Saif & Kilig Page 9

  The bulky man was a whole head taller than his men and horses refused to carry him, so he was always on foot. In the mornings he usually went for a walk on the paved road through the village to the river and back.

  The chamberlain told them arrows didn't kill him, but he'd never considered poisoned arrows. Guisarme had managed to find some venomous herbs and berries, and she prepared a poison in which they dipped all their arrow points. The view from the terraced roof was perfect up to the river – except it was a long shot to hit the lord in front of the barge.

  Rakshasa was strolling back towards the palace. He was two steps ahead of his escort of assorted guards, and his servants carried goods unloaded from a barge. His smile was pleased and Guisarme felt his relaxed state.

  She nodded at Nimdja and Kilig and they took aim. Three arrows flew towards the lord and hit his chest. He stopped, surprised, screamed in anger and ripped them off with one hand, glaring at the archers who shot again and again until he had a dozen arrows sticking out of his body. At that point he had stopped trying to get rid of them and was marching towards the palace, cursing loudly.

  Guisarme, Kilig and Nimdja retired to the end of the terrace and dipped their brass wheels into the poison. When Rakshasa emerged from the spiral staircase, they promptly spun the brass wheels on their fingers and hurled them at the furious man.

  His fury was barely slowed by the ugly gashes on his legs as three more poisoned brass wheels hit him. With a roar, he started taking off arrows and wheels stuck to his body, slowly coming to a stop to get rid of them all, glaring at the three assassins who were hoping the poison would make him crumble.

  Guisarme felt his pain and anger, then a surge of Fire magic. The dying half-blood screamed and turned into a red dragon the size of two elephants. It opened its wings, but couldn't lift itself off the ground.

  Guisarme cursed under her breath. She dipped the blade of her pole-arm in the poison and rushed forward. The wounds could not be seen on the dragon's body, but the poison was coursing through his veins. The change of shape had taken Rakshasa by surprise and he didn't know how to handle his new form.

  "Guisarme!" Nimdja called, alarmed.

  "He doesn't know how to spit fire!" she shouted back. "Let's finish him, now!"

  As she charged the wounded beast, she heard the footsteps of the two men behind her. The dragon was clumsy and hurt, but also big. A clawed hand threw her against the terrace railing, taking her breath away.

  She saw Kilig sinking his blade in the dragon's belly, and then the shaft broke. She caught her breath and rushed back to fight while the dragon tried to bite Kilig's head off. Kilig was nimble enough to throw himself to the ground and roll away, but the dragon moved one step forward to meet the three assassins, roaring in frustration.

  Panting, Guisarme managed to almost chop off the clawed hand that had sent her flying. Nimdja and Kilig stood their ground, even if Kilig was bleeding and had lost his main weapon.

  Then the fiery beast recovered its Human form as it collapsed, panting. Nimdja promptly stuck his pole-arm in Rakshasa's heart. The body twitched twice, then was still.

  But then it burst into a magical flame that made Nimdja jump back and Kilig gasp loudly. It eerily flickered for a moment, then vanished, leaving no trace.

  Guisarme exhaled in relief, holding her bruised ribs. Now she really hurt everywhere in the quiet after the battle. Kilig collapsed, breathless, his arm bleeding from a close encounter with the dragon's teeth. Luckily it hadn't been cut off. Nimdja knelt next to him to bandage the wound and quickly smiled at Guisarme.

  "Well done, Guisarme. We wouldn't have made it without you."

  Guisarme nodded and lay on the terrace floor, closing her eyes to catch her breath.

  ***

  The chamberlain took them to Lord Rakshasa's room, where servants weren't allowed. But since he was no more, the chamberlain was bold enough to open the door so the three assassins could find evidence of Francisca's passage.

  The stench was unbelievable and the chamberlain rushed to the windows to let in some light and let out the air impregnated with the smell of carcass. The room looked like an ogre's cave – a meat-eating ogre who'd left bones of all sizes around. He'd eaten mostly birds and mice who had dared to visit him, but in a corner Nimdja found much bigger remains.

