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Quiet. At last it was quiet. Late afternoon had brought an end to the school day and the constantly chattering and squealing children who occupied this building. I didn’t know how Norah managed it. It would’ve driven me nuts to be surrounded by that many kids all the time. Liam seemed to like it, though. He and Norah had snuck off somewhere to prepare for the next school day. Or so they said.
“This is perfect!” Zaina barreled through the living room door and flopped down on the brown couch to my right. The assaulted furniture groaned in protest. “I just overheard another group of nobles discussing Marcellus’ disaster dinner.”
“I know, right?” Haela exclaimed and swung herself over the back of another sofa to land on its cushions. “Haemir and I heard the same thing at the debate club yesterday. It’s only been a few days and his campaign has already taken a huge hit with the elite class!”
“Yeah,” I mumbled and flipped the page in the Pernish textbook Norah had given me.
The excited twin seemed unsatisfied with my lukewarm reply because she picked up a frayed pillow and threw it at my face. “Why aren’t you happy?”
Catching the flying décor before it smacked into my cheek, I blew out a sigh. “I am happy.”
“If this is you happy, I’d hate to see what you look like when you’re angry,” Zaina said, a grin pulling at the corner of her lips. “Especially if it’s anything like when I ambushed you in that alley.”
“Oh, trust me,” Haela said. “You really don’t. She’s pretty scary when she goes all attack mode. Surprising how much anger can fit inside such a small person.”
I hurled the pillow back at her. “Funny.”
“I know,” she said, her eyes twinkling as she caught the projectile.
“I’m not jumping up and down with happiness because even though the nobles now have their reservations, Marcellus still has strong support with the workers and there are way more workers than nobles.” I said. “So we need to make him think all voters are deserting him, not just the elite.”
“Yeah, but Elaran and Shade are already checking out a lead on that.” Haela gave me a carefree shrug. “They’ll be back any minute now so we should have a plan for that soon.”
“Exactly,” Zaina said. “So, cheer up.”
My muttered curses in reply drew laughter from the two optimists.
Draping her legs over the side, Haela stretched her graceful upper body across the couch and let out a groan. “I miss the War Dancer.”
The Pernish smuggler sat up straight. “You’ve met a War Dancer?”
“What? No. It’s a tavern back in Tkeideru.”
“You named a tavern after the War Dancers?” Zaina chuckled. “I wonder how they would feel about that.”
Raised voices sounded from somewhere outside but before I could get up to check, Haemir stuck his head through the open door to the living room.
“Hey, you hearing that?” he asked.
The three of us looked from one to the other before nodding in confirmation.
“You can hear who it is too, right?” Haemir asked his sister. When she nodded again, he went on. “We should go outside before this escalates.”
Before what escalates? However, I didn’t get a chance to ask that because the rest of the room scrambled out of their comfortable seats and followed Haemir out the door. After snapping the textbook shut and placing it on the low table, I did the same.
Afternoon sunlight filled the empty schoolyard with golden light. When I rounded the corner, I found two tall figures standing there on the smooth stones. Ah. Them.
“You arrogant bastard!” Elaran bellowed. “You’re always trying to order us about.”
“Right,” Shade scoffed. “Because you never tell people what to do. Just because you’re some kind of military leader in your city doesn’t mean you are here.”
“Same goes for you, Master of the Assassins’ Guild,” the furious elf mocked. “We are not part of your guild.”
Zaina and the twins had rounded the pissed-off warriors and taken up position by the wall next to them. Haela and Zaina seemed content to simply lean back against the stones and watch the exchange but Haemir took a step towards the fighters.
“Guys,” he said, holding up both hands in the air. “Should–”
“No!” Elaran cut off. “I’m so sick of this pretentious human thinking he’s better than everyone else. It’s time to stop.”
The Master Assassin raised his chin, a confident smirk on his face. “Or what?”
“Or you’ll find yourself on your back with a sword to your throat. That should teach you a lesson in humility.”
A haughty snicker dripped from Shade’s lips. “Come try it.”
The distinct ringing of swords being drawn echoed across the yard. I pulled myself up on the sun-warmed stone wall and crossed my legs. Leaning my elbows on my knees and resting my chin in my hands, I watched the two fighters stare each other down.
