Chapter 31; In the dark of night, knives so sharp
Characters of the chapter
Evyrys Blacfyre Lord of House Blackfyre, formerly known as Evyrys Watchman
Julius Argentus, Magister of the Tevinter Imperium, commander of the 1st expeditionary legion of Tevinter
Naelyria Blackfyre Daughter to Evyrys and Laerya Blackfyre
Selia, slave to Tiraen Tasvius
Severian Judge of the Tevinter Imperium
Tiraen Tasvius, Magister of the Tevinter Imperium, ambassador to Meereen, commander of the 5th expeditionary legion of Tevinter, formerly apprentice to Magister Cato Argos
Cursive/Bold text is in Valyrian
"And… there." Tiraen said, scribing her name onto a piece of paper.
"By the signing of this document, as witnessed by Judge Severian, Naelyria Blackfyre and Julius Argentus, from this day forward you are a free woman." She said, placing a hand on the elf's shoulder.
"And the terms of your contract in my service will be in effect as soon as your mark is on the second set of documents." She continued, motioning to a second stack of papers on her table. The terms on those papers had already been read aloud to Selia, seeing as she was illiterate and thus could not possibly understand the text.
Selia nodded and proceeded to the table. She took the quill Tiraen handed to her and drew an X on to three copies of the contract. Once finished she drew a shuddering breath, barely able to believe this day could have come to pass.
Tiraen smiled and gave her a copy of both of the contracts. "Keep these safe. They are the first of your possessions, and without a doubt the most valuable ones you shall ever have. I will have my own copy, and a spare, so a replacement can be made for you should something happen to the originals. But preferably such won't be necessary." She told her.
"I will keep them safe. As safe as I can possibly make them, absolutely. Safe for as long as I live." Selia reassured.
"Allow me to be the first to offer you congratulations. This must be a great day for you. I can only imagine." Tiraen said, continuing to smile.
"Speaking of which, I trust this really was the last step necessary, Your Honor?" She asked of Severian.
"Indeed. As are the legal aspects of your planned marriage. All the required documents have been signed, all permits obtained and all payments made." He said.
Tiraen fully remembered those payments. In addition to formal payments to engage the services of Tevinter's officials there had been bribes to keep things moving. Such was the norm in her country, the only way to bypass the nightmarish labyrinth that was their bureaucracy and get anything done. These days it was not how she wanted things to be, considering it cumbersome and inefficient, not to mention an inconvenience for her and others like her. More than that it was a symptom of the corruption and the self -interest that had plagued the Imperium for far too long already, something that would have no place in their plan for a perfected nation. But there was little she could do to change it. For the time being at least. There were more pressing concerns that stole all her attention. These were issues that were to be rectified once the Imperium had achieved its territorial ambitions had had overcome its adversaries. And it would hardly be her place to change these things, given her reluctance to engage in the political arena of her homeland. That fight belonged to others. She merely wished them success when that day arrived.
"Now I think I will be taking my leave. It's late and there are many other appointments I must see to in the days to come before I can start my journey back to the Imperium." He added.
"Other appointments?" Tiraen asked.
"There are no imperial judges permanently assigned to Essos. So naturally a visit from one of us always generates dozens, if not hundreds of requests from our citizens needing prompt assistance on various legal issues." He explained.
"I see. Perhaps a permanent posting would be a good idea, then, so our people have reliable access to such things?" She contemplated.
"Perhaps so." He conceded. "And I am certain such a thing is being planned in the long term. For now though Essos has been considered too far away, our foothold here too fragile. But perhaps now things are changing."
"We certainly plan to make them change for the better for us." She said.
"Perhaps this shall be seen to once our first colonies here are up and running." Julius said.
"We can hope." Tiraen said.
Just as the judge exited the room another person entered.
"Father? Why are you here?" Naelyria asked, confused.
"Your Grace? It's rather late. Has something come up?" Tiraen echoed in puzzlement.
"Yes. An urgent matter. One that we must discuss in private at once." He said.
"…Very well. Do tell us." She said.
"In private." Evyryrs repeated.
Tiraen frowned. "It's alright. Selia can be trusted, as can your daughter. And from Julius I don't keep secrets. You might as well say your piece now."
"Please understand, My Lady. This matter is for your ears only." Evyrys said.
