by Matt Moss
“Shove off. This is how I get level headed.” His eyes rolled back in his head as the drug took hold of his senses.
Arkin shook his head and turned his focus back to Vaylesh. “Are you sure he’s going towards the outer city?”
Hoss nodded. “Aye. He’ll make a quick pass by the docks, then go check on his ‘children’. Twice a week, he collects whatever they have for him.” He crawled back to the center of the roof, so not to be seen, and stood up. “Honestly, I’m half surprised those kids haven’t ripped him to pieces by now.”
The others joined him and stood out of sight from the city streets. “They think of him like a father,” Nep noted.
“Even more reason that they should,” Hoss stated. “Is everyone good with the plan?”
Neptune shrugged. “Not much of a plan, really. All we’re doing is waiting for him to be alone, then… surprise.”
“Jenny said that she would help us lure him away from his escorts. She’s already paid the Lost Children off, telling them to keep away from the area, so we shouldn’t have to worry about them,” Hoss added.
“And they didn’t ask any questions?” Arkin asked.
“They don’t care, so long as they get paid. And they’ll keep their word. Even the children have a reputation to uphold in this city. If word got around that they broke trust, it would become their ruin and they’d go back to scraping for scraps.”
“Alright then, we don’t have much time, so let’s quit squawking like a bunch of hens and get to it,” Neptune said and tightened his belt a notch. Uurs flipped his dagger one last time and placed it back into one of his sheathes.
Arkin nodded to Hoss and Hoss grinned at the group. “Let’s get this son of a bitch.”
Arkin watched from high as Jenny left her home. After leaving the door cracked, she straightened her clothes and took a deep breathe.
“You got this, Jenny,” Arkin said aloud to himself.
She walked to the edge of the alley and peeked around the corner in both directions. She turned right and made her way to the edge of the street. Having reached her destination, she stopped and waited.
Arkin leaped across a rooftop and onto another to get a better view. He looked down and saw Jenny ripping the top of her dress, giving the appearance of someone who’s in trouble. She messed up her hair and began sobbing.
Damn. She’s good, Arkin thought.
Five minutes later, Vaylesh came into view. He was making the rounds, just as the guild leaders said he would—they had been watching the governor for months now.
Here he comes, Jenny. It’s your time to shine.
She peeked around the corner and saw him coming, then ran back into the alley. She turned around and waited for Vaylesh to get closer. After counting in her head the amount of time it would take to intercept the governor, she screamed. She ran towards the street, crying for help. In perfect time, Vaylesh stepped in front of the alley and she grabbed hold of him in desperation.
He peeled away from her as his escorts held her back. She pleaded, pointing back into the alley. Vaylesh whistled and waved his hand at someone behind him. His three escorts followed him as he ran along with Jenny in search of her attacker. Rat came into view and fell in behind them, accompanied by a handful of Lost Children.
Damn. So that’s who he whistled at. Not good, Arkin thought. He leapt back over the roof and made his way on top of Jenny’s house. Across the way, he locked eyes with Uurs and raised his hand, telling him to hold, his eyes conveying that everything wasn’t going to plan. Neptune crawled up behind Arkin. “What’s up?”
“We have a problem. There’s more than we anticipated for,” Arkin replied.
A moment later, Jenny came running towards the door with Vaylesh and his men in tow.
“In there. He’s in there and he has my children!” Jenny cried, pointing to the half-open door. Vaylesh and his men drew swords as Rat and the children came to a halt behind them.
“What do we do?” Arkin asked Neptune.
Neptune pulled a knife and perched on the rooftop ledge like a cat ready to strike. He turned to Arkin and grinned, his teeth stained black with drudge. “We improvise.” Like a madman, he jumped from the rooftop and landed on a pile of straw far below. Vaylesh and his men turned, startled by the intrusion, and Jenny backed against a wall. Confusion was written on everyone’s face.
Neptune growled and stumbled to his feet, straw falling from his head and body as he wiped himself off.
“Neptune?” Vaylesh asked in revelation.
Neptune smiled and tipped an imaginary hat. “Greetings, governor.”
