VIII: Helene

The first half of Training day past without trouble. Part of me wished there was some kind of issue, something to distract myself from everything else. As it stands Marcus refused to let me fight anyone of skills anywhere close to me. All I did was train the Yearlings, which wouldn't have been so bad had the Commandant not stared at the back of my head the whole time. I got so mad half way through the day I had to take a walk to cool myself down. That's something Elias used to do a lot.

When I got back Marcus was waiting on the field looking expensive in his lavish armor and blood red cape. "What is this," I asked. The Commandant continued to eye me from her seat near the field but didn't make a move to approach.

Before I had made my way to Marcus a Mask stepped forward, effectively blocking my path, thou I still had a clear view of him. If I could shoot daggers from my eyes, I had thought. Two more Masks's approached, taking his cape and gloves, all while Marcus stared me down. When the two Mask's had left with his possessions he took a loud step forward to signal the Mask in front of me to move away., which he did reluctantly. Then I had a clear path.

"What is this," I asked again despite already having a clear idea of what was going on. Marcus sneered and lunged forward expecting to catch me off guard. They always underestimate me. I crouched down as his blade swung where my head had been. While he was in the midst of his attack I kicked out his knee sending him staggering backwards. Now that I think about it I realize I should have aimed for the crotch, would have disabled him longer.

Marcus got his footing back quicker than I would have liked. He didn't even pause before he lunged again, this time the blade pointed at my heart. I grabbed at the blade at my hip and slashed it against his. Metal sparks burning in the air. Marcus twisted his blade but I knew all his tricks. I jumped back letting put all his body weight forwards then slashed at the back of his armor, cutting a deep scratch in the shining metal.

"Fuck," he had snarled. The scim was light in my hands and my breathing was even. I was ready when he came at me again. We went on like this for a while, slashing away, the Commandant continuously staring. I could feel her eyes on the back of my head.

"Pathetic," Marcus snarled when he got the upper hand and pushed his bald to my throat. The only thing between his blade and my skin was my scim which I had managed to wedge in while he was distracted. I was pushing with all my weight against that blade. I had simply snarled at Marcus. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a proper response.

When I finally managed to get leverage on the blade I pushed hard enough to send him staggering backward. I used that time to lunge forward, aiming my blade at the small flaw in his chest plate. The metal had ripped open cleaning as it met my blade. I expected to pull back and see blood welling where my scim had cut, not a lot, but enough to show how much damage I could have caused. Instead there had been nothing, not a single drop. That was because under his shinning armor was a chain link metal shirt melted to his skin. That shithead stole my shirt.

I ground my teeth, dropped my blade and jumped on him sending us slamming to the ground. My first punch landed square on his jaw, landing hard enough to leave a bruise for weeks. The next punch landed on his torso, on the gap where the chest plate failed to meet his hip. I didn't manage to get a third punch in before he attacked back, sending a punch to my side (I wasn't wear battle armor) then the right side of my face. He grabbed at my shoulders and flipped us over so I was under him, at his mercy. I brought my elbow up, blocking his next punch and landing a hit on his nose that sent blood pouring from it.

The roar he let loose could be heard for miles. Marcus gripped my elbow with one hand and slammed my head to the ground. My vision was still recovering when he nailed me on the other side of the head, then my nose, then my stomach.

"Enough." A voice billowed through the air; An Augur. Marcus's eyes had narrowed down at me, then he spat before crawling off me. By the time I stood up he was brushing dust off his shoulder as if he was unharmed. There was blood seeping from his nosing and dripping in heavy drops to the dusty ground.

"What is this?" Marcus straightened as the Augur approached. The Commandant was following close behind. "What is the meaning of this?" The Augur looked furious, veins popping at his temple.

"It was a simple Training Test," the Commandant argued, stilling marching to keep up with the Augur. He approached me first, taking my chin in his cold hand. He tipped my head upward and inspected my nose which was dripping blood too. Not broken.

"This is not right." He dropped my chin the moved on to Marcus. He looked much worse off. I smiled to myself about that. "Preposterous," The Augur snarled as he examined Marcus's nose (broken), his now bruised jaw, and the slash in his chest plate (I ended up break on of his ribs).

"There's nothing wrong with training," the Commandant retaliated. She stood next to Marcus. He shrunk down under the Augur's gaze like a child in trouble.

"The Emperor and Blood Shrike is a scarred relationship." The Augur shook his head like he as to embarrassed by us. "Get them to the Infirmary." When no one moved he shouted, "Now!"

Instantly a million people had crowed around the Emperor, waiting to assist him to medical attention. I stood surround by a platoon for four men, two pulling at my arms to get me walking and another two to guard me as we walking to the Infirmary. I didn't fight them; instead I just curled my lips and obeyed. I passed Faris and Dex on my way out, making sure to give them both a wink. They looked baffled.

