Die Twice- Shadow's Call

by Honie Jar

  “Meet you right here,” emphasized Bijan, and he turned and headed a different direction from everyone else who was going to the stairwell that Asha would use to get out her dormitory.

  Bijan headed through the main room toward the back of the mansion. Asha stood in the foyer by the reflecting pond and took all of this in. After leaving her previous life by killing herself, her soul’s descent was intercepted by a deity who needed a favor. She did too as her soul was headed to the fires of Hell. This was her shot to get eternal paradise, the very thing she wanted. Enlightenment seemed to be out of her reach when she was with her community in her previous life. Everyone yearned and appeared to be righteous, bound to the teachings of the Qur’an. Yet, Asha lived a life of secrecy with Aram as they ran drugs, she sold her body, and they intimidated and robbed to get by.

  The double life made Asha believe that she was no better than the Scum of the Earth. She wanted out, and she got out. Now, Asha not only has the chance to save the trajectory of her soul, but those of this world’s. For the first time in her life, well her two lives combined, she realized her life was worth living.

  Her entire existence relied on getting herself initiated into the Clan of Bahram, which seemed simple enough. Bijan seemed to be a suitable mentor and capable of teaching her all she needed to know. The notion of killing others bothered her some, but after watching hours upon hours of the Ascendancy of Unity, she reasoned that the people she would kill were merciless, anyway.

  Asha watched Bijan walk toward his chambers for a few paces until it became strange for her to continue to watch him. She assumed that the higher officers had their rooms in a separate location in the vast and behemoth mansion that enclosed a clan of trained killers.

  When no one was left, Asha went down the hallway and up the stairs to her room, with anxious anticipation of what the next day would bring.

  5 The Initiation

  Waking up before the sun was even a thought, Asha lit one of the candles in her room to begin preparing herself for what the day would bring. She did as she was instructed, putting on leather armor that strapped across her chest and guarded the sides of her shoulders. She also found a wide leather belt, probably suitable for protecting against superficial piercing from swords and daggers. She found the black cape in the bottom drawer of her dresser. She unfolded it, observing the length of it. Was she really an assassin? The cape, the universal sign of mystical terror that concealed an instinctively lethal trained executioner. Asha was now one of them and wearing this cape proved it to herself.

  She found the weapons that Bijan left on the table while she was fidgeting around her room. She found pockets and straps for each of the weapons, equipping them. She saw the writing come across her field of vision, which she came to expect:

  Equipped:

  Scimitar

  Short Dagger

  Red Poison Vial

  Blue Poison Vial

  Yellow Poison Vial

  Fiery Rage Explosive

  After equipping the weapons, Asha took a moment to look at herself. Looking at her feet, which where brown leather boots came to her knees, black leather pants, and a wide belt concealed a toned abdomen, she hardly recognized her body. She made sure the cloak fell over her front before pulling her hair into a high ponytail and putting the hood over her head. She was ready.

  As she came down the hallway, Bijan waited for her by the reflecting pool. He too wore a black cloak and hood. They only identifiable feature of his was his white beard that stuck out from under his hood.

  “Perfect timing,” affirmed Bijan as his eyes lit up when he saw Asha. “The cape and hood fit you quite well,” he added.

  Asha was relieved that she put on all the garb correctly. “Right this way,” whispered Bijan as he stepped to the opposite side of the mansion toward the dining hall. Instead of entering the dining hall, Bijan led Asha further down the hallway and to a stairwell that went underground.

  Torches gleamed and flickered high on the walls where they were attached. Much like the last stairwell that went underground, this one had lit oil-burning torches that lined the walls, producing a glow as they walked further into the ground. The amber glow was almost calming, giving Asha a serene feeling despite she was not certain what would come of this ceremony.

  Walking further and further into the depths of the earth, this chamber seemed farther than the other as both Bijan and Asha walked for several minutes not saying a word to each other, Bijan leading the way. Nothing but the orange-hue of the torches radiating off of each flame could be seen, otherwise there was nothing but blackness.

