She had made it halfway across the quarter before she finally stopped at a small fountain. The cold sensation from the stone went right through her as she sat down, remembering she’d never even thought to take her coat. Wind picked up and swept around her, forcing her to rub her sides in some feign attempt to keep warm, it was almost enough to drown out the sound of footsteps behind her.
‘I’m not in the mood, Gareth, I don’t want to talk right now.’ She said, without turning.
‘It is not safe to roam the streets alone, child.’ The calm warrior’s voice came from close behind her.
Selene looked around to see Neesha standing next to her, a warm, almost apologetic look on her face. She wondered how the stranger had found her, how someone foreign to her city could creep up on her after she’d run half way across the Merchant’s Quarter. The realisation she didn’t really care, drove those thoughts from her mind, and instead, all she could hear now were Neesha’s final words in the kitchen. 'Selene is Zin,' she’d said.
Neesha sat down next to her. ‘You must have questions. Ask, and I shall answer as best I can.’
‘I wouldn’t even know where to begin.’ She wasn’t lying. She’d had no time to digest anything Neesha had said, let alone that Selene might actually be Zin, and possess magic.
‘As I’ve said, a long time ago, our people lived as one. It wasn’t just two societies living peacefully. Our people formed connections with one another, friendships, relationships, our people fell in love with each other, just like any mortal couple would. Throughout the last century, our bloodlines with mortals have been diluted, even filtered out sometimes, but once in a while, a child is born and our magic, our life force flows through them. These children are as much a part of the Zin as they are Emeerians.’
Selene was taken aback by Neesha’s statement. She never knew her mother, or her mother’s family. Her father’s had died long before Selene was born, so she’d known no family to ask of her heritage. If any of it was true, it would mean she'd missed out on far more while growing up.
‘So somewhere down my family line, there’s a Zin ancestor? That’s what you’re telling me?’ She said, still unsure.
‘Yes. Unfortunately I don’t know your family line, but you can be sure, one of my people holds a place in your family tree. A grand parent, or great grand parent perhaps.’
‘If what you’re saying is true, then I can use magic, right? Some kind of power, like the one you used to knock out the commander, or like the men we were hunting. But I’ve done nothing, how do you explain that?’ She asked, desperate to disprove Neesha.
Something in Neesha’s eyes told Selene that she understood what was going through her mind. Understood the desperation, confusion, and even the turmoil that threatened to devour her whole. She was torn between wanting to continue to fit in with her friends in Eitane, and the longing she’s always had to better understand her family and heritage.
‘Every few years, my people scout the lands of Emeer in search of gifted children. We offer them a place amongst us, a place where they can be safe, somewhere they can learn to use their gifts. Some of these children are not that dissimilar to you. They have trouble believing. Most will not have seen their gifts before.’ Neesha said, sitting down next to Selene.
‘We have ways of helping these children unlock their gifts, and we spend years with them training to control that power. I am sorry that we did not find you until now, most are found much younger, when it’s easier to believe they might be more.’
‘You said most wouldn’t have seen their gifts. Does that mean it's possible to unlock the power without help?’ Selene asked, needing to know more.
‘It happens, although rare. Mostly, it is a glimmer of the person’s power that will surface at times of heightened emotions. It would take an emotionally powerful event to unleash a person’s power in a way that would be truly noticeable.’
Selene thought on it for a few moments, she searched her memory for anything that might suggest even an inkling of magic, but there was nothing that came to mind. Hope struck. ‘Is it possible you’re wrong about me?’ She asked.
‘No.’ Neesha said firmly. ‘Magic calls to magic. I feel it inside of you, just as the Magi who hunted you did. In a city such as Eitane, it can be hard to track a magically gifted person, given the number of people surrounding them. But now I am so close to you, there is no mistaking it. You are one of us, Selene, that much I know.’
* * *
The world had shifted to black, but flickers of light pierced the darkness as Thyle blinked into consciousness.
‘Commander…’ A familiar voice at the edge of his mind.
‘Commander… wake up.’ The voice again.
Thyle’s head rang as he forced his eyes open, taking in the bright flames of the torches in front of him. His vision blurred, but he began to recognise pieces of the room he was in. The small wooden desk, the countless files, his sword still next to his hand, that was when he saw it. Two men lay only feet from him, lifeless eyes stared back at him as he remembered the fight he’d had, taking both of their lives, in protection of a young girl. The girl.
‘Where’s the girl?’ He asked, low and hoarse, barely able to speak.
‘Girl?’ One guard asked, sounding confused.
‘The young girl that was here with me, where is she?’ Thyle said, sounding more like himself.
‘There was no girl here, sir, just the two men, already dead.’
He jumped to his feet quickly, examined the small office, before running to the door and looking up and down the street outside. No sign of anyone, other than the two City Guards still inside. Thyle couldn’t remember anything other than his last words to the girl. She had been in front of him, too far away to have caused his blackout. His hand quickly shot up to the back of his head, he felt around for a wound, bump, or any sign of being struck. But there was nothing, no pain, and not so much as a drop of blood.
