by Chloe Cullen
“I’m grieved to say that, without doubt, a group of the killers were seen donning black robes with a red Legion insignia on them.”
Cori felt herself stiffen.
Those shadow-clothed figures danced in front of her vision, and she forcefully blinked them away.
Cori spoke without thinking. “I thought they were all gone.”
Maveron was again looking directly at her, but it was Trey who spoke.
“They were certainly beaten two years ago… and afterward, the Legion went through each member across the land with vigorous questioning and searches of their belongings. We believed that the threat had been eliminated.”
Trey was speaking directly to her, as though defending the Legion. Cori suddenly found his steely stare discomforting.
“But how could we possibly know if any lingered,” Soraya asked, and looked around to each of them, “not to mention the possibility that not all of the perpetrators were Legion members… any one could have still been out there that had been a part of it before.”
“We still don’t even know what they wanted,” Valentina said, her usual chirpy voice dulled by the topic of conversation, “we received no information about why they attacked us.”
“We didn’t know then, and we don’t know now,” Ryker said, looking unusually serious. He glanced at Maveron. “I assume we’re going to find out?”
Maveron nodded, folding his hands in his lap. “That’s precisely what we are going to do. Track down, and capture these people, and find out exactly what they want. That’s why, Valentina and Ryker, I am going to ask you both to travel to Lullin and lead this mission.”
Ryker sat back, stunned, while Valentina just raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Maveron continued speaking. “I know this is unusual to be sending any of the Five out of the capital, but I need you both down there to lead the other Legionnaires on this search party.”
Ryker nodded once, agreeing without question, Valentina glancing around again before following suit with a nod of her own.
“I’m going to be sending you two with the party of fresh Legionnaires who will be traveling to Lullin tomorrow – use them and any others who are in the Lullin outpost to search for and find these… people.”
Maveron then glanced towards the Legion Five leader.
“Ione, I am placing you in charge of escorting a rider, to bring a missive to each Legionnaire outpost in Holmfirth, to tell them to keep their eyes open, and if they can, capture anyone spotted in those black outfits. I want them taken alive for questioning whenever possible. I don’t wish to simply write letters – this information needs to come with a clear directive.”
Ione looked like she wanted to argue with him, but she just nodded her agreement, her stare icy. “When shall I leave?”
Maveron considered that. “I will write the information I would like you to pass on this evening, and you and the rider should leave tomorrow.”
Ione would be gone for weeks, Cori thought with a hint of glee as Ione inclined her head to the President.
Maveron then looked around to the others. “There is more to discuss.”
“More?” asked Ryker, looking incredulous.
“The Assassin has been spotted in full daylight for the first time since their attacks began,” Maveron said plainly.
Everyone looked shocked, and Cori saw as faces became eager. Each of them had been on the hunt for the Assassin for months, and it was clear by their expressions and postures that this was welcome news – and whatever tasks they would be given to lead to the capture of this person would be taken gladly.
“The Assassin was spotted by a Legionnaire this morning, and even though their identity was hidden, we have discovered something new… we now know that the Assassin is a woman, and that she was seen exiting a block of buildings that we know are owned by Tiberius Teller.”
Ione made a choking sound in the back of her throat. “That man has been doing all sorts of depraved things under our noses for years.”
Maveron nodded, the glint in his eyes as eager as the rest of the Five sitting around the room. “Yes – and if we can find this Assassin, and get proof that she is working for Teller, we can bring them both down.”
Trey leaned forward further in his seat, hands folded calmly in front of him. “And how are we supposed to do that? Get proof, I mean.”
Maveron looked at his son. “First, we are going to make our presence known, be in his face and let him know that we are aware of what he is doing. Get him to feel like we’re closing in. He might slip up.”
“Isn’t that risking him pulling back entirely?” Soraya asked, “then we might never get the opportunity to find proof.”
“It’s a risk I think we should take – what do you all think?” Maveron opened the decision to the group as a whole.
Cori shifted uncomfortably, knowing that she was there only out of some obligation that Maveron felt to have her be a part of this, to know about those… Shadow Soldiers who were making themselves known again, two years after their first attack. But Cori felt out of place, like she hadn’t earned the right to be privy to this kind of information. Cori wondered if Thoren felt the same, and when she glanced over at him, she saw his brow was low over his eyes, which flicked around between the Five warriors and his father.
Ryker spoke up first. “I agree – a risk we take, and hope it pays off in our favour.”
Then they all nodded and spoke their agreement.
Maveron clapped his hands, to a decision now made. “Alright then. Trey, you will take ten of the best Legionnaires you know and take the day shift, patrol that area heavily. Soraya, do the same during the night. I want daily reports from both of you if you see anything happening around Teller’s buildings, or any sign of the Assassin.”
Trey and Soraya nodded their understanding.
“How do we know that this woman, the Assassin, isn’t one of them… one of the Shadow Soldiers?” Valentina asked, sitting forwards in her seat.
The room went quiet again for a heartbeat.