  Finally, the darkness gave way to a gold and platinum door, similar to the one before. This door, adorned with rubies, emeralds and sapphires, was etched with ornamental runes. Bijan knocked three times on the door, with a second in between each knock. Within a moment, the door gave way, as if someone was on the other side awaiting their arrival.

  Beyond the door, rows of assassins each wearing their hoods and robes stood on either side of the room. They held candles in their hands. Bijan led Asha into the dark room, where she recognized the High Justiciar at the front of the room. Eldritch runes were carved into the floor that was a black onyx. Ceremonial stands with glowing orbs displayed themselves in-between the robed assassins. They glowed blue and their light competed with the illumination from each of the candles the assassins held.

  The room was completely silent, the only footsteps that were audible were those of Asha’s, as Bijan always stepped without making a sound. The High Justiciar spoke as Bijan and Asha stopped before him. “We assemble before the dawn to reach beyond our own confines a take on one who hails from a distant land, whose blood we do not share, and whose virtues are unknown to us. We want to evaluate her actions, beliefs, and loyalty to find if she is someone, we can call sister in the Clan of Bahram.”

  The High Justiciar took a second to look at the faces glowing in the candlelight. Bijan and Asha both remained silent during this time. Typically, Bijan would explain what was occurring to Asha, but he stood, facing the High Justiciar. Asha was nervous about the proceedings of the ceremony.

  Both Bijan and Asha stood in the middle of the etched eldritch runes, and slowly, Asha felt the magnetic pull of them. Pulling on one side, then the other, she felt her body sway as if it was on the surface of the ocean.

  Fearful, she glanced at Bijan, who did not break his glance toward the High Justiciar. Asha followed suit, returning her eyes to the High Justiciar.

  The High Justiciar resumed his lead of the ceremony, “Look among you,” he said to Asha. She obliged at looked at the surrounding hooded men and women who stood around them. An intimidating sight for her.

  “We are lights in the darkness, fighting to illuminate where blackness lives,” announced the High Justiciar. He continued, “We are beacons for those who cannot find their way, saviors for those who have fallen, and protectors of those who cannot fight for themselves.”

  Asha glanced at Bijan who looked on at the High Justicar, never breaking his gaze. She turned back to the man at the front, the one who all of these men and women served. The High Justiciar stood and waited for a moment. “We are servants and know that by restoring the High Priest to power will be the best act of servitude for the people of Kazeveh,” he started. He continued, “We call ourselves assassins, members of the brotherhood of the Clan of Bahram and protectors of the covenant we hold with the other clans in the Ascendancy of Unity. As of late, we have become divided, and we seek to unify ourselves once again. We want to ensure you are of the same thought as us. Therefore, we are entering the First Degree of initiation into our Clan. The First Degree is to have blind allegiance to your mentor. There are nine degrees through the initiation ceremony. For nine mornings, we will meet before the dawn for the next degree, provided you have adequately met the prior degree. Once you pass through the nine degrees, you will be a full-fledged member of the Clan of Bahram, and will enter an official apprenticeship with your mentor,
Bijan.”

  Bijan and Asha both continued to sway with the currents of the magnetic force radiating from the etched runes on the floor. The High Justiciar asked, “Do both of you consent to enter into a mentor and initiate relationship, pledging yourselves to each other?”

  “I do,” answered Bijan.

  Following along, Asha responded, “I do.”

  “Now, the price for Bijan to take you under his wing is your life. From Bijan, you will learn combat, strategy, and craftiness that is second to none. The price is your life, whether that is alive or dead. We keep you alive if we find that you will fit well within our Clan and dead if we assess you are not suitable for us. Either way, you pay with your life. Are you willing to enter in such a contract?”

  The High Justiciar turned to Asha and waited for an answer. She responded, “I do.”

