The Hunter shrugged. “The truth will come out eventually, one way or another. Some will be unable to accept it, yet for those who do, it will place upon their shoulders a burden that cannot be ignored.” He fixed her with a solemn gaze. “Are you certain you wish to know?”
As ever, Ilanna’s curiosity burned like a raging fire within her. After everything she’d seen—the Hunter’s strange healing and shape-shifting abilities, Lord Chasteyn somehow surviving a slashed throat, the inhuman speed and ferocity of the assassin before her—every fiber of her being ached to learn the secrets dangled before her eyes. Burden or not, she had to know the truth.
She met the Hunter’s eyes. “Tell me everything.”
* * *
An hour later, Ilanna still struggled to believe everything she’d heard—twice. She’d summoned Jarl, Errik, Darreth, and Master Tyman to her chambers so they could hear the Hunter’s strange story. After what she’d learned, she’d need the help of those she trusted to figure out what, if anything, they’d do with the information.
“Keeper’s beard!” Master Tyman’s face had gone paler than usual. “It sounds too far-fetched to be real.”
The Hunter shrugged. “I know. But that doesn’t make it any less true.” He fixed Ilanna with a stern gaze. “Demons do exist, not just in Praamis, but all around Einan. They are more than just a threat to be defeated—they are the very key to our continued existence.”
Ilanna’s mind boggled. An ancient evil, a force of chaos, trying to break through to this world. A Serenii city built to protect Einan from the threat. It was too much to process—and something told her the Hunter had kept things back from her. He’d been correct in believing the truth brought a heavy burden.
“And what do you expect us to do with that?” Errik voiced the question she, and doubtless everyone else in the room, had been thinking.
“Nothing.” The Hunter shook his head. “That burden is mine to bear. But, perhaps, in the future, there may come a time when you could do more than just bring peace to your city. When that time comes, I will seek you out. Whether you choose to answer the call or not is up to you.”
Ilanna drew in a deep breath. “So let me see if I understand. You’re taking the demon—” She only hesitated a little at the word. “—to this lost city of Enarium, where you’ll lock him away in these mystical towers to feed the Serenii that’s fighting the Devourer?”
“That about sums it up,” the Hunter replied. “Yet, even with the iron chains, it will not be easy to keep the demon controlled.”
“You’re making the journey alone?” Ilanna asked.
“The secrets of Enarium are best kept just that, a secret.” The Hunter fixed her with a stern nod. “Were the knowledge of its power to fall into the wrong hands—”
“End of the world.” Ilanna gave a dismissive wave. She turned to Jarl. “What if I asked you to go with him? What would you say?”
Jarl’s eyes widened slightly, and he gave a surprised grunt. After a moment, he lifted his huge shoulders. “For you, ‘Lanna, anything.”
Ilanna felt a surge of warmth at her friend’s words, and she squeezed his massive forearm in wordless thanks.
“You would send your man with me?” the Hunter asked.
“Men.” Ilanna shot a glance at Errik.
“I am Master Serpent.” Errik folded his arms over his chest. “I cannot abandon my House.”
“Nor would I ask you to.” Ilanna shook her head. “But perhaps you can recommend a Serpent you can trust.”
“Once, I would have said Kindan.” Errik’s eyes darkened, and he shot an angry glance at the Hunter. “But yes, I believe I can trust Tassat.”
Ilanna nodded and turned back to the Hunter. “I offer you what assistance I can, then.”
“Why?” the Hunter demanded, his eyes narrowing. “Why would you help me?”
“Because you helped me save my city.” Ilanna met his gaze unflinchingly. “And the Guild Master always pays her debts.”
The idea had been a spur-of-the-moment thing, but now that she’d given it a few seconds of thought, she knew it was the right thing to do. She’d never have taken down Lord Chasteyn without his help—bloody hell, she’d have sent her men to their deaths at the demon’s hand—so she owed him their lives.
“’Lanna,” Jarl said, “I know a pair of Bloodbears, too.”
Ilanna pursed her lips. Four men and a half-demon assassin to haul one chained prisoner across the continent, but given what she’d seen…
“So be it.” She nodded, then turned to the Hunter. “But you will underwrite the expenses of the trip.”
