The Assassins Way
Part 15 Shaking feathers
"Some get something they never bargained for, because it isnt healthy in the spotlight."
-Spike 'Tamara' Milligan
22 June 2055
Ruth Bigs Bed and Breakfast
Crescent City California
6 am
Sunlight poked through the clouds. Miss Yu had brought back the watch needed, even spoke of tangling briefly with a hammered Mark for that matter. Auji's left eye snapped open as the sunlight filled his vision he grunted and rolled over, forming his wings to make some shade as he tried to go back to sleep. Did the sun have to be that bright in this realm ? Auji rolled over to face the wall, only to find himself stuck awake. "Can someone shut the window shade ?"
Talon reached up, his eyes closed under an eyeshade as he slept, finding the drawstring for the windowshade he gave it a yank, the shade dropped, right to the floor with a loud crashing which had Auji sit bolt upright "Im up, Im up. Im... blinded!" Auji all but shrieked as he opened his eyes only to have the glaring sunlight fill his vision again. He stumbled from the bed to the window and drew the curtains closed. It helped, somewhat. But Talon slept like a rock, even in blinding daylight. Auji stumbled back to bed and went back to sleep.
In the other room Wezaki was wide awake pacing, Sazhori was asleep in her bedroom that Ruth provided and Wezaki wasnt in the best of moods to begin with. And sadly neither was Xeibo. "The man was drunk ?" Xeibo asked Zhao Yu
"It takes a lot to get the man drunk" Shade mused from her bed
"Unless you're a Parrot, from what I was told from Sazhori, the Parrot Enclave got Mark slam drunk, afterwards... well... there's Auji... his son out of wedlock." Wezaki said simply. That made a little bit more sense then normal. Auji was Marks son, most in the Mythic Realm, at least those that knew the young man, knew that.
"Mark was drunk, the watch seller didnt like women, and was screaming for help to get us both out of his shop before Sazhori and someone else slammed into the front of the shop, wrecked the place, then flew off." Zhao Yu replied giving her report as she handed over the watch to Xeibo. This was going to be a fun day for sure.
"We're supposed to avoid the guy not get him drunk, where is he now ?" Xeibo asked
"At this moment, asleep, he said something of searching for someone close to him who might be able to help him in his quest for knowledge or some such" Yu replied
Xeibo nodded "Fine, Auji has a way into the cathederal without being seen, to ensure that we need to act as part of the cathederal staff, Fang... Fang wake up" Xeibo punched the pillow that Fang was drooling on in her sleep
It woke her up like dropping a Tigris cub on a human being in a bed "Whao Spaghetti Fish!... Is it morning already ?"
"Yes it is" Xeibo said
"Good and I'm needed for ?" Fang replied
"Answers, you got us as part of the staff for the cathederal ?" Xeibo asked
Fang nodded "Yup, I was gonna tell you in the morning, I did it all yesterday, there was some weird fight going on in the area, so it was easy to get done as most people were distracted. I see we got the stopwatch too"
"Yes, which means we're gonna do this by the clock as best we can, lets see the staff list" Xeibo said
"Let me wake up first" Fang said planting her face back to her pillow for all of two seconds before Xeibo punched it again and woke her back up "Oh come on Xe, I wanna get the guy I keep seeing in my dreams! Im so close to grabbing him! Let me get him and I'll get back to you!" Fang faceplanted again only to get socked awake two seconds later "You know what, fuckit I'm awake!" She said in Eaglese before sitting up in bed, her hair a mess
"Good morning sunshine" Xeibo smirked as she dangled the watch in front of Fangs face. "We got work to do" Fang grumbled slightly as she sat up and started distangling her hair
As she woke up she spoke "Alright, what do we know about the place ?"
"For one, its closed to the public for internal repairs, for two, ther's a side way entry with a skull control panel" Xeibo replied
Fang nodded "Exactly, Assassin Skulls arent easy to find, unless you know where to look. But there's a problem"
"Problem ?"
"Yeah, Every day Vitas gang of merry men go into the cathederal looking for young men to take into their happy little family"
"How is that a problem ?"