Unsure of what to do next, he took a moment to collect his thoughts, he was torn between his search for the kidnappers, and a need to find the girl, to find answers. The two guards stared at him, silent, but questioning none the less. The City Guard were already searching for the kidnappers, presumably still uncaught, he could risk a few men in search of the answers he needed.
‘You two,’ he began, the men standing to attention. ‘One of you stay here to protect the scene, the other, return to the barracks, take a few of the remaining men and sweep the area for a girl matching this description, and send someone to help remove these bodies. I want them examined.’
Thyle wrote the description of the girl on a scrap of paper from the small desk in the room. He handed it to one of the men and turned to leave.
‘Send word directly if you find anything, I don’t wish to be kept waiting.’
Both men saluted, and Thyle left to return to the palace, there was nothing else to be done there.
TWENTY THREE
The Market Square was in full swing when Gareth entered from the slums. Even at the early hour, people rushed back and forth, most cheerful, some looking like they required a few more hours sleep. Stalls were set up, wares laid out. The warm, comforting aromas of freshly prepared food filled the entire square. He loved that time of day, everything seemed so much better, worries yet to set in, minds still basked in the thought of dreams not long over, anything seemed possible.
Events of the previous night had filled his dreams, and even his waking thoughts since rising that morning. It was impossible for Gareth to even imagine how Selene was feeling, or what might be going through her mind at that moment. He’d gone to the square with all of that in mind, and hoped that some of her favourite pastries, freshly baked, would soothe her, if only a little.
He passed through the morning shoppers, and merchants, offered greetings to those he recognised, taking in their wares for a random gift for Selene. Everything seemed like a typical morning at the market until he spotted a large crowd gathered around the main not
ice board in the centre of the square. It took only a moment for Gareth to move through the gathered crowd, and, stood before the board, he saw what it was they were all chattering about. The entire middle section of the notice board had a wanted poster, with a crude drawing in black at its centre.
WANTED for questioning in relation to the recent kidnappings. REWARD offered.
Gareth was in shock, for the drawing, while crude, was accurate enough for an identification. He knew the City Guard and residents had seen each of the thieves at some point, running around the warehouse district, in search of the kidnappers. He supposed those people did not understand who they were, or that they were helping, just that strangers were running around their streets late at night.
Few people can be trusted when a reward was on the table. If anyone else in the Market Square that morning had recognised the person on the poster, the entire group might be in danger.
People flowed around him like the sea around the bow of a ship, as Gareth pushed his way through the crowd, swift, but unnoticed. Drawing attention to himself rushing off, would not help the situation, assuming the guards weren’t already on their way to arrest his friends. There’s still time, moving ever forward, careful not to appear fazed by the scene. Even at a relaxed pace, he was out of the Market Square and across the bridge into the Merchant’s Quarter in minutes.
The road to Selene’s home was no busier than it should have been. There were no unusual crowds or mumbling congregations that would suggest something was afoot. Several guards had passed him, heading back towards the square, nothing he heard suggested that anyone was the wiser, and that brought great relief to Gareth as he made the final turn onto Selene’s street.
Before him stood her house, nothing amiss, not a single eye watching it from any direction. He felt it best to enter from the rear, just in case someone had her location and were watching for signs of activity before making their move. He would take no risks where Selene was involved and had scaled her home into her bedroom window on more occasions than he would ever admit to.
Easy hand holds and footing were all he saw when he approached the rear of her home. Gareth made a few easy manoeuvres, a short jump, followed by some quick leaps from grip to grip, before he had made it on the window ledge. Satisfied with himself, he removed a long, thin blade from his boot, and with little effort flicked the window latch up by placing his knife through a thin gap between the window’s wooden frame.
The window swung inward, and Gareth placed a single booted foot inside, half his body following, as he felt the sharp edge of something pressing against his throat.
‘A master thief, I am not, but even I know you should show more care when breaking into another’s home.’ Neesha said, stepping out from the wall, blade still pressed to his throat.
‘True, but it’s you who should show more care, warrior.’ Gareth said, moving his eyes down to her abdomen.
Neesha’s gaze followed his, and he saw the surprise on her face as she saw his blade touching the outer layer of her white leather armour, just above her navel. They both stared at each other, the previous look of surprise on Neesha’s face replaced by what Gareth could only describe as approval.
‘You prove me wrong, thief.’
Neesha removed the dagger from his throat and took two steps back. Still within striking distance, he noted, before putting his own dagger back into his boot. The tension eased a little and Gareth looked around the room for Selene, who would usually still be in bed.
‘What are you doing here at such an early hour?’ She asked.
‘I could ask you the same thing, you’re the stranger here, after all.’
Gareth had no sooner asked, when Selene entered the bedroom, dressed, with her hair still wet. Not awake long, he thought. While it was unusual for her to be up that early without reason, he didn’t find it hard to believe she would have trouble sleeping, after the events of the night before. Adding to her heavy thoughts, wasn’t what he’d wanted to do, but there was no way to conceal what he’d seen, nor should he.
