City Of Light

by Darren Deegan

  A blinding flash of light emanated from behind the Commander, Selene held her eyes closed with both hands, as she heard a loud thud and felt the light vanish. Carefully, she removed her hands and opened her eyes. The Commander was lying face down on the floor, only feet from her, but breathing, as she could see his breath in the cold night air that had filled the room. In the entrance of the door stood a hooded figure, hand raised, but empty.

  The figure lowered their hand, and walked towards Selene, removing her hood. Her. Selene could now see the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes on. Long, silver hair that seemed to almost glow, wide bright eyes, a perfect pointed nose, and a well built, toned body that showed years of hard training and conditioning.

  She could make out the perfect contoured pearl white leather armour that the woman wore when she inched closer. A long curved blade was attached to her rescuers hip, along with a bandoleer filled with small throwing knives draped across her chest. The mysterious woman was a warrior, a warrior who’d just taken out the Commander of the king’s Guard without unsheathing a sword.

  TWENTY ONE

  Gareth had been following the Commander through the streets of the Warehouse District for only a short while, but already he was wondering if maybe he should have left his tail and went in search of Selene. Even if he wanted to ignore that sensation in the pit of his stomach that told him she was in danger, he thought at least heading for the docks in search of the children would be a better idea than following the Commander.

  He had spent years training Selene to be a thief, but part of that was the ability to defend herself, if she ran into trouble while pilfering the homes and businesses of Eitane. She had excelled at combat, just as she had with the vast array of skills required to become a thief of her level. While some other thieves were far better than Selene at fighting, he knew it was because she lacked the killer instinct the others had. Something he loved about her. Selene’s personality, her morals, were so different from his own, that it made him love being with her even more.

  His attention snapped back to the Commander as he saw him approaching a small building. From Gareth’s point of view, it was hard to make out, but the door to the building appeared to be open, if not missing in its entirety. The Commander unsheathed his sword, assumed an aggressive posture and entered the building without a seconds hesitation.

  ‘Blast it, I’m going to have to move down to the streets if I’m to see anything.’ He said, scouting the adjacent street.

  Gareth hurried across the roof of two buildings and scurried down a drain pipe. He found himself in a small side street, opposite the open door the Commander had just entered. The building was only thirty paces from him now, and he could just about make out the interior, as two men suddenly moved across the threshold swords in hand.

  A fierce fight ensued, the Commander trading blows with a dark figure. Gareth was entranced by the graceful, but ferocious moves of the Commander, that he took a moment to realise there was already a body at his feet. This guy doesn’t play around, he thought, impressed with the skills of the king’s man. He watched as the Commander effortlessly parried several blows from his opponent, feigned an attack, making another in quick succession, slicing across the man’s abdomen.

  It wasn’t until the body dropped to the floor, and the Commander’s attention turned inward to the office, that Gareth noticed her. Selene. She was standing to the left of the Commander, backed up to a wall, daggers out, poised for the attack. She looked like she was in shock, Gareth realised the dark figures must have been attacking her, when her Knight in Shining armour showed up, he mused. He imagined how scared she must have been, facing off against two of those men, knowing one of them had bested her that day on the roof.

  Selene finally lowered her weapons, the Commander following suit, the two seemed to converse. Gareth wondered what would happen, he couldn’t arrest Selene for anything, she was a victim. He supposed the fact that she was heavily armed, wouldn’t be the best starting point for any defence she might come up with. Gareth didn’t like the idea of facing off against the Commander of the king’s Guard to rescue her, it would be better if the Commander didn’t think she had connections. I’ll break her out once she’s inside, it’ll be some crummy jail in the slums anyway, he thought, satisfied with his plan.

  Before Gareth thought any further, a new figure appeared outside of the building, cloaked, and unarmed from what he could see. The figure stepped around the doorway and right up to the Commanders back before he ever heard a sound. Hand out, pointed at the Commander’s head, a brilliant, white flash of light seemed to erupt from the person’s palm. He watched in awe as the soldier fell to the ground with a loud thump, the hooded figure towering above him, as if nothing had happened.

