The Masked One was close, he could feel it.
Cold sapphire eyes stared out from the black mask that covered the face, though the form hinted at some type of mustelid, the Masked One neither verified nor denied any claims of his species. He preferred himself wrapped in a black cloak of mystique and rumors, it added to the fear others possessed for him. For the Masked One was the greatest of agents serving under Lord Snowshadow and it was his job to observe Jald Nightson and Eroket Nightblade until the job's completion.
The Masked One could do no less for the one he called master. Pulling his cloak around his head, hiding any hints of his masked features, her narrowed his eyes, voice soft and unrevealing of any of the power or respect he commanded as one word emerged: "Meridian..."
Meridian, the city to the north, jewel of the northlands, where the famed Aleran Nightblade and Jald Nightson had been born. The armies of Meridian were legendary...even moreso if they graduated from the dreaded Academy.
Rumors surrounded the great structure where the best warriors were raised and trained. Only about half that number ever graduated, the others met their ends in various 'accidents.'
The Masked One allowed himself a shrug as he surveyed the plains, drawing his dark cloak tight around his body. Lord Snowshadow desired the death of Vandashira for reasons best known to himself, it wasn't his servants' place to guess, now was it?
It intrigued him that Davrag Joris and Boneflower Windlass had been sighted with the respective mercenaries, partners perhaps? That surprised the Masked One. He had gone to great lengths to convince Lord Snowshadow that Jald and Eroket were the ideal mercenaries for this hunt. Lord Snowshadow greatly trusted his valued aide's intelligence and judgment and had decided upon Jald and Eroket in the end. The wolf lord wouldn't be amused if it turned out it looked as though he was overestimating what the Masked One had assured him were the finest mercenaries in the land.
The Masked One knew precisely where Vandashira was located, could kill her with great ease, but he had been explicitly forbidden from aiding the hunters in any way, ordered only to hinder them if he had to interfere at all.
Well, he was fine with that. The Masked One's loyalty to his master was unparalleled and he had been sent on this mission for his great Lord.
He was almost sorry he couldn't help either of the hunters of the way, it'd make things much less wrenching to watch. Perhaps he would lend his aid here and again...leave some clues. Surely testing the hunters' abilities couldn't hurt, surely Lord Snowshadow would understand.
And if Eroket had to die, well, the Masked One was sure he would understand as well.
***
A sleek ebon furred paw placed a parchment down as a slim, curvaceous form leaned back in a seat, cold, dark eyes narrowing against the dim light of the lantern to study the parchment in front of their owner's figure.
Tail twitching disdainfully, Vandashira the Living Darkness tore the parchment into several pieces and flung them to the floor, her dark eyes radiating contempt as she bared her fangs, argent light against the blackness of her fur, dark robes drifting around her form as if she wore the very darkness she lived in, as if she could truly wield the shadows.
"Terrlin." The two syllables flowed from mouth silkily, the single, soft command bringing to her one of her most valued agents.
"Milady?" The shuffle of footpaws against stone alerted Vanda to the ferret's presence, Vanda didn't even turn to look at him, simply placing a paw on the hilt on one of her blades out of pure habit, her silken voice replying to her underling's query.
"Terrlin, I have been informed that my dear friend, Lord Snowshadow has enlisted the services of Eroket Nightblade and Jald Nightson to bring him my head...attached to my body or not makes little difference.
"Milady?" Terrlin's voice carried undeniable curiosity. "How were you-"
"Informed of this, Terrlin? He told me of course...sent me a message through one of my agents 'warning' me." Her shoulders tensed as she pulled the shadowy, ebon robes tight around herself. "Our little Calpathions are biting off more then they can chew, I do believe..." A hollow, emotionless laugh echoed from her throat as a cold smirk found its way upon her seemingly delicate face, "Terrlin, I have heard they travel to Meridian now...I wish you to follow them yourself...our agents stationed in Meridian already can provide enough aid for you...Master Argith of the Academy especially...I don't want them to die just yet though."
