Chapter 2 Another Day another body

A scream announced her discovery, because like the others, she didn't live near Exile's gate, the Guard was called for right away. The maid that had found her was still trembling and crying when they arrived.

The captain walked over to the men on watch. "This is the third one now" he said softly so that they wouldn't be overheard. He frowned "I suppose we have to inform the Heralds now".

One of the men, a veteran of the streets said "Aye, ye better, this un looks to be bad, very bad". He glanced at the weeping girl. "Taint seen the like of it afore".

The captain nodded "We'll have to keep this quiet until word has been sent to the palace".

He looked over at a young guardsman holding himself up against the wall, his face green and looking a little wild around the eyes. "Lamar" he said sharply "hold it together".

The man pulled himself up, closed his eyes for a moment and breathed through his mouth. "I just need to get some air" he said.

The captain sighed "I need someone to send word for a Herald, do you think you can do that" he asked the man.

"Yes" he said grateful to have a reason to leave.

"Then do so" he said dismissing him before turning to the girl. It was going to be a hard to get any information from the girl, but maybe the Herald would help.

"Did you hear" Garath asked in History class, it was early, class wouldn't be starting for a few minutes.

"Hear what" Dorian asked yawning, at least he thought to himself I have another month to get some sleep.

"They found a dead girl in the merchant's quarter" he said excitedly.

"So" Dorian prodded.

"Third one in three months, and all killed the same way" he said disappointed he hadn't gotten more of a reaction.

Dorian choked, Garath pounded him on the back, finally Dorian gasped out "How".

"With a knife, they think, someone carved up all three". He said.

Their whispered conversation was starting to gather attention from the others, but the teacher came in and they turned to their lesson, something about the beginning of the Karsite wars.

Today's lesson didn't stick in his mind as was usual. History had always fascinated him, but now, all he could think about was what his friend said, it sounded too much like his dream. He didn't like the timing either, once a month.

A chill ran down his spine, he had heard about the gifts the Herald's had, but he had thought they were the only ones who had those gifts, he wasn't a Herald, but he still had these dreams. There was too much of a coincidence.

He felt sick as he realized that the women in his dreams were probably real people. How could anyone do those things to another person, he thought back to the feelings and thoughts of the Shadowman and realized that, he didn't really see any of them as people, they were only props in his little drama.

He shook his head and tried to concentrate, whatever had happened, there was nothing he could do about it for now.