"We ladies are on staff, but Auji is not" Fang said
Xeibo smirked "I got a plan for that. Soon as Talon wakes up, I thought I heard Auji screaming about being blinded"
"Yeah, the Mythic Realm, the sun isnt ithat/i bright" Fang agreed "Anyhow whats this plan of yours ?"
"Desguise. Auji acts part of a monk we dress him as one, he acts as one, so when the Thugs show up, they think him a priest until they piss him off. Which is easy apparently as most of those thugs are stupid from what I hear" Xeibo explained
Fang smirked, but it was Shade that spoke "Have fun"
"You're not coming ?" Xeibo asked
"I cant interfere remember ? I am only here in the case of iher/i magic going into gear at your grandmothers orders" Shade explained
"Oh... right I forgot. Grandma Light said you could come only in the case of the Necromancer. I remember now." Xeibo didnt like to admit it, but Shade was someone she found herself relying on more and more often as backup when things went to shit.
"What, sorry what ?" Fang said, both she and Yu had a confused look on their faces
"One of my soldiers who was stationed here found evidence of the Necromancer at work here, in the case of her showing up, I am the only one that can fight her back with any proper result" Shade explained "If any of you try to fight her, you could get killed, or worse, infected and later turned"
"Thats a scary thought., So the moment we see her or evidence of her; thats where you come in." Fang mused, at Shades nod she smiled "Works for me, we can watch for it, anything we need to keep an eye out for ?'
"Dead animals, dead bodies, anything that has been dead at least a week or more walking around, using magic, etc. If you see them, dont engage them, let me handle it. You guys are after the sword, Im here to keep the Wolf Queen busy as much as possible"
"Sounds good to me. So the woman able to transform people into things by magic is not your problem, but ours, wonderful." Yu said simply.
"Yeah, her magic is strong, so that will be a problem. From what we know, her second has wings too, she cant hide them though like Sazhori and Wezaki can, at least, from what I hear." Fang mused
"So lets get this right, anything deader than a week, walking around and using magic we need to look out for but otherwise we're fine ?" Xeibo mused, Shade nodded and laid back down as did Fang who then sat dead upright when Xeibo threatened to soak her in bed. "Go check on your brother, if he's still asleep, punch his pillow, it'll wake him up"
Fang gave Xeibo a dirty look as the woman started dressing, her scale covered body was naked for the most part, if not for the scales she'd be totally naked at the time, but she was not thanks to the scales covering her body, as she dressed the scales faded away, leaving smooth skin and pale blonde hair.. For all intents, Xeibo was in human terms, a knockout.
It took them about an hour before heading to the Cathederal, they had to scope out the place good and proper.
About an hour later
Deep Under St Diamonds Cathederal
The Shadows under the Cathedral danced to an unheard beat. And before the Wolf Queen stood Draco, Lord of Shadows, and still stuck under the Necromancer's thumb. His hatred for that situation aside, he looked up to the woman who metaphorically held his leash, and spoke. "There is an issue you need to know of." He said calmly, burning coal-like eyes staring up at her, his neck muscles tense with distaste for being in her presence. "A couple of issues that you need to know of, actually." He said, his tone low, and his speaking slow, keeping his tone low so she didn't try to kill him.
"Speak it" Came the dead sound of wind and breath upon ancient voical cords. "What are these... issues... ?" Dead eyes glowed a pale white as she stared at Draco from a ancient bone chair
The Dragon's hands tightened into fists, held behind his back in an almost thoughtful manner, and he blinked slowly. "The Mongolian Branch of the Wolfe Family has not kept to itself any longer. Yin and Yang Wolfe have been spotted within the city limits, and their mother is rumored to be in the region as well." he explained. His power absent-mindedly flared out, causing the room behind him to dim briefly. With the Wolf Queens eyes, she could see past the illusion of his human form; the wispy, starved Dragon made of Shadowy Mist, slouched into the corner, its tail swaying and wings tucked close to its body; it looked ready to strike at a moments notice, but was waiting for something; or knew better. Either way, she'd be able to tell that Draco, her thus-far loyal pet, had been growing more and more tense and discontent, now that she was back in the land of the living.