The three escorts moved to apprehend Neptune. As one of their gauntleted hands laid on his arm, Neptune brought a blade up and into the man’s neck, breaking away from the grip as the man struggled to deal with the reality of the situation. As he fell, Neptune looked to Vaylesh and shrugged. The other two men attacked. The sea dog ducked a slash and rammed his shoulder into the other man, driving him back. Uurs jumped on top of the escort as the man brought the sword around, attempting to kill Neptune who was thrown off balance. Uurs’ blade slid across the man’s neck like a hot knife through butter, and the man fell limp to the ground. They turned to the third escort who stood beside Vaylesh.
“You’re all dead men. How dare you threaten a governor,” Vaylesh hissed.
A blade flashed from Uurs' hand and drove itself into the remaining escort’s eye. Startled, Vaylesh turned as the man hit the wall, the knife protruding from his bloody socket. The dead guard slid down slowly, and collapsed to the side. Vaylesh looked to Rat and the children for help. A smile appeared on Vaylesh’s face as numerous more children flowed in behind Rat, all of them armed with knives and bludgeons, ready for a fight.
He turned back to his assailants and grinned with confidence. “As I said, you’re all dead men. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you each receive a proper burial. After all, we’re friends, right?”
Rat gave the order for the children to attack.
Arkin soul tapped and jumped into the street, landing with a shockwave. In a crouched position between the two groups, he raised his head to Rat and the children. They stopped upon seeing him and looked to Vaylesh for help. “Play time is over, kids.” Arkin told them.
A tap on Vaylesh’s shoulder caused him to turn around. Hoss appeared from inside the house, and held the back of the governor’s neck as he punched the knife into his gut repeatedly, driving Vaylesh back into the alley. His eyes were wide, and he struggled to breath as the knife went in and out of his body in rapid succession. He buckled at the knees, but Hoss held him upright, his arm wet with work. After another dozen strikes, he let Vaylesh go, and the man slowly fell to the ground, his hands cradling his blood-soaked stomach. Lying on the ground as blood pooled around him, he looked to his children for help, his lips moving a silent, final plea. Everyone stood still and watched the man breathe his last, wheezing breath.
Hoss and Neptune spat on his body and walked to join Arkin.
“You won’t kill a man of the cloth,” Rat said, folding his arms over his priest robe. He turned to the children. “Look at their faces. You won’t kill them either.”
“Go and tell Victor that he’s next,” Arkin said. “Tell him that I’m coming for him.”
Rat cocked his head. “Are you sure that’s the message you want me to deliver? If I were you, I’d think about the consequences of making threats on the high priest. Choose wisely the next words that come out of your mouth.”
Arkin glared at the priest. “His reign will end. Soon.”
Rat glared at Arkin and the guild leaders before leaving with his children.
Neptune spat. “Suppose he’s their daddy now?”
Hoss stepped in front of Arkin. “Why’d you let him go? He’s going to tell Victor what happened here and who was involved.”
“Things didn’t exactly go to plan. I wasn’t going to kill him right in front of those kids. They’ve seen enough already.”
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nbsp; Hoss threw his arms up. “It’s nothing they haven’t seen before. You may have just sentenced all of us to death.”
Arkin put a hand on his shoulder. “It’ll be alright. I won’t let that happen. Besides, Victor has bigger things to worry about.” Jenny walked towards them and Arkin turned to meet her. “Thank you, Jenny. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
She waved him off. “Glad to have helped. He got what was coming to him. The world’s a better place for it.”
Arkin looked down. “Still, I’m sorry to bring you into this. Now that Rat has seen this place, your home is no longer safe.”
“This is no longer my home,” she stated and wiped the hair from her face. “After the last time I helped you all, I decided it best to lay low at a friend’s house. My children and I are safe there.”
“Good. Make sure you stay hidden for a bit. I don’t think Rat would suspect you helping us, but better safe than sorry. You played the part well.” Arkin looked to the others. “That goes for all of you. Stay hidden and lay low.”
“What will you do now?” Jenny asked.
