by James Wisher
From the roof top he surveyed the immediate area. The neighborhood looked every bit as squalid from above as it did below. The only way to improve this part of the city was fire, and plenty of it. He leapt from one roof to the next, making his way north. After ten jumps he spotted a roof with two guards standing on either side of a trap door. That had to be it.
The target building was on the opposite side of the street instead of across an alley, but Xander knew he could make the jump. He backed up the back edge then raced forward, jumping with only inches of roof to spare. When his feet hit Xander rolled forward to absorb the impact and drew his sword as he rolled to his feet. He charged the guards without breaking his momentum.
Unlike on some of his past missions these guards were professionals. They had their sword out and they separated so one could flank him the minute they spotted Xander. He grinned like a lunatic. Perhaps he’d have a worthwhile fight for a change.
Xander slashed high at the first guard then spun to parry the attack he felt coming. He spun and dodged, glorying in the fight. It didn’t take him long to figure out the guards were too slow to lay a blade on him. Xander took his time, working his opponent into the position he wanted. When he had the guard off balance Xander ducked behind, him reversed his grip on his sword, and stabbed the guard in the back, severing his spine. He ripped the sword free and whirled, ready to face the second guard. The man ran toward the edge of the roof. Xander hurled his sword like a javelin, piercing the second guard between the shoulder blades and dropping him to the roof.
Xander froze and held his breath. No sounds of alarm, good. He retrieved his sword and went to the trap door. It looked simple enough and he saw no traps. He found the latch and lifted the hatch. The door shrieked loud and long, setting Xander’s teeth on edge. He listened again, still no sign of alarm. Unless the mark hired deaf guards something was wrong. Xander applied a coating of night vision liquid to the lens of his mask and descended the ladder into the building.
The steps led down into a bedroom. A massive canopied bed dominated the room. In the center of the bed laid a huge mound under the covers. Xander frowned. It couldn’t be this easy. On the wall opposite the bed hung a gaudy, gem encrusted short sword. Maybe it could be this easy. He walked over to the bed, but the mark never stirred. Xander pulled his sword back and drove it into a sack filled with hay, a decoy, great.
One other door led out of the room. Xander assumed many men with weapons waited on the other side. He slipped over to the door and pressed his ear against it. Silence. Either the guards were better trained than most or no one was on the other side of the door. One way to find out.
Xander pushed open the door and went through, sword leading. No guards, just a fancy bed with a fat, snoring man in it unaware he was about to die. How no one had heard the trapdoor screeching he neither knew nor cared. An overhead chop half decapitated the mark. He thrashed a little while he bled out then went still. Satisfied that he’d completed his task Xander retreated back to the decoy room and collected the sword on the wall.
Up on the roof Xander took a deep breath of cool night air. Now to kill Sorren. He examined the ornate hilt of the sword. It was exotic, black wood and the pommel and cross guard was encrusted with all manner of gems. It was worth a fortune, but worthless as an actual weapon. As far as being possessed by a demon, Xander snorted and pulled the blade from its sheath.
The instant the blade cleared the sheath the world went black. He floated in oblivion. A voice said, “Xander Kane, thank you for rescuing me from that fool of a nobleman.”
“Who are you? What are you?”
“My true name in unpronounceable in any language you would recognize, but you may call me by the name my first mortal bearer gave me. I am the Devourer of Souls. I’m a demon and you’re holding my body in your hand.”
“My contact said a demon possessed the sword, but I didn’t believe it.”
“The sword isn’t possessed,” the demon said. “It’s my actual body. You clearly have little knowledge of demons. A little education is in order. All higher order demons have mutable bodies. We can become anything we want.”
“Why would you become a sword? Isn’t such a form too limited.”
“Limiting is an understatement and I assure you I didn’t choose this form. Millennia ago I was the most powerful demon lord in existence. I devoured the essence of anyone that dared challenge me. Unable to best me on their own, my enemies set aside their personal hatreds and joined together to defeat me. Even their combined power wasn’t enough to destroy me, so they bound me into the limited form. I’ve passed from one mortal to the next, dependent on mere humans for my sustenance. This last mortal was a particular disappointment. When I felt you approaching I knew my moment had arrived so I lent you what little help I was able.”
“You kept the guards from hearing the trapdoor and the mark form waking up. Why do you want me to take you away so bad?”
“I want to be used!” The devourer said. “I’m starving. With my powers at your command you can be the greatest assassin ever.”
“Very well. Return me to my body. There’s a soul just waiting for you to devour.”
Xander blinked and stood on the roof again. In his hand the once gaudy short sword now an exact replica of the sword hanging at his waist save for the blade, which was so black it seemed to absorb the star light. Xander drew his old sword and tossed it away, replacing it with the devourer.
He leapt across to the next roof and retraced his path to Sorren. When he was a couple roofs away the demon said, Stop. The word echoed in his mind. There are two men hiding on the roof to your right.
“How do you know?”
I can feel their anima.
What would anyone be doing on the roof of a rat hole like this? They were too close to Sorren’s hiding place. Xander felt sick. That feeling had saved his life more than once.