“Shouldn’t we try and stop them?” Haemir asked, worry coloring his voice.
“Are you kidding?” I chuckled. “I’ve been waiting to see this since the day we left Keutunan. I only wish I’d brought snacks.”
Out on the courtyard, the Assassins’ Guild Master spun his blades once in his hands. Elaran replied with a derisive snort but crouched into an attack position. With a half-smile flashing across his lips, Shade twitched two fingers at him, telling him to get on with it. The elf flew across the stones.
Metallic ringing vibrated through the air as their swords connected. Elaran drove his right-hand blade towards Shade’s ribs but the assassin blocked it while delivering a strike from above. The elf’s other sword took care of that at the same time as he flicked the blade in his right hand. Shade slammed his weapon into it and kicked at the ranger’s hip.
Elaran stumbled back but managed to twist out from the sword coming for his chest. The sharp edge produced a whoosh as it flew by. Shooting up from his evasive maneuver, Elaran leaped into the air and drove both swords towards Shade’s head in a flying attack from above. The Master Assassin threw up his own twin blades. Metal clashed as the four weapons slammed into each other.
With a burst of force, they shoved their swords apart. Elaran drew his blade in a wide arc but Shade ducked and rolled under it. Coming up behind the elf, he drove his sword towards his opponent’s exposed shoulder, but the skilled ranger swung his sword down across his back, absorbing the impact, while throwing an elbow into the assassin’s jaw. Shade’s head snapped to the side. Elaran twisted back around but before the elf had gotten into position, the Master Assassin landed a kick to the back of his knee.
A dull thud rang out as Elaran’s kneecap connected with the ground. Tucking and rolling with the motion, he escaped the swords coming at him from above. While still crouching, he executed a swift swiping kick, clipping Shade’s ankle and yanking his leg forward. The assassin lost his balance and slammed back first into the ground. Shade pulled his legs up towards his chest and rolled back on his shoulders. Kicking his legs upwards and pushing with his fists, he launched himself from the ground and landed in a crouch.
Across from the assassin, Elaran had gotten to his feet as well. Shade dashed towards him. Dodging the left-hand sword aimed at his head, the Master of the Assassins’ Guild slammed his blade into the one Elaran had brought down to protect his ribcage. Steel ground against steel.
And like that, it continued. Thrust, parry, kick, slash, jump. All while one tried to gain advantage over the other. I unfurled my legs and let them dangle over the edge as the battle wore on. It was a rather extraordinary display. Both of them were excellent swordsmen and their reflexes were out of this world: twisting and swiping with the speed of lightning. Not to mention the force behind every hit. At one point, I was afraid the swords might shatter from the impact their strikes delivered.
Man, I probably shouldn’t be antagonizing those two as much I was. If we ever got into a fight, a real fight, I would get my ass handed to me. Unless I could figure out how the darkness worked, that is. Still, I probably shouldn’t test it. I tipped my head from side to side. But then again, it would be quite interesting to find out how a full-blown fight between us would turn out.
Metal clattered on stone as Elaran’s left-hand blade flew from his grip, followed shortly by one of Shade’s swords flying through the air and hitting the ground beside it. Looks of surprise flashed past on both their faces before they were at it again.
A flurry of silver filled the space between them as they continued their deadly dance. Shade ducked under Elaran’s swipe, twisted around, and drove his blade towards the elf’s neck. The sword-wielding archer had recovered from the evaded strike and changed the direction of his weapon mid-motion so that it sped towards the assassin’s throat.
Silence. The clashing of metal and grounding of steel stopped as the warriors stared at each other. Astonishment filled their eyes. The edge of Shade’s sword rested against the left side of Elaran’s neck while the elf held the point of his own blade to the assassin’s throat. Their chests heaved.
The Master of the Assassins’ Guild looked down at the sword digging into his throat. “Impressive.”
Elaran glanced at the blade pressed to his own neck. “Same.” He gave the assassin an approving nod. “You’re alright.”
“Yeah, you too.”