The Hunter smiled at this. “Perhaps I wasn’t that wrong about you, Guild Master.”
Ilanna shrugged. “My duty is to my people.”
“As is mine.”
“Besides,” Ilanna said with a sly grin, “you’re the Hunter of bloody Voramis. Calling your rates exorbitant would be a drastic understatement.” She lowered her voice. “And I’d know. I paid it out of my pocket.”
The Hunter cocked an eyebrow, his expression curious. After a moment, a slow smile spread his lips. “Lord Damuria?”
Ilanna couldn’t help being impressed. “How did you know?”
“I recognized Lord Beritane when he hired me to do the job. Which would make the rumors about him working for the Night Guild true.” His face darkened for a moment. “Though, it was Lord Damuria’s death that led to…” He swallowed before continuing. “…everything that happened with the Bloody Hand.”
Ilanna saw a strange look flash through his impossibly dark eyes. She’d seen the same expression looking back at her from the mirror when she thought she’d lost Kodyn in the fire. Who did he lose? A wife, a child? She ached to know, but she doubted that he’d offer that particular nugget of information. Someone close to him, that’s for sure.
The emotion disappeared in a moment, and the cool, collected expression returned. “I am glad to know the Night Guild has little in common with the Bloody Hand. It would have been…disappointing to find otherwise.”
Though he said it in a calm tone free of inflection, Ilanna could hear the unspoken threat. “And I am glad to know the Hunter of Voramis isn’t the demon they say he is.” She held up a hand before he could correct her. “The half-demon, of course.”
The Hunter chuckled. “Of course.” He turned on his heel and was about to leave the room, when he stopped and spoke to Errik in a low voice. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about your man’s death.”
Errik’s scowl remained, but he managed a curt nod in acknowledgement—the closest to an apology he’d get.
“Farewell, Hunter!” Ilanna called after him. “May the Watcher guide your feet and strengthen your arm.”
“Farewell, Ilanna of the Night Guild.” The Hunter swept a little bow. “I look forward to the next time our paths cross.”
As the door clicked shut behind the Hunter of Voramis, legendary assassin, Ilanna knew without a doubt that if they ever met again, things would grow far more interesting.
Warning:
If you are ONLY interested in the Hunter’s journeys and the Hero of Darkness series, the story ends here (for now).
The Epilogue will lead you into a brand new series—the Heirs of Destiny series, which follows Hailen, Evren (from Darkblade Slayer), Kodyn, Aisha, Briana, and other characters on a new adventure. Continue to the epilogue at your own peril!
Epilogue:
"Apprentices of the Night Guild. Welcome!"
Ilanna did her best imitation of Master Gold as she echoed the ceremonial words of the Undertaking ritual.
"We stand before the Watcher in the Dark, patron god of the Night Guild, and submit ourselves to his judgment."
In unison, she and the eight House Masters pulled back their hoods and chanted. "Here, in the sight of the Watcher and your betters, do you, apprentices of the Guild, submit to whatever fate the gods have in store for you?"
The apprentices spoke as one. "We do."<
br />
Ilanna rose. "These last nine years, the Night Guild has been your home. We housed you, clothed you, and trained you. Now prove that you are worthy to take your place in the Houses of the Night Guild." She strode toward the twelve young men and women standing in the cleared space at the center of the Menagerie. "Step forward, apprentices."
The apprentices formed a straight, stiff-backed line facing her.
She crossed her arms over her chest in the ceremonial gesture Master Gold had loved. "Swear before the Watcher and your companions that you will submit to an Undertaking, one worthy of earning a place in the Night Guild, and one befitting the power of our patron god. Do you swear?"
The apprentices mimicked the gesture and bowed. "I swear!"
"Do you swear to devote yourselves to this Undertaking,” she called out the ceremonial words, “wholly and completely, until such a time as you have proven yourselves deserving of worshipping the Watcher in the Dark through service to the Night Guild."
"I swear!" echoed the twelve youths.
She fixed them with a stern gaze. "Do you swear that you, and only you, will carry out your Undertaking? That you will refuse the aid of all others, so that you alone may offer up this sacrifice to the Watcher and to the Night Guild?"