I had stayed no more than an hour in the Infirmary before I slipped out. Now a day later and nothing has come of the battle. No one's even bothered to mention it. Marcus's hasn't called on me ether, but I guess that's a plus. The down side is that I haven't had a chance to steal to book from his office. Instead I fill my time with Faris and Dex, chatting or relaxing while they're on guard duty and wasting the rest of the hours drinking with them.

"You should really slow down there," Dex moans slamming another coin onto the bar to pay for my drink. I waved him off. Faris, Dex, and I were seated at a bar in the city, taking advantage of the night off. I probably could have told the bar tender to put it on the 'Emperors tab'.

"Let her be," Faris argues, knocking Dex shoulder causing his amber liquid to slosh over the glass. "She has enough on her plate already."

"Very true," I mutter raising my glass to Faris who knocks his against mine. "Besides it's not like I've got anywhere to be."

Dex raises an eyebrow. "He could call you back at any time."

"But he won't." Faris and Dex give each other a look.

"How can you be so sure," Dex says taking another slip out of his glass.

"I just am." The Pub air is thick and heavy, but it's comforting so I lean back in my chair and take a deep breath. It also smells a lot like smoke. I peek one eye open. Dex is lighting up a fag. He takes a long drag then tilts his chin in the air and puffs out a smoke ring. I've never smoked, but today I'm feeling adventurous.

"What are you doing now," Dex grumbles as I pluck the fag from his fingers. I tuck it nicely between my lips and take a drag like Dex did. Shit that burns. I cough a bit then hand the damn thing back to him while he's laughing. Elias would kill me if knew I did that.

Faris lights up his own and they starting chatting on about guard duty until the bartender comes over and starts getting mad. Apparently we aren't allowed to light up in here. Faris and I both jug the means of our drinks the follow Dex outside. The sun is setting casting the city in a dark shadow.

"Well lone be hold," Dex chuckles. I turn and look to a crowd of girls Dex is gesturing at with his fag. Faris turns bright red as one of them breaks away and starts to approach. She's about our age with long chestnut hair and dark brown eyes. Her skin has a dark tint making it glow golden in the street lights

"Faris," she exclaims excitedly. Faris stomps out his fag and shouts us a warning glance before approach the girl. He places a gently hand on her back and turns her so their backs are to us.

"Who's that," I whisper to Dex who's watching with fascination.

"His new interest."Dex chuckles and takes another long drag. "She's the child of the richest merchant in Serra."

My eyebrows shoot up. "You wouldn't know it," I answer tilting my head to get a better look. Even after knowing that she's rich she still looks ordinary. There isn't anything special about her, even her clothes are middle of the line. If anything her friends waiting for her are better dressed.

"She likes to keep it simple," Dex mutters trying to sound like Faris. After watching Faris and his 'new interest' conference for a few minutes I got bored.

"I'm heading back," I grumble to Dex as I leave. He blows out a smoke ring and waves goodbye. There's a folded up note sitting on my bed when I enter my room. Instead of looking at it I toss it to the floor and crawl into bed.

"You failed to show last night."

An Augur is standing in the corner of the office, probably summoned to over look our meeting. What does he think we're going to do, kill each other? We have intentions to do that any way but not while he's watching.

"It was late, I was tired." Marcus looks up from the map on the wall. He's wearing is red cape again.

"When your Emperor summons you, you come." The Augur takes a step forward from the corner. Marcus gives him a fleeting glance then turns back to me. "That's not a good excuse."

I don't say anything. Marcus looks like he's ready to draw a blade on me but the look he's sending across my shoulder makes me think the Augur is approaching. A look of defeat crosses his face.

"Come this way," He pulls at my arm and drags me to the opposite corner of the room where we can see out the window to the Blackcliff gates and past Serra to the water. The Augur adjusts his position accordingly. "My men have searched the entire city. Veturius is gone." He's grumbling. He doesn't want to attempt he failure in capturing Elias. "The Old Families armies are moving in. I can't afford to give up numerous men to hunt him down."

It takes me a second to understand what he's saying. "You're sending me to go find him."

"Not find," He growls. "Capture and kill." My heart drops to my stomach. I should have expected this, I knew Marcus would send me hunting for him at some point but I didn't think it would be so soon. "Bring him back alive. I want the pleasure of seeing his face when I finally end him."

He looks back at me proud, waiting to see if I make a move. I don't. I have no more fight left in me today. I turn around to the door taking the silence as my cue to leave.

"Your platoon is waiting in the Armory. Get them ready and suited up. You leave at dawn tomorrow."

I ignore his commands. The door is so close and I could reach out and pull it open now, but I wait. I don't want to look scared. The doorknob is heavy in my hands when I finally reach it. I'm nearly out the door; I've nearly escaped when Marcus calls on me again.

"And Blood Shrike." I turn and face him, all my anger visible in my glare. "Kill anyone he's associated with."