The rays of early morning sunlight streaked across the floor as Viper approached the dining table, trepidation drawn on her face. She had reported the incident last night when he arrived, and he had simply ordered her released to the Inn. Was he angry? Did he have feelings for her?
The room was empty except for Renier. Harun and Rania, who would normally be by his side, had been waiting outside. Were they hiding from him? I should have asked.
“Master,” she said in a tone so low that the chirping of the birds outside almost drowned it out. Uncharacteristically, her clasped hands fidgeted.
The brightness of the dining hall contrasted with the gloom she felt. He has never scolded me. Will this be the first time?
Renier sat at the dining table, thumb and forefinger cupping his chin. The breakfast dishes in front of him were untouched. The fingers of his right hand rhythmically tapping on the table reminded her of an executioner's drumroll.
He returned from his contemplation, his stern gaze fixed on Viper. An eyebrow raised in question. The concern on Viper’s face deepened. He didn’t seem angry. But he’s hard to read at the best of times.
“I sent the girl and all her things back to the inn,” she started her report. “All her wounds were healed, and I apologized for the treatment I gave her,” her tone a little louder this time. Seconds passed as his gaze continued fixed on her.
Viper’s mind wondered, seeking refuge in the details of the room. She noticed the sunbeams reflecting off the marble floor. The fine burgundy tablecloth. The neatly polished silverware. Anything that wasn’t his stern gaze. Those darn chirping birds. What are they so happy about?
“The apology was not necessary. Did she understand she is no longer welcome?”
“She has sent a request to meet you daily, but Harun has politely refused,” a slight smile on her face. Her mood brightened.
“Make sure she understands that she and the Yendeci are no longer welcome,” his flat tone contrasting to how he normally spoke of the girl.
“Yes, master.” At least the bothersome girl would not be returning. Her mood brightened even more. Somehow, the birds didn’t seem so bad any longer.
“How is Skandar’s training coming along?” His tone softened as his gaze turned toward the window.
“He has not trained since the incident,” she reported, her voice low again. She knew the boy was smitten by her, so she had not pressed him. He’s smart. He’ll get over it soon.
“Accelerate his training. He must do daily meditation in the chamber and exercise. At least with her gone, we’ll have no need to be secretive. I want to leave for Ombre Island in a month.”
Viper nodded, exiting to carry out the commands. She would have to push the boy. No more moping around. Her normally straight back felt straighter, her steps lighter. A wide grin adorned her face. How exciting! The fabled Ombre Island. What her former Ebon comrades would not give for this chance. Thank you, master; I’ll make sure you never regret saving me.
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The annoying chirping birds outside her small room at the Inn did not brighten her mood like they normally would have. Another refusal! She could delay the report no longer.
The curtains were drawn, cloaking the room in an almost total darkness that perfectly reflected her feelings.
Dreading her duty, she clasped the talisman around her neck with her right hand and, sighing, said, “Hello, mother.” Perhaps if she used the familiar form of address, the reprimand would be less. She doubted it. Her chest tightened, and her breathing quickened. Long seconds of worry passed before her mother answered.
“I’m well, mother. However, I was caught and expelled from the estate.” It was best to come right out and say it. She gripped the armrest of her chair tightly.
Seconds passed as the screaming tirade in her head continued.
“There’s is nothing I can do. He refuses to see me.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
More screaming. She was getting a headache.
“Mother, I will not throw myself at him!” Disappointed once again at her mother’s insistence that she basically prostitute herself.
“Perhaps if I go to Constantinople and take care of his uncle. The document we stole suggests he’s planning something. Maybe he can see me as an ally again if I take care of it,” she added, moving the conversation to more productive territory.
“Words will not sway him, mother. Actions are needed.” She was convinced this was the only way forward. She needed to show him they could work together. Her tight grip on the armrest loosened, and she sat straighter in the chair.
“Yes. I’ll leave in the next few days. I’ll report once I reach the city.” She got up and went to the trunk that stored her belongings.
The pressure from her mother was wearing thin. I understand he has the knowledge they wanted, but how could she continue to insist? He’s very good-looking, but still.
She sat again. She opened the leather-bound journal to the last blank page and wrote a ciphered message, contacting her companions. They needed to find a caravan and make preparations to safely travel.
As she waited for a reply, she mooned. What if I left the Yendeci and joined him? Handsome, rich, powerful, part of the royal family, a girl could do a lot worse. She had mused about him during her days in captivity. Daydreams to keep her mind occupied during her predicament. A grand wedding with the Sultan in attendance. She dressed in fineries. A life of luxury at court. She thought of the moments he had held her. The times he had saved her. The kis—
The acknowledgment from her companions that appeared in her book refocused her attention on her task. She wiped the tears that had gathered in the corner of her eyes. How can I disappoint her so much? The woman can be cold and pragmatic at times, but she has always been there for me.