Her frown deepened. "Alright then. Julius, Selia, would you please wait for me outside? I'll rejoin you soon." She nevertheless told the others.
"Father, if this something related to our family, maybe I should stay at least?" Naelyria said as the other two left.
"No. Go." He told her.
"But father…?" She tried to argue.
"Go." He repeated firmly.
Naelyria raised an eyebrow, but proceeded out of the room.
"Now then, what is this important matter you could not entrust to anyone but me?" Tiraen asked once the two of them were alone. "Not even your own daughter…?" She thought to herself.
Evyrys stepped closer, the tiniest smile tugging the corner of his mouth.
"No. That did not at all seem like him. Something was just not right here." She continued to think. Overcome that bad premonition, she instinctively reached out with her magic, trying to find the cause. And what she sensed made her eyes widen in shock.
Her discovery provided just enough time to stop Evyrys's knife mere inches away from her body, holding his hand in place with her magic. Evyrys snarled, and with incredible speed switched the knife to his free hand, trying to strike her again. She managed to use her force magic to catch that one as well, but only barely.
"What… Do… You…Think...You're…Doing!?" She demanded, her voice straining as her adversary struggled to break free of her spell. But she got no reply from him. Deciding enough was enough she poured additional magic into her spell, making him howl as both his wrists shattered. She followed this with a blast of lighting which flung him against the far wall tearing through his chest and incinerating his heart. She was left standing there, bewildered by what had just happened.
The door slammed open Julius and Naelyria rushing back into the room, alerted by the sound of fighting, while Selia was left hovering wide eyed at the door. Instinctively Tiraen inspected each of them with her magic, but detected nothing out of the ordinary.
"Tiraen? What…what happened!?" Julius asked of her.
Naelyria's Eyes meanwhile had moved to the body slumped against the wall, her face going pale.
"Father!" She screamed, rushing to the body. She pressed her face against his shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. Then suddenly she snatched up the knife on the ground, pointing it at Tiraen.
"You! What have you done!? Why did you do that!?" She demanded, red eyed and borderline hysterical.
"He... he attacked me. Tried to kill me. I-I had to defend myself." Tiraen stammered, still trying to gather her thoughts.
"No, that can't be true! Liar! LIAR! My father wouldn't do that!" Naellyria screamed back.
"Naelyria, please, please please… listen! I don't think this really your father." Tiraen said, holding up her hands, taking a step back.
"What? What kind of convoluted ruse…" Naelyria said, glancing at the body, then back at Tiraen. "Do you honestly for a second think that I wouldn't recognize my own father's…"
"There was a magic of some kind on his face. I sensed it just before he tried to attack me." Tiraen cut in.
"Magic? What do you meant?" Julius asked.
"It's not any kind I've ever encountered before. I have a hunch what this might be, but I'll need to take a closer look." She said.
"So please, Naelyria, withdraw you blade for just a moment. I do not think I committed the crime you think me guilty of. And if am correct I will be able to prove it to you. Just give me that chance." She told her friend.
Reluctantly Naelyria nodded and lowered the knife. Tiraen walked to the dead man and knelt before it. She raised her hand, whispering a silent prayer to the Elder One that her hunch was right, that she truly had not killed Naelyria's father.
Her hand touched his face, which fell off like a piece of cloth. In that instant his body… shifted, taking on the appearance of a completely different kind of person.
"I knew it." She snarled.
Naelyria gasped in disbelief and withdrew away from the corpse. "What…how the…what is this?"
"Faceless Men. I should have known they would seek to interfere with us, now that our eye is turning towards Braavos." Tiraen said, standing up, letting the face fall on the floor.
"So if that's not… and the faceless use…"Naelyria thought aloud. "Father and mother. I need to go find them. Now!" She decided and darted for the door.
"Wait, wait!" Tiraen said, grabbing Naelyria's arm. "You can't go storming off like that. Not now."
"I have to go! I have to. I have to know that mother and father are safe!" Naelyria argued.
"I get that. But listen, and understand. There could be more Faceless Men. You'd have hard enough time with your average assassins and these are anything but. They could be wearing any face, be anyone. There is no way for you to spot them. Only a mage can. You need us to come with us. And we need greater numbers on our side before we proceed. We will search this place first and gather members of my Household guard to accompany us. Then we will go in search of your parents." Tiraen told her firmly.