"I swear!"
"So let it be done!" She stepped back. "Let it be known in all the Houses. From this day forward, the apprentices you see before you are to dedicate themselves utterly to the completion of their Undertaking. Let no man interfere with their tasks. To interfere with them is to interfere with an offering to the god who has blessed and multiplied us. Do you swear?"
The assorted Journeymen and Masters around the room roared as one. "We swear!"
She produced a vial, uncorked it, and strode toward the first apprentice in line—a Fox. Leaning forward, she spoke in a whisper. "Break these oaths, you will find yourself condemned to a fate far worse than death. For you have sworn before the Watcher and the Night Guild. Do you understand, apprentice?"
The apprentice bowed. "Yes, Master Gold." His voice only quavered slightly.
Dipping her thumb into the vial, she drew three vertical lines on his forehead—the sign of the Watcher. "The Watcher guide you in your path, apprentice to the House of Foxes."
She went down the line, whispering the same ceremonial words into each apprentice’s ears and anointing them with the oil. She kept her face solemn even when Kodyn smiled at her—this was an important ceremony, and she the Master of the Night Guild. His Guild Master as well as his mother.
Aisha’s expression was resolute, her head held high as Ilanna anointed her forehead. She answered in a strong, clear voice without a hint of waver.
She’ll be another Ria someday very soon, Ilanna thought as she moved on to the last two apprentices. When she had finished, she returned to her place in front of the throne-like armchairs of the House Masters. "Go, apprentices, with the Watcher to guide you in your Undertaking. Prove yourselves worthy to join the ranks of the Night Guild, worthy to serve He Who Sees All in the Dark."
* * *
Ilanna’s eyebrows rose when a knock sounded at the door of her office. She’d barely returned to her chambers after the Undertaking ceremony and shrugged out of her robes—no one should be bothering her so soon, not with all the Houses busy with their apprentices.
“Who is it?” she called.
“Master Hawk to see you.” The door failed to muffle the sour note in Darreth’s voice. “And the apprentice Kodyn with him.”
That only added to Ilanna’s curiosity. Darreth would only call Kodyn “apprentice” if this was an official visit.
“Send them in.”
A moment later, Bryden, Master of House Hawk, limped into the room. Kodyn followed his House Master, a determined look on his strong, handsome face.
“How might I be of assistance, Master Hawk?” she asked in a polite voice.
“My apprentice,” Bryden snarled, “wishes to declare his Undertaking in the presence of his Guild Master as well as his House Master.”
Ilanna shot Kodyn a questioning glance. “Apprentice?”
“Master Gold.” Kodyn bowed, formal and far more respectful than he’d ever been when addressing his mother. “I intend to propose an Undertaking of an unusual nature, one that will require the blessing of my Guild Master.”
The fact that he’d dragged Bryden here in the capacity of Master Hawk meant he knew his mother wouldn’t sanction whatever he intended. He planned to force her hand by using her position as Guild Master against her. Clever, but that meant it would be dangerous.
Her gut clenched, but she kept her face neutral as she continued. “You have my attention, apprentice.”
Kodyn’s calm façade cracked for a single instant, and Ilanna caught a glimpse of a nervous young man. Yet it was just a moment, and he smoothed his features to once more match his calm tone.
“For my Undertaking, I intend to travel to the city of Shalandra and steal the Crown of the Pharus.”
Ilanna’s eyebrows shot up. “Shalandra?”
“Yes.” Kodyn nodded. “I have learned a great deal about the city…in recent days.” The look in his eyes told Ilanna exactly how he’d come by the information. “The Crown of the Pharus is the city’s most treasured possession, an item beyond price. I believe that stealing it would prove to the Night Guild and the Watcher in the Dark that I am worthy to serve as a Journeyman.”
Bryden’s fixed Kodyn with a pensive frown. “A laudable quest, indeed. But one with its fair share of perils.”
“I understand, Master Hawk.” Kodyn met his House Master’s gaze without hesitation. “Which is what makes it worthwhile.”
Bryden’s expression grew calculating. “The coffers of House Hawk could provide you with enough coin to defray your expenses while in Shalandra, though you will need—”
“Master Hawk,” Ilanna cut in, her tone sharp, dangerous, “please give me a moment alone with the apprentice.”