She could imagine Terrlin's fierce grin. The ferret was one of her most valued agents, one of the few she kept by her side at her hidden domain and he was one of the few she severely relied upon in times such as these.
"Take your time...enjoy playing with them. And don't even worry about them finding their way here. My domain is hidden from the eyes and minds of all but one of our contacts." Vandashira turned, facing her subordinate, dark eyes seeming to gleam in the lantern's light as she reached out a paw and stroked Terrlin's face, allowing him a glimpse of her undeniably beautiful features, "If Snowshadow wishes to prolong our conflict and garner benefits for himself then it is only just I respond in kind...and if you find any notice of Geras Iridanis's little Crimson Tears linked to this, please let me know...I should have dealt with that worm two years ago when he took over..."
Terrlin knew better then to interrupt the Living Darkness, he had seen too many of his comrades end their lives that way; he simply nodded at the appropriate points, concealing his fierce glee as being selected for such an important mission. "I shall not fail you, milady...I shall leave for Meridian immediately."
"You do that." Vandashira nodded to himself, sauntering her tail, flicking her tail lightly at him as she folded her paws under her chin, cold smirk in place.
"The Manticore's arrogance shall be repaid in full...and I'll plan something special for the young hero." Her grin widened, pearly fangs glinting, hardly noticing Terrlin exit the room.
Eroket and Jald were just pawns in a larger game, one played by her and her opponent. But Vandashira had forgotten one important thing about pawns in the grand game:
Pawns can become queens...
***
"Meridian...it is more splendid then I could have imagined...is it like you remember, Jald?"
Davrag was staring at the white walls of the great city Meridian, gleaming amber eyes holding a rapturous expression. It had been Davrag's decision to travel to Meridian in search of clues, both completely unaware their hunting rivals had decided upon the same idea.
"What is the plan then, Jald Nightson? You know your way around this great city...perhaps we should visit the Academy?"
Jald kept his face expressionless. "Never mention that place to me again, Davrag...we'll go there if need be...but not until then."
"Now, now...perhaps the great Manticore is getting sentimental?" The amber eyes nearly twinkled as Davrag grinned, Jald was enraged at his cocky attitude, especially from a beat who he had proven himself superior to in battle.
"Enough of your games," Jald snarled angrily, "You have suggested I return to Meridian, a place I am not comfortable, and so I have come. We are here, so what does the great Davrag Joris suggest? Because if it were up to me, I would not even be here...but now that I am and have to be here, I am going to reacquaint myself with the going-on in that accursed place...including that damned Academy..." The green eyes narrowed. "Perhaps Ulrich is still the master there...or perhaps another has replaced.
"Perhaps he has died of natural causes?" Davrag suggested, Jald laughed harshly, right in Davrag's face.
"Right...because a dagger in the heart kills one naturally...no, Davrag Joris, death does not come easy to Academy masters...they step down or they are slain, Ulrich was no different I wager."
At that moment, Davrag decided he hated Jald Nightson nearly as much as he despised Aleran and Eroket Nightblade...they embodied things he despised, things like honor and discipline...they stood in his way of being the very best.
It was at that moment, Davrag decided beyond all doubt he would kill both of them...and whoever else got in his way...but not until this was over, only then would he have the sweet pleasure of thrusting his blade into Jald Nightson's back.
Jald kept an emerald eye fixed on Davrag. "We'll talk at length once lodgings are taken care of, Davrag...I'm not letting you out of my sight." Especially not so you can get behind me, the ferret added silently.
Davrag returned the intense gaze with one of his own, hissing three words, "Eroket is mine..."
"Take him...I care nothing for the boy..." A blatant lie, there...but one had to lie often to survive in the rough streets. It was true when Jald was a child, it was true when he was an adult.
They had been given this job together, to enrich both themselves and Geras Iridanis...they would succeed together or they would fall together.
At least, Davrag thought, if I fail this, you will not long outlive me...
Though it was not as comforting to believe Jald Nightson was thinking the exact same thing.