"B-but…" Naelyria tried to say.
"This is the only way. You need to think of your actions, or you won't be able to help your parents, or anyone else." Tiraen said.
Naelyria drew a shuddering breath, nodding. "Okay. But we need to hurry. My parents may need us."
"We'll move as fast we can, I promise." Tiraen assured.
"Do you truly think there are more?" Julius asked.
"I stands to reason that there are. I know my worth. I'm important enough to be targeted, but hardly vital enough to be the only one they would go after. Not on their opening blow. A simultaneous attack against multiple key individuals makes more sense." Tiraen said.
"Besides, the face worn by this killer had to have come from somewhere." She thought. But she kept that part to herself for Naelyria's sake. None of them could claim to be an expert on the methods the Faceless Men employed, so there could well be another explanation. There was no need to jump to the worst possible conclusion just yet.
"If there are assassins about it could mean Cato is in danger. Or the King." Julius said.
"They could well be. As well as who knows how many others. We'll go look for them as soon as we can." She concurred.
"Selia, it's best if you stay with us during this. Safer that way." She continued. Not only did she wish to keep a friend who had just gained her freedom out of harm's way. She recognized the Faceless Men might try to use her appearance to get close to her for a second attempt. She needed to keep Selia and anyone else close to her within her sight until this was over.
"A-alright. But what of the other staff?" The elf asked. Clearly she was already taking her new job as the steward of this household seriously.
Tiraen paused to consider. "I do not think they are too likely to be targeted. But once we have checked there are no assassins among them I'll have them all gather to the main hall. By staying in one place where they can see each other it will be much harder for anyone to do them harm or infiltrate their ranks. Any soldiers that are not needed to with us immediately can stay with them to keep them safe." She said then.
"Good, good. Thank you, Mistress. They too should be kept safe." Selia said, clearly relieved.
"Let's get a move on! We've talked away enough time!" Naelyria said impatiently.
Together they searched the mansion, Tiraen and Julius checking each they came across. Fortunately they came across no more assassins here. To those they found they brought warning of the attack. Most of the guards joined them, and before long they had a following of around two dozen. Everyone else was sent to the main hall as agreed and told to stick together no matter what. Throughout the ordeal Naelyria grew increasingly frustrated, eager to set off and go find her parents. Tiraen was nevertheless pleased to note her friend understood the situation well enough not to break from the plan, that she was rational enough even under pressure to see that strength enough to make a difference was needed.
Eventually Tiraen decided they were ready and led them outside, heading to where Naelyria's family was staying. The nighttime streets were mostly empty, the few up and about quickly retreating away from their heavily armed group. Even so Tiraen made sure to inspect each they came across with her magic, as well as keep her eyes on the windows and alleyways, looking for movement.
As they rushed onwards she heard the bells of the city beginning to ring, warning the people of what had happened. There was her proof that this situation was more than a single incident. City watchmen were reacting to the alarms now, swarming the streets, seeking to lock the city down. As the guards still did not know exactly know what was going on, their group was stopped a few times. But each time they were able to explain the situation and continue on their way. Even those who might have been reluctant to believe their story were unwilling to pick a fight with a pair of mages and their entourage of soldiers if they could help it. Some also joined their group, strengthening their numbers further and helping to convince other groups of guards of their good intentions. She was pleased of the reinforcements. The more they had the better protected they all were.
Continuing onwards she briefly wondered what might have come of Severian. There had been no sign of him during their search. Had he gotten away before all this had started? Or had he fallen to other Faceless Men? Then she shook her head to clear her thoughts. This was a crisis, and she could not let her mind wander. She needed to be focused in the immediate, on what happened in the next few minutes. Anything else was something she simply did not have time for right now.
When they arrived at the mansion the Blackfyres were staying at, there were no immediate signs that anything was wrong, though it was awfully quiet. Naelyria rushed straight to the door.
"It's me, Naelyria! Open up! Right now! I demand that you open this door!" She shouted, pounding at the door with her fist. Clicks and creaks began coming from behind the door as the locks were unmade. Tiraen moved to Naelyria's side, pulling her away from the door.
"Stay behind us when we enter. For your own sake." She told her friend. Naelyria frowned, but nodded.