The guild members looked to Arkin. “Yeah. What are you going to do next?” Hoss asked.
Arkin met each of their eyes. “The time will come sooner than later. And I’ll need all of your help in fighting the high priest when that time comes. Stay hidden until I return.” He embraced them, saying goodbye. “I’ll go home and rally the Order. Also, I’ve had someone on my mind for a long time and I’m tired of missing her.”
He stood in front of his friends and bid them farewell. “It’s time for me to go home.”
TWENTY-ONE
Victor walked into the garden. The temple’s construction was underway, and the foundation was being laid upon the cornerstones of the palace that once stood there. It pleased him to see a part of his legacy set in stone. Let this be a place of worship for all of time.
He saw his men coming and walked to meet them, knowing that each one had news to share.
After delivering their reports, Cain, Rat, and Rico stood at his side and waited on his response to each of their reports.
“It displeases me to hear of what happened in Greenehaven,” he said, frowning at his two pupils. “But it does not surprise me that the Order disrupted the executions. They try to disrupt my plans. Still, their efforts stopped nothing and the hunt continues. Maximus has informed me that each of the independent cities are being purged of unbelievers, and more are taking the mark every day.”
“What of the ones who get away?” Cain asked.
“They can crawl into a hole for all I care. The majority stands with us and that’s all that matters,” Victor replied and started to walk, leading the way through the garden. “Explain to me again how Torin got away, Rico.”
“It wasn’t that I didn't try to stop him. He’s just a better man than I am.”
Victor stopped and turned to him. “If you think anyone is better than you, then that is what they are.” He slapped Rico in the face and saw his wounded pride well up in him. “Have I taught you nothing? Nobody is a better man than you. Not even me. The moment you doubt that belief, you give away your power.”
Rico’s foolish pride melted away as he soaked in the lesson. Mustering confidence, he gazed into Victor’s eyes. “Yes, Your Grace. Wise words that I shall always remember.” He bowed his head in thanks.
The staff switched back to Victor’s right hand and he walked on. “And you tell me that my governor Vaylesh is dead?” he asked Rat, not looking to the priest as he spoke.
Rat lurched in front and walked backwards so he could face the high priest. “Yes, your holiness. Betrayed by the guilds and Arkin of the Order.”
Victor rubbed his chin. “The same one who tried to kill me on the steps of the palace.” It seems you have your mother’s spark, Arkin. Unfortunately, you have her bad judgement, as well. I will be the end to you and everything you love. “Arkin seems to be the thorn in my side. If he rallies the Order, it could prove troublesome.”
“Like you said, you have the majority. Their numbers are nothing,” Rico noted. “The Order is broken. Gone.”
“He said he was coming for you, soon. Said that your reign has come to an end,” Rat said, repeating Arkin’s words.
Victor stopped and stared at a large, single tree at the edge of the garden, near to the shoreline. He cocked his head in contemplation. “Should I worry about this, Arkin?”
“I wouldn’t,” Cain said.
“Kill him before he poses any more threats. Send a party to take him out,” Rat suggested.
“Sounds like we have a volunteer,” Rico replied to Rat.
Rat twisted his head in shock. “Not me. I am a man of the cloth and cannot stain my hands with the blood of others. Someone else must go.”
Rico spat to the side. “Figures. Yet, talk means nothing. You hide behind your title and the church while whispering secrets and conspiring against others. In my book, that makes you a coward. Yeah, priests can talk a good game, but the threat ends there,” he told Rat. The scrawny priest glared at Rico but was at a loss for words.
Victor raised an eyebrow at the statement. He turned to Rico and Cain. “Go prepare yourselves and meet me here in the garden. You are both ready for the next level of training.”
“Yes, master,” Cain said, and the two apprentices left in a brisk walk, their tone conveying eagerness as they conversed upon departing.
Victor turned to Rat. “Now, let us speak freely, my faithful servant.”
Rat stood straight and stared at the high priest with devout admiration.
Victor looked down, then back up with a gleam in his eye. “I want to know the name of every person involved in the murder of governor Vaylesh?”