  Kilig stayed by the window, pale and wide-eyed, but Guisarme joined Nimdja. She fell on her knees at the sight of the clothes and jewelry thrown in a heap next to whatever was left of a Human corpse. The demon had eaten it raw in the two days since her dream and there wasn't much left of Francisca.

  Guisarme threw up, with Nimdja holding her head. It was impossible to determine how Francisca had been killed. Nimdja requested something to gather the remnants and then they built a funeral pyre in the main square of the village.

  Guisarme gathered Francisca's ashes, and then the three of them went on the barge that took them back to Godwalkar. Guisarme slept fitfully on the barge during the night, often reliving the fight with the dragon or seeing Francisca eaten alive by a monster. Her ribs hurt and her mood was gloomy, so she didn't speak much until they reached Godwalkar.

  She left Francisca's ashes in the main temple's crypt, then huffed with pain.

  "I must have broken my ribs," she finally admitted. "The dragon threw me against the railing, glad it didn't break my back!"

  Nimdja nodded. "Kilig's arm needs a healer too. You two better go to the Genn palace, I'll report to Talwar. We'll hold a ceremony in memory of Francisca at the Guild when you feel better."

  "Which may be tomorrow for the physical part," she said. "Genn healers are very good."

  "Let's make it the day after tomorrow," Nimdja replied with a half-smile, squeezing Kilig's shoulder.

  He waved them good-bye and she turned to Kilig, who was still pale and looked haunted.

  "Let's go." She sighed. She couldn't blame him for being upset. She'd never fought a dragon before either. And then entering Rakshasa's room... She held Francisca's golden armbands and bangles to her bosom, her heart tightening in her chest. She'd give the jewelry back to Francisca's family, but she'd never forget her acharya.

  They reached the Genn palace and found a healer, one of Guisarme's aunts who spread her hands over their bruises and wounds. Her golden powder magically healed them, but also drained them of strength. They lay side by side in a room of the palace, a little drowsy after a light meal.

  "I wanted to thank you for helping and for coming along," Guisarme said, thoughtful. "I thought you couldn't exist without Saif. But you proved me wrong."

  "I didn't know I could do that either," he muttered. "But I know what it means to lose your acharya."

  "Well, Saif is not dead, is he?"

  "It's as if. He's no longer an assassin. What was Francisca like?"

  She reminisced about her relationship with Francisca while he listened carefully. They compared their experiences, and then remembered the fight that had brought them to that room.

  "I don't want to sleep alone!" he whined, as if realizing his own loss.

  "I'll be with you if it makes you feel better," she said. She didn't feel like spending the night alone either. Kilig was revealing himself for the first time, and she liked what she was discovering. The young man was shy but attractive in his own way.

  "Um... I don't think we should be here..." he said.

  "Why, because I'm not Saif?" she asked, amused.

  "It's not proper. We shouldn't..."

  "What?"

  He blushed. "We shouldn't sleep together," he muttered averting his eyes.

  "Oh, come on, Kilig," she teased. "What's wrong with sleeping together?"

  He snorted, but soon he nestled against her, his mouth exploring. He was aroused, so she decided to take what she could.

  ***

  The first light of day entered the room and touched the pillows of the bed, gently waking Guisarme from her sleep. She sighed and opened her eyes to see the bed wasn't empty. Kilig was s
till asleep.

  She caressed his smooth cheek, thoughtful. He had proved his worth during their mission, not panicking when Rakshasa had turned into a dragon. Maybe he wasn't just an appendix of his acharya after all. And he was a good lover as well. He was full of surprises!

  His hair half-covered his face, so she pulled it back – which startled him awake. Brown eyes stared at her and widened in shock.

  "Guisarme! What..." He sat, looking around the spartan room, panting. "Oh my... did we really do what I think we did?" He glanced helplessly at his naked body.

  "What do you remember?" she asked with a giggle.

  "It's been a wild ride... and I was so lonely... and you were there..." He blushed, unable to look her in the eyes.

  "I'm impressed by how good you were. I thought you'd be a virgin."