"Be on your guard. Remember, any of the people inside could be Faceless men in hiding. But we mages can spot them. So don't trust anyone unless we have told you it is safe." She told the others.
The door opened and she and Julius immediately inspected the guards that had opened it.
"Clear. Follow us." Tiraen said after a few seconds and they all went inside.
"Move back! Do not come near us!" She shouted to others that were inside, moving her eyes from person to person, testing each with her senses. Every one of the residents were retreating away from the mages and the drawn blades of the guards. But no sign of Naelyria's parents as of yet.
They made it to the courtyard where another servant came to speak with Naelyria:
"My Lady, pardon me but what is…?" He began to ask.
"Stop! Stay put and don't move!" Tiraen barked an order, placing herself between the servant and Naelyria, ready to draw on her powers at the slightest sign of danger.
"What, why?" The man asked.
"Do as you're told damn you!" Naelyria snapped. The servant gulped and complied. Tiraen once more focused on her senses, looking for a hint of magic around his face.
"Well?" Naelyria asked impatiently after a few moments.
"He's clean. It's safe." Tiraen replied.
"Clean? Safe? My Lady, truly, what is happening?" The servant asked. "We just heard the bells ringing throughout the city, and the next thing we know you show up here with a band of armed guards in tow…"
"Enough of that! Where are my father and mother!? Are they safe!? Answer!?" Naelyria demanded.
"Y-yes, as far as we know at least. The last we saw of them they had retreated to their bedroom for the night…" The servant stammered.
"Oh, bloody useless..." Naelyria snarled and stormed off.
"Naelyria, wait!" Tiraen shouted after her, to no avail.
"Julius, get things in order here! Check everyone, no one leaves this building!" She ordered, then ran after her friend.
"Mother, Father! Can you hear me!? Are you alright!?" Naelyria shouted as she rand onwards, having switched to her native Valyrian.
She arrived at the door leading to her parent's bedroom, finding it locked. Without pausing she drove herself against the door, managing to break it open on the third attempt. There, in the doorway, she froze, staring into the room in shock. Then she screamed a long scream of utter horror and grief, collapsing to her knees. At that moment Tiraen caught up to her, seeing what awaited in the room.
Both of Naelyria's parents were in the room. They lay on the floor next their bed. Their throats had been opened, blood pooling all over the floor. A quick glance did not indicate any kind of struggle. More disturbingly their faces looked to have been peeled away with the precision of a surgeon. But even with their faces missing there was no mistaking them.
"Naelyria… I'm so sorry… I…" Tiraen tried to console her friend, but Naleyria shook her off, continuing to wail. Tiraen for her part could not help but wonder if this had happened because she had taken too long in gathering her forces. Was this in part her fault? But no. The assassin had shown in his home wearing Evyrys's face. It had been too late before she had even started. Too late to prevent this enormous grief that had befallen her friend.
She closed her eyes, holding back her own tears, trying to think of some way to give her friend even the smallest measure of comfort.
It proved to be a very long, very exhausting night, extending well into the next day. Tiraen's and Julius's time was divided between doing what they could for Naelyria and ensuring they were safe from any further attempts on their life. They found no further assassins, Julius even questioning if their method for detecting them was even working. But she was certain that it had worked as it had the first time and was convinced that, for the moment, they were safe.
As the hours passed small bits of information began trickling in, brought by messengers directed from her home to here. There had indeed been a number of other attacks. The King had been targeted, an assassin disguised as one of his elven women. Fortunately one of his guards had discovered the elf's body early and Cato had been in a late night meeting with the King. The assassin had been discovered and slain, as had another that had likely been tracking down Cato himself. Sadly those two plus the one she had killed were the only confirmed kills inflicted on their enemy. In all other instances the Faceless Men looked to have achieved their objectives. Wealthy merchants, officers of the first legion and of other military assets, even a few members of the Red Council that had been in Meereen… all gone, the culprits escaping their just fate. Reports conveyed through communication crystal revealed similar attacks in other cities and outposts surrounding them. An exact account of the damage done and the measures planned in response was underway, though it would take considerably more time to compile it. The orb remained secure in Bellidarius, thank goodness.
