Umbren walked through Ambis with twenty to thirty Hands in front of him. He wasn’t the center of attention as he blended into the black cloaks of the Hands, but that doesn’t mean that the group wasn’t gawked at. Crowds of people lined the streets making way for the Hands’ precession and the reaction made Umbren uneasy. When Mortis walked the streets he was swarmed, but the Hands were avoided. Umbren guessed it was because of Mortis’s rumored ability to produce miracles. Since interacting with the Hands could bring no such benefit, people didn’t want to gain their attention, or it could have been a bit of reverence that made them act the way they did. Though if this was the people’s reaction the Hands was this way, Umbren could only wonder what their reaction to a group of Hounds would be. Maybe the same? Maybe they would run away.
Umbren shook his head of thought and turned his attention towards the Hands in front of him. From their older appearance and how they held themselves in a dignified yet alert way, Umbren reasoned that they were more experienced Hands. Well they all were except for Kagi who was also in the procession. She stuck to Sadine’s side ever since the pair arrived in the Hands’ House. Umbren guessed that she may be Sadine’s pupil, but from the way Kagi looked at Sadine he thought it must have not been by choice.
As Umbren took in the group he couldn’t help but wonder to himself what this dinner was about. He must have missed word of it while he was venturing around the city, but the fact that some of the most skilled Hands were going only piqued his curiosity.
At the thought of the Hands’ skill level, a girl with an eyepatch over her left eye. At the thought of Thestra, Umbren remembered what Kagi had said.
Umbren walked beside the young Hand and whispered into her ear, “Kagi what did you mean when you said Thestra was hiding? You didn’t exactly explain that.”
Kagi was about to speak up, but Sadine cut her off, “She meant exactly what she said. How could you possibly think that Thestra could remain out in the open after she revealed herself? What’s that look for? You were there when she did it weren’t you?” she said curtly.
Umbren was caught off guard by how Sadine had heard his question, and he had no memory of such a thing happening. Yes, she was a dangerous Hand, but why would that be something to hide and not celebrate.
“I’m sorry mistress, but I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Ehh, on that hill overlooking Sanghai. You were there. I know for a fact you were!”
“Oh” That explains it. Umbren wasn’t focused on Thestra at that time, or even Morta holding Night. The only thing that caught his attention was that burning city.
Umbren thought about where they would even hide Thestra. Hopefully nowhere too horrible. He was indebted to her in a way and he didn’t want that to be a reality.
“If you don’t mind me asking mistress, where is she hiding?”
Sadine smirked, “In the buildings to your left. She’s following us.”
Umbren looked to his left. The tent-like structures in this district had so many small openings in the cloth that made up the roof in walls every floor, so that tenants could look out onto the street. However, no matter how hard he focused or how hard he searched, he couldn’t find any remnant that someone was following them.
“She may have been trained by Shelta, but she’s not as talented as Kagi or as good as me.” Sadine said with smug satisfaction.
Kagi’s mouth fell open as she gawked at her teacher, “That’s impossible. I refused to believe it!” her voice held a stern stubbornness.
Umbren also couldn’t hide his surprise, “Shelta!? You mean the disciples’ daughter!?”
Sadine abruptly put a hand to her mouth, “Oops, just don’t let Vale know. It will be a real bother if you do.”
“You can’t just leave it at that!” Kagi let out.
Sadine shrugged, “If you want to know more, then just ask Morta, that’s what me and Vale did after everything that happened last year.” A slight smile of amusement crept onto Sadine’s face, “Unless you're too afraid, mouse.”
Kagi gritted her teeth in frustration at Sadine’s teasing. Umbren was surprised. He didn’t think she had it in her to hold herself back.
The group came upon a plaza where others were waiting. In the plaza sat a simple rectangular building. To Umbren’s knowledge it was the only other building in Ambis that was comprised of sandstone. The roof of the building though was made of a purple cloth made into an arch over it.
There were three groups in particular. The first two were comprised of Greencloaks. One around Faldrid and the other one looking scornfully at him. The third was made up of Bluecloaks, and it seemed to center around Loutrin and a disheveled man. There was a commotion coming from the Greencloaks that didn’t subsist even when the Hands entered the space. Were a giant stoned face tenebrage with braids stood in front of Faldrid
“Dolgar, why do you defend such a man! And Faldrid how dare you cower behind him! You're despicable for showing your face at such a place! Mortis should have stripped you of your cloak long ago! You're an insult to it!” Spit a long haired Greencloak who wore rings of all material on each of his fingers.