  "Why would you think that?" he asked, puzzled.

  She lay on her back, staring at the wooden ceiling. "I know I can't ask too much of Saif's lover."

  He gasped and choked on his reply.

  "I wasn't a virgin when I met him," he grumbled. "Actually, he saved me from a life of prostitution."

  "I see." She glanced at his embarrassment and saw the pain in his eyes again. "So you've been with women before."

  He nodded and frowned at her. "Yes, but not since Acharya Saif took me on as an apprentice. And don't even think that you can pin me to any duty. If you're pregnant, it's your business and I don't want to know!"

  Startled, she stared at him.

  "Is that where Saif is?" she asked cautiously. "With the mother of a child he never knew he had?"

  "Yes!" Kilig sat up and threw his hands up in frustration. "He dumped me for a damn woman!"

  "Will you tell me exactly what happened?" Guisarme insisted, putting one hand on his shoulder to calm him.

  He shook his head and sighed heavily.

  "When we met that woman, she said Acharya Saif was her son's father," he answered absentmindedly. "Saif stared at the boy and then told me it was time I started working on my own."

  "You know, maybe it's time you look for other mentors," she said. "I mean, I know you're an accomplished assassin, but there are still things you could learn..."

  He glared at her. "Like what?"

  "Like fighting women."

  "We don't kill women or children."

  "Tell that to Rakshasa."

  He snorted in frustration.

  "I've wanted to kill that woman who stole my Saif myself," he grumbled.

  "I apologize on behalf of all the women of the world," she said, turning her head the other way to hide her smile. Gods, Kilig was obsessed with his acharya! Or maybe madly in love – and totally heartbroken now. Poor Kilig.

  Kilig stared at her, suspicious. "It's not funny, Guisarme."

  "I'm sorry, what can I say? So, we spent the night together. What are you going to do, kill me?"

  "I probably should," he grumbled. "But you're faster and better than me."

  She chuckled. "Maybe I had a better teacher, and I didn't fall in love with him. Unlike you."

  He glared again, then averted his eyes. "I hope you'll be content with last night and won't come back for more."

  She shrugged. "Will do. So, what are you going to do now?"

  "I don't know."

  "Well, if you don't want to sleep alone, my bed is always available for you."

  He hesitated. "Thanks. But I think I've had enough. I'll see you around. And even if you get pregnant..."

  "Yes, yes, you made that clear!" She rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, I don't get pregnant unless I want to. Perks of being a half-blood."

  "Really?" He looked surprised.

  "Yes." She smiled at him. "Saif might have some Genn blood because of the color of his eyes, but I'm a real half-blood and I know what I'm saying."

  "You have very blue eyes," he said. "Uncommon for a Human."

  "And don't forget the pointed ears." She pulled her hair back from one to show it off.

  He smiled sheepishly. "Are you sure you're a woman?"

  "I'm female," she assured. "The rest..." She shrugged. "How many women assassins do you know?"

  "I've heard of only five."

  "Exactly. Was the woman who stole your Saif an assassin?"

  "Uh... no."

  "So you can spend one night with me. I'm not that kind of woman!"

  He smiled against his will. "You're stubborn, Guisarme!"

  "You bet I am. Will you avoid me from now on, or are we still friends?"

  He rolled his eyes. "Still friends," he conceded, offering his hand.

  "Thank you, my dear boyfriend of one mission." She grinned. "Will I see you at Francisca's memorial?"

  "Of course." He nodded. "She's a heroine. I'll be there."

  He quickly dressed and left.

  Guisarme sighed. Sleeping with a heartbroken man wasn't much fun, so parting wasn't too bad after all. He'd been a decent companion during the assignment and a pleasant lover for an hour or two, but she wasn't in love. And she knew he was still obsessed with Saif. But then hopefully some work would become available and take his mind off of his lover, and everything that had happened from the day Saif had dumped him.

  She wondered when Saif had had a woman. He'd always looked more interested in men. But then, maybe he was drunk, and some maid had taken advantage of him.

