,” Jack replied. “I want to see her body.”
“It's been fed to the sharks.”
The reply came too quickly. Jack smirked and shook his head, rattling the chains. “For an assassin you are terrible at deception,” he said. As the leader's eyes narrowed, Jack's gaze flicked to the second man. “Is it just him or all of you?”
“We vary as much as you do, thief,” the man said mildly.
The second assassin spoke with a glint of amusement in his eyes, as if he found the whole spectacle entertaining. It was not the anger he would have suspected from an assassin whose sanctuary had been breached. Jack's gaze flicked back to Gallow, and for the first time he found the boy's expression cold and calculating. The assassin drew his triangular blade and launched it spinning around Jack's pillar. A metallic clang echoed throughout the room and Jack's chains fell to the floor.
Jack caught himself before he struck the floor and rose to his feet. The assassin kept his distance and drew a dagger. Then he caught the triangular blade and gestured Jack to the pile of thief gear.
“Choose your weapon and die on your feet.”
“No.”
The assassin's expression turned even colder, and for an instant Jack doubted if he was right. Then the assassin glided forward, his dagger swinging back to strike.
“You had your chance, thief.”
Jack folded his arms as the assassin stalked forward. Apparently realizing Jack had no intention of picking up a weapon, Gordon shouted to him.
“Are you mad? Your game is over, Jack.”
With the boy just paces away, Jack jerked his head. “It's not my game we're playing, Gordon, and I've never cared for intrigue unless I cause it.” The statement finally brought the assassin to a halt.
“Are you willing to wager your life on that?” he asked, his deathly blue eyes boring into him.
“I always bet on myself,” Jack said, and then raised his voice. “Reveal yourself, Guildmaster! End this charade and speak its purpose!”
His voice echoed into silence and Gordon looked about, searching the darkened corners of the room. Then a section of the wall flickered and dissipated, revealing the Guildmaster, Beauty, and Master Orathan standing behind the illusion. The Guildmaster strode forward, his boots clipping on the hard floor until he reached Jack.
“You are more clever than I gave you credit for, Jack. You are the first to divine the purpose of your test.”
Master Orathan and Beauty stepped to join him, their expressions contrasting sharply. While Beauty seemed to be suppressing a smile, Master Orathan's expression was filled with disgust, reminding Jack of his comment. I look forward to seeing you squirm.
“Do you test all your thieves?” Jack asked, annoyed now.
“Only the ones that show promise,” the Guildmaster replied. “The assassins graciously allowed us to use their guildhall for your test.”
“What about Ursana?” Gordon asked.
Gallow motioned to the assassin with the serrated blade, who departed down a spiral staircase and returned a moment later with Ursana. Then the assassin strode to Gordon and released his chains.
“What if we’d died in the entrance above?” Gordon demanded.
“Then you would have proven yourselves unfit to serve me,” the Guildmaster said, his dark eyes glittering with malice.
“A pity you survived,” Gallow said.
Jack met his gaze and saw the burning hatred. The boy might have been playing a part, but his reactions had been real. Jack’s insults had sparked an enmity between them that would not be reversed. Then Jack noticed the similarities between Gallow and the thief Guildmaster.
The Guildmaster's eyes were the same black from the first time Jack had met him, and his carriage that of arrogance. The boy reflected the same darkness, albeit without the same measure of control. They were like two sides of the same coin, thief and killer, cruel and brutal. Jack suppressed a shudder and abruptly wanted to leave.
“Did you attain what you sought?” Jack asked.
“Always,” the Guildmaster replied.
Jack could not refute the force behind the single word. “What now?”
“Your first real assignment,” the Guildmaster said.
“You three are to meet me in Nightfall Gorge,” Beauty said, and joined them, “where a retired thief has a contract for us. I would tell you more, but you will not remember this conversation.”
“Why?” Gordon asked.
Gallow answered, a cruel smile twisting his features. “We do not permit others to know the location of our guildhall, or one of its entrances.”
“You plan on erasing our memory,” Ursana said flatly.
The assassin with the serrated blade grinned and withdrew a small spike. Purple and fluid, the material of the strange blade caught the light and seemed to draw it in. The assassin raised it so all three of the thieves could see it.
