Hey everyone, got a new chapter written up for you! This chapter goes into the background of Legault focusing on Aesha, and I left a surprise a la artistic license, near the end of the chapter. Hope you all enjoy the chapter!
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Departure
Chapter 4: The Past Ever Haunting
Legault stared down at Isadora, horror filling his stomach like a lead weight. Could he do it? Would he do it? The dagger spoke clearly of his ability to do so, and his mind was used to the pain of killing a comrade. Or at least it used to be. It had been ten years since he had committed the act, making his heart soft once more. Yet as Legault's mind pondered this, the memories could not help but come back. Despite how hard Legault attempted to bury these memories, they always came back from the grave.
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"Why are we doing this!?" shouted Legault angrily in the face of his leader, Brendan Reed.
"Because she is a threat to the Fang, she must be silenced," responded Reed with an annoyingly large amount of calm.
"Ridiculous! She's loyal, just as loyal to us as I or Uhai, you know that!" spat Legault.
"The way of the Fang must be protected even against the slightest danger."
"She is no threat!"
"Do it, now!" Reed bellowed, finally losing his composure after hours of debating Legault. The remnants of Brendan's voice resonated in the stones for several moments before falling into a loathsome, hanging silence. Legault, exhausted from the argument, sighed before trying to rally once more.
"You know there's no real reason… Tell me why?"
"I think that should be obvious." Ephidel slid quietly into the debate and room, lazily crafting his words. "She was injured on her mission, one she herself stated she wished not to take. Her hatred will burn brightly against the Black Fang."
Legault shook his head vigorously. "No, she swore to never betray the secrets of the Fang just as the rest of us did. She would never betray her oath like that, not just for vengeance."
The leader of the Black Fang stood conflicted, but then another voice entered the conversation. "Darling? Please, don't take this chance! If she does do as Lord Ephidel says, she'll ruin everything you have worked so hard to create! Protect the Black Fang. Protect me." Sonia stood in the doorway, her face looking into the room with the naievete of a doe painted upon her face. Brendan's struggling will crumbled.
"You leave for Badon tonight, no further debate, or you will be considered a traitor, and your replacement will cut you down."
Legault wavered, then sighed. "As you wish, I'll kill the woman. I will kill Aesha." The sweeper then skulked from the room, furiously hurling the door shut behind him. Outside, Uhai picked himself up from his position, leaning against the wall.
"You're actually going through with this? She was the first to join after you and me; she's sweated and bled with us for ten years." No rage showed in the nomad's voice, only shock and disbelief.
"You probably heard most of it; those freaks control the Fang through Brendan like a puppet," snarled Legault as he walked through the halls of the Dragon's Gate, gathering what few supplies he didn't always have on him for the journey. "Where are Lloyd and Linus?" he asked out of the blue.
"They're out on missions, as always. Whenever those two monsters need to eliminate a Fang, they make sure the brothers aren't present, they're the only ones who can possibly sway Brendan." Uhai sighed, and continued, "Those two would have had a fit if they knew this was happening. They thought of her like a sister, they would have fought their father from dawn till dusk. It's odd you don't share their commitment."
Legault raked his fingers through his hair, with frustration and anger seeping out of every pore. "You were there, I fought for her and you know it."
"It's just so hard to believe…" Uhai accompanied the Hurricane as he made ready his final preparations, though now in complete silence. Once Legault finished, Uhai stopped. "May the light be banished from the black." Not waiting for a reply, Uhai turned and went to accomplish whatever duties were assigned to him. Though it wasn't exactly traditional, every time Uhai was present to see the Hurricane unto his mission, he would send him off with the same wish. Banish the light from the black; eliminate anything that may reveal the Fang's presence to the governments that sought its destruction so eagerly, to protect themselves.
Legault continued to walk through the halls towards the exit. Nearing the gateway, he encountered a group of other Black Fang members. Not one of their faces was recognizable, the other members stopped suddenly in the presence of their senior. Legault passed without a word, though after the other members thought him out of ear shot, one muttered, "Wonder who the bell tolls for this time? The Reaper's getting ready to collect." Pretending he didn't hear, Legault stepped outside of the large stone halls, broke the fog and began making his way to shore.
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Legault exited the dense forest; the sound of the waves ever trying to reach land met his ears. Through the mist, a ship emerged. Legault approached without wavering, his steps became infinitely louder upon reaching the gangplank. Stepping onto the bow, the Captain greeted his new passenger. "Hurricane, when do you wish us to depart?"