For a long moment the shadows danced to an unheard DJ beat as the Wolf Queen, known in that city simply as the Necromancer, calmly sat upon her throne, But Draco knew the truth, Ingrid was simply seething with sheer raw rage. But how she kept herself under control so well not even he knew. She drew a deep breath, and calmly let it out. "Battousai..." She whispered softly. Though she spoke it so quietly it echoed in the cavornous room. "The Manslayer of the Crystal War..."
"Where are her... offspring now ?" her dead gaze locked on Draco waiting for an answer
"Sacremento." came the answer. "My Shadows spotted them within Sacremento, heading towards the Sourceress's palace. Where they were after that I cannot say; my sight can only go so far before being noticed by her." His eyes narrowed, as if peering through the shadows to see the palace in the distance. In reality, it was his discontent for not having more of his power. And while his power grew each day, he could feel limiters, blocks put in place by the Wolf Queen to keep him in check. He let out a slow breath and straightened his shoulders, squaring them before the woman before him. The motion made his desire known; he icould/i take care of all three of those issues, if he had his power to himself - though at the same time, the illusionary Dragon behind him, his own shadow or aura, so to speak, straightened itself as well, once more ready to lash out and strike. His pupils narrowed to slits, and his lip twitched.
Idly he wondered, what would the Wolf Queen do?
"The Sourceress is the least of our worry. To anger her would mean the end of either of us, her magic, her skill in it, is... unnatural." The Womf Queen said sensing what Draco wanted to do. "For now we shouldnt worry. Battousai disappeared at the end of the Crystal Wars... her skill it was said, was that of legend. Kamerilah Battousai... The Manslayer... a woman with a unique scar upon her face..."
She stood from the throne and paced upon the dias thoughtfully "To anger one who killed thousands in the name of the Patroit, or Crystal Defenders faction would be to bring the end of the world upon us all. You will have your chance at revenge. But to go against the Battousai... Well. I do not have the time to grow another pet, one so cultured as yourself."
The ghastly creature then smiled. Her nose fading away simply before reforming "Now, onto other issues, as you said there were more than one ? The Battousai and her children are around yes. Then there was the bank problem..." Even testing the magic within the Sacremento Palace where Vitas made her home made things a bit more complicated. The place was ever changing. "Do not anger the Sourceress. Her magic will best you. You have successfully driven the Prize from Arendelle. and he came here... what is... his status ?" She meant Mark, not knowing that his own son was arriving topside with Shade, and Xeibo along with Princess Fang
A small rumble echoed in Draco's throat at being called a pet; oh how he despised it. But he could do nothing about it, so he made no visible reaction to it - his expression remained as grim as usual. "I have no intention of going after Kamerilah Wolfe or her daughters, and even if I did, it wouldn't be for a ilong/i time." He reassured her, knowing that eventually his own power would simply grow enough by his natural aging that he'd be able to break free of even the Wolf Queen's control by sheer presence. But Draco was patient, and he was a brilliant strategest now that he couldn't even access a tenth of his power thanks to that undead nightmare of a woman. He was playing his cards extremely carefully, and he for once thanked the Light that his poker face was perfect.
"His... Status is unknown. He seems to appear randomly, and is showing less and less regard for his own life. I predict he won't be an issue much longer at this rate. The Sourceress I couldn't best even with my full power and Legion... not as I am. Not as you keep me." he said, taking a small jab at her, seeing what he could get away with in terms of subtle non-compliance.