Faldrid put his hands up defensively and wore a harmless smile, “Now Garlan don’t be like that. It was a long time ago…”
“Faldrid speaks the truth. His crime was long ago. He suffered Mortis’ wrath for his actions and paid dearly.” Dolgar put in with great finality
A sardonic smile broke out on Garlan’s face, “Suffered? How!? He now commands as he once did. I wouldn’t be surprised if he killed Yorburn himself just so he could reclaim his former glory!” A murmur of agreement came up from the Greencloaks around him.
Dolgar and Faldrid remained silent, leading to something akin to eagerness emerging onto Garlan’s face. Before he could spit any more spit onto Faldrid’s name something brought his haranguing to an abrupt end.
A skewer and a throwing knife flew past Garlan’s face and implanted themselves into the building's surface. A gasp came up from all the groups present.
Vale, not having seen the items that flew through the air, instantly spun around to Sadine in outrage. In response Sadine shook her head as she simply had an arrow cocked in her bow and had not let it fly true.
Upon seeing the skewer, Garlan turned in fury towards the group of Bluecloaks, and locked eyes with Loutrin, “You impertinent child! How dare you throw that at me! You may think you're skilled for your age, but I’ll show you what it truly means to bleed!”
At that moment low whispers were emitted by each group as Umbren emerged from the Hands. Being a Hound and also the only one present with his hood up who had just thrown a knife may have given off the wrong impression, but Umbren’s mind only focused on one thing.
“I’m sorry but I will not tolerate Yorburn’s name being dragged through the mud in such a way.” Umbren said.
“Yep, same here. I was doing it more for Faldrid, but that works too.” Loutrin added.
At Umbren’s appearance, Garlan’s face went from frightful to shrewd in an instant, “I apologize master…”
Loutrin couldn’t help but snort at the honorific. Umbren looked back at him with an embarrassed smile, this was the first time someone had used the title with Loutrin around.
As Garlan awaited Umbren’s name a Greencloak next to him whispered into his ear. Garlan’s shrewd expression faltered for a brief second then returned, “I’m sorry master, I wasn’t aware that you were the one that Lord Mortis kept around his person at all times…”
“That’s right Garlan. We shouldn’t put on such a display in front of one of our lord’s most prized Hounds.” Faldrid interrupted with a fake smile.
Umbren couldn’t help but blush at the statement.
Garlan matched Faldrid’s smile with one of his own and turned to Umbren, “Yes that is wise. My apology master, it will never happen again. A simple slip of the words. It happens to everyone, please forgive me.”
Umbren nodded right away, eager to get out of the spotlight. He didn’t think his cheeks could get any warmer. What was he even doing talking to a Greencloak like that! It seemed right at the moment, but he didn’t think it would lead to this.
Umbren slowly stepped back to the Hands, which led to some confused expressions from them. Apparently, none would think a Hound would retreat to them. Though Loutrin wasn’t done.
“Wait a minute. Do you really think that you can do that? C’mon I really want to know what it feels like to bleed. Didn’t you promise that? Also, why would I forgive you when you got on Faldrid just now? Doesn’t seem fair to me.”
Indignation overcame Garlan’s face, “Who do you think you are?”
Loutrin shrugged, “That seems like a loaded question.”
Garlan slowly turned to the Hands and gave a respectful bow, “I apologize master and mistresses, but my subordinate doesn’t seem to be respecting his seniors. I’m going to have to educate him in front of you as I feel I won’t be able to on a separate occasion.”
“Nah, you won’t be doing that.” Sadine came forward with a bow in her hand as she cleaned her ear.
From the look on Garlan’s face, he didn’t seem to have expected interference, “Pardon?”
“You heard me. Your talks were boring, so I wasn’t listening much, but there was one thing I didn’t understand. Why are you so afraid of Mortis?”
“Why wouldn’t we fear Lord Mortis’ wrath? You make no sense, mistress.” Garlan said, baffled.
Sadine waved her arrow around, “Well, let me put it like this, if you stabbed and killed Faldrid, I’m pretty sure Mortis wouldn’t care.” Sadine gave Faldrid a little smile, and Faldrid gave her back a one of resignation.
Garlan responded to Sadine’s comment with almost hysterical laughter and the Greencloaks around him followed, “That’s right isn’t it. Mortis would actually approve of it wouldn’t he!”
Sadine put up her finger, “But I’m sure Morta would.”
The laughter stopped and Faldrid ran his hand down his face at the statement.
Suddenly to Garlan and the Greencloaks around him, the Hands of Morta’s presence became more pronounced and took on a deadly hue.
“So why don’t you just stop talking altogether. I’m sure the more you say the more you’ll get yourself in an undesirable position.”