  The High Justiciar continued, “Bijan also takes on a contract to see you fulfill the nine degrees. It you pass, his knowledge, skills, and convictions are passed onto you, and he is the conduit of his mentor and the mentors before him. Likewise, when you sponsor recruits into the clan, you become the conduit and pass on the teachings of Bijan to your recruits.” The High Justiciar paused. He then said, “However! If you do not pass the nine degrees, a piece of Bijan is removed, as you have become a piece of him by entering into this yolk with him. You both are two cattle, pulling the same load. Only difference is we value one and can disregard the other at a moment’s notice if we deem them unworthy of entering our Clan.”

  When the High Justiciar finished, Bijan pulled back the side of his hood, revealing portions of his ear that had been cut out. Asha turned to look at what Bijan had revealed and her mouth dropped open to see that he in fact had most of the entire lobe was gone along with most of the cartilage that cupped the ear canal.

  Bijan whispered to Asha, “It’s usually a finger or a toe, but they thought those were too valuable for the Clan to lose since it would impact my ability to fight and run, so they opted for the ear.”

  Asha was taken aback by the demonstration of loyalty that Bijan had to the Clan by agreeing to take on recruits, initiates, and apprentices at the risk of losing limbs.

  The High Justiciar turned to Bijan and said, “Bijan, you are familiar of the risk you are embarking on by taking on this responsibility. I admire that you still agree to mentor initiates and to further and heighten the advancement of this Clan.”

  Bijan interrupted, “I do it for Dalios. For the return of the High Priest to power in Kazeveh. I do it for the people of Kazeveh, so we no longer have to live under the evil King’s rule and will live in harmony under the Doctrine of Druheqir.”

  “How noble of you,” the High Justiciar patronized. “That is why we all do what we do, but your call to service has far outreached any other member of this Clan. And for that, I am commending you.”

  “It is a pleasure to serve,” insisted Bijan.

  “Very well,” continued the High Justiciar. He turned to Asha and explained, “What was once taught is not true. What was once taught is old. That is your old way of life.” The High Justiciar paused for a moment, and then he continued, “It was poisoned with bias, prejudice, and malice. What was once taught must be forgotten. As the initiate passes through the First Degree, their old educational constructs are left behind as they seal a vow of blind allegiance to the mentor who chose them. Do you agree?”

  The High Justiciar waited for a response from Asha. After the silence became uneasy, she answered, “Yes, yes I agree.” Asha was not certain if she agreed or not but realized that she must agree to move on. Perhaps if she had grown up in this world, this would have more meaning to her, and unlearning the customs and traditions of this world.

  The High Justiciar continued, “The education that you had received was to make you subservient to the throne and to respect authority. As you pass through the First Degree, your old educational constructs are left behind as you seal a vow of blind allegiance to your mentor who chose you.”

  The High Justiciar paused and Asha nodded. He then continued, “You are essentially transcending and abandoning your normal cultural programming for that of the Clan of Bahram under the guidance of your mentor. Do you agree that you will enter the First Degree and submit your blind allegiance to your mentor, Bijan Hakimi?”

  Asha answered, “I do.”

  “Splendid,” replied the High Justiciar. “Now we have officially entered the First Degree. Your mission is to venture to Çiriş right after this meeting. The Band of Çiriş is there. They were once our brothers, but with the King of Kazeveh rising to power, they have lost their providence, when they were once independent. The do support the reinstatement of the High Priest. They are close to obtaining independence once again. With that independence, they will facilitate our endeavor, which is to restore the High Priest. I will leave it to Bijan’s expertise of how to help the Sacred Band of Çiriş gain control of their land.” The High Justiciar paused, and then said, “We could sure use them owing us a favor.”

  Bijan interjected, “We are prepared for such a mission.”

  “Very well. In Çiriş you will find that the King of Kazeveh has appointed a henchman to run the port, ensuring all the tariffs, the entire trade route into Kazeveh, and the items allowed to be imported. The entire economy of Kazeveh relies on this route. The King’s henchmen plans on establishing a blockade in a few days, which will prevent goods from coming into Bakahisar. This will eventually starve the people. We do not have much time to take back Çiriş and place it back under their King and have the Sacred Band of Çiriş as the ruling clan. Do you understand?

