So We Meet Again…
Voyse slipped over the southern wall of Sol City in the early evening, just as the dark settled in. He hit the ground on the other side in a tumble, rolling instantly into the shadows of a nearby building. It wouldn’t be hard for him to find information, for this place was teaming with experts of the magical arts. Even in the early night, people scurried along the streets, conducting their normal business. There only sense of security, other than their own defenses, were the exotic guards from the Cloud City. These soldiers were highly trained and used many techniques unfamiliar to the rest of the world. Voyse had to be weary of these guards, for he wouldn’t last long in a fight against the numbers mounting here. Just on thought of them, Voyse glanced up, hoping to spot the floating city above. No such luck, it seemed, for the clouds were particularly heavy this evening. He shrugged and wandered off into the shadows. Just before he slipped behind his first building, however, he spotted to figures out of the corner of his eye entering the southern gates.
“So, you two have managed to keep up well? I have not the time for this…” Voyse murmured to himself just before he vanished.
**********
Omurai and Asher calmly entered Sol City at the start of dark. They knew without a doubt that their target was already in the city, but they couldn’t guess how close he was, or where he was exactly.
“I wonder where he could be at…” Asher wondered out loud, taking in his surroundings as he did so. When he didn’t get a response from Omurai, he turned to see that his friend had a fixed scowl on his face. “What is it?”
“I don’t like the fact that he is here, so close to my home.” Omurai stated flatly.
“Do not worry, my friend, we’ll find him and rid this world of his darkness.” Asher assured the worried wind adept, tapping his shoulder.
“At least we’ll get around easier than he will.” Omurai said.
“What do you mean?” Asher asked.
“I used to be the commander of a platoon in the Cloud City Army. I’m a hero here.” Omurai said, a smile starting to form on his face.
“Ah, I remember you telling me that, but I didn’t think it was true.” Asher said with a laugh.
“Well it is, watch this…” Omurai said as he walked over to a nearby guard, who tensed up immediately and set his jaw firm. “Excuse me, but I just wanted to inform you that a deadly assassin with dark adept abilities is thought to be here in Sol City. I ask that you inform your superior officer to dispatch the entire guard. I know this is a lot to ask, but it is for the good of all.”
Without question, the man gave a quick salute and dashed away.
“Ok…so they’re good at taking orders. I’m hardly impressed, nor is it proof.” Asher said dryly.
Omurai shook his head and sighed. “You don’t understand…he didn’t say a word. That’s a lot coming from one of the guards. I had him shaking in his boots. That is a sign of respect.”
“Or plain out fear.” Asher said matter-of-factly. “I’d be a little afraid of someone if they walked around with a red head bearing a massive sword like this.” With that, Asher gave a grin and patted the side of his full blade.
With another sigh, Omurai turned and started to walk away, grumbling all the while. Asher laughed and rushed to catch up with him.
**********
As swift as death, Voyse slipped around a corner and glanced up to find a shop sign above him. He looked into the window beside him to find a partially bald man with an ample stomach closing up. With a grin hidden by his mask, Voyse calmly stalked into the bar.
“Well, good evening, sir.” Voyse said, coming up behind the man and tapping him on the shoulder.
“I’m sorry, but we are cl-…” the shop keeper began to say, but stopped as a curved dagger came around to rest on his neck.
“One last customer, tis all. I am looking for something that you might have.” Voyse explained.
“What sort of…item are you looking for?” the shop keeper asked, the blood leaving his face.
“Do you by chance have something that could, say, stop the powers of an artifact?” Voyse asked.
“An artifact?! Why, only another artifact could do that!” piped the shop keeper.
In response, Voyse barely nicked the man’s throat. “Tell me, do you know of anything that can do that?”
“I-I myself no…b-but I’ve heard of tales…” the shop keeper began, and Voyse’s dagger eased a bit. “A town just at the foot of the mountains north of here. There’s an old woman who knows of such an item. G-go talk to her.”
Voyse took the dagger away from the man’s throat and slipped it into his cloak. “Thank you…” With that, he spun on his heels and began to walk away. Just at the door and turned around. “Oh, and just so you know…I-”
“Was never here, I know…” the shop keeper finished, lowering his gaze to the floor and rubbing his neck.
“Good, sir. Farewell.” Voyse said with a chuckle and stepped through the door.
Why had he not just killed the man and taken what he wanted from that store? Surely he could get away with it and be gone of this city in time so that it didn’t matter. No, he consented, there would be no need for senseless slaughter now. More important matters were at hand.
All of these thoughts were suddenly thrown away in a gust of wind that slammed the assassin against the wall of the shop. He slumped to the ground and looked up to find a large number of the guard surrounding him. Two figures in particular, though, were the adepts he met in Knollwood. With a scowl hidden by his mask, Voyse slowly rose to his feet, his hands raised in surrender.
“So, you managed to catch me?” He said in a teasing manner to the two adepts. “Well done.”
“Don’t talk…you won’t be able to without causing a little pain once we’re done with you.” Asher said grimly.
As if on signal, Omurai tapped the guard standing to his side, and he and one other guard stepped forward to seize the assassin.