“It's a dajuna,” he said. “A relic from a race long dead. Be assured you won't remember anything.”
“And if we refuse?” Jack asked.
The assassin leader smirked. “We erase your memory using other means.”He twirled his dagger pointedly.
“Don't do it,” Ursana said, retreated a step. “It can alter your memory, leaving fragments that remind you of what you have forgotten.”
“We have no choice,” Gordon said, and stepped forward.
He tensed as the assassin approached and raised the purple spike. Then he stabbed once, sinking the enchanted spike into Gordon's skull. It did not pierce the flesh or even mar the skin, but Gordon's eyes fluttered and he sank to his knees before collapsing. His quiet breathing marked him as asleep.
Noticing Ursana's tense posture, Jack said, “A day of memory is not worth your life.”
Her gaze flicked to him and she slowly unclenched her hands. Then she nodded and allowed the assassin to do the same to her. As he withdrew the dajuna, she sighed and relaxed, her body falling to the floor.
“You really should catch them,” Jack said. “They could get injured.”
Gallow released an angry breath. “I've never met such an infuriating man.”
The Guildmaster paused at the words, a knowing smile playing across his features. “He has a way of inciting anger,” he said, “but I believe I will find the talent useful.” Then he rotated to Jack and drew close, his voice lowering so only he would hear.
“You may lose this day, but I will not forget. I've waited a long time for a supreme thief, one capable of stealing what even I cannot.”
The Guildmaster seemed to be speaking to himself, so Jack didn't respond. Then the second assassin approached with the dajuna. Jack raised a hand to stop him and lay on the floor. Placing his hands behind his head he closed his eyes and smiled.
“Ready when you are, killer.”
Beauty chuckled while someone growled under their breath. The next moment something struck his head. Not unpleasant, the sensation seemed to thread into his thoughts, causing him to feel drowsy. The panther side of him recoiled, instinctively attempting to reject the intrusion. Then sleep claimed him.
Chapter 18: The Smuggler Assignment
Jack woke with a throbbing headache. He groaned and rolled over, blinking at the light streaming in the window. Annoyed at the late hour, he rose to his feet and dressed for the day. Several times he scratched his forehead, struggling to remember what he'd forgotten. Then the door swung open and Gordon stepped into view. His expression seemed muddied and he shook his head to clear the fog.
“I told you we shouldn't have slept in an inn,” Gordon said. “Now we’re even later for our meeting with Master Orathan.”
Jack shrugged. “Master Orathan can wait. Get Ursana and meet me downstairs.”
Gordon left, and for a moment Jack stared out the window. He flinched as a handful of images flashed across his mind, but he discarded the strange dream of killer deer and rose to his feet. With an effort he sharpened his focus and dressed, gathering his gear.
Ten minutes after Gordon's entrance, Jack entered the tavern at the base of the inn and stepped to the bar, ordering a mug of ale. He'd drained two by the time Ursana and Gordon joined him. They exchanged a look at his choice of drink.
“Don't look at me like that,” Jack said. “My head feels like it's been struck by a troll hammer.”
“Pillow too soft for you?” Ursana asked.
Jack threw her a scathing look. “Let’s just go. We have a master to meet.”
Rising, he dropped a few coins on the counter and strode to the door. Before he could reach it, a strange elf entered. His skin was a shade darker than most of his race, and his teeth matched. He smirked when Jack winced at the burst of light.
“You should have met me last night,” he said.
“We had business to attend to,” Jack said, shielding his eyes from the light. “Now shut the blasted door.”
The elf did as requested and ushered them to a private corner table. Once they'd sat he gestured to them.
“I'm Master Orathan, head of the Terros guild.”
“Of course you are,” Jack snapped. “You are the only one who would have said that we should have met you last night.”
Anger flitted across the elf's features but he reined it in. “I should punish you for your tardiness,” he said, his pious tone causing Jack to grunt. “But in light of recent events it is not necessary.”
“Recent events?” Ursana peaked an eyebrow.
“Your assignment has been rescinded,” Orathan said. “You've received a new one.”