‘Good morning, still haven’t learnt to use the door I see. Molly won’t be happy.’ Selene said, in a sarcastic tone.
‘Look at you, being funny at the crack of dawn, I guess some of us are capable of change.’ He said.
She stuck out her tongue and walked across the room to her closet, retrieving a heavy tunic to cover the light, slim one she was wearing. Gareth moved a little closer to her, and further away from Neesha, trying to decide how to tell her.
‘Spit it out, I can see that look on your face from across the room.’ She said.
‘Okay, this sounds worse than it is, but we know now, so there’s lots we can do,’ he began, moving in close to her. ‘I was heading through the square, when I saw a large crowd gathered around the main notice board.’
Selene looked up at him, questioning, worried eyes staring deep into his. ‘What is it?’
He hesitated a moment longer, but said, ‘there was a wanted poster on the board. They’re offering a reward for information on someone they’re saying, is connected to the kidnappings.’
Neesha appeared at his side, and even though Gareth wasn’t short by any standards, she appeared to tower above him, a threatening demeanour about her. He removed his gaze from her long enough to become fixed on Selene again.
‘Selene, there was a drawing, of the person they want… It wasn’t a flattering portrait, but it was a close enough resemblance…’
‘Close enough? To who? Did you recognise them?’ She asked, looking anxious.
‘It was you. They’re looking for you.’
* * *
Selene’s head still reeled from the news Gareth had given her only moments before. She had been awake most of the night, thoughts of the missing children, being hunted by men from a supposed immortal race, and the constant voice that kept saying in the back of her mind, ‘Selene, is Zin.’ Even with all of those worrying thoughts, she’d never for a second thought she’d be the one the City Guard would be hunting.
The room seemed like it would spin if she didn’t sit down right away. She grabbed for the small wooden stool at her dressing table, and collapsed onto it, head in hands. I’ve done nothing wrong, she thought, trying to massage away the newly formed headache, right between her eyes. A valuable ally in the search for the missing children, or even a victim, given the previous night, but how the guards believed she was involved with the kidnappers, she did not know.
‘Selene, it’ll be fine, we can get you out of here, even if they come looking, they won’t find you.’ Gareth said, with his reassuring voice.
She thought about it for a minute or so, pondering hiding until it was all over. Surely the City Guard will find these Magi soon, they’d been so close last night, and now at least two of them have been killed. Selene came to her senses though, and the realisation that the City Guard, even the Commander would be no match for the Magi, struck hard. If those immortals were to be dealt with, it would only happen with the thieves help.
‘I won’t run and hide. They need us, and we’re not giving up on them.’ She began, getting to her feet. ‘We said we would continue the search today, and we will.’
Gareth seemed torn, she saw it on his face as he looked from her to Neesha and back again. Neesha made no move to discourage her from the search, or affirm Gareth’s clear hesitation at the idea. That was that, the decision had been made, and nothing Gareth could say to her would change it.
‘Fine,’ he said, arms crossed. ‘But we’re not searching the warehouse district again without the others. Stay here until I go fetch them, if anything happens, we’ll need all the help we can get.’
‘Agreed. But I’m not waiting around. Neesha and I will head to the district, we’ll meet you at the rusty nail, the usual spot.’ She said, a matter of fact.
He didn’t seem to like her leaving, least of all without him, but she could see the look on his face, he knew not to argue, not now.
‘I won’t be long
. And you,’ He said, turning to Neesha. ‘I’m not sure I believe your story, or what you can do, but you better protect her if anything goes wrong.’
‘You have my word, no harm will come to her.’
* * *
Gareth had left them at a fork in the road to head to the slums while Selene and Neesha had taken the path towards the Market Square and on through to the Warehouse District. She knew he would rally their friends in no time and not be long behind them. Even though she put on a brave face back at her home, Selene had done nothing but worry since the moment Gareth had told her of the wanted poster.
It would have been difficult enough to complete their task, just having to deal with these new magically gift, immortal beings. But now she had the entire city guard, and any person looking to make some quick coin, as potential enemies.
They rounded a corner onto a short side street, nothing but dock workers homes, and the Rusty Nail. A run down pub, only frequented by local labour and people not wanting to be found. People like her and the Thieves Guild. Selene had spent many a night there, with Gareth or the other thieves. The Rusty Nail was where they’d wait out the long hours, while a ship’s cargo was unloaded, for whatever Vin had transported aboard that ship.
With the entrance in front of them, Selene halted for a moment and turned to Neesha.
‘You’ll stick out like a sore thumb in here. Try to keep your head down, and just follow my lead, okay?’
Neesha nodded in acknowledgement and followed suit as Selene pushed through into the pub.
Even at that early hour, the bar was lined with men and women of all description, the tables too, half of which were already occupied. Sailors, dock workers, and even a few pirates. She was able to tell not just by their dress, but the particular tattoos covering them from head to toe. These were the characters she felt most comfortable around. While they were far more dangerous than City Guards, or the regular slum goers, she understood them, and that brought comfort to her.
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