  ‘Selene,’ he gasped.

  Gareth bolted forward from a crouch, daggers in his hand before he even knew what he wanted to do with them. He wouldn’t allow harm to come to Selene even if it meant giving his life in the process. He may have been moving at speed, but every step, every movement was silent. Vin had trained him in the ways of the assassins for years, and every ounce of that training was called into effort as he glided through the door, daggers out to cut the hooded figure down.

  But it was folly. As if by some unnatural gift, the figure spun on her heels, curved blade parring both of Gareth’s daggers and placed a short blade to his throat. Her wide eyes glared at him for a moment, the edge of her cold blade pressing harder against his throat. He knew from experience that even breathing too hard would draw his own blood. I’ve failed us both, he thought, waiting for that flick of her wrist that would end it all.

  ‘Stop. He’s a friend.’

  * * *

  Selene moved around the stranger, positioning herself next to Gareth, next to that blade she had to his throat.

  ‘I said, he’s a friend, now let him go.’

  The woman lowered the blade and stepped back from Gareth a half step. Selene was thankful for the woman’s swift response, as she didn’t like their odds if they’d have to face her. She had seen what the stranger could do without so much as a butter knife in her hands, the thoughts of how she would fare with a sword, were frightening.

  ‘We need to leave this place at once.’ The stranger said, sheathing her curved sword, and placing the knife back into the bandoleer across her chest.

  ‘You said that already, but you still haven’t told me who you are, or why you saved me.’ Selene said, desperate for answers.

  Gareth looked relieved for her safety, and his own, as he placed his daggers away and moved closer to Selene. Just having him next to her, was enough to make her feel safe for the first time in what seemed like an endless night.

  ‘There is no time for explanations now, we must move.’ Again, not the answer Selene had wanted.

  ‘The men are dead, and the Commander is out cold, I think we have time for introductions at least.’

  The stranger moved to the door and peered outside before turning back to Selene and Gareth. Nothing on her face gave anything away, no trace of emotion, no tells that Selene could read. The woman was cold and hard, bred for a single purpose, Selene thought.

  ‘These are not the only ones that seek you this night. Their brethren will follow, and that is something neither of us wants. We must leave.’ The woman said, standing ever watchful of the door and the single window to the office.

  Selene wasn’t sure if she could trust anything the stranger was saying and leaving with her didn’t seem wise. There was something about the woman though, something familiar she couldn’t quite place. She turned to Gareth and gave him a questioning look, hoping for something reassuring in return. He acknowledged her look, but instead of offering words of wisdom, he returned to studying the stranger, trusts her less than I do, she thought.

  ‘Okay, we’ll leave with you, but I want to know everything you do, as soon as we’re some place safe.’ She said.

  Gareth stepped closer to Selene, and said, ‘we’ll
go to the guild, it’ll be safe there and the others should be back soon.’

  ‘No. The thief’s guild will not serve our purpose. We must speak without prying eyes and ears upon us.’ The stranger said.

  ‘How did you know…’ Gareth got cut off by Selene.

  ‘Fine, we’ll go to mine. Molly will be out cold by now, we’ll have privacy.’

  They all seemed in agreement and set off from the office, Gareth taking point, the strange warrior guarding the rear.

  * * *

  ‘Speak already, I’ve never seen a person so silent before.’ Selene demanded.

  The walk back from the Warehouse District had been uneventful thanks to Gareth’s cautious nature. They’d avoided every major street, and any building that appeared to have activity within, even just because it was well lit inside. While Gareth and Selene had shared a few words on the journey, their new companion had remained quiet, so much so that Selene swore the woman had taken a vow of silence. The mystery surrounding the night’s events were taking its toll on Selene, and she didn’t want to wait another minute.