Both fighters lowered their swords. Oh, come on! And here I’d been looking forward to seeing at least one of them being taught a lesson in humility and it had ended in a tie? What a disappointment. From atop the wall, I watched Elaran hold out his arm. When Shade reached out as well, they clasped forearms and gave each other an appreciative smile. Hmmph. Did so not see that coming.
“Aww,” I said because I couldn’t help myself, and I because needed to vent my frustration by ruining the moment. “Is this the start of a bromance?”
“Shut up,” Shade and Elaran called in unison. They turned back to each other and released a chuckle.
And now they were ganging up on me. Perfect. I shook my head. This was definitely the start of a bromance.
After retrieving their missing blades, both swordsmen swaggered over to where we’d watched their battle. I hopped down from the wall and saw Haela’s eyes sparkle with the promise of a contest. Amusement shook my chest. I’d bet my fortune that once this was over, she’d challenge them both to another fight.
Zaina let out a low whistle. “Now I’m really glad I decided to ambush you that first night instead of trying to beat you in a fair fight.”
“Right?” I added before realizing what I’d said. “I mean, not that I approve of you ambushing us, but I agree, stabbing people in the back is always the best option.”
“Underworlders,” Elaran muttered while shaking his head.
That drew laughter from the rest of our group.
“Speaking of backstabbing,” Shade said. “We have some news. Apparently, there’s a deal going down at a warehouse by the docks tonight.”
“Yeah,” the auburn-haired archer continued. “Marcellus has arranged for some kind of trade agreement between Pernula and some other cities down the coast that will lead to lots of business opportunities. It will make him very popular among the workers.”
“They’re closing the agreement tonight,” Shade finished.
“Huh.” I stroked my chin. “It would be a real shame if someone screwed that up.”
The assassin cocked his head to the right. “Indeed.”
A warm wind blew across the schoolyard, ruffling our hair. Haela threw her ponytail back behind her shoulder, her face beaming with mischief.
“Oh, I’m not missing this,” she declared.
“Yes, you are,” her brother said. “We’re invited to that dinner tonight, remember?”
Excitement washed from Haela’s features like a bucket of water to the face. “Aw, seriously?”
“Haemir is right,” Elaran said. “You need to keep working that angle.”
The previously excited twin drew her eyebrows down but didn’t argue. After all, she was on Team Upperworld and we needed her to do her part there.
“You need any help from me?” Zaina asked.
Shade studied her. “Are you free?”
“I can be. I’ve got some things to take care of for my gang but if you need my help, I can move stuff around.”
The black-eyed assassin shook his head. “It’s alright. The three of us can handle it.” He turned to me and Elaran. “Isn’t that right?”
“Oh, for sure,” I said, a grin spreading across my face, while Elaran backed me up with a nod.
“Alright.” Shade nodded back. “Go get ready then. We’re leaving in fifteen.”
“There you are giving orders again,” the grumpy elf said and lifted an eyebrow at the assassin.
Shade chuckled. “Sorry. Force of habit. Do you want to...?” He gave a short wave of his hand.
“Sure.” Elaran turned to me. “Go grab your stuff. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes.”
Laughter bounced off the stones in the courtyard as the rest of our group voiced their amusement at the simultaneously astounded and offended look on my face. I stared at the power-loving dictators through narrowed eyes.
“Now both of you are giving me orders.” I shot a stiletto blade into my hand and waved it in their faces. “That has to stop.”
The fighters glanced at each other and, in one terrifyingly synchronized motion, drew their swords and spun them in their hands.
A smirk settled on Shade’s face. “Or what?”
“Or I’m gonna reconfirm my policy that stabbing people in the back is a stellar move.” After one last dirty look, I stalked across the yard.
“Where are you going?” Elaran called at my retreating back.
“To grab my shit. Now get ready and meet me outside in ten minutes.”
Hearty chuckling echoed between the walls and followed me all the way to the door. Damn elves and damn assassins. First, they hadn’t even given me a satisfactory end to their sword fight, and now they were ganging up on me. Once our mission was over, I vowed to find out everything I could about what I was and what Ashaana meant. Then, I’d knock some respect into both of them. But for now, I’d settle for revenge on Marcellus. Yanking the door open, I strode towards my room and the army of knives waiting in there. He was about to learn, once and for all, not to mess with the Oncoming Storm.