"So the target seeks death does he..." Ingrid mused, she gave a sardonic look towards Draco at the low growl, not smiling as she spoke "The magic of the Sourceress is unnatural even t odragonkind, Were you at your own power, she would put up a strong fight. But she is not our problem... There is another"
It was then she looked... up "We have visitors in the cathederal, not from here. All of them quite old... One of them older than you" The Wolf Queen meant Shade was nearby. Auji and the gang had arrived at the cathderal for their "first day on the job" as Fang called it. Getting a monks robe for Auji was going to be a pain. "How many are there in this motely group ?" Ingrid asked to Draco, knowing his shadows extended even into the cathderal above them
Draco looked up as she did, his eyes closing as he peered through the Shadows, and took into view Auji and his compatriots. All of them were nothing to him even as he was... but Shade... she'd be able to sense his very presence in the Shadows. Whether or not she'd do anything about it was a different story - it was never her job to hunt him down.
"Four new arrivals, Shade being the only one I can't handle, and quite honestly, neither can you." He answered, opening one eye to look at her, lowering his head. his other eye stayed closed, maintaining his view on the motely crew. "And She likely can sense that I'm here through the Shadows. My magic is very..." he paused, taking in a slow, hissing breath as the pale eyes of Shade locked on his single coal red orb watching her and her friends, "... distinct."
"The elder dragons have stronger power, I am surprised you get along so well with a certain Brass" Ingrids mused as she saw him hiss as he was caught watching. "She sees you doesnt she ?"
Rather then asnwer the Wolf Queen got her answer when up in the cathederal Shade sneezed for a good minute little puffs of gold steam puffing from her nose. "You OK ?" Xeibo asked as Fang just wondered if the gold was cleanable from the floor
Shade waved a hand infront of her nose "Yeah I'm alright, it just smells like Draco in here" Shade then did an unladylike thing and spit into a dark corner with a bit of lightfire, setting a pile of rags on fire.
"Who ?" Came the question from all three of those she was with
"Long story you dont want to know about" Shade replied. the second her lightfire hit the red orb in the corner it flashed, briefly she saw what looked to be a massive firey orb watching them before it faded
Of course down in the caverns below the cathederal the reaction of Draco getting spit on like that was readily visible
A hiss of pain escaped the Lord of Shadow's throat as he grabbed at his eye, his hand cloaked in Shadow to snuff out the Light Fire, his remaining good eye, for now, locked on the Wolf Queen. "Yes. I'd say she could see me." he grumbled. After a few moments, he removed his hand, and opened his previously spit on eye, and aside from a small burn-scar around the eye-socket, the eye itself was fine, and he could see perfectly. If he had more of his power, he could, within reason, even spy on the All-Mother without being caught, though he'd likely never try it. Returning his hand behind his back, he blinked slowly and took in another slow breath.
"What would you have me do?"
"Yes I thought she could see you, or at least sense you... but to actually... yeah Ok dont bother with them, the less they know I am here, the better off we both are." Ingrid replied seeing how violently Draco reacted to get spat on
Settling back on her bone throne the Wolf Queen thought a long moment. "Observe the target, if he goes near the Sourceress, do not get close for info, simply observe. We drove him from Arendelle, we are to ensure he does not go back" Ingrid said simply "He is with one from the Eagle Empire. A Raven. Her shadow might be useful to you would it not ?"
"Indeed it would. Ravens always did have darker shadows than usual. I'll keep you informed of his movements." he clicked his heels together, and, as much as he despised it, managed a bow, florishing his right hand slightly before his body collapsed into mist, vanishing into the darkness, which then seeped through the cracks of the cavern, revealing it to be much larger than before, lit by torches and with a moat of water on either side of the main walk-way, lit underneath by ancient under-water lamps powered by magic. With the mist of darkness gone, so too was Draco, off to do as he was told.
It was a good five minutes later however as the cavern returned to its natural brightness of an undead city and a ghostly servant brought her a drink when Ingrid remebered something rather important "Well fuck... The Raven with the target.,.. she is Blessed by Light, the All-Mother... her shadows arent as dark as most Ravens would be, and if Draco were to go after the Sourceress' second in command to use her shadows, the Sourcress magic, as unnatural as it is would do more harm than even a Light Blessed shadow will do..."
She thought another moment, then shook her head "Nah, let him find out on his own" She took the old rusted out formally golden goblet of wine and took a long evil look on her face.