Sadly, just as she had feared, the judge Severian numbered among the fallen, the service provided to her the last duty he would ever perform. Tiraen felt rather bad about that. He had come here at her request and that had cost him everything. And in all likelihood he had been a simple target of opportunity, slain to do damage to the Imperium in any way possible. Had she not inadvertently put him in harm's way he would likely still be alive.
This was supposed to have been a happy day. A celebration of Selia's newfound freedom and progress in her plant to marry Julius. Instead today was marked by the fatigue of a sleepless night and melancholy over all that had been lost. Gone also was the sense safety and security for all of them. She found herself using her magic to inspect every person that came into contact with her, no matter how familiar, constantly concerned that more of these murderers might have found ways to infiltrate their ranks. Julius and she were yet to speak of this, but she could see that he carried the same concern. It disgusted her that this fear had burrowed into their lives like this. It was among the results assassins of every stripe were after, was it not? They spread terror and paranoia around them, amplifying a hundredfold the results of their actions. She vowed to spite them by finding some way to reclaim a sense of safety for herself and the people close to her. She would begin by enhancing her personal security measures to ensure this could not happen again. And Julius would restore her confidence and peace of mind, as she would for him.
In the light of this attack Cato permitted a three day postponement to their planned departure to the Braavosi war front, so they could get things organized and recover mentally from the harrowing experience. Her legion was had already gone to Bellidarius to protect the artefact. She herself had been expecting to leave the day after her meeting with the judge, so all preparations for her departure had already been made. She was free to divide those three days between looking after Naelyria and spending time with Julius.
Throughout all this Naelyria had remained completely inconsolable, unable to be reached through the shroud of grief she was wrapped in. She had just kept crying and crying and crying until finally exhaustion had allowed sleep to claim her. The pattern repeated the same on each day. Tiraen hoped there would be more she could do for her friend. She hated feeling so powerless in the face of this. She knew full well the pain Naelyria was going through. She had lost both her parents to enemies. Her father had died during an expedition into the Hissing Wastes, reportedly cut down by the Inquisitor himself. Her mother had fallen during the Venatori civil war. Time had mended those wounds, letting her live again, but neither was a case she had forgotten, or forgiven. Naelyria was going to carry that same fury with her now, even after the pain of her loss would begin to recede. The best that could be hoped for was that she could focus that anger productively, achieving something meaningful in the larger scheme of things while sating her need for vengeance. At least providing her with a target was not going to cause any trouble. The killer that had done the deed was dead already, but the ones that had sent him still remained. The Faceless Men and the city of Braavos that sheltered them were going to pay in blood, of that there was no doubt after the events of today.
Then the day of departure arrived and she found herself observing the loading of supplies to the Huntress and discussing last minute preparations with some of Julius's naval captains. It was then that she Noticed Naleyria there also, arriving with a bunch of guards and what looked to be servants carrying her belongings. From her attire she looked ready to travel. As she got close Tiraen could see her eyes were red, showing that she had still been crying. But there was a steely determination unlike any she had seen from her as well.
"Lady Tasvius." Naelyria said in her most formal tone. "As the sole heir of my father, I have inherited his position. I am now the rightful Queen claimant to the Iron Throne and the head of my House. As my first act I am placing all the forces I control at the command of the first expeditionary legion for their campaign against Braavos. Please inform Magister Argentus of my decision."
"I shall, Your Grace. No doubt he'll be pleased to have additional forces available for the campaign." Tiraen said. Technically those forces were to be held in reserve until they were needed against the Westerosi, but she was not about to deny her friend this. Especially when she was using this tone of voice. It was the sound of a Queen who had made up her mind and would not be taking no for an answer.
"Good. I will be accompanying you on your ship, should you permit it, to personally see to it that the murder of my family is avenged in full." Naelyria continued.
"Of course. Though if so I must point out she is a warship. I will do what I can to accommodate you, but she will still be lacking many of the comforts a highborn might expect." Tiraen said to that.
"A warship will be most fitting. A war is where we are headed. I would have us have a ship suited for that purpose. I will gladly give up some comforts in exchange for that." Naelyria said.
Tiraen was not easily startled, but as she watched the Blackfyre Queen Claimant board the Huntress without another word, she had to admit there was something intimidating in her new demeanor. Woe to Braavos and the Faceless Men, for it was starting to look they had awoken a fury hopelessly beyond their ability to contain.