The Student

by Darin Niemann

  I awoke and had a light breakfast from the food in my own pack before following my prey throughout his day for the second time, until night came. As the last of the sunlight faded from his home, I began to move. For weapons, I carried a dagger at my waist, a spare strapped to my leg, and brace of throwing knives along my left forearm. The guards thoroughly blocked all entrances at the ground level. Killing the guards was an option as well, but one mistake and the alarm would be raised. It was easier to bypass them altogether.

  I counted myself lucky that this was one of the few structures in town with two levels as I waited for the patrolling guard to pass before sprinting from my alley to the side of the house. I only had one shot to make this throw but it was enough. I had wrapped the hook with heavy cloth to dampen the sound it would make upon impact. I swung it in a lazy circle before flinging it towards the open second floor window. It sailed through, but not too far through. I heard a dull thud as it hit the floor inside. Not waiting to see if it had alerted anyone, I tugged the rope until it was taunt. Testing it to make sure it would hold my weight, I swiftly climbed up to the window. There was not much time before the guard with his torch rounded the house once more, and he would clearly see my rope dangling there. Once inside I hauled the rope up, the last bit of it sneaking through the opening as the guard rounded the corner.

  Leaving the rope and hook by the window, I left the small room I was in and made my way to the short hallway. The stairs to my left led down but I knew from observation that his bedroom was opposite the room I had entered. I approached it, and found it unlocked. Slowly, I nudged the door ajar. I crept to the edge of the bed, finding the snoring lump of a man within his blankets. I drew my dagger, and positioned my free hand near his face. In one swift motion and clamped his mouth with my hand, and pressed the dagger against his chest, not yet piercing.

  He awoke with a start, eyes widening as he saw me, still hooded and cloaked in shadow. He attempted to yell or scream, but my hand was firmly clamped in place.

  As his hands came up to fight me, I whispered, “For Enelo.”

  I plunged the dagger into his heart, his already wide eyes expanding further. His struggling stopped quickly, and I watched as awareness fled from his eyes, until he saw no more. Wiping the dagger on his sheets, I stood, looking down on my prey. Finally, after so long, Enelo’s killer brought to justice. For a long moment I just stared. I thought I would be happy, or even relieved. All I felt was empty. My mission complete, I didn’t know what to do.

  I had never thought past my desire for revenge. Never planned for anything other than this. What would I do now? I had no desire to return to the Ravens. The logical part of my mind convinced me to move. I couldn’t stay here.

  I crept back to the window, pausing until the guard passed. I tossed the rope and hook out the window to the ground, and maneuvered myself to hang from the window ledge before letting go. It was a decent height but I rolled as I landed, smoothly ending in a crouch. Quickly grabbing the rope and hook, I sprinted off into the night. Unthinkingly, I ran.

  After some time I stopped, attempting to check my surroundings. Luckily, I was somewhat close to the Three Coppers inn. I would need the supplies in my pack. I wasn’t sure if I would be going back to Erelith, but staying here was out of the question. Keeping my hood up and and head down, I hastily retrieved my pack from my room, shoving in the rope and hook. I couldn’t stand to stay in this town any longer. Outside the inn, I walked through the streets as fast as I could without drawing too much attention. It was night, but there were still eyes peering through the darkness. The guards at the gate were half asleep as I strode through them. This town could be raided without even an alarm taken up. I shook my head at their lack of discipline. It was a wonder this town existed at all.

  As soon as the trees were near, I left the road and increased my pace, darting through the trees, bounding over the few fallen trees and heavy brush. I slowed as I reached a small clearing. It was one I had used a few days ago, before I had entered the town. I sat, only slightly exerted from my run. Staring into the darkness, I calmed. My thoughts turned to Enelo.

  I thought not of his murdered body but of the times we had shared. Times we had laughed, joked, and even sometimes cried. I missed him. Would always miss him, I knew. This world was ugly. The little good that I had witnessed smothered by the hate and greed of men. Was there anything left in the world that was worth living for?