  ‘I can assure you, no one will hear us here.’ She said, again addressing the stranger now standing in the doorway of the kitchen.

  The woman surveyed the room, and even stepped out into the hallway for a few moments, presumably to listen for anyone that might be in the other rooms of the house. It was only moments before the brooding warrior settled into a seat at the table, back to the wall, facing the door.

  ‘We must speak privately.’ The stranger said.

  ‘I told you…’ Selene began, being cut off.

  ‘What I have to say is of no concern of his.’

  Selene turned around to Gareth, who the woman was now also staring at. The entire journey back, there had been no indication that the woman wanted Gareth to leave them, nothing said about her only wishing to speak to Selene. She couldn’t imagine what this person could say would require him to leave, and she wouldn’t allow it, either way.

  ‘Gareth and I have no secrets. Anything you tell me will end up in his ears, so save me the trouble of relaying it, and just tell us now.’ Selene said, taking up the seat opposite the warrior.

  There was complete silence for a moment, the woman looking from Selene to Gareth, her brows furled, clearly of two minds about the entire situation. She let out a low sigh, uncrossed her arms and gestured for Gareth to take a seat at the table.

  ‘As you wish. There is much to tell, but where to begin.’

  ‘How about your name? Or who you are?’ Selene requested.

  ‘I am Neesha,’ she said, bowing her head. ‘Of the Zin.’

  Silence again. Selene had hoped for a little more information than the short sentence that had come from this woman’s mouth. Even though it was an introduction, she had that same feeling, a sense of familiarity.

  ‘The Zin? Is that a town? I’ve never heard of it.’ Gareth chimed in while Selene was looking a little entranced.

  ‘The Zin are my people. We come from the north, high in the Iron Mountains.’ Neesha said, leaning forward on the table. ‘Do you know those who you seek? The men your commander killed.’

  Selene and Gareth both shook their heads, but looked keen now, hoping for some information that would shed light on the task they’d taken upon themselves.

  ‘People from lands far to the East. Power hungry, ruthless people, who wish nothing more than complete control over all. They want dominion over this world, and nothing will sway them from that quest.’ Neesha stood up from her seat, paced around, stopping at the kitchen window. ‘They call themselves, Magi.’

  ‘How in the name of all the gods is kidnapping children going to help with that?’ Gareth blurted out.

  ‘They are no ordinary children. As I have said, there is much to explain, and not the time to explain it. Suffice to say, these children are being taken to bolster the Magi numbers, and prevent us from grooming the next generation.’

  The conversation still wasn’t going how Selene had planned, this woman, Neesha, whoever she was, was being far too vague. While she felt anger building inside towards the stranger, she still couldn’t shake the feeling of familiarity with the woman, and the little she had said. Whatever it was, she wouldn’t let it deter her from getting the answers she desired.

  ‘There is plenty of time to explain, unless you’d like to leave now and we’ll continue searching for the children ourselves.’ She said, unconcerned with formalities or politeness.

  Neesha stared at them for a moment and returned to the table. ‘Very well,’ she began. ‘These things I will tell you, may seem… unusual, even unbelievable, but think of the events from your time hunting the Magi, and you will see that what I say is the truth.’

  Finally, we’re going to get somewhere, Selene thought.

  ‘The children are gifted.’ Neesha continued, ‘each of the Magi’s targets have power within them. Some are waiting to have it unlocked, other, older children, may have already unlocked their gifts themselves.’

  ‘Gifted?’ Selene asked.

  ‘Magically gifted.’

  Gareth broke out in sudden laughter, unable to control himself. Selene was not so whimsical about the statement Neesha had made. She let her mind roam back to the first day she’d met the dark figures upon the rooftop at the king’s Parade. She’d seen them move from rooftop to rooftop, too quick, far too quick for normal men. Then there were the last words one of them spoke, before positioning himself for a killing blow, foolish mortal. The word echoed in her mind, mortal.