Xander leapt to the roof and drew the devourer the instant his feet hit the boards. Two crossbowmen crouched, weapons loaded, watching the alley where Sorren waited. He closed to within a few feet his steps making no more noise than the night breeze. “You boys enjoying the view?”
The two men jumped and raised their weapons. Xander didn’t hesitate. He stepped toward the left hand man and cut him in half from left shoulder to right hip, spun and decapitated the second. Xander stood silent for a moment, awestruck by the sword’s power. He cut a man in half with no more resistance than if he’d cut paper. Nothing cut like that. We watched the demon absorb the blood on it like a sponge. The demon radiated pleasure.
They were waiting to kill you. They had orders to shoot when they received a signal.
“Sorren. It’s time I introduced you to my former superior.”
Xander leapt two roofs east so Sorren wouldn’t realize he’d killed his men then climbed to the ground and walked back to the alley where Sorren and his friend waited. “It’s done.”
The two older men came out to meet him. “Where’s the sword?” Dorrin asked.
Xander drew the devourer and held it up. “Right here.”
“That’s the wrong sword. I told you it was ornate, not plain.”
At Xander’s silent request the demon shifted back to its former shape. The guild master’s eyes widened. “Incredible.”
“Indeed,” Sorren said. “Now for your reward.” He waved his hand.
They stood in expectant silence. Xander smiled at their confusion and had the demon change back. Sorren waved his hand again.
“I hope you’re not waiting for those two crossbowmen.”
The look of desperation on Sorren’s face brought a warm glow to Xander’s heart. Before his fellow assassin could make a move Xander had his blade at the man’s throat. With a flick of his wrist he sent the shadow cloak fluttering to the ground. He glared a Dorrin when the little man tried to sneak up behind him. “Go away.”
Dorrin scurried away like a kicked dog. Satisfied that they wouldn’t be disturbed Xander smiled. “I�
�m going to enjoy this.”
“Wait.” Sorren dropped to his knees. “Please don’t kill me. I’ll do anything you want.”
“Generous of you, but all I want you to do is stop breathing.”
“Stop!” Sorren screamed when Xander drew his sword back to strike. “I can tell you who killed you family. I’ll tell you everything just don’t kill me.”
“How long have you kept this little secret? It doesn’t matter. When I kill you the devourer will absorb all your knowledge. I don’t need you alive to get your secrets. This is for Anika!”
“No!” Sorren’s head fell to the ground with a wet plop. Xander had never seen a happier sight.
Xander retrieved the shadow cloak and swirled it around his shoulders. He sheathed his new sword and walked back toward the ship.
For a human Sorren had a complex mind. Perhaps he had demon blood.
“I wouldn’t be surprised.” It would take him sometime to get used to talking with his mind. For now he was content to mouth the words. Anyone watching would think he was a lunatic. “He said he knew who killed my family. Did he or was he lying to save his worthless life?”
He was telling the truth. It was a nobleman named Hayden Cariden.
“I know that name. He was one rank above Father’s lord. Why would he attack us? Father was as much his servant as he was Duncan’s.” Xander shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. He should be easy enough to find.”
There’s more. It seems your brother survived the attack.
Xander stopped dead in the street. “Gabriel’s alive?”
If Sorren’s information was correct. He’s a lieutenant in the watch.
Xander moved on. “So Gabriel is alive and following in Father’s footsteps no less. Unbelievable. An assassin and a watchman.” He grinned at the absurdity of the situation. “It should be an interesting reunion.”
The captain waited on deck when Xander got back to the ship. “You can set sail when ready.”
“Where’s master Sorren?”
“He won’t be making the return trip.”
On the trip back to the mountain the crew seemed tense. Through his connection with the devourer Xander sensed their unease. They must have known or at least suspected that he’d killed Sorren. Whether some of them were his allies or not Xander didn’t cared. He kept to his cabin for the bulk of the trip and no one bother him.
As soon as they docked Xander went up on deck and found the captain barking orders. When he finished Xander said, “Take on whatever provisions you need. We sail for the port nearest Arbadha in a day or two.”
The captain scowled like he wanted to argue, but he nodded. Satisfied that his orders would be carried out Xander disembarked and rode the waiting horse back to the mountain. He went straight to Grandfather’s room to check on the old man. When he entered the familiar room Grandfather struggled to sit up then slumped back.
Xander hurried over and knelt beside him. “What can I do?”
Grandfather took a rasping breath. “There’s nothing you or anyone can do short of turning back time. I’m old man who’s time is running short.”
“Can you share some of the power you took from Sorren and the crossbowmen?”
What little I can give him will only delay the inevitable.
“Give him what you can.” Xander took Grandfather’s leathery hand and wrapped it around the devourer’s hilt. The power flow between the sword and Grandfather. The old man perked up.
“What was that?” Grandfather sounded stronger and Xander relaxed a little.
“A final gift from Sorren.” Xander grinned and explained everything that happened on his mission.
“Amazing,” Grandfather said when Xander finished. He touched the sword again.
“With this sword I can bring back all the life energy you’ll ever need. You can lead us forever.”
