Death Dealers

The Path of the Assassin

Mari paused and looked up at the building. The crest of the most feared branch of the government, the serpent and dagger, was emblazoned in silver on the iron gates. Where she had been comfortable in the brothel, this was Gareth’s domain. He strode to the gates and swung them wide. A standard military guard came to attention on the porch of the gray marble building. His silver uniform glistened in the morning light. It had been a morning of discovery. She looked at Gareth, a touch of awe in her expression. He was very young to be playing the games he was playing. To think that he had killed his own father...as a political play. You would think he was heartless, but she knew better.

The guard opened the door to the building without a word. They stepped into an expansive foyer, designed to awe guests. Fifteen ornamental columns dominated the room. Each pillar represented a sacred element. Mari wanted to stop and stare, but Gareth strode forward to the large desk in the center of the room. “Weapons and state your business.” The man behind the desk said in a professional tone.

Gareth summoned his soul blades. “Really.” He replied. Then added. “I’m Gareth of Kilmora, I was instructed to report to Ser Donald of Trinton…”

“I’m expecting these two, Ven. I’ll take them from here.” A thin man with a receding hairline said “I am Culin, master secretary for Ser Donald. I have been instructed to handle this case.” Vin turned to lead them down one of the seven halls that left the room and a soul blade appeared in front of him. One moment the blade was at his throat then the next, he had slid behind Gareth, but his soul blade struck a shield that had been summoned from nothing.

Gareth turned to face the master and both men lowered, then dismissed their blades. Ven was smiling. “Well played, young master.”

“It isn’t wise to turn your back on a Death Dealer. I don’t need your title, but another youngling may not be so kind.” Gareth said.

Mari looked around, more than a dozen people were in the room and watching, but no one was interfering. “I don’t like being dismissed, you may lead me, but don’t act like I’m not a threat.” His voice sounded petulant.

Ven smiled wider. “Very well played, you are skilled. Few people dare challenge me in this place.” He started walking down the corridor but he kept an eye on Gareth. “You see, young one, it is considered an insult to turn your back on a Death Dealer, it says that you don’t see them as a threat. It’s an invitation to die. Few try that here, but young Gareth understands the rules too well.” He explained in a low voice to Mari. “Your friend couldn’t let others see him ignored, but he challenged me in a way to make others underestimate him, as I said, masterfully played.”

They were led into a generously appointed office. “Please sit. I need to explain to the two of you what has been decided. We have accepted the fact that Mari has been freed, though unconventional, it is within the scope of your power. We also accept that the two of you and Esrea are part of the vault...That will be discussed later. Gareth, you will face our weapon’s master for him to assess your qualifications to teach. This isn’t a match to death and both you and the master are instructed to try not to kill each other. We understand the importance of young Mari and we and the Guild of the Magi will defend her. We also accept that you want her in close proximity and since she was assigned to you by the Archmagi, we accept that. It is unusual for a Death Dealer to accept an apprentice right out of the academy, but nothing about young Gareth has been usual.” He paused. “The fact that you uncovered a ring that has been active for generations has impressed us. We are assigning a death squad to you, since you have a woman in your party, that means the squad will be primarily female. You will be the sergeant but will pick your second from a seasoned pool. We have papers drawn to prove the freedom you granted Mari, your magic removed the physical mark, but an attuned wizard would feel the effects of your magic and it didn’t have imperial power. It was a feat nonetheless, you have potential as does your mate. “

The man went over a few more specifics and then stood. “Let’s test your skill shall we.”

They were led to an arena down about a hundred yards of corridor. Gareth stepped onto the sand confidently. She knew how well he fought. Three weeks of sparring with him had taught her just how dangerous he could be, even when he was supposed to be just a target.

His opponent was a thick-set, but not fat, man approaching his middle years, which was ancient by assassin standards. Assassins and death dealers had short lives due to the nature of their industry.

Both men took combat stances. Chi-con-wu-ee was an aggressive art so the combat started nearly instantly. She wasn’t even sure who moved first. The two men were a blur of moves, each countering the other at speeds that seemed inhuman.

When her eyes were able to start making out things it didn’t make sense. Slashes and kicks seemed to go through or around the opponents at odd angles. Gareth drove his sword through what appeared to be an opening, but the blade vanished and appeared behind the master. The blade instantly pivoted going for the man’s back, it hit a shield summoned from air. At the same time, seven tendrils struck at Gareth, but he sunk into the ground and stuck from above. The master rolled away from the attack.

As the blur of impossible images progressed a very real blade flew from the mix and stuck into a post next to her. She came to the realization that this may not be the safest spectator sport.

Safe or not, she was staying and she saw others entering the room. Apparently lasting more than two minutes in a ring with this guy was considered impressive. She could understand why, she had never seen anyone move like these two, it was like they were deities.