  “I have no doubt the King of Kazeveh will do whatever it takes to make his people subservient to his throne. In an act of power he will starve his own people, just to ensure their allegiance. We must stop this at once!” answered Bijan.

  Asha knew that the King of Kazeveh was an evil and vile man, but she did not expect that he was willing to sacrifice his own republic to guarantee his reign. What kind of sick and twisted leader would do that?

  Asha spoke up, knowing it was breaking the rule that Bijan gave her. “We do understand,” she started. “And we will put a stop to the hardship that this leader is needlessly putting on his people. I will risk everything to put a stop to this and to restore the High Priest to power, ending this suffering. If the King is successful, first children and babies would die, followed by the elderly. As people would become more and more desperate, we will all start to turn on each other, killing ourselves before the King could actually do it himself.” Asha gasped as she heard the words come out of her mouth. This was the first time that she ever spoke out of turn and immediately realized that she killed herself in her previous life before Aram could. The connection she made sent shivers down her spine. In addition, she did not know if there would be a punishment from Bijan for speaking to someone who did not address her.

  Worried she did something wrong, she turned to Bijan and whispered, “My apologies. I promise it will never happen again,” as she put her head down expecting a reprimand or worse. An act such as this would have warranted a beating from Aram.

  “Asha, it’s fine. You will have to demonstrate that you are committed to the cause. That is a requirement for being one of us. In terms of speaking and interrupting the High Justiciar, well that’s something we can discuss at a later time. I’m glad to see some fight in you. We are going to need some of that as we complete this assignment.” Bijan was quick to quiet down as the High Justiciar needed to regain control of this meeting.

  “You will ride out this morning to Çiriş. Tomorrow, before the dawn, the same time as today, we will meet and discuss the success or failure of this mission and your initiate’s advancement to the Second Degree, which is dependent on an instigating action that gives Çiriş the advantage for taking back their territory.”

  “As you wish, High Justiciar,” responded Bijan.

  “And after this mission, you will have blind allegiance to your mentor,
” concluded the High Justiciar looking at Asha. His piercing blue eyes staring straight at her from under his hood.

  Bijan turned to Asha and said, “Let us go now. We will head to the stables to prepare our horses.” Asha turned to head out of the meeting room, when Bijan said, “These guys will continue to hold their meeting. There are other irons in the fire that they must discuss and hand out other assignments. Ours is the furthest away, so we must get a move on.”

  Bijan, turning back to the High Justiciar, bowed his head and said, “I lay my life for you, brother.”

  The High Justiciar responded, “And I for you.” The High Justiciar bowed his head toward Bijan in reciprocity.

  Both Asha and Bijan left the meeting while the others held their candles, waiting for their assignments. They traveled out of the cavernous-like room back to the main foyer with the reflecting pond. The initiate had to leave the meeting after her assignment was given as not to hear the other assignments that would be going on that day. Asha had figured that was the case.

  Bijan led Asha out the front door and around the mansion to the back where the stables were. The stables were kept pristine, as there were eighteen stalls filled with the most muscular, large, and obedient beasts that Asha had ever seen. All the horses were dark in coloring, either dark brown or black hair and black manes and tails. All of them were gorgeous.

  Bijan walked up to the assassin who manned the stall. “It must be nice having to prepare the horses rather than stand through the daily meeting,” jested Bijan.

  The assassin answered, “One of the reasons why I volunteered for this seat.” Both him and Bijan embraced. Asha took in the stables, which were vast. Enclosed by a barn-like structure made of wood, the floors of the stalls were all kept tidy, free from any waste or hay that was not in the feeding troughs. The Clan’s headquarters seemed to run like a machine, except for the garden in the front, everything was very well maintained.