The many times she had been saved by her mother’s intervention flashed through her mind. Her acceptance into the Yendeci had not been smooth. Maybe she pushes me because she thinks he would be a good mate. Looking for an alternative explanation.
She sighed, her back straightening. No use in dreaming about things that would never happen. She would be a spinster like her mother, focused on their Yendeci goals. The mission to Constantinople awaited.
She got up, drew the curtains letting in the morning sunlight, and opened the window to a cool autumn breeze that made her shiver - at least, she attributed the shiver to the breeze. She would win Renier back.
The room brightened, and she smiled as her gurgling stomach reminded her she still had to get breakfast. How beautifully those birds sang.
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The declining rays of the setting sun made the bottom of the ravine seem like it was already nighttime. The red sliver of the harvest crescent moon adorned the sky. The air cooled as the day’s warmth left, making Skandar shiver. His legs were stiff from riding all day, and the ache in his rump was now permanent. The balsamic scent of juniper trees filled the air.
The muted sound of the horse’s hooves, as they moved at a slow trot through the dense forest, was the only thing that could be heard. Abruptly, his horse fidgeted and came to a complete stop.
His master shot up about fifteen cords, a sword giving off a blue light appearing in his right hand. A split second later, Viper leaped to the side, a black crescent knife appearing in each hand. Startled, Skandar looked around but could see nothing. An intelligible shout made him look to his master once again.
Thud, thud, thud, crack, boom; it was all Skandar could do to jump off his horse as the animal fell; three crossbow bolts embedded in its neck, streams of blood spraying. They’re getting closer each time. He was distracted by the figures racing toward Viper.
Crack! This time, it wasn’t the sound of a crossbow bolt breaking on his shield but the bone of his left ankle as he hit the ground.
Arrrg! The involuntary scream broke the evening’s silence. More bolts broke against the shimmering defense his bracelet provided. His ankle was surely broken. At least I didn’t freeze like the first time. The image of Viper fiercely rescuing him during the first attack flashed in his mind. I’m glad she’s on our side.
He was startled when a black-clad figure grabbed him and put a dagger to his neck, “stop or the—“ Thwack! Blood, bone, and brain matter sprayed on Skandar’s face as his master’s etherbolt exploded the assassin’s head.
Skandar dragged himself behind a nearby tree, seeking further protection from the crossbows, and fascinated watched the efficiency with which the Ebons were dispatched.
To his right, Viper nonchalantly waited as four masked assassins surrounded her. She exploded into a blur of motion as she inflicted cuts and evaded their thrusts. Slice, parry, move, thrust, she danced! By now, he had seen this choreography before. So he followed her movements with anticipation. That’s the mistake she was waiting for, he thought as her knife slid across an exposed neck.
His master was still suspended above, bodies falling everywhere he directed his attention. The thud before his etherbolts penetrated was the only indication he was actually doing something. The sword was no longer in his hands, indicating his master no longer considered any of the opponents a threat.
The first time he had seen this, about ten days ago, he had been shocked to stupefaction. Now, it was just an uncomfortable routine as the Ebon Specters continually ambushed them during their trek to the portal at the Moirai Temple. The fear he had felt before was replaced by the curiosity of what new abilities his master might show.
He had come to accept the fantastic things Viper and his master could do and was eager to learn himself. As he saw Viper finishing her opponents, he mused on his naiveté just weeks before when he was sure it would be just a little more practice till he could beat her.
Viper reached him. The four assassins’ bodies were still twitching, strewn on the ground as she inspected him, “are you hurt, boy?”
Skandar pointed to his ankle. Viper looked at his foot in concentration, then out of her hands, a white light spread out and engulfed his body. Healing relief filled him as his ankle was healed along with the aches and pains he accumulated from during the trip.
“Viper, you and the boy continue to the base of the cliff. I’ll deal with the remaining,” ordered his master.
“Let’s go,” she didn’t wait for him to acknowledge and started to jog south.
Skandar followed the woman. After many months of training and a fortnight of travel, he had come to trust her lead. His body now replenished, he kept her pace easily.
They waited a few minutes at the base of the cliff before Renier appeared.
“What is Ombre Island like Mistress Leyla?” Asked Skandar as he rested on a rock. He never called her Viper as he felt it was something private between her and his master.
“I’ve never been, but from what I’ve heard, it’s a grandiose ancient sect. Knowledge and powers beyond what the Brotherhood of the Ebon Tulip wields are housed there. You’re lucky,” her expression a little sad or perhaps envious.
“Grab a hand. I want to get inside Moirai immediately,” said Renier as he approached them, extending a hand to each one. The wind rushed, and the copes of the trees disappeared.
Ahhhh! Skandar couldn’t help his startled scream as the trio shot up to the cave entrance hundreds of cords above.