Cori, who had been trying to stay quiet, found herself speaking. “Because we know the Shadow Soldiers are targeting the Legion. And from what I’ve heard, the Assassin is not.”
“She’s right, all of her victims have been commoners around the Quarter and the markets,” Trey said in agreement, “besides, in the sightings we’ve had, there was never a mention of the red insignia on her clothing.”
Valentina shrugged. “I’m just saying, they could be in league with each other.”
“We won’t be ruling anything out, Val,” Maveron said, “let’s set our focus on capturing the Shadow Soldiers, as well as the Assassin and the mysteries may unfold from there.”
“Thoren,” Maveron said, finally glancing at his own son. “I need you to continue training our new recruits. I know we have many trainers here already, but I want the best Legionnaires we have ever seen coming out of the Legion this year… I have a feeling we are going to need it. Please keep your attention there during the days.”
“Understood,” Thoren said immediately, then paused, “do you also mean for me to stop patrolling in the evenings?”
Maveron thought for a moment before answering. “I don’t want to overextend you, but you could patrol the Quarter during the evenings if you are able.”
Cori watched Thoren nod and knew without needing to ask that he would be doing exactly that every night, without complaint.
“All right – that’s settled.” Then Maveron turned his attention towards Cori. “Now I did ask you to join me for a specific purpose tonight. I would like you to question Teller.”
Cori sat stunned, her brain whirring with thoughts before she could speak. “You… want me to be a part of this?” she asked, unsure she had heard him correctly.
“Yes. I know what a risk it is to come at Teller directly. He will know by now that the Legion has spotted the Assassin exiting his buildings and will be expecting us. But he might find it comfortin
g that the Legion didn’t send in any of the Five, like we aren’t certain about his involvement. It might just make him cocky enough to make a mistake.”
Cori looked past Maveron to Thoren, whose expression had turned from neutral to concerned in seconds. “Father… Teller is a dangerous man. Should Cori be going in there alone?”
She would have felt indignant if she weren’t feeling the same herself.
“I am not sending in Cori alone,” Maveron said carefully, “she may pick any Legionnaire she likes to accompany her.”
“But—” Thoren started before Ione finally spoke up.
“She’s not equipped for such an important task. This might be our only shot to get information on the Assassin.”
Cori breathed out evenly through her nose at the insult, and even though Ione was shooting silent daggers at her through her glare, Cori ignored her and looked towards Maveron. “I can do it.”
“President, I don’t—”
“Ione, please ready yourself for your journey. I have things under control here,” Maveron told her in a firm voice.
Ione sat stunned, staring at her President as though he had physically harmed her. Standing, she looked around at the rest of her warriors, and when no one spoke a word, she strode from the room, closing the door loudly behind her.
Maveron cleared his throat. “Excellent. I know I have the best people in front of me to resolve each of these threats to the Legion.”
Ryker and Valentina discussed some more details of their mission before they, and the remainder of the group were dismissed. They each stood to leave.
“Cori, may I have a word with you before you go?” Maveron asked as she was halfway to the door.
She lingered, and Thoren looked between Cori and his father before he followed the others out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
“I hope you understand why I extended you the invitation to be at this meeting?” Maveron said once they were alone, sitting back behind his desk.
Cori remained standing where she was. “To ask me to question Tiberius Teller?”
Maveron smiled and shook his head. “No, dear girl. I… wanted you to be among the first to hear about the resurfacing of the Shadow Soldiers.”
Cori swallowed, and looked to her feet. “That was hard to hear.”
“I know it was, I was sorry to have had to tell you. But everyone will know in another days’ time, and I wanted you to hear it from me.”
She glanced up to see Maveron watching her carefully, like she might be angry with him. “I appreciate that, Maveron. It’s going to be hard on all of the Legion, to hear this news.”
He nodded gravely. “Indeed. I fear that hard times lie ahead for us.”
Cori was shocked by the raw honesty. “I suppose I came back just in time for it. Lucky me.”
She had meant it as a joke, but Maveron’s brows sunk low, casting a shadow over his eyes. “I count all of us lucky that you are back here with us.”
She didn’t know how to respond to that, so she moved forward to take a seat in front of him. Cori hesitated only another moment, before she changed the subject and asked what had been dwelling on her mind for days now. “Maveron, I wanted to ask you… if perhaps I might—”
“Have your own assignment again?” Maveron cut in, with a small, knowing smile.
Cori had her mouth open, the next words she had been about to say dying on her lips. “Well, yes. It’s been almost a month since I returned, and I don’t feel like I’m behind anymore. I just want to do my part and stop being a burden on Thoren.”
“Firstly, you have never been a burden, and if you were to ask him, he would tell you the same thing,” Maveron said kindly, “and secondly, it is fortuitous you should ask me that, as the other reason I asked you to stay behind is to discuss a potential new assignment for you.”
Cori’s heart skipped as she waited.
“I know that before you left, you had quite a special relationship with our young Princess,” Maveron said.
Cori couldn’t help the smile when thinking of the Princess. “Yes, sir.”
“Excellent. Because the King and Queen have requested that you re-join their staff at the Palace – specifically with Princess Millisa, as you were before.”