TWENTY-TWO
The sun sat high in the sky and Lyla stretched her face towards its warm kiss. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the crisp air and gave thanks for another day. Smiling with comfort in her soul, she opened her eyes and couldn’t believe what she saw.
Arkin—the hope for the future and the love of her life—walked towards her.
Like she’d imagined hundreds of times, he smiled at her as their eyes met—the familiar, sheepish grin which sat so comfortably on his face that she fell for so long ago. His face still appeared young and freshly shaved, but something about him looked older, weathered far more than it should have been in their time apart.
She ran to him.
He dropped his bag and ran to her. They collided, embracing one another tight. “Lyla,” he said. Before he could say anything else, she pressed her mouth to his and kissed his lips. Passion made up for the time that was lost as she ran her hands through his hair, gripping strands between her fingers. She slid a hand down the side of his face and pulled away. “Arkin. I love you so much. I’ve missed you so much.”
He laughed and his eyes welled with love. “I love you too, Lyla, and have missed you more than you could ever know. I’m sorry I’ve been gone for so long.”
She kissed him again. “Come with me. Before anyone else sees you here.” She guided him by the hand to her hut, sneaking through the camp and giggling as they knocked over a pile of wood in front of the door. “Shhh,” she told him, holding a finger to her mouth, trying her best not to burst out with laughter. When inside, she pressed the door shut, set the lock, and tackled Arkin onto the bed. They rolled around, grinding their bodies against one another, their lips locked and hands searching. She ripped Arkin’s tunic off and ran her hands all over his body, feeling his hard muscles earned from training. He pulled her close and ran his hand beneath her shirt. She sighed with pleasure.
A knock came at the door. “Lyla. Are you in there?” Torin called out.
She broke away from Arkin. “Shhh,” she told him as they scrambled to put their clothes back on, trying not to laugh. “Hide over there,” she whispered, pointing behind the door. “Torin, you’re back! One moment.” She brushed her messy hair back with her hand and tried to look presentable.
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His deep voice came through the door. “That’s it? You’re back? Figured I’d get a better greeting than that, being that I almost got myself killed in Greenehaven and all.”
Not wanting to hide, Arkin took advantage of the moment and swung the door open. “Hello, Torin.”
Torin’s jaw dropped and he picked Arkin up in his arms, his feet dangling above the floor. “Arkin! I don’t believe it, you devil, you.” Torin placed him down. “When did you return?”
“Just now,” Arkin said, grinning. His face still flushed from the passion he shared with Lyla.
Torin looked at Arkin, then to Lyla behind him, then back to Arkin. He coughed in revelation and took a step back to see himself out. “Pardon the intrusion. Carry on.”
Lyla jumped into his arms. “Don’t be silly, Torin. I’m so glad you’re back safe and sound. Did you talk to Maximus? Will he join us?”
“Wait, what have I missed?” Arkin asked. He looked to Torin. “You met with Maximus?”
“I did,” he grumbled. “But I don’t know how much help he’ll be. According to him, his hands are tied. Something about a treaty he made with Victor.”
“A treaty? Doesn't make sense,” Lyla noted and stood beside Arkin.
Torin leaned against the doorframe. “To him it does. He’s scared to go against the high priest, afraid that it’ll be the end of the world or some damn nonsense. So unless we can talk some good sense into him, we may be going at it alone. Arkin, did you have any luck with getting some of the tribes to join us?”
“Somehow, I did. They are preparing for war and will join us at the first snowfall.”
Torin stepped back and offered his hand for them to join him.“Come. We shouldn’t keep the others waiting any longer to see you.” They walked alone through the camp and towards the training grounds. “That’s excellent news about the tribes. How many are there?”
“Hard to say. The tribes are scattered throughout their lands, and it’s hard to tell how many fighters they’ll bring.” Arkin stopped and looked to Torin. “Give Maximus some time. Sometimes that’s all people need. A lot can change in a short amount of time.” He looked to the training grounds where the majority of the camp was hard at work under Joko’s tutelage. “We should try Maximus again in a month or so. I’ll go with you, and together we’ll make our case and see if he will change his mind.”
