Chapter One

An old, crumbling city bathed in pale morning sunlight. Streets filled with drab citizens twisted and distorted with the morning market rush. Everyone seemed to be in need of something, going somewhere and ignoring everyone else as they did so. It almost appeared as though there was no patience or courtesy left to go around the many inhabitents; perhaps used up long ago or corrupted to form the atmospheric acid eating away at the formerly grand main city of the Midlands.

A boy ran quickly though the cramped and dusty streets; dodging around various objects: people, buildings, carts, horses, the town watch. Of course, they were harder to avoid as they seemed to always converge on him as he went by, and then joined the chase with the rest of the guards following him. He took no apparent note of the city's decaying aura, perhaps used to it, or ignoring it for fear of depression.

Or perhaps he was simply too occupied.

It wasn't his fault that he was being chased, well at least not this time. Honestly, something goes wrong and you always blame the thief you know.

"Look, I think this is all just a big misunderstandin'," he called back over his shoulder at the uniformed officials still panting heavily and chasing him. "Why don't we just sit down, 'ave a drink, and try ta sort all this out?"

"Sure," the leader wheezed, "we can sort this out … as soon as you … stop and come back here."

The golden eyed thief snorted in contempt. "I'm no' a fool, you should know that by now." So saying, he nimbly leapt up as they came to an alley intersection and grabbed a handhold on the brick wall, scaling the building and jumping up onto the flat rooftop. Peering down, a self-assured grin crossed his face. "Heh, maybe I'll just leave you lot ta do yer jobs an' find out who actually did kill that guy."

With a flick of his head, he brought his long tail of hair around in front of him and quickly turned around. The grin faded as his gaze fell upon a rather large torso blocking his escape route.

The boy looked up and smiled nervously. "Eh, aft'noon Captain. Nice day ain't it?" He cut off in a yelp as the large man grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. "Hey! I didn't do nuffin!" He protested shrilly."I just found the damn thing!"

The man ignored the raven-haired boy's pleas and carried him over to the edge of the building. "Cats always land on their feet don't they?"

"'S what they say." The boy let out a sharp cry as he was dropped over the side. He quickly spun around in midair and landed hard on his feet, bracing himself with his hands. He grinned as he got up. "Guess it's true then." He grunted in protest as the waiting officials roughly grabbed him and lead him out of the alley. Despite all the noise, hardly any fuss was raised in the main streets. People here just didn't care.

Dull grey light filtered through a tiny barred window high up on the slimy wall opposite the barred door. Questionable smells permeated the very stone he sat upon and he tried to ignore the hideous snoring of the dirty, fat drunk curled up on the bug and rodent infested pile of straw that served as a bed in this pitiful cell. By the Powers, how do I get myself into these situations? Groaning in dismay, he lay back upon the cold stones, not caring that mud was rubbing into his already filthy hair, and threw an arm over his face in a futile effort to dull his overactive senses.

"Well, well, well." The boy closed his eyes and tried to bite back a snarl as he heard that voice. "Look who finally got caught." There were sounds of booted footsteps walking across the stone floor. The thief opened his eyes and stared up at the sardonic grin hanging just over his face.

"Lieutenant Hyder, it's certainly expected seein' you 'ere. Still on probation for that mix up with the opiate shipment?" The boy got up and returned the grin, showing his pointed incisors. "It's a shame you still aren't allowed back on proper duty; I do miss you tryin' ta kill me every few days. I've been gettin' a bit lax, as you can see, with the lack of the incentive you always gave me. I'm not up ta my usual standards."

Hyder growled and grabbed the boy by his shirt. "You'll pay for that, kitty." He grinned as the boy scowled at him. "What? Don't you like my name for you? Wait until you see what I've got in store for you and you'll wish the name was the only thing you have to worry about."

"Hyder," a voice commanded sharply from the door. Hyder growled and let go of the boy, then turned to face his superior and saluted. The Captain of the Watch looked at him coldly. "Don't you have other duties to attend to, Lieutenant?"

"Yes, sir." Hyder flicked a glare in the grinning thief's direction then left the cell to perform his other duties.