  As these dark thoughts rolled in my mind, my eyes noticed movement in the forest. Two large bright green eyes appeared from the darkness as if from nowhere. Shar approached me, sensing my foul mood. I sat there, watching her. Reaching me, she paused to stare into my eyes. Then she pounced on me, knocking me down, forcing me onto my back. Shocked, my dark thoughts fled at the sudden movement. Her rough tongue licked my cheek, and her weight was lifted from my body as she curled up next to me. I laughed, reaching out to pet her. How could I have forgotten? Shar was with me. She was my light in this dark, cold world, and I was glad for it. I gazed up at the moon, as we lay in silence.

  As I watched, the shadow of a bird flew in front of the moon, outlining its shape briefly as it passed. For some reason, the outline seemed familiar. I knew that I had seen it somewhere before. I sat up, trying to recall where I had seen it. I flipped through my memories of the Academy and those of time with Enelo. I even tried recalling some of the various symbols decorating the king’s castle. Nothing seemed to fit. I almost gave up but then I remembered. The painting in the hallway.

  It had been some time ago, when I had run from Max and his friends. At the time, I had just rounded a corner and pretended to study a random painting. The portrait was of a middle-aged man in the black robes of an Academy master and on his lap sat a worn book or journal of sorts. Back then, I had taken little note of the symbol engraved on the front cover, but now it blazed brightly in my mind. It was a raven-shaped shadow, superimposed on the moon.

  I studied the emblem in my mind, as if looking at a skilled artist’s rendering. Time seemed to still, and I began to question the point of it all when, suddenly, it came to me. The half-drawn figure in blood, that Enelo had left for someone to find. I checked the two from memory, and there was no doubt it was the same symbol. I jumped to my feet and began pacing, thoughts racing.

  Shar noticed my abrupt, intense focus, and looked at me quizzically. I patted her to reassure her that all was well, then continued my pacing. Was there more to Enelo’s death than what I currently knew? Did the rotten filth of a man that I had killed really end Enelo’s life? If he did not, what did that mean? Had I killed an innocent man? I shook my head at the thought, and scowled into the darkness. No, that was one man who was most assuredly not innocent.

  Perhaps it was not my place to say whether he lived or died, but I would lose little sleep over his death. What I really needed were answers to these questions. Pondering for only a moment to determine my course, I lay back down and tried to rest. Tomorrow, I would make for Erelith. Once there, I would question the librarian of the school. He, of all people, would likely have knowledge of the man in the painting, and perhaps, with any luck, the book itself. My thoughts continued to race, and it was a long time before I finally slept.

  Chapter 19

  The city of Erelith still slept. Dawn would arrive soon, perhaps in about an hour. The guards at the gate were tired from their lengthy night watch. I nonchalantly passed them by and they hardly even noticed my presence, even with so few other travelers. Without delay, I made my way to the school grounds. I was nearly jogging at that point, even though I knew from my training and experience that running in public places drew unwanted attention. As much as it pained me to slow, I checked my pace before entering the school itself.

  I went directly to the library, not bothering to stop at my room and deposit my travel pack. As usual, not many people were up and about yet. I just hoped that the librarian was an early riser. In all my time here, I had never found him absent from the library. Then aga
in, I had never been to the library at such an early hour before either. I paused at the library entrance to collect myself and my thoughts before entering.

  At first glance, the place looked empty but the library was a rather large place and could hide people behind its rows of shelves. The librarian's desk was dark and empty, but I noticed a light deeper in the room. Someone was there, in between a couple of the far shelves. I moved silently now, in case it wasn’t the librarian, but as I peered around the shelving I saw that it was indeed the old man himself.

  “You can stop skulking about now, lad. Did you need something?”

  My eyebrows raised as I revealed myself. “How did you know I was here?” I asked.

  He wrinkled his nose as he looked in my direction, “You may move quietly, but your smell proceeds you by at least ten paces.”

