by Logan Jacobs
“Well, she tried,” I hummed. “But it was only because she was threatened by me, and she was threatened by her whole family. Besides, I’m still alive, aren’t I?”
“I guess,” she answered. “How did you escape her wrath?”
Her voice was skeptical and filled with awe, but it still had a calmness to it. Even though she had already made up her mind about the Ardere, she still seemed willing to listen to what I had to say.
“I can’t speak for the rest of the Ember Priestesses,” I told her. “But Cinis actually saved my life. Her words stopped me from falling into a trap that was set out for me, and she let me run out of the Ardere before I could be injured by Ignis’ wrath.”
“There was a trap?” Ephy gasped, and her hand flew to her lips. “What was it?”
I could see I was scaring her a little with all this talk of the Ardere, and she floated far enough away to escape, but close enough to still hear what I had to tell her.
“My task… is a long story,” I answered. “The trap set out for me meant I had to kill Cinis, but she made me realize if I were to do that, then the whole kingdom would have drowned in the molten ash from the ember fields. I guess she’s like the guardian of those fields, they’re a part of her. She didn’t only save herself, or me, but she actually saved the entire kingdom, and she even saved you.”
“Well, I’m glad to still be alive,” the siren smiled and relaxed again. “That’s good to hear. I hate the thought of seeing good men perish, even worse, the whole kingdom.”
“Well, it’s really because of her,” I repeated. “She saw through Ignis’ plan.”
“But why is Ignis terrorizing the forest now?” she asked.
“Because Cinis lived,” I explained. “His plan failed, and she chose to take matters into her own hands, but… now the fires are burning, and I wonder if she is okay.”
“I see,” the siren returned. She didn’t say more about Cinis, instead she directed the conversation back to me. “I have not known of a mortal man to speak with an Ember Priestess before.”
“Neither have I,” I admitted.
“It sounds as if there is much you are involved in now,” Ephy continued. “I can feel your unrest, but I believe in you. You have great power. I can feel your magic pulling me toward you.”
“Oh?” I felt my face smile.
“Yesss…” she purred. “It is alluring. Like my song is to you, no?”
“Yeah,” I chuckled.
“A brave and good man like you can certainly succeed, Dex Morgan.”
“Thank you, Ephy,” I replied.
The siren came closer again and folded her arms on the edge of the pond to rest her chin on them. She looked up and gave me a doe-eyed look, and her cheeks shimmered as she smiled. It was nice to see her relaxed again, and she even seemed to trust me still despite my tales of the Ardere.
“So, what are you going to do now?” she asked in a bashful voice. “I am very interested.”
I let out a deep exhale and brought myself back to the task at hand.
“I need to begin gathering leads on the information I just gained from the water goddesses,” I told her. “I need to defeat the titan, but more importantly, find who killed the Master before too much time has passed.”
“Let me help,” she said, though her voice made it sound like she asked me a question. “I’m sure I can do something.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I returned and picked myself up off the grassy floor. “It’s dangerous to get involved in my sort of work, and the last thing I want is for someone as… like yourself to get hurt.”
“Sirens are stronger than you believe,” she hummed, and when she slowly blinked at me, her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings. “My spirit may be tied to this lake, but much like your Master, who we all came to know so well, we can read through the waters.”
I had been wondering if the sirens had some of the same abilities as the goddesses, but hearing they could travel through the waters in the same way made me elated. Perhaps this wouldn’t be the last time I saw the sweet siren.
Still, it never occurred to me that the Master had ever sought help from the sirens, but as soon as Ephy mentioned it, I realized he would probably advise me to take her up on the offer.
“Did you know Mage Abyssi well?” I asked with intrigue.
“Of course,” Ephy replied. She stayed in the pond and looked up at my frame as I towered over her. “Just as well as the goddesses did. He didn’t ask for our assistance very often, but we would always listen to him talk when he needed us, and we helped whenever we could.”
“I see,” I said and smiled at the woman as I dusted myself off.
It was nice to know the Master’s legacy wasn’t just remembered within the Assassins’ Estate, and that the memory of him was going to be remembered forever at this enchanting pond.
“Let me search for you,” Ephy offered. “I will look through the waters of the kingdom and try to help you. Actually, I promise that I can. I’ll see if I can find out more information, and even try to find his spirit.”
“The Master’s spirit?” I asked in surprise. “Can you really bring him to me?”
She shook her head. “As the goddesses said, it’s not possible at this time. But I can ensure he is at peace, and I will assist you in solving your troubles. Please, let me help you, Dex Morgan.”
“But why?” I asked. “What did I do to deserve your help?”
“Maybe…” her lips turned up more into a smile. “Maybe… it is because of all the reasons? Your voice, your eyes, your honesty, your bravery. You spoke to the goddesses without fear, and now you think of fighting a titan. What mortal man does such a thing? You are either insane or… well… I sense your power. As I said, it is drawing me to you. Will you let me help you? I know my offer is strange, but your story has made me more attracted to you, and I would be sad to never see you again.”
“I am attracted to you, too.” I smiled at her hopeful gaze and felt the blood burn through my veins.