Cold sapphire eyes stared out from the black mask that covered the face, though the form hinted at some type of mustelid, the Masked One neither verified nor denied any claims of his species. He preferred himself wrapped in a black cloak of mystique and rumors, it added to the fear others possessed for him. For the Masked One was the greatest of agents serving under Lord Snowshadow and it was his job to observe Jald Nightson and Eroket Nightblade until the job's completion.
The Masked One could do no less for the one he called master. Pulling his cloak around his head, hiding any hints of his masked features, her narrowed his eyes, voice soft and unrevealing of any of the power or respect he commanded as one word emerged: "Meridian..."
Meridian, the city to the north, jewel of the northlands, where the famed Aleran Nightblade and Jald Nightson had been born. The armies of Meridian were legendary...even moreso if they graduated from the dreaded Academy.
Rumors surrounded the great structure where the best warriors were raised and trained. Only about half that number ever graduated, the others met their ends in various 'accidents.'
The Masked One allowed himself a shrug as he surveyed the plains, drawing his dark cloak tight around his body. Lord Snowshadow desired the death of Vandashira for reasons best known to himself, it wasn't his servants' place to guess, now was it?
It intrigued him that Davrag Joris and Boneflower Windlass had been sighted with the respective mercenaries, partners perhaps? That surprised the Masked One. He had gone to great lengths to convince Lord Snowshadow that Jald and Eroket were the ideal mercenaries for this hunt. Lord Snowshadow greatly trusted his valued aide's intelligence and judgment and had decided upon Jald and Eroket in the end. The wolf lord wouldn't be amused if it turned out it looked as though he was overestimating what the Masked One had assured him were the finest mercenaries in the land.
The Masked One knew precisely where Vandashira was located, could kill her with great ease, but he had been explicitly forbidden from aiding the hunters in any way, ordered only to hinder them if he had to interfere at all.
Well, he was fine with that. The Masked One's loyalty to his master was unparalleled and he had been sent on this mission for his great Lord.
He was almost sorry he couldn't help either of the hunters of the way, it'd make things much less wrenching to watch. Perhaps he would lend his aid here and again...leave some clues. Surely testing the hunters' abilities couldn't hurt, surely Lord Snowshadow would understand.
And if Eroket had to die, well, the Masked One was sure he would understand as well.
***
A sleek ebon furred paw placed a parchment down as a slim, curvaceous form leaned back in a seat, cold, dark eyes narrowing against the dim light of the lantern to study the parchment in front of their owner's figure.
Tail twitching disdainfully, Vandashira the Living Darkness tore the parchment into several pieces and flung them to the floor, her dark eyes radiating contempt as she bared her fangs, argent light against the blackness of her fur, dark robes drifting around her form as if she wore the very darkness she lived in, as if she could truly wield the shadows.
"Terrlin." The two syllables flowed from mouth silkily, the single, soft command bringing to her one of her most valued agents.
"Milady?" The shuffle of footpaws against stone alerted Vanda to the ferret's presence, Vanda didn't even turn to look at him, simply placing a paw on the hilt on one of her blades out of pure habit, her silken voice replying to her underling's query.
"Terrlin, I have been informed that my dear friend, Lord Snowshadow has enlisted the services of Eroket Nightblade and Jald Nightson to bring him my head...attached to my body or not makes little difference.
"Milady?" Terrlin's voice carried undeniable curiosity. "How were you-"
"Informed of this, Terrlin? He told me of course...sent me a message through one of my agents 'warning' me." Her shoulders tensed as she pulled the shadowy, ebon robes tight around herself. "Our little Calpathions are biting off more then they can chew, I do believe..." A hollow, emotionless laugh echoed from her throat as a cold smirk found its way upon her seemingly delicate face, "Terrlin, I have heard they travel to Meridian now...I wish you to follow them yourself...our agents stationed in Meridian already can provide enough aid for you...Master Argith of the Academy especially...I don't want them to die just yet though."