Gareth dove over and then rolled through his opponent. The motion made her sick to watch, it defied all natural laws. The roll reversed as a sword appeared from nowhere, driving for his stomach. Gareth contorted and rose to his feet and launched an impossible kick that nearly connected with the master.

The master's sword came in at an arch and Gareth dove under it, his swords extended, one flickered through one of the portals, and the other was thrown wide, but he was able to place a kiss on the master’s cheek. “The crowd of several score cheered.

“Impressive.” Someone said from beside her.

She turned to see a pretty woman in the black and silver uniform of the Death Dealers. “Everyone has heard of Gareth of Kilmora, but I thought he was exaggerated, now I don’t think that they told it all.”

“I’ve known him for several weeks, and this is new to me. It’s like those two are connected.” Mari said.

“In a way you are correct. Magi rarely fight directly, because their magic mirrors their opponent. It can get...confusing.” The woman said, nodding to the blur of disembodied arms, legs, and blades. “Fewer than one in a hundred Death dealers are magi. You are watching something few get to see.”

The master let out a roar and a massive soul blade appeared in a two-handed grip. Esrea took in a breath, they weren’t supposed to kill each other. Everything happened so fast. Gareth charged the master. The man parried, dodged past Gareth, and elbowed him in the side, there was the sound of a snapping bone and Gareth went sideways. The master pivoted, his sword coming in at an arch.

The master’s eyes widened as he realized that his blade was going to slice right through Gareth.

***

The elbow had been a masterful strike. He felt a rib break and felt it tear through his skin, but the only thing he could see was that massive blade coming for him. The master was trying to turn the blade but was too far into the swing. He had been acting on impulse and now he couldn’t stop the death blow.

Gareth took in a sharp breath and winced at the pain, but a soul shield formed on either arm. The shields could stop the blade, but he too was running on instinct. He caught the blade between the shields and twisted, a metallic snap sounded and half the blade fell to the sand.

The master stood frozen holding the hilt and a blade that ended in a jagged line.

Gareth pushed himself to his feet. He could feel the wool of his jacket and the linen shirt sticking to him. He glanced down at the widening patch of red on his side. Despite his pain, he bowed to the master. “ I conceded, concentrate on the blade, it will reform.”

***

Mari watched Gareth snap the blade and push himself to his feet, the only thing she clearly saw was the blood on his coat. She rushed towards him. Halfway to him a white glow penetrated him.

She sped her pace and reached him tearing off his coat and shirt with a force that snapped the buttons of the coat. She didn’t care. In moments he was shirtless. She watched in amazement as the bone pulled itself back through the skin and the skin knitted. She wasn’t the only person to notice this miracle. The room had nearly a hundred people in it and all eyes were locked on him.

The skin around the wound was still soft almost like stitches, but the wound was fully closed. Gareth put his hand to his side and nodded slowly.

The master walked up to them. “What was that?” He asked.

“That was Ki-lom-ee and my natural gifts stabilizing my body.” He answered. “I’ve never seen it work before, maybe it needs a threshold before it heals. If you don’t mind, Master, I’d like to get some rest. I believe I passed your test.”

The man smiled. “Your footwork could improve, but you compensate with speed and agility, still you can improve, but yes, You are at least a master. In a few years, I can see Grandmaster. Kyle, take the sergeant to a private room.”

The man grabbed her arm. “I want to assess your current skill.”

Gareth nodded. “It will not be like my test, he simply wants to understand where your skill level lies so that he can give you a rank. All trainees and apprentices have a rank, once you hit a certain level they will graduate you.”

***

She was tired by the time she found Gareth, he was in a fine private room, fit for a prince...but then he was almost a prince. He smiled softly. It was a smile she knew was reserved for very few.

“You survived the master.”

“Not as spectacularly as you did. They talk about you in whispers as if saying your name aloud will summon you.” She quipped.

“That bad.”

“Gareth, I saw you today for the first time...the way your enemies see. In the inn, where we first met, you were good, but not that...have you gotten better, or were you just playing?”

“We’ve covered this...the vault..” He cut off a moment before the door opened. The master stepped in and closed the door behind him. He had a tray of refreshments.

“Forgive me for not knocking, but I wouldn’t have seen anything I haven’t seen before.” He said.

“I believe the point of knocking isn’t to benefit ourselves, but those you are announcing yourself to, not that I am an expert. Our training requires that we don’t announce ourselves.” Gareth dryly replied.

The master assassin smiled. “Right, that might be the case. I knocked once just to see the surprise on my marks face.”

He set the tray on a small table then leaned against the wall. “You impressed me, boy. I know you feel like I drug your ass in the sand, and you should, but what I saw today...was exceptional. Most people see me as an assassin and weapon master; they forget that Magi are scholars. I want to understand my blade and your spirit armor...and how the hell do you regenerate...that is a healer trick that they hide from the world.”