The captain walked into the cell shaking his head. "What am I to do with you Rei?"

The boy shrugged and sat back down on the ground. "You could always let me go," he suggested hopefully.

The captain managed a wry grin at the quip. "Not this time I'm afraid. Things are more serious than before. This is no longer about petty thievery, it's murder."

Rei butted in. "I swear, I didn't touch the guy, I didn't even get 'is money. I just 'ightailed it outta that alley and didn't look back until yer watchmen saw me running and put two and two together to get five!" Rei glared at the captain. "I may be a petty thief, but I'm no murderer."

"Powers, boy, I want to believe that, but you've only made things worse for yourself this time by running. Running doesn't solve a thing."

"But it keeps you alive. I didn't wantta be there in case whoever did it wanted me next." Rei shook his head. "It's only common sense, especially these days with …" Rei trailed off and looked away.

The captain looked interested at this. "With what, son?"

Rei shook his head. "I'm not a murderer and I'm not a snitch. I do have some honour."

"Rei, you could be incarcerated for life if you're not hung right after your trial."

Rei hesitated then shook his head again. "I can't."

The captain sighed. "How about this, you tell me rumours, suspicions, not naming anyone and I'll see if I can't get you off with only a few days in the cell while we try and investigate this."

Rei hesitated again. "I'll only tell you what you'da known anyway." The captain nodded and Rei sighed. "Down in the Underside, people 'ave been gettin' real edgy. Fights are springin' up and no one knows why. Apparently there's a new player in town and some of the boys ain't happy about it, but those who complain end up swimmin' in crimson. Thing is, 'e's an outsider and 'e's only using a few emissaries to 'spread the word' so ta speak. It's been gettin' worse now. Those who don't agree ta help, or wanna stay completely neutral end up dead too. It's like this guy is trying to completely take over the Underside."

"It's a revolution?"

"Worse." Rei gestured for the captain to move in closer. "This is the part that really gets me. 'E's got preachers singin' praises of some new 'Power'. I'm not much of a beliefologist, but what 'e says rings a lot like those old cultists singin' about the Dark Lord."

"He's converting people?"

"Every thief I know is singin' 'is praise and talkin' about the 'Power'. Old Rudy, 'e's one of the few I knew who still resisted the change. I'm not too sure, but from the looks of it, 'e was taken out by Falcon."

"Falcon?"

"Yeah. One of this leader's henchmen is known only as Falcon. Deadly. Fast. Emotionless. I've seen 'im, and I nearly wet meself. But from what I've 'eard, 'e's nothin' compared to Wolf."

"Wolf?"

"Another henchman. The most sadistic bastard I ever met. I swear 'e gets off on pain. Smiles every time 'e tortures someone."

"Torture?" The story was getting worse as he let the boy continue.

"Yeah. I 'aven't been back to headquarters in so long. I'm too afraid, and I'm smart enough not to deny it. I was gonna meet Rudy and tell 'im I was gettin' outta town when I walked into that alley. You know the rest." Rei sighed and looked up at the Captain. "I'm not sayin' nuffin more. Like I said, I 'ave me honour and I'm tryin' to save me arse."

"Maybe it's best that you didn't say anything else."

Rei glanced at the captain curiously. "What'dya mean?"

"You must be really worried about all this if you talked so much. You've never said a word before."

"Everyone would'a known anyway in a few days. I'm not telling you nuffin you wouldn't have found out yerselves."

The captain nodded. "Well, it's useful information. You've done a lot."

Rei shrugged. "Whatever. D'ya think you could find a way ta get me outta 'ere now?"

"Oh, no that wouldn't be appropriate."

"What?" Rei got up. "You lyin' son of a whore! You said you could get me out!"

The captain smiled ferally. "I lied. I decided to keep you here for Wolf."

Rei's golden eyes widened in horror and he made a dash for the open cell door, only to have it clang shut with a resounding echo of doom. Rei banged furiously on the metal bars. "You dirty son of a whore!" he called out as the captain left him there, laughing as he walked off.