“Then you will let me?”
“Yes. But only if it’s safe for you.” I reached out and held her light-green hand for a moment, and her soft touch seemed to sift straight through my skin. I didn’t want to let go, but I knew I had to. If I wanted to defeat the titan before things got too out of hand, then I needed to leave.
“Go.” Ephy smiled and released me. “Go before the smoke catches up with you. I will let you know what I learn. The earth and woods may seem to part us, but the water will bring us together, Dex Morgan.”
I gave her one last grin and started my ascent up the grassy hill, but before I reached the edge of the top, I looked back, and the siren was gone.
I nodded and began to jog back in the direction of the kingdom, and as soon as I was over the hill, I began to sprint to the edge of the fog.
“I’m leaving,” I hollered to the trees. “Please, direct me back to Ocadia.”
I jumped over the foliage and through the trees, and suddenly, the same tunnel emerged ahead of me. I dove into it, and the forest didn’t hiss or taunt me once in my journey. It continued to direct me on the winding path back to Ocadia, and when I finally burst out into the cobblestone streets, I paused to catch my breath.
For the second time today, I had made it out of the Forest of Hud alive.
I looked toward the south as I tried to regain my breath, but then I noticed the smell of smoke wafting up through my nose.
Another fire had sprouted, and it could only be about two miles away from my estate.
I immediately set off again, and it wasn’t long before I saw other fires near the city’s edge.
“The end is near!” a human man screamed from the nearest corner. “Today is the last day before we all perish! Find your families and tell them you love them, for tomorrow we will be dust!”
I rolled my eyes at him and kept on hurrying through the anxious city. There was no point listening to what the non-magical humans had to say, and the
last thing Ocadia needed was people like him stoking the panic. Especially when efforts were clearly in place to protect the town.
I recognized the various garbs of the magical estates all throughout the crowded streets, but it was impossible for me to gauge their efforts as I pushed against the crowd. Under normal circumstances, it would have taken me half an hour to get back home, but in the time I’d spent near the goddesses’ pond, the avenues had become flooded with citizens of every home, tavern, and estate.
Each path I took felt like a packed cattle pen, and I had to take my journey to the Thieves’ Highway so only the terrified screams of the massive crowd could impede my journey.
I needed to get to the roofs.
I craned my neck and spotted a loaded-down cart slowly making its way through the masses, and I headed that way. The anxious driver was busy hollering at the beings blocking his path, so he didn’t even notice me as I climbed into his cart and on top of his wooden crates. Then I waited a moment until we neared the large portico of a dressmaker’s shop, and I caught hold of the woodwork above the entrance.
My boots swung forward and hitched on the supporting column, and in two heaves, I hauled myself up onto the portico roof. Then I gripped the gutter above me, climbed up onto the building’s roof, and righted myself to look around at the smoky cityscape.
Most of the more prominent spires were swallowed up in the red and black sky, and the screams coming from the black smoke sent demonic faces swirling above us all.
Still, I had traveled the Thieves’ Highway many times. There was a clear path ingrained in my mind, and I continued along this roof and on to the next. While I maneuvered myself along a rickety row of shingles like a squirrel on a tree branch, I kept my ear on the conversation taking place in the slim alley below.
“What if we sacrifice one of our own,” a redheaded elf suggested, and I stooped at the edge of the roof to study their group.
There were about twelve of them altogether, which wasn’t a rare sight to see. Elves were small and ground-bound, so they usually travelled in packs for protection.
“If one of us works with the alchemists and becomes deadly,” the elf continued, “then when Ignis shows up to kill us all, and eats us or whatever, he will have poison inside of him!”
I grimaced at the grim plan as I stood, steadied my balance, and leapt up onto the worn-out balcony across the alley.
Elves were normally servants or helpers, so they were rarely the type of creatures to fight or have an agenda. Their self-sacrificing spirit was commendable, though, even if I doubted their ploy would be effective.
“Surely there’s more of us than he can expect,” a human of the king’s guard tutted as he hurried past the next street corner with another knight. “If we band together against Ignis as if he were an entire army, then we stand a chance.”
“I think that’s what we might have to do, Mere,” the other agreed. “None of these magical beings will gather a plan in time.”
“Not quite accurate,” I muttered under my breath, and I sprinted over the next three buildings as I steadily made my way to the south.
Not fifteen minutes from my estate, I saw a group of fire mages who trained with the Archmage I’d seen at the assembly, and I redirected my path to see what their plans were. There were only three of them in total, and they all seemed to be around sixteen, so they couldn’t have finished their training yet.
“We’re damn elemental mages,” a man with the auburn hair said with a cocky scoff. “We could defeat him on our own, we don’t need anyone else to help us. The Archmage is sure of it.”
“I don’t know, man,” the other one with darker hair admitted. “Ignis is pretty strong, at least from what the stories say.”
“Our whole lives revolve around fire, and we have the other elemental mages to assist!” the teen insisted. “Our estate is strong enough to withstand anything. Mages are like, the most powerful thing in the kingdom, so why couldn’t we?”