  I took in my appearance, realizing I hadn’t washed for at least a few days. The last wash being a stream that Shar and I had crossed on the way home. I couldn’t help it. I laughed. Then my smile faded.

  “I need your expertise.” I then proceeded to explain the painting I had found, telling him of its location and describing it as best I could.

  “Ah, yes, in the fifth hallway, southeastern section of the school?” I nodded and he continued, “That would be Master Tuyon, a teacher of healing, who later became headmaster of the school. He was the current headmaster’s predecessor.”

  “And the book? The one in the painting?” I asked.

  He grabbed his chin as he remembered. “Hm. The book I know less of. I have seen it only a handful of times, and always it was within Tuyon’s possession. I assume it must have been a personal journal.” He narrowed his eyes at me and spoke softly, “Why are you asking about the previous headmaster’s journal?”

  I feigned nonchalance, “I was simply curious as to the identity of the man. I also assumed that it was a journal of sorts. It would be most interesting to see the workings of a headmaster’s mind. Don’t you agree?”

  The librarian stared at me for a while before slowly nodding, “I suppose it would. Though, for all their doings, they are simply men like you and I.”

  I mused softly, “Indeed they are.”

  I was about to leave when I realized that, after all this time, I still didn’t know the librarians name.

  I asked, “Might I ask your name? I’ve yet to hear it.”

  The old man grinned, “Been awhile since someone cared to ask me that. The name’s Ansen.”

  I shook his hand and bade farewell, making a hasty retreat to my room. Entering, I dropped my pack and sat down wearily at my desk. I knew little, but suspected much. The one thing I was sure of was that Enelo had drawn the emblem as he had died. This meant that whoever was associated with the symbol was involved with Enelo’s death.

  My head lowered to rest in my hands. The previous headmaster’s journal could be anywhere, but my first thought was that it had been passed on to the current headmaster. I sat up straighter as an idea formed in my mind. Perhaps the old headmaster was more than a mere teacher. Perhaps he was a Shadow Raven. I had no proof but it seemed a good guess. If, in fact, he had been a Raven, the likelihood of the book being in Sol’s possession…

  This time I would find some valid proof before blindly killing anyone. I had learned my lesson. I was glad that the person I killed hadn’t been someone worthy of living. I did not feel guilt over the one man’s life I had taken. No, in truth, I was angry. Angry that, if my theory was correct, I had let myself be trained and used by the very men who had killed Enelo. It infuriated me that they played with lives as if it were a simple game.

  I calmed myself, forming a plan in my mind. It was a bare plan, with little to no details as of yet. First, I would need to figure out a way to search Sol’s office without him there. That in itself would be fairly difficult. I knew from my lessons and from overhearing certain conversations, that the five heads of the Shadow Ravens would occasionally meet together to discuss business. I knew Sol to be one such head but I didn’t know the identities of the others. That would be my second task, finding out where they met and for how long.

  I nearly jumped at the sound of knocking at my door. Cautiously, I opened it. Sol’s assistant, Niels, waited in the hall. He inclined his head to me slightly in recognition.

  “The Headmaster wishes your presence.” He took in my ragged and dirty appearance, as he wrinkled his nose just as the librarian had done, “I shall inform him that you will be presentable within the hour. Make haste.”

  Abruptly, he turned and strode away. I closed my door, gathering some clean clothes to take with me to the baths. For now I would play along as the grateful and loyal servant, thankful for my chance at revenge. My plan would need to be quick though, as I knew I could be sent out on another mission soon. I refused to be a pawn in their game any longer.

  ~

  It felt wonderful to be clean. I hadn’t realize how much dirt and grime had accumulated on me during my travels. Fully presentable, I approached the Headmaster’s office through halls still empty as the sun was just beginning to rise. Taking a deep breath, I knocked twice.

  “Enter.” Sol’s voice carried through the door.