Rei looked around the empty cell, well, almost empty cell, and frowned. What the hell can I do to get out of this? He looked up at the high barred window. Worth a shot. He scaled the wall and dug his feet into the cracks between the bricks, feeling the old mortar crumble slightly as he did so.

Rei froze and grinned. He looked at the gaps between the bars and smiled. I only have to get one of these free and I'll be able to get out. Rei looked closely at the bars, glad for once that it was daylight and he could see what he was doing.

The mortar around the window was in even worse condition than that between the bricks. Using his nail. Rei poked around and discovered that he could get the middle bar to twist around. He grinned.

"The Powers must like me," he murmured reverently and began to work furiously, his impending torture and death making him work faster than ever before.

It's a good thing I work well under pressure.

Ice-blue eyes calmly surveyed the empty cell. Everyone seemed to forget about the drunk, but he was irrelevant.

"Where is he?"

The captain bowed nervously and stuttered, "I … I don't know. It's impossible that he got out."

"Obviously not," a cold voice interrupted from the shadows. "This was a waste of our time. He's probably three towns over by now." The pale haired figure gestured hurriedly to his companion. "Let's go."

"Wait." The other figure froze at the sound of that soft deadly voice. He watched as his companion walked over to the drunk and kicked him. "What did you see?"

The man coughed and woke immediately as the figure's boot connected with his ribs and managed to crack some. He looked up, ready to yell at the person when he saw the man's face. "L-lord Wolf."

"Yes."

The man got onto his knees and bowed his head to the filthy floor. "Me apologies, me lord, I didn't know it was you."

"Enough. Where is the boy who was here?"

"Boy?" The man looked confused. "I don't remember no boy."

Wolf didn't bother saying anything, he just grabbed the man by his throat and slammed his hard against the prison wall. The man choked, his cracked ribs breaking, and he coughed up a trickle of blood. "You were saying?"

"I don't know any boy! I didn't see him! Or anything, I swear it on me life me lord!"

Wolf smirked coldly. "Is that so?"

"Yes, me lord."

Wolf shrugged and let the man go, turning away as he coughed and panted for breath. "Let's go," he muttered, passing by the others. He was about to say something else when he stopped, his eyes widening.

"Falcon," he hissed spinning back around. "Do you feel that?"

The pale haired figure narrowed his eyes then opened them wide in surprise. "Yes. What is it?"

Wolf closed his eyes and sniffed the air lightly. He got down onto the ground and crawled over to the wall that had the window. He opened his eyes and got back up. He growled and grabbed the drunk by the throat, not even realising what he was doing.

"What is it?" Falcon asked again.

"Earth," he spat and squeezed his fist, causing the drunk to spasm and flail about, his voice choked and cut off by Wolf's fist. "He was in our grasp and he escaped." With a final snap, Wolf threw the drunk away in disgust, wiping the blood and other fluids from his hand and arm on the corpse's coat. "We have to send word to the master and tell him what we've found." Wolf walked out of the room, barely suppressed fury evident in his walk. Falcon followed him closely, ignoring the stunned captain standing in the cell doorway trying not to vomit.

"The master won't be pleased," Falcon murmured softly as they walked from the watch station.

"I know," Wolf replied just as quietly, "and neither will the High Lord, but there was nothing we could do about it."

"Do you think they'll accept that?"

"No, but it would be worse if we lied to them. Our punishment will be severe enough already."

Rei ran through the night trying as hard as he could to get away from the town that had been his home for the past five years. It wasn't much of a home, but he'd been happy there and that was enough to mourn what had happened. The dark night and wild landscape seemed suited to his mood.

Powers, why does this always happen to me? Can't I be happy anywhere I go? Rei wiped a hand over his eyes as he felt a slight stinging of tears irritate them. Peering ahead, he tried to ignore his depressing thoughts. The road was dangerous at night, but Rei knew he could take care of himself well enough.

Still, he was startled when he came across another person travelling in the opposite direction. I should probably warn him about the town. But what if he's one of them? Rei's eyes narrowed. I'll have to risk it. He looks like a foreigner, he might not know the area very well.