Garlan bit his tongue and shrunk into the rest of his group as they started conversing with themselves.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Loutrin seemed about to speak out, but Sadine placed a hand on his shoulder before he could, “You know I respect you doing that in all, but it would be pretty dumb of you be so insistant on fighting a Greencloak.” She gave a smirk, “Even if the ones of you being one are true.”
“Do you really believe such nonsense mistress.”
Sadine threw her hands in the air as she went back to the other Hands, “Never said I did, but it would be pretty neat if you were one.”
As Sadine went back to the other Hands, Vale gave an approving nod, “That’s the most initiative I’ve seen from you in a while.”
“Is that your way of saying you're proud of me? C’mon you can say the actual words.” Sadine said excitedly.
Vale gave an amused shake of her head, but Sadine was stubborn and kept insisting that Vale declare that she was proud of her. During this Loutrin and Umbren made their way towards Faldrid. Kagi, seeing that her teacher was busy with something else, decided that it was the perfect opportunity to get away from her and followed Umbren.
As the three approached they could hear Faldrid complaining to Dolgar, “I was happy just being a strategist, but now I’m in command again. And now on top of that Sadine went out and put everyone’s eyes on me once again. Why can’t everyone just forget about me, it would be so easy then.”
Dolgar’s face showed no sign of emotion, “That may be so, but someone who’s done the things you’ve done should not be forgotten. If only lies weren’t spread about you, then maybe you'd be a hero.”
“No, no, Dolgar, that's your job. I mean look at you. You're nearly as strong as Lametaros, if the rumors are true. Perfect hero material.”
Kagi had come beside Faldrid without him noticing “You may have a point Faldrid. I’ve never heard of a hero who needed saving, and you were saved by me not too long ago.” Excitement grew on her face, “Though if you were a hero, I guess that would make me something greater than a hero wouldn’t it!”
Faldrid’s eyes widened as he turned to face the voice, “Oh, I didn’t see you there mistress. Hmm, you’ve seen to have grown a lot since the last time we met.”
Kagi seemed to grow taller, “Really!” she snuck a glance at Umbren, “Well I’m glad someone noticed.”
Umbren could only sigh at her comment.
Loutrin inspected Kagi also, to the point that she looked to become uncomfortable.
He eventually gave a silent bow, “I don’t remember having met you mistress.”
Kagi grappled for words, she appeared to not be used to being treated in such a respectful manner. Though Umbren wondered why she wouldn’t even though she had been a Hand for a while now.
Umbren gestured to Loutrin, “Kagi this is Loutrin,” he then gestured to Kagi, “Loutrin this is Kagi.”
Loutrin gave a dry smile, “No honorifics?”
“That’s what I said!” Kagi let out so loudly that the group of Hand’s looked over.
Umbren crossed his arms, “I’m not talking to you about this again,” Kagi didn’t seem too pleased by the comment.
“So should I call you mistress?” Loutrin asked Kagi
Kagi was once again caught off guard, and Umbren didn’t waste time changing the topic, “Loutrin you were invited?”
“What do you mean by that? Just because I’m not a Hound doesn’t mean I’m not important.” His voice filled with irony, “But honestly did they really have to do this at the last minute. The messenger nearly fainted by the time he got to me. I barely had enough time to get here.”
Thankfully, Faldrid was there to answer Umbren’s question, “Loutrin here is quite talented for how young he is. After that whole ordeal in Sangai he quickly gained recognition and respect in the Black Crescent,” Faldrid glanced at Loutrin, “It’s actually uncanny.”
Loutrin’s appearance became more exhausted than it usually was, “Don’t talk about me like that Faldrid. If you do, I’m gonna have to start calling you master again. Really…people think too highly of me, it's really starting to get annoying how much others expect of me.”
Faldrid shook his head, “You better not call me that. If you do, I'll make sure that you're sent on missions that live up to your ability.”
“And what may my ability be?”
“Even higher than others think I suspect.” Faldrid said dryly.
The two considered each other for a second or two. Each trying to determine what the other would do. Even Loutrin was holding himself back based on Faldrid’s last comment. He seemed to want anything but more work, and Faldrid really didn’t like his title.
“So why did Mortis call us all here? I didn’t know about it until the Hands told me.” Umbren said in an effort to change the subject.
“The fulgcere I suspect. The fulgcere asking for aid has never happened. The fact that they did is serious. What do you think, Faldrid?” Dolgar put in as he studied Faldrid and Loutrin with an unchanging expression.
