Chapter Eighteen, The Shadow's Shadow
"Your Grandfather and I worked together after that. Being somewhat proficient myself at the art of woodworking, my craft complimented his for a variety of weapon styles, and allowed him to expand his brisk business into the realm of bows, arrows, and other ranged weapons, including darts and melee weapons of a more subtle sort." Ooro confided.
'A more subtle sort?" I asked.
"Yes, you know, the hidden-cane longsword, the bladed lute, the retractable spear, and a wide variety of other exotic weapons we will cover in your training. One can turn almost anything into a thrown weapon, as well as hide a blade or other useful object in the most mundane looking object. It's an excellent skill to have in a country where open weapons are illicit, and one that no Assassin should be without…" Ooro said, while an evil looking grin began to spread across his wild, war-painted features.
"So he was already a member of the Golden Serpent?" I asked, unable to contain my interest any longer.
"Yes, he had already undergone the necessary training, and was chosen by them for his hidden trade, as it was discovered by a former member of the guild that he had the natural ability to Shadow Walk." Ooro explained.
"A former member?" I asked. "But doesn't the Golden Serpent guild make you a member for life? I mean, isn't the only way out, death?" I asked, having earlier read up on my heritage through my Grandfather's tomes.
"Exactly." Ooro stated with finality. "Your Grandfather became "a Shadow's Shadow", for he killed the Assassin sent to kill him, who was a member of the Golden Serpent. It was shortly thereafter that he was indoctrinated into the Guild. I was there when it happened." Ooro said, trying to explain, but only confusing me more.
Seeing the confused look on my face, Ooro explained further, "You see, Umbra, your Grandfather created weapons for a living. Often times, those weapons were created unknowingly for Assassins, including Guilds who were opposed to the Golden Serpent. After they found out who had made a particularly nasty dagger called "The Glass Tooth", they sent an Assassin to kill the maker. For the dagger, which is made of glass, and injects poison after breaking off into the victim, had killed someone important to the Golden Serpent, and they couldn't afford to have it happen again." Ooro continued.
"After trying to assassinate your Grandfather, they realized his potential as a member, and withdrew their attempts to slay him." Ooro said. "A favorite saying of mine, one which you may know well, is, "If you cannot kill him, recruit him." Does that sound familiar?" Ooro said with a smile.
Indeed it was, and it explained much, for I had always wondered how my Grandfather had joined the Guild, as his notes never mentioned it.