Cori felt her heart quicken its pace. “They… requested me?”
Maveron stood from his desk and circled it to stand in front of Cori. “You left quite an impression on them when you used to be stationed at the Palace, and from what I’ve heard, the Princess has been speaking about you nonstop.” He put a hand on her shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. “What do you say?”
She was truly flattered, and her re-assignment at the Palace was more than she could have hoped for. “It would be a sincere pleasure.”
Maveron patted her shoulder. “That’s my girl. The King and Queen would like to see you in the morning, report to the Palace then, and you can meet with the guards posted there to sort out a schedule.”
Cori nodded, a familiar excitement singing through her veins. “I’ll be at the Palace first thing.”
He nodded approvingly and bade her goodnight.
As Cori exited and strode down the hallway, she felt the excitement and the worry all at once. Choosing to ignore her worry, she headed down the stairwell for the dining hall, feeling suddenly hungry, and decided that she was going to force herself to focus on the lightness inside of her, and push the darkness down as deep as it could possibly go.
19
THE ASSASSIN PART FOUR
The Legion were stalking the Assassin.
To her chagrin, being sighted coming out of Mr Teller’s buildings had caused quite the stir. Unfortunately, the Legion now knew who her employer was, and would be planning to question Mr Teller relentlessly about her identity and whereabouts. The Assassin felt safe in knowing that he would not give her up easily, but she was usually much more careful than she had been. Yet, a mere conversation with Mr Teller and remembering her own helplessness when it came to him had irked and distracted her. Foolishly, she had exited his complex in broad daylight. Although she had her face covered, she had been wearing her usual black garb, flowing cloak and cowl covering, which those in this area had come to know as the attire of the Everton Assassin from the few times she had been spotted in the night.
It was a stupid move. She should never have let herself become so distracted. When the Assassin had spied the grey-adorned sentry stop suddenly across the cobbled street, she had paused momentarily while they stared at each other. She knew he would not be able to make out any of her features underneath the dark hood, but this was the first time she had been spotted while the sun was up, and she had sworn at herself with every curse word she knew.
There had been times that whispers were thrown around the area, that a dark cloaked figure was spotted running across the rooftops, or darting around a corner, cloak flapping behind her as she moved as fast as lightning. The Assassin took pleasure in hearing the rumours and participating in them herself when she was not dressed as the hired killer.
Of course, almost every death that occurred in Everton these days, and sometimes even beyond the capital, was blamed on the Assassin. Only a handful of them had truly been her own handiwork, the unfortunate business being what it was, people died all the time. Her calling card was rather distinct though, to anyone who was paying attention. She always slit their throat, right to the bone, and left them there for someone else to clean up.
But nobody had been paying much attention, until now.
That Legionnaire had stared at her for an almost comical moment, and she had also paused, cursing herself and her foolishness, before leaping into action. She had jumped a nearby fence with ease and had run off into the shadows. The Legionnaire had been quick, but she was quicker, and had lost him within a handful of minutes.
It had only been half a day since she had been spotted in the daylight, and they had already called in the cavalry.
Now, after night-time had fal
len, she was crouched on a rooftop four buildings away from her master’s complex and was not surprised, but exasperated to find no less than five Legionnaires on the street below. And that was just on this street, as she had seen many more on her way over the rooftops to get here. There was even a Legion Five warrior down there, no doubt giving orders and ensuring the streets were never quiet and dark again.
They were crawling around the streets everywhere, like little ants stalking for food. She supposed she should be flattered, considering the efforts they were implementing to find her.
For now, it meant she had to lie low for a while, her current mission would have to wait a little while longer. She couldn’t be caught.
Sighing through her nose, she rose from her crouched position and with one last look at the figures patrolling through the dark streets below, she began a steady jog across the roof and leapt into the air, quiet as a whisper, her cloak flowing behind her.
20
The next morning after her workout with Thoren, Cori returned to her room to bathe and dress. Thoren had agreed that they would tackle the issue of questioning Tiberius Teller the next day, allowing Cori to focus on the Princess for today. It was a small blessing to shelf some of the chaos and focus on one thing. She had lain awake for hours the night before, thinking about the Shadow Soldiers, the Assassin, Tiberius Teller and how she would be returning to her duties at the Palace. It was a lot for Cori to have to think about all at once.
More than anything she had wished to talk things through with her father and sister, knowing there would have been clarity to the madness with them here. Thinking of Nessida had made Cori think hard about finally facing something that she had been avoiding since returning to the Compound, and now was the perfect time as she readied herself to attend the Royal Palace as requested.
Cori left out the front entrance of the Compound, and walked in the shade of the large building, passing by the circle of Gods’ statues in the courtyard as she went. She headed past the edges of the Compound and towards a small gathering of trees, where the stables housed the Legion horses. A few carriages sat out front, untethered and unmanned. If it weren’t so early, there might be dozens of carriages and people organising the horses for the trips the Legionnaires took to other areas of Everton, or for much longer trips around Holmfirth.