"Immediately."
"Aye, Sir."
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Several days passed, and Legault found himself briskly walking in the direction of the house his research led him to. Upon the entryway sat Aesha, calmly watching the citizens of Badon go about their lives, greeting one or two as they passed. Her eyes eventually settled upon the assassin approaching her. Understanding her fate, Aesha's countenance sagged mournfully; Legault's pace continued ever strong. Legault stopped directly before his former comrade; both stared at each other for a moment before Aesha spoke, "Legault, good to see you. Here, take a seat." Aesha waved a hand towards the chair next to her, Legault accepted it.
"Such hospitality even though I'm sure you know I'm not here to visit. I'm flattered, beyond words, truly."
"No reason to make this meeting unpleasant, just another day of work." Aesha's voice dripped with all the sarcasm and bitterness of someone who had lived a life of anguish and regret. Though one wouldn't ever assume by looking upon her fair, youthful face of twenty-three.
"So, how about you let me finish this then? Busy day ahead of me."
"No, not yet, just give me a few more moments." Aesha tucked one of her lavender locks behind her ear. "Let's just talk for a while."
Legault nodded. "Alright, but I have to leave before nightfall, got a 'deadline' to fulfill, lots more work in store for me." Legault's lips turned upwards into an empty smirk that slid easily into place at his pun, where real smiles once dwelt. Aesha didn't acknowledge that Legault said anything, and merely began to talk.
"The Fangs are changing, Legault. Haven't you noticed?"
Legault's smile slipped off his face as easily as it had come. "Of course, even a blind man could see it, and I still have one good eye."
Aesha grimaced. "We dedicated so much to it, and now it's turning its back on us. How? How can so much of our work, so much of our effort, dissolve into this?"
Legault shrugged. "It's all the work of those gold-eyed freaks. They got Brendan by the throat, and he doesn't even realize it."
Aesha laughed without humor. "You men are so weak." Aesha folded her hands in her lap, beginning to fidget nervously as the concealed blades of the man next to her grew more apparent. "A-Anyway, it really is a shame. I was beginning to adjust here; my leg keeps me from doing much, but… I really have begun to enjoy just watching the people here, go about their lives. No real worries, no cares beyond simple things, they're happy. I was really looking forward to joining them."
Both Aesha and her killer sat quietly, watching the crowds go about the life Aesha had just described. Children played games, merchants shouted their advertisements, and the elderly reminisced. Legault sighed. "I have to finish this, I'm sorry." Before I lose my nerve…
Instinct demanded Aesha protest longer, prolong her life. "Now? I doubt you could do that, not with all the people on the street. Wouldn't be very becoming of the Hurricane to do his job in the daylight, where everyone can see."
"People got to sleep sometime." Legault recited the line from memory; both he and Aesha knew it well from their training. Even though Brendan was rarely forced to use such tactics, he was as well versed in them as any assassin who was forced to rely on the darkness.
Aesha quivered, inhaling a shuddering breath. "Legault, please get out while you can. Even if they don't kill you, you will die inside. You will die alone, bitter, and you will hate yourself, because anyone who would forgive you for your crimes will have already died by your hands…"
Legault sat frozen, feeling dread at the prospect she had given him. Yet, smothering the fear, Legault stood abruptly. "Let's get this over with."
Aesha took a moment to collect herself and then reached for a cane that leaned against her chair. "Could you help me inside? Ever since that last job, haven't been able to move real well, it's hard even with this staff."
The sweeper stepped forward. "Of course." Slowly, the two began to make their way inside the small house Aesha had intended to live a long, peaceful life in. Quietly, as Legault led the woman to her grave, he whispered, "I'm so sorry… sister."
End Flashback
Legault stumbled quickly away from Isadora, fear in his eyes. You will hate yourself, because anyone who would forgive you of your crimes will have already died by your hands. The Hurricane stood in horror of how close he came to fulfilling that grim prediction. You will die alone. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Legault whispered, his terror evident in the trembling of his voice. Retreating another step, Legault took one last look at Isadora. She struggled to come after Legault, wobbling slightly, blood still spurting from the back of her head. Not wanting to see any more of how much pain he inflicted, Legault spun on the tip of his boot and ran as though hell itself chased him.
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Alright, all done! So, how was it? I'd love to know your opinion, please review and give it to me!