“I think if all the mages worked together, then… maybe it would work,” the other mage sighed.
“Both of you are bollocks,” the third mage finally cut in. “We don’t need any other mages to help, the fires can do all of the work, and I bet Ignis’ flames couldn’t even hurt us. What the fuck are the air mages gonna do, blow them away?”
“Let’s take it to the Archmage and ask him, then,” the teen challenged. “I’m sure he’d be eager to have us step up. He’s always telling us our element puts us above the rest. Either way, I’m ready to fight.”
I ground my teeth and left the group to their discussion with a shake of my head.
Elemental mages had a reputation that was relatively good in the kingdom, but ever since the current Archmage took over their estate, it seemed the group had started to feel as if they were superior to the other types of magic wielders, especially those schools that relied heavily on fetishes, or totems, or other magical components to harness their powers. Why he thought this was a good approach was beyond me, but it made most of the members of his estate painfully cocky.
I remembered the Master and how subtle he was with his powers, so much so, that he rarely let it be known to anyone how powerful he really was. I’d respected him more for this, and I’d come to appreciate how much more valuable a discrete approach could be.
Hell, I’d built my entire life doing the same.
As I headed along the last dozen or so ridges of the taverns and stalls, I passed all manner of younger magical beings who seemed determined to be involved, but it seemed they were being sent out for the grunt work. I listened to them gathering reports of the fires, clocking what their rivals were up to, and putting up the appearance of action for the humans.
I assumed this meant the higher-ranking members of the estates were still within their grounds plotting their greater feats.
I dropped back down among the citizens when I was only a few minutes from home, and as I crossed through the deserted coven, smoke permeated most of the area. Even the walls surrounding my estate were cloaked in an ashy-gray haze, and I banged on the locked door and waited for someone to let me in.
“It’s me, Dex.”
Mazne opened the door at once and smiled on my entrance. Her face was less puffy, and her eyes weren’t red from tears, so I guessed she was feeling better. Elis and Vulnus were at their posts in the reception area with her, and the boy shot to his feet while the wiry old assassin offered a stoic nod in greeting.
“There’s been no signs of any forced entry,” Mazne reported. “Everyone is marking all possible entrance points, and we have cleared the house for any intruders.”
“Perfect.” I nodded and walked toward the corridor. “Thanks, Maz.”
“No problem, Master,” she chirped, and I found it odd hearing her use the term since we’d grown up together. Still, I appreciated the respectful gesture since I’d have to get used to being the Master around here. “Where did you go?”
“Just to see the water goddesses,” I passed.
“What?” Mazne gasped. “How--”
“I’ll explain it all later,” I quickly interrupted her. “Can you gather everyone up to the office as soon as you can? I need to speak with everyone.”
“Oh, yeah, sure. On it.” She smiled and dashed down the hallway ahead of me.
When I arrived at my new office, I unlocked the door, took a deep breath, and entered, but then I froze on the threshold.
I had expected to see the Master still on his chair since I never told anyone to remove the body, but when I approached, he had gone.
Instead, all that was in the chair was the robe he was wearing when he passed.
“What the hell?” I growled as I stormed around the desk and looked around.
I was about to scour the entire room once more, but before I’d taken one more step, I heard a soft song coming from the fountain. I crossed the room in a few long strides, and I looked down into the still waters with a frown.
Then the song came a
gain, and it was barely above a whisper as I registered the words.
“We have brought his body back into the elements,” the song lulled.
“Ephy?” I asked as I tried to distinguish the voice.
“Yes, Dex Morgan,” she whispered back. “Don’t worry, he is at rest now.”
“Thank you,” I said gently, and I smiled as the sound of her voice immediately dispelled my concern.
Then I gathered up the Master’s old garb and placed it on the shelf next to the golden egg. I moved the chair back from the fountain to the large oak desk, and for the first time in my life, I took a seat behind it.
It was an odd feeling taking this position so soon. A few days ago, I was just a resident assassin, and sure, I was highly skilled, but I didn’t know I was going to become the next Master of the estate within the blink of an eye.
Now, I sat at the center of the great office, braced my elbows on the desk, folded my hands, and waited for my assassins to arrive.
They came quickly, and all twenty-one trained killers were accounted for with Mazne leading the way. She offered me a small bow of her head as she took her place beside the desk and turned to face the others, and then I began our meeting.
“From now on, I will officially be stepping up as Master of this estate,” I reconfirmed to the sea of faces in front of me. “The Master’s passing has affected everyone, and will continue to do so for a while, but we are professionals around here. I am certain we will sustain the business he built for us for many years to come and will do his work great justice in the process.”
“Fuckin’ eh, we will,” Pamphrus growled with a murderous grin.
I grinned back and continued. “There is a storm brewing between Ocadia and the Ardere of Ignis, but of course you know all of that, so we’ll dismiss the issue for now. Our primary mission is to avenge Master Abbot, and I’ve gathered you because I have a starting lead for us at last.”
“What is it?” Mazne blurted out.
“The evening Master Abbot was murdered, a warlock trespassed on our grounds,” I announced.