“No.” Grandfather held up a hand to stop Xander’s eager speech. “Thank you for what you given me. I haven’t been this strong in months, but I have no interest in living like a vampire. With the time you’ve given me I can put things in order before the end. When my time ends you will lead the Shadow Hand.”
Xander sat, stunned. “Me? I’m no leader. I haven’t the patience for it.”
“You have the will.” Grandfather said, his voice fierce. “From the moment I met you I saw it. You can delegate the politics and lead by example. Be who you are and get the others to follow you. Not now. Go north and finish your business. We’ll speak again when you return.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
“On your way stop and ask Kraven to come home. I’d like to see him once more before I die.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, my boy. Now let me tell you how to use that fine cloak.”
CHAPTER 9
After a month of sailing and three days hard riding Xander found himself in sight of Arbadha. Nothing had changed in the time he’d been gone. The city seemed smaller, but that was no doubt do to his change in perspective. Xander clicked his tongue, urging his mount into the city. A short ways from the gate he found a stable where he left his horse. Walking through the city at twilight brought back memories for Xander, some of them good. The sun had set when he got close to the guild hall. He didn’t want to deal with the guards so he tried the shadow cloak.
He used it once, back at the mountain, with Grandfather keeping a close watch. Xander took a breath to steady his nerves and pulled the hood up. The moment the hood’s shadow covered his eyes he saw rippling doors in every dark place. Xander clenched his teeth and stepped through the nearest one.
Xander floated in a world of darkness. All around him portals large and small writhed in the midnight realm. As he’d been taught Xander pictured himself flying up and forward. There was no sensation of movement, no breeze in his face. The only reason he knew he was changing position was the portals changing all around him. It seemed to Xander that several minutes passed when he found a portal into Kraven’s room in reality only an instant had gone by since he entered the shadow realm. Grandfather explained during his lesson, time didn’t affect the shadow realm.
When he stepped into Kraven’s room he found it empty. No surprise, it was the start of the night shift and Kraven no doubt stood at his usual post near the entrance. Xander ducked back into the shadows, this time he emerged in his old room. Kaylin was just out of bed and getting dressed. Xander smiled, pleased she still used the room they’d shared.
“Been a long time.”
Kaylin jumped, pulled a dagger, and spun to face him. “Who are you? How dare you sneak into my room.”
Xander threw back his hood. “It used to be my room too, so I didn’t bother knocking.”
“Xander!” She tossed aside the dagger and leapt into his arms. “When did you get back? I never expected to see you again.”
He held her for a moment then stepped back. “Did you think I wouldn’t survive or I wouldn’t bother to return?”
Kaylin smiled. “I knew you’d survive. So what’s the occasion? I assume you didn’t come all this way just to visit me.”
“Unfortunately no. I have a message for Kraven then I’m heading home.”
“Home?” He eyes widened. “You found out who killed your family?”
Xander nodded. “Even better, turns out my brother survived.”
“That’s great, and I’m sure Kraven will be happy to see you.”
“Any idea where he is?”
“No, but I’m sure we can find him.”
They searched the ground floor but came up empty. Xander enjoyed strolling through his old home and they took their time heading upstairs. The clack of wooden swords came from the training room and sure enough they found Kraven watching a pair of slender young men batter away at each other.
“Got any more fighters lined up for us?”
Kraven turned and smiled. “None of your caliber, mores’ the pity.”<
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They shook hands. “That cloak, is it?” Kraven stopped short.
Xander nodded. “Grandfather says I’m the youngest to earn one. He wants you to come back, Kraven.”
Kraven grimaced. “I hate it there. You’ll have to accept my apologies and pass them along.”
“He’s dying.”
“What?” Kraven stared at him.
“If he last another six months it’ll be a wonder. Grandfather wants to see you once more. He asked me to pass along the message on my way north. The ship’s waiting for you in the usual spot. I told them to wait three weeks. After that they sail home.”
“It’s been so long. I didn’t leave under the best circumstances.”
Xander clapped him on the shoulder. “The old man wants you to come back. Do you need any more than that to know you’re welcome?”
Kraven sighed. “Thanks, Xander. I’m glad he sent you to tell me.”
“What are we going to do now?” Kaylin asked. “Can you stay awhile?”
She sounded so hopeful he hated to disappoint her. “I’m only staying the night then I have business to finish.”
“Oh.”
“Tell you what; I’ll stop for a week on my way back. How’s that?”
Kaylin brightened. “Deal.”
“I’m sure you two have a lot to do. I’ll just rest in my old room.” Xander pulled up his hood and ducked into a handy shadow.
* * *
Xander woke early and found Kaylin sitting in a chair watching him. He sat up and slipped on his mask. “Do I talk in my sleep?”
She shook her head.
“If you aren’t here to learn my secrets what are you doing?”
“You left so abruptly last time. I wanted to be sure to give you a proper goodbye.”
Xander smiled, touched that she wanted to see him off so badly. “I appreciate the thought.” He got out of bed and dressed, not the least self-conscious around her. “Are you and what’s his name still together?”
“No. I kept comparing him to you and he kept coming up short. Jayden got sick of the comparisons and moved on.”