She could imagine Terrlin's fierce grin. The ferret was one of her most valued agents, one of the few she kept by her side at her hidden domain and he was one of the few she severely relied upon in times such as these.
"Take your time...enjoy playing with them. And don't even worry about them finding their way here. My domain is hidden from the eyes and minds of all but one of our contacts." Vandashira turned, facing her subordinate, dark eyes seeming to gleam in the lantern's light as she reached out a paw and stroked Terrlin's face, allowing him a glimpse of her undeniably beautiful features, "If Snowshadow wishes to prolong our conflict and garner benefits for himself then it is only just I respond in kind...and if you find any notice of Geras Iridanis's little Crimson Tears linked to this, please let me know...I should have dealt with that worm two years ago when he took over..."
Terrlin knew better then to interrupt the Living Darkness, he had seen too many of his comrades end their lives that way; he simply nodded at the appropriate points, concealing his fierce glee as being selected for such an important mission. "I shall not fail you, milady...I shall leave for Meridian immediately."
"You do that." Vandashira nodded to himself, sauntering her tail, flicking her tail lightly at him as she folded her paws under her chin, cold smirk in place.
"The Manticore's arrogance shall be repaid in full...and I'll plan something special for the young hero." Her grin widened, pearly fangs glinting, hardly noticing Terrlin exit the room.
Eroket and Jald were just pawns in a larger game, one played by her and her opponent. But Vandashira had forgotten one important thing about pawns in the grand game:
Pawns can become queens...
***
"Meridian...it is more splendid then I could have imagined...is it like you remember, Jald?"
Davrag was staring at the white walls of the great city Meridian, gleaming amber eyes holding a rapturous expression. It had been Davrag's decision to travel to Meridian in search of clues, both completely unaware their hunting rivals had decided upon the same idea.
"What is the plan then, Jald Nightson? You know your way around this great city...perhaps we should visit the Academy?"
Jald kept his face expressionless. "Never mention that place to me again, Davrag...we'll go there if need be...but not until then."
"Now, now...perhaps the great Manticore is getting sentimental?" The amber eyes nearly twinkled as Davrag grinned, Jald was enraged at his cocky attitude, especially from a beat who he had proven himself superior to in battle.
"Enough of your games," Jald snarled angrily, "You have suggested I return to Meridian, a place I am not comfortable, and so I have come. We are here, so what does the great Davrag Joris suggest? Because if it were up to me, I would not even be here...but now that I am and have to be here, I am going to reacquaint myself with the going-on in that accursed place...including that damned Academy..." The green eyes narrowed. "Perhaps Ulrich is still the master there...or perhaps another has replaced.
"Perhaps he has died of natural causes?" Davrag suggested, Jald laughed harshly, right in Davrag's face.
"Right...because a dagger in the heart kills one naturally...no, Davrag Joris, death does not come easy to Academy masters...they step down or they are slain, Ulrich was no different I wager."
At that moment, Davrag decided he hated Jald Nightson nearly as much as he despised Aleran and Eroket Nightblade...they embodied things he despised, things like honor and discipline...they stood in his way of being the very best.
It was at that moment, Davrag decided beyond all doubt he would kill both of them...and whoever else got in his way...but not until this was over, only then would he have the sweet pleasure of thrusting his blade into Jald Nightson's back.
Jald kept an emerald eye fixed on Davrag. "We'll talk at length once lodgings are taken care of, Davrag...I'm not letting you out of my sight." Especially not so you can get behind me, the ferret added silently.
Davrag returned the intense gaze with one of his own, hissing three words, "Eroket is mine..."
"Take him...I care nothing for the boy..." A blatant lie, there...but one had to lie often to survive in the rough streets. It was true when Jald was a child, it was true when he was an adult.
They had been given this job together, to enrich both themselves and Geras Iridanis...they would succeed together or they would fall together.
At least, Davrag thought, if I fail this, you will not long outlive me...
Though it was not as comforting to believe Jald Nightson was thinking the exact same thing.