Faldrid considered Loutrin for another brief moment then turned to Dolgar, “That is certainly true. I’ve met Lord Taldry only once and that was only because he was the easiest disciple for Soluriel and Mortis to convince to mediate peace talks when the last war ended. Taldry…like many other Fulgcere is rather…nosey. He loves knowing things about others, but chooses to not get involved most of the time. Mortis told me that the only reason that he was able to convince Taldry to carry out the task was because he didn’t have one of his lenses in the room where the negotiations would take place.”
“Lens?” Loutrin and Umbren both let out.
“It won’t be good for me to explain it. Better ask someone else. But let’s just say that there’s a reason why Lord Taldry knows what he knows.”
Faldrid furrowed his brow and glanced at the meeting house, “Mistress Kagi, has Morta said anything about this.”
Kagi had dozed off a bit while the others were talking, but instantly popped back into reality, “Lady Morta? No…I mean I haven’t seen her today. All I know is that she rushed to go meet Mortis when she heard that a fulgcere had been spotted in the city.”
“Now that she has Night back it’ll be interesting to see how this goes.” Faldrid mumbled.
***
“It can’t be…is that really him?” Umbren let out when he sat down at the table.
The fulgcere head seen earlier that day now looked exhausted and his face looked older than used to. Though the most notable thing was the hunch in his back was now more pronounced.
“What do you mean? Is it not him?” Faldrid asked
Faldrid had sat to Umbren’s left while Loutrin sat to his right. Both away from their normal groups as everyone avoided Umbren as if he was an outsider.
The inside of the meeting hall consisted of tables set up in a square formation around a fire pit. Across from Umbren was Mortis, the fulgcere, Morta, and the Hands. Some Hands looked to have decided to stand rather than to sit. If it was because of a lack of space, Umbren didn’t know, but if that was the case, he didn’t understand how Kagi got a seat next to Sadine. Alsarie stood behind Morta and Vale, her eyes scanning the room like a wolf in a rabbit's den. Her green cloak contrasted heavily with the black around her.
The Bluecloaks and Greencloaks sat across from each other also. This uniformity in the other rows made Umbren more conscious of the miscellaneous nature of his own. Apart from him, Faldrid, and Loutrin, the disheveled Bluecloak, Dolgar, Mistress Zenie, and other Greencloaks also sat.
Umbren shrugged at Faldrid’s question, “He looks older somehow than the last time I saw him, definitely more tired. Though I may be wrong.”
Faldrid scrutinized the fulgcere across from him, “Can I ask where Mortis decided to meet with him perhaps?”
“In the Tenebrage’s altar.”
Faldrid threw his head back and laughed, Drawing the gaze of many in the room, “Well that’s one way to deal with a fulgcere.”
“What do you mean?”
Faldrid started to wipe tears from his eyes, “Let’s just say that I’ve heard some cases where messengers who were sent to tell husbands that their wives were going into labor took so long to get to the point that the wives were already home by the time they finished.”
“You're joking.”
“Wish I was, but fulgcere always likes to over exaggerate and make stories out of anything they can. Of course, they're not all like that, mind you, but it’s almost like it's ingrained into their culture from what I’ve seen and heard.”
Suddenly Mistress Zenie peaked out from behind Dolgar, “Faldrid!? Is that you? I haven’t seen you in ages! You're gonna have to tell me how you’ve been.”
Faldrid’s face warmed up a bit, but also soured in a way, “Hey Zenie, how has Avayev been.”
“Well, it’s been amazing of course. I am the one running the place after all.”
Zenie took a sip from a cup in her hand, prompting a smirk from Faldrid, “What may that be?”
“This? Well, it's just something to hold me over. You can’t really expect me to eat the food here after living in Avayev for so long.” She said matter of factly.
Faldrid gave a reluctant nod, “I assume you're right I would do the same in your situation.”
While Faldrid and Zenie caught up, Umbren decided to do the same with Loutrin. He was reluctant at first and as they conversed Umbren could tell that he was holding something back. If that was his way of being humble, Umbren didn’t know. He seemed a bit disappointed by Umbren’s stories as he had just been training and following Mortis around.
Finally, the food was brought out. A narel broth. Umbren couldn’t help but be disappointed by it. Ever since his stay in Lucel, food in Skotous just hadn’t been as good. Narel was a small rodent found in Skotous. It was mostly sought after for its insulating pelts, its broth wasn’t bad per say but it was average in every way possible. Its smell only made one's mouth water when they were hungry, and it was so salty that it was impossible to enjoy without water. Umbren found him dreaming of food from back then, or at least some fish from his hometown.
When all the tenebrage had finished their meal, they all looked to Mortis eager to discover why they had been summoned.
Mortis instantly drew gasps of astonishment from the room as he summoned Tenebrence. It's beautiful purple and black blade, only emphasized by the fire in front of them. Though the fire also reminded the onlookers of the deadly teeth that encompassed the blade.