"'Lo there," Rei hailed the other traveler and stopped by the side of the road. The other figure looked over at him curiously. Rei normally had rather good eyesight, even at night, but it was surprising that he couldn't make out much more about the traveler than his height. "You weren't by any chance on yer way ta the town a few miles yonder?" Rei pointed in the direction he'd just come from.

"I was." Rei's eyes widened at the sound of that husky voice. Well it's definitely a male under that heavy cloak and a foreigner too. The stranger seemed to be studying him. Rei could feel his gaze as a tingle over his exposed skin. He had to concentrate to hear the traveller's next words. "Is there a problem with that?"

"I ... uh ... well, I just wouldn't go there if I were you."

"I've gotten that from quite a few travelers down here," the figure noted dryly. "I'm not actually interested in that town; I need to get to a city by the ocean."

"There's a lotta those," Rei told him. "Anythin' you know about this one?"

"Mountains to the east, by the jungle and grasslands."

Rei nodded. "That narrows it down a bit. Anythin' else?'

"Close to another nation in the west that might be feuding."

Rei nodded his head in understanding. "You're lookin' fer Wrighton then," he said confidently. "You've actually gotta go back a ways an' take the right fork on the road."

"Ah, I see." He didn't sound put out, but Rei knew how far back the turn-off was and the distance would have made any traveller cringe.

"Yeah," Rei nodded absently, thinking quickly about something. He turned to the stranger and scratched at the back of his head, a sheepish smile that no one had yet resisted in being charmed by on his face. "This is gonna sound a bit strange," he started, "but, do I know you from somewhere? I feel like I do, or I should."

The figure studied him again then slowly shook his head. "No, I don't know you. I'm sorry."

Rei shrugged. "Well, things 'ave been really weird fer me lately, this just tops it." He looked over at the figure again. "Another stupid question, but do you mind if I tag along with you? I didn't really 'ave a destination in mind, but a holiday in the south sounds perfect right now."

Rei thought he made the wrong decision, asking that of a complete stranger, and the silence following his request confirmed that stranger's likemindedness on the issue. Rei squirmed uncomfortably under the traveller's scrutiny.

Finally, his companion replied, "If I am to travel with you, I should at least know your name."

Rei blinked in surprise. "Really? You'll travel with me?" He grinned. "That's great. I'm Rei," he held out his hand. "It's nice ta meet you ..."

"Kai," he supplied, holding out his own hand and drawing back his hood. Rei inhaled sharply as he did so. Kai was sculpted like ice with eyes of fire and wind-spun hair. Northerners were even more exotic and rarer to see in the Midlands than Rei's people and the few he had seen up close didn't look a thing like Kai. They were all muscle and sun-darkened with thick voices and callous hands. Kai was as pale as snow, though his face was as hardened as the mountains he called home.

"It's nice to meet you Rei." Kai took Rei's hand and twitched as he felt sharp nails scraping against his palm. He looked closely at Rei's face, peering through the darkness. He saw the slitted eyes and the sharpened elongated incisors as well as the slightly pointed ears.

"You're a neko-jin?"

Rei nodded. "Is that a problem?"

Kai shook his head. "No, I've just never met a neko-jin before."

Rei smiled. "I figured somethin' like that when I saw the markin's." Rei gestured to Kai's cheeks. "Ye're from the tribal lands I assume."

"I am." Kai's crimson eyes were steely.

Rei shrugged. "I met a northern man once. 'E taught me a few things about yer tribes." He reached up and touched Kai's cheeks, not caring how Kai drew back from the touch. "Triangles. Ye're a quester then, quite young for a quester, but you were obviously sent. The second Triangle on each cheek tells me ye're also from a rather important family, the head family actually, though I don't knowwhich tribe. I forgot abou' the colours."

Kai moved Rei's hand away coldly. "I'm surprised you could tell so much." He didn't sound all that surprised to Rei. "It's rather impressive for one not born into the tribes; but enough stories have been told tonight. We should either camp and rest or continue on."

Rei shrugged, hiding his confusion and resentment at being treated so coldly. "You chose, I don't care."

Kai nodded. "Then we push on." Rei nodded and followed Kai's lead down the road, feeling strangely content despite the odd circumstances he now found himself in.