Bryden scowled. “As a member of House Hawk, he is under my—”
“As a member of my Night Guild,” Ilanna snapped, “he is my responsibility. Now, unless you have some reason that he should not be permitted to attempt this as his Undertaking, you will kindly excuse us.”
Bryden’s scowl deepened to a hate-filled glare—little love was lost between the two of them—but after a long moment, bowed. “Yes, Guild Master.” His words dripped acid. He turned to Kodyn. “You have my permission to attempt this Undertaking. That will suffice. As to what the Guild Master says, it can have no effect on my decision.”
“Out, Bryden!” Ilanna’s voice rose to almost a shout. “I will speak with my son alone.”
“Of course, Guild Master.” Bryden gave a mocking bow, then limped from the room.
The door had barely closed before Ilanna leapt from her chair. “Abso-damned-lutely not, Kodyn!”
“Mom, you don’t—”
Ilanna cut him off with a swipe of her hand. “There is no way I’m going to be okay with you traveling hundreds of miles to a city where you’ve never been, just for the sake of a girl!”
Kodyn stiffened, but the defiance in his eyes only made Ilanna angrier.
“After all that has happened, do you really think—”
“Mother!” Kodyn’s voice was cold, but a bright fury blazed in his eyes. “Listen to me, please! At least hear what I have to say before you shut the idea down. Or are you like Master Hawk that you won’t even consider a good plan if you didn’t come up with it?”
“Choose your words wisely,” Ilanna growled. “You are my son and an apprentice in my Night Guild.”
“And no one has ever let me forget that!” Kodyn snapped. “Since my first day in House Hawk, all I’ve heard is ‘Ilanna, this’ and ‘Ilanna, that’. Everywhere I go, I hear people talking about the ‘Guild Master’s son’. Every day of my apprenticeship, I have wondered if I am in House Hawk because of my own skill or because I am the son of the greatest Hawk of all time.”
Ilanna’s jaw clamped shut. She’d expected to hear it, but she hadn’t been prepared for the resentment in her son’s eyes.
“Here in Praamis, I will never escape your shadow!” Her son’s tirade continued. “The thief that climbed the Black Spire, that stole Lady Auslan’s body, that saved the Night Guild. I will never be anything but the Guild Master’s son as long as I remain here.”
“And you think running away to Shalandra is how you’ll escape who you are?” Ilanna demanded.
“Not who I am.” Kodyn shook his head. “But to be my own man, for who I am and not who my mother is.”
A lump rose in Ilanna’s throat. “I…I’m sorry that being my son is so difficult for you.”
“It’s not.” Kodyn stepped forward and swept her hands into his—how strong his arms and shoulders had grown in the last years. “I am grateful for everything you’ve done, you and Ria both. I know what you lost, what you sacrificed for me.”
Tears blurred in her eyes. “I would do it all again. You are my little Hawk.”
“And I always will be,” Kodyn said, his voice gentle. “But young hawks need to stretch their wings and fly. I need to be free, Mom. I need to go somewhere I can make a difference.”
That puzzled her. “What do you mean, make a difference?” she asked, wiping the moisture from her eyes.
“I’ve been talking to Briana.” A blush suffused Kodyn’s cheeks at the name of the girl he’d helped rescue from the Gatherers. In the week since, they had spent an awful lot of time together. “I think you’ll want to hear what she has to say, too.”
Ilanna raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Let me bring her here, so she can tell you herself.” Kodyn squeezed her hands. “Once she does, you will know why I need to go to Shalandra.”
Curiosity burning, Ilanna nodded. “Go, bring her.”
Kodyn pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Thank you!” He turned and raced from the room.
Ilanna settled back against the desk, sorrow welling within her. She’d been dreading this moment ever since his sixteenth nameday. He had her competitive nature, his drive to excel, and a need to escape her shadow. All of those things led him to take this risk and set out on this adventure, far from her. She had spent seventeen years worrying about him—how could she ever let him go? It seemed such an unfair thing to demand of a parent.
Darkblade Justice: An Epic Fantasy Murder Mystery (Hero of Darkness Book 7) Page 31