“Doing all you can to get attention aren’t you?” Morta whispered
“If you can hold Night during this, I have every right to hold Tenebrence.”
Morta’s group on her weapon seemed to tighten
Mortis pointed Tenebrence at the fulgcere, “As you all may have noticed we have a guest. This is Caekeve Lestos, and he is a messenger of Fulgcere’s disciples.”
Caekeve jumped at Mortis’s introduction and seemed to subtly start to tremble the more Mortis spoke. Umbren hadn’t remembered the messenger being so skittish before then. He would have to talk to Mortis about it later.
Caekeve gave a pilot but abrupt bow, “Lord Taldry and Lady Cere have spoken highly of the tenebrage”
Mortis voice over powered the fulgcere’s voice at the cost of Morta’s glare, “Caekeve has told us that Fulgcere’s disciples need our aid and since no such thing has occurred before we are compelled to go,” murmurs came up from the Greencloaks and Bluecloaks around the table, but Mortis paid them no heed, “however, to get to Canalith we first need to ride through Lysets. Such a task requires a skilled force, but one not large enough to alarm the luxcians or fulgcere.”
“I suppose that means you will take the Hands of Morta then, my lord.” Master Garlan spoke up.
Mortis’ expression turned bitter at his comment as he glanced aside to Morta holding Night, “No I don’t think I will. Not solely at least. Taldry is a perceptive one. He knows the worth of one Hand compared to a Bluecloak. So, I’ll take a mix of the two. Preferably more Bluecloaks as a sign of good faith.”
“No I don’t think that will do,” Morta commented
Mortis turned to her in chagrin, but she continued
“I have received reports that General Amian has become particularly active in the west of Lysets. He’s rooting out our forces and upending our foothold in the region, and he’ll be able to do it soon if we don’t attend to it. Especially with his Daughters on the front line.”
An uproar came up from all ends of the tables. Morta had just confirmed the existence of the rumored Daughters and that didn’t rest well with most, especially Alsarie. Her hard expression actually faltered for a brief moment and turned to one of terror, and Umbren thought he saw her even grab onto Vale’s chair for support. Though Morta didn’t seem too disturbed.
“What do you think, Faldrid?” She added
Faldrid seemed to have to fight the urge to hide his face under Mortis’s glare, “I…understand the sentiment my Lady. General Amian is certainly not someone to take lightly, especially after what I heard about his political movement. Though if what you say is true, it would be crucial to prevent him from massacring our troops, and if his Daughters are involved then it's almost a guarantee that he will accomplish his goal.”
“The Daughters can’t be as deadly as the rumors make them out to be. It must simply be Luxcian propaganda.” Garlan protested.
Faldrid furrowed his brow, the more he spoke the more his confidence rose, “Ask the dead Hands in Sanghai that.” The room grew quiet and the Hands of Morta stiff, “Amian’s talent lies in his tenacity and decisiveness. The best person to deal with him is Dolgar. His constant barrages of attacks should put General Amian to the test.”
“Well, Dolgar? What do you think?” Morta asked.
Dolgar nodded, “I will do what I am asked, but I request Loutrin to be in my forces. He is a natural leader. Efficient and perceptive in combat. He would be a great asset to me.”
Loutrin seemed to shrink down in relief. Apparently, accompanying Morta and Mortis to Canalith was too much work in his mind.
“I accept your request. Don’t disappoint me.” Mortis said, attempting to regain control from Morta, but it only made her hold back a laugh.
“If I may be allowed to ask my Lord, would you like me to assist in this campaign?” Garlan asked.
Mortis shook his head, “You’ve done well ridding Skotous of smugglers. It's important to continue such efforts for our deal with the Geodine to be successful.”
Garlan smiled pridefully and bowed deeply, “As you wish my Lord.”
Mortis turned his gaze towards Mistress Zenie, “That reminds me, Zenie has the Rena Root yields been.”
“Don’t worry yourself my lord, there’s enough to satisfy the deal with the Geodine and the Black Crescents needs.” She said while putting more sugar into her cup.
He nodded then turned to Loutrin, “You have tonight to choose the Bluecloaks here to command when you go to west Lysets.”
Loutrin simply bowed in response.
“For the rest of you, be prepared to leave in the morning. I don’t intend to wait for anyone.”
Umbren considered what would happen in the near future. He didn’t think he would have much work in the future. There wouldn’t be much of a chance for another Sanghai while Mortis was visiting another country.
Umbren thought this as Mortis assigned a task to the other Greencloaks and all but ignored Faldrid’s entire presence for the rest of the meeting.