Red Jack and Nightingale
Chapter Three

The Cheydinhal Sanctuary was never a busy place. It was one of rest for the dark brothers and sisters that inhabited it. Busy would be if someone had broken in, which had only happened once in the time that Valen had found his home here.

Due to being underground, it was cool all the time. Though for residents such as the still living that was a bit bothersome. For Vampires like Vicente and Valen, it was comfortable.

Valen had spoken with Ocheeva upon returning from Bravil. Like always, the Dread Father had made known that Valen's task had been completed and without error. It had earned him a nice bonus, and a new contract.

He wouldn't set out immediately though, not until he had spoken with Vicente.

Valen moved quietly down the dark hall towards Vicente's room. The elder Vampire would no doubt be reading at this hour, in anticipation of a visit from his only living hatchling. Of course he would be right.

Vicente had the uncanny ability to know who had left and who had come home. Of course, when Valen thought about it, Vicente could probably recognize the shapes of his fellow family members with the sight. Valen's abilities as a Vampire had become heightened, but it'd be many a year before he could do the things his master could.

Valen didn't even have to knock as he approached the door, his master merely called for him to enter.

"I'm glad to see that you've returned from your latest contract, has Ocheeva given you a new one already?" Vicente inquired.

He put his book, "Creatures of the Forests" down.

"She has, in particular I needed to come see you about it," Valen answered.

"Quite, what is it?"

"I've been instructed to kill a thief,"

"Come now, that can't be all Valen,"

"True, the thief is known only as Red Jack and a highly capable mage. The client recently had a rare stone stolen from his collection and he wants it back along with Jack's mask,"

"I spent a number of years back before I turned doing minor jobs for the Mages Guild, all I can tell you Valen is start there. I have never heard of such a thief, but than again as we both know I rarely venture to the surface,"

"He's been active for a number of years apparently. The only thing the client can tell me is that he wears a unique mask. He is also an independent meaning he doesn't work with the Thieves Guild, so our informant there is utterly useless,"

"Well, well Valen, it would seem you've accepted quite the assignment. This is almost as bad as trying to find the Gray Fox. I have no doubts about you succeeding though, you are my offspring. All I'm able to do is wish you luck in your assignment,"

"Thank you Vicente, I'd better be off then. I'd like to reach the Imperial City before dawn," Valen responded.

He stood and exited the room with a bow, as he normally did these days. Valen had the deepest respect for Vicente. However, what little information he had provided for Valen was almost next to nothing but he'd have no choice but to go to the Arcane University. He dreaded returning to anything of his past, all of it was behind him now. Valen was only the Nightingale now, a perfect assassin.


The Mages Guild has existed for longer than anyone can remember. It has always been a center of learning for not only magic, but other schools as well. Most Mages could read or write, even do advanced math depending on their fields. It was rare to find a scholar that didn't practice some school of magic.

The university is the one place where they all came together; people of all kinds met here and discussed ideas. The university, it was where the true magic happened: innovation.

Serge as stated was a master alchemist and the best at the Guild's disposal albeit he acted on an odd schedule. As such though, the daunting task of brewing the Legion's potions fell to his shoulders alone. Emperor Uriel had requested something to put an extra spring in his soldiers' step, most likely for a new land acquisition he was planning along the borders. So far, the only thing Serge had created did the job, but made people sick after a few hours.

He still couldn't figure out what was going wrong with it, all his ingredients matched up as did their measurements. The potion increased the physical attributes of the user as well as their resistance to poisons for about two hours or so, but then nausea and headaches would set in for the next four.

The council was rather disappointed that he hadn't solved that small problem, but the only thing he could really do was to concoct an antidote to the potion that the soldiers could take before the side effects set in, but to carry such a thing into battle was a bad idea. They'd have to finish whatever they were doing within the two hour timeframe or possibly die.

Only Traven didn't seem too aggravated with his shortcomings. The Arch-Mage had taken him aside after the meeting and spoke to him, and admitted while disappointing it was better than most of those old bats up there with him could do. It wasn't often that a Mage of a higher ranking would admit to the superiority of a lower ranking member in certain fields, so Serge had taken it as a compliment.

All in all, his morning hadn't been completely blown by a seemingly failed presentation.

He had stopped to pick up a few ingredients from the Lustratorium and say hello before he went to the market place. Sonya had asked he get some things while he was out today gathering some things for his own projects.

The Feed Bag would probably knock out the list that Sonya had given him earlier that morning. As for his own needs though, Serge required some new bear skins and a steel dagger. The market was particularly full today which was good, he didn't feel like being here all day.

What he really needed to do was get back to his home and go on a well deserved break. As he neared his deadline for his presentation he had locked himself away in the lab, which was certainly no way to live.

"Maybe I could pay a visit to Memorial Cave?" he wondered aloud.

No one in the Imperial City knew what had become of that place in the past ten years. It was believed to be a resting place for heroes long since forgotten, but if you had spent some years wandering about as an adventurer you'd know otherwise. A cave for those of brave deed had become home to those who stalk in the dead of night, Vampires. He could use some more of their dust, his jar was running low.

Of course, there always was the option of the sewers beneath the Bloodworks. Vampires thrived down there as well; an arena match was like a party to them.

He was on his way into Rohssan's when Serge felt the strangest presence he'd felt in a long time. He had been thinking of Vampires, but this was ridiculous. He looked up when he saw a figure walking through the middle of the market.

He was clad in glass armor, his face was covered by a black hood but Serge knew what he'd probably find in there.

The Vampire froze, looking suddenly unnerved. Serge was sure why, he'd probably felt the same thing Serge did. He scanned the market place, but Serge had already made his way into "A Fighting Chance" before the foul monster could realize it was Serge that he felt.

A Vampire in the Imperial City was bad, there were already two to Serge's knowledge but they kept to themselves. Or at least appeared to, there was no way Serge could ever call attention to them without them alerting the Legion to his own dirty little secret.