“The secret of their regeneration is in Ki-lom-ee, Just as our reading Chi comes from Chi-con-Wu-ee, the secret is in the eighth rendition of the seventh Katra. It is a reset of Chi to the natural order. Usually, it just removes bruising, but it also prevents sickness and restores the body. The sword is basic math...a spirit blade is the first incarnation of the spell of protection, the shield the fifth, and armor the ninth. Since five is higher than one the shield is stronger than the blade. Since the soul blade can bend, I had to put unusual strain on the blade, thus, two shields with the blade between them. You could have reformed the blade, but that trick was used to prevent summoning a new weapon...it forces the wielder of the broken blade to reforge the blade...the vault doesn’t understand this. It seems more linked to the human mind, than any requirement of magic.”

“Tomorrow you outfit your student and choose an appropriate rank for her. The rule that governs students is complex, but basically, we cannot command your student, until you give us leave. She is your asset as you are ours. I also want you to instruct the twenty magi-death dealers and the ten wizard-death dealers in your basic theory. The vault should be used for the empire.”

“Any I train must commit to the oath of a death squad. You said it is for the good of the empire.”

The master nodded. “I asked you to lead, very well.”

***

Gareth watched the master leave the room. He grabbed a sweet roll from the tray and took her hand. “We still need to go to the library...Come, it's unlike anything you’ve experienced.”

“Our libraries are maintained by wizards and magi, we are one of a few organizations that have members from both groups. This means we store information differently.” Gareth explained as he drug her from the room.

The Library took up the top three floors of the building. It was lit by strange tubes of bluish light. Shelves of books and scrolls lined the walls and tables with strange devices on them were set strategically throughout the room. Smaller shelves separated the tables and held cubes and polygons, An Ancient woman stepped up to them from nowhere. “How may I help you today, Young Gareth?”

“I need anything you have on spirit bonds and the vault.” He stated.

“That won’t be easy...let me think…” An image of the library appeared in the air and a section lit up. “Most of the records would be in Frasia, but you may access those files here.” She said pointing to a spot in the image. “May I ask, If you are vault...Why do you need the research?”

“You are human...do you know everything there is to know about humans? The empire fought the vault...it will have a unique perspective on the capabilities of the vault.”

The woman nodded. “If you need anything else, simply ask.”

***

Gareth placed a polygon into a tray. “Fortres’ book on the mysteries of the vault...display spirit warriors.” He ordered.

Images of light appeared above the polygon while an actual book appeared on the table. “The Death Dealers began in the war of power as defenders of repositories of knowledge, we were trained for a few soldiers to be able to destroy a larger host, and normal people were taught how to defeat those with magic, Later we were used to capture sites of power and knowledge, to this day, we defend the major repositories of knowledge,” Gareth said as he turned the pages in the book.

“Display the web for a spirit link.” He ordered.

A complex web of light formed above the polygon. He turned to Mari and cast a quick spell: a web of light formed between them, he waved his hands, and the web shrank and moved beside the other web of light. “What do you see?” He asked.

“They have the same form, but the colors appear to be off.” She replied after a moment of studying them.

“I was only ten when I made that web...not bad,” he said.

Mari looked at him, he was gifted, but the complexity of this spell and the age at which it was cast, seemed impossible. “The vault helped you.” She stated.

He nodded. “Still while we are both vault, it can only act in ways we allow it to act. We limit the vault, but it cannot work without us.”

***

Gareth stepped onto the sand. This time he wasn’t meeting a master. He was to train the Magi and Wizards in the compound how to form spirit armor and how to heal themselves in combat. He really didn’t want to train them, but it was for the best of the empire, so he couldn’t deny the request.

He glanced at the master of the temple and the man nodded. He would follow Gareth’s lead.

“What I am going to teach you today goes beyond the scope of normal abilities and will make you thirty people the most powerful warriors in the world. Because it is so dangerous I am going to require all of you to take the oath of a Death Squad for life. None of you will be able to challenge the other to a duel for the sake of advancement. This is my price. Before we begin I will give you a demonstration of what I am teaching you. Mari would you please…”

Mari pulled a pistol and shot him. He staggered backward and blood sprouted from his shoulder. He was shirtless so it was easy to see his body force the bullet out of it and close the wound. The process took about five minutes, but it was still impressive. He looked at Mari again and nodded. This time his body was encased in spirit armor, as she pulled two pistols and shot him. The blast knocked him back ten feet, but the armor held.

“Not only can I make you invulnerable to most attacks, I can enable you to heal yourselves. I cannot afford for you individuals with this power to fight each other, the cost of near immortality is a simple pledge that you will not lift your sword against me or your comrades unless it is in defense of the empire and under the command of a superior officer. You will further swear not to train anyone else in this art unless they have taken the same oath.”

Five people walked away. He watched them go and the master closed and locked the doors to the arena. “Let’s get started,” Gareth stated.