  ‘These men, the Magi, they’re not… mortal. Are they?’ Selene said, stopping Gareth’s laughter.

  ‘No, they are not. They are a race gifted with eternal life. They can bleed, be injured, even killed just as any mortal man, but they will never taste death’s taint from disease, or old age.’

  ‘You can’t be buying this? Magic and immortals hell bent on world domination? Come on, Selene, snap out of it.’ Gareth said, sounding unimpressed with Neesha’s story.

  Selene placed a hand on Gareth’s, an attempt to soothe and quieten him. She had no intention of stopping now. For the first time in weeks, something was making sense, something sounded plausible, even if it seemed a little unreal.

  ‘You’re leaving something out, I can feel it. How is it you know so much about these people when even the king’s men don’t seem to know them?’

  Neesha appeared to be searching for the right words. Selene couldn’t tell if she was planning to lie, or just wasn’t sure how to phrase more of this unreal truth.

  ‘Long before they called themselves Magi, they were my people, the Zin.’ Neesha paused as Selene and Gareth both let out low gasps, but she continued. ‘It didn’t happen over night. There had always been those who believed our people should rule over mortals. It took decades before the first group made themselves known. Before that, we had never known these people to be organised, but they were.’

  ‘When it first happened, it shook the very foundations of our society. This group of Zin had taken over several towns across Emeer, killing anyone that opposed them. Until that point, the Zin had lived in peace with mortals, these lands were as much ours as they were yours. But it all changed. The leader of this group, Balor, declared open war on Emeer and its people. He said all who opposed their rule, would die at his hands. That was the first time the name Magi was uttered.’

  Each word as far fetched as the last, yet something rang true with Selene. Her memory flashed back to her childhood, what little she could remember. Her father had told her stories of a magical race who lived alongside the people of Emeer. A race that aided Emeer in a great battle against an evil people that wanted to rule over them. These were always fantastical tales, designed to get her to sleep, never told as if it were truth, or even history.

  ‘Right… so a magical, ancient race of immortals tried to enslave all of Emeer, and no one knows it ever happened? Or is it me? Because I’ve heard none of this before.’ Gareth said sarcastically.<
br />
  ‘After a long and bloody war, your king ordered that all accounts of the Magi, my people, and even the war itself, be stricken from all records. It became law that to even speak of it would be punishable by death. My people were ordered to leave these lands, and to keep the peace, we obeyed. You can understand why it is not spoken of now, over a century later.’

  Selene felt a pang of guilt, of sorrow for Neesha and her people, and for the people of Emeer who once faced the Magi.

  Neesha continued, ‘while there are people who still pass the stories from generation to generation, my people have fallen into nothing more than myth and legend.’

  The stories from her father entered Selene’s thoughts once more. ‘My dad used to tell me tales of a magical people. I always thought they were children’s bed time stories, but they’re real, you’re real.’

  ‘Selene. There is much to tell, much more than I could say this night, but I must ask you to trust me, when I say your life is in danger.’

  Gareth suddenly perked up, ‘danger? Why would they waste time searching for Selene? Sure, she got in their way, but why bother coming after her again?’

  Neesha stared at Selene. An intense, understanding look, ‘because she is one of us, because Selene is Zin.’.

  TWENTY TWO

  Her hands trembled from the excess adrenaline that had been coursing through her veins. Selene had run, run as far as her aching body would take her from the house, from the woman who sat in her kitchen telling tales of ancient races and magic. She wasn’t sure why she’d ran, only that she couldn’t sit in that kitchen any longer, not after what she’d been told.

  When Neesha had uttered that truth, something screamed inside of Selene, screamed for her to run. She couldn’t believe, wouldn’t believe what she was told. All she thought of as she ran, was that there had to be some mistake, that there was no way she could be one of the Zin. Selene had never seen any sign of magic, never felt like some immortal being, although after some close scrapes she’d had with guards over the years, she wouldn’t have minded having magic to make things a little easier.