Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One)

by Julian Saheed

The three hooded figures left the final gate of Vladistov and began the trek back to the copse of trees where Mandigal had left his belongings. From the top of a broken thatched roof a lone figure garbed in a light brown uniform watched the three men leave the city. Once they had passed from his view he leapt from the roof into the alley below and silently made his way through the city streets. He used the back alleys and side streets to reach his destination as he had little desire to run into the city watch. He approached the Muddy Boot, but rather than walking in through the front entrance, he dashed into the left alley and crept up to the wall. He knocked six times on a bare section of the building and from the seemingly solid stone appeared a small spy-hole.

  "Who walks the alleys?" asked the deep voice behind the wall.

  "Let me in, you fool," whispered the man.

  With a slight clank the wall slid backwards allowing the man to pass through. He made his way into the next chamber and approached the desk where his master was waiting.

  "They have left the city through the western gate. None of our agents have reported that they have paid their debts. They travel along side a strange man with a foreign tone," he announced.

  Allen Shade looked up slowly from his desk and let out a deep breath. "This show of disrespect will not be forgotten," he muttered, crunching up a piece of paper in his hand. "Spread the word to all of our agents. Friedrich and Vrill Hermagoras are now enemies of Clandestine Vitiate."