  I slipped into the room and closed the door behind me, taking a seat across from the Headmaster. Niels wasn’t anywhere in sight.

  The headmaster, writing in a book, looked up at me. “Is it done?”

  The simple question grated on me. I nodded and he smiled slightly, closing his book.

  “Good. The council wishes to meet with you soon. We will hold the meeting five days hence. Before then, your time is your own. Rest, for after the council meeting there will be work to do.” His attention turned away from me, signaling my dismissal.

  As I left, I glanced back at the spine of the book. It was marked with the symbol of a raven. I smiled inwardly at the information I had gained. Already, I knew of the council’s meeting. Did they trust me already? I doubted it. Perhaps they simply didn’t expect me to be able to harm them, as I was a mere fledgling compared to their years of experience.

  Whatever the case, I would take advantage of their weakness. Of course, I couldn’t rush at them outnumbered. I wasn’t so foolish as to believe them hapless old fools. Though, as the librarian had said before, they were not gods. They were men. Men who had to sleep. And eat.

  Taking the next intersecting hall, I began to make my way to the kitchens. I knew that the cooks loved to talk, as long as they weren’t too busy. Luckily it wasn’t meal time and the kitchens weren’t in a state of panic. I spent some time chatting with the cooks about normal everyday things. I barely even had to speak, they just casually worked and talked about their days. Of course, in the kitchens, I was offered quite a few snacks, some of which I partook, though I quickly became full. It gave me a good excuse to stay awhile and talk. I stayed as long as I dared until I knew that any longer and people would begin to question my prolonged presence. I left the kitchens with a full belly, and made my way to Geoff’s chambers.

  As usual, he made hardly any reaction to my presence. Geoff was a quiet and incurious man. Since meeting him, I had felt that nothing could ever faze him. I watched as he opened the secret entrance to the tunnels below, then realized that I hadn’t been blindfolded. Apparently, it showed on my face as Geoff had a small smirk on his face.

  “Come, this will be my last time leading you.” He informed me.

  I nodded and followed him into the torch lit halls. Paying close attention to detail, I memorized the way completely, wondering where some of the other halls that we passed lead to. I had only ever been to a few of the rooms down here during my training, and they were all in the same general area. Curious though I was, I focused on my task. After a few more halls and a couple of turns, we stopped. The door to the main training room laid ahead. I turned to Geoff, but he had already started back without a single glance at me. Geoff was not a talkative fellow.

  For the next few hours, I spent my time looking over various pois
ons that could be easily and quickly hidden in food or drink. The most common one used in the Ravens was the heartwood. It took less than a minute after being ingested to stop the heart. An antidote was nearly impossible, as it worked too fast for an any substance to counteract it before it killed the victim.

  There was one way to beat it though, and that was with small non-lethal doses repeated over a period of weeks in order to build up a tolerance. In this case, the victim did have a tolerance, they would be extremely weakened but not in danger of immediate death. It was also nearly tasteless; any drink other than water would mask its presence. I had to assume that some, if not all, of the masters had built up a tolerance to it.

  I looked through tomes of poisons and their effects to find others of a similar nature. A fast acting poison would be key. Hours passed and still nothing seemed better than heartwood. There was a reason it was the most commonly used of them all. It was the best. Perhaps if I could find out a specific food or drink that would be consumed at the meeting it could help. Some of the other poisons I came across were just as strong as heartwood but they were clearly recognizable through either sight, smell or taste.

  I sighed, closing my current book. The torches were dimming, which offhandedly made me wonder who kept them lit? Geoff? Some other servant? It mattered little. Too tired to continue, I left through Geoff’s quarters, the man himself not present. Perhaps this was not his room, but merely his station while new Ravens were admitted to the flock.

  I yawned as I walked silently through the empty, dark halls of the school. I had worked even later than I thought. Time spent underground could only be measured in torchlight and hunger. Four days left, I pondered to myself as I slipped into my room to sleep for the night. Hopefully the next few days would shed some light on my problems.

  ~