  She ran her hand through her dark-blond mane. Men were complicated enough without having to deal with men who loved men. She better move on too. Time to honor her acharya one last time and then she could be off to a new adventure.

  6. Abhaya the Fearless

  After Francisca's memorial service, Talwar called both Guisarme and Kilig into his office. Kilig kept his head bowed, unable to look anyone in the eyes – Guisarme for the night they'd spent together, and Talwar because he hadn't told him Saif was gone.

  "I received Saif's resignation from the Guild when you were already gone and wondered if Nimdja had been foolish enough to go alone with Kilig," Talwar said, stern as usual. "I should have known I couldn't keep Guisarme out of it. It all went well, also thanks to Guisarme's half-blood, but I don't want this to happen ever again, do you hear me?"

  "Yes, Talwar," Guisarme and Kilig chorused.

  "Sanjana has only her father – and you, Guisarme. That's why I didn't want you to go." Talwar sounded sad now, and Kilig risked glancing at him. "I lost my wife when my son was too young, and failed everything I did with him. Now I want you to take care of Sanjana on behalf of Francisca. I know she lives with Francisca's sister, but..."

  "It will be done, Talwar," Guisarme assured him.

  "Good." Talwar sighed. "As for you, Kilig... What will you do now that Saif is gone?"

  Kilig clenched his fists and kept staring at his feet. "I'm an assassin," he said. "I'm a member of the guild. I have killed only three people so far, but I can do more."

  "Very well." Talwar sounded relieved. "So you want another assignment? Right now?"

  Kilig shrugged. "Why not. I need to learn to work on my own." And forget the obsessive thought of Saif. He missed him so much... But the previous mission had distracted him from his grief, so his only way out of his desperation was work.

  "All right." Talwar shuffled his papers. "You can read?"

  "Yes, Talwar."

  Talwar gave him a parchment so he wouldn't have to say it out loud in front of Guisarme. Only the Head of the Guild knew where his men were at all times.

  Kilig took it with a curt bow. A knock on the door, and Nimdja's head popped in.

  "Talwar! Abhaya has been seen in town!"

  "You can go." Talwar shooed out the younger members and signaled Nimdja to come in.

  "You can read?" Guisarme asked Kilig as they walked down the corridor.

  "Yes, I learned in Jevina," he grumbled, folding the parchment. He'd read it in his room, or on the way to wherever he was supposed to go. He hadn't really unpacked from the revenge trip, so he could read it while he ate one of those wonderful flat loafs f
illed with figs he had missed so much.

  "Leaving already?" Guisarme insisted, puzzled, seeing him grab his travel bag that was still in the small room by the foyer.

  "Yes, I don't particularly wish to meet Abhaya," he replied gloomily.

  She scoffed. "And you don't know him like I do!" she commented. She put her hands on his shoulders and kissed his cheek. "Good luck, Kilig. Be careful."

  "Thanks," he answered with a weak smile.

  ***

  Abhaya came back to Godwalkar after six years of self-exile, most of which he'd spent in Agharek at Khopesh's school and guild. He had learned all he could about poisons and had become immune to most of them, either by taking small daily doses or using antidotes. He excelled in poisoned blades and never missed when he used his blowgun.

  Khopesh had insisted on accompanying him. He had named his successor – his son – Head of the Guild of Agharek, and retired from active service. He said he looked forward to seeing his old friend Talwar after over a quarter of a century.

  Abhaya knocked on the Guild's door feeling exhilarated. He'd get back what was rightfully his. Khopesh had told him how succession worked in Agharek and he looked forward to enforcing it in Godwalkar. Therefore he couldn't kill his father until Talwar named him his successor – in front of witnesses. And then he'd go after Saif and kill him.

  The doorkeeper was young and didn't know him, so he simply requested to see Talwar. He had to wait in the little room on the side of the foyer like all visitors, but he didn't care at this point. Soon he'd be in charge and would make the rules.

  Nimdja came and didn't look surprised to see him.

  "Hello, Abhaya. What business brings you back to Godwalkar?"

  "I wish to see my father before it's too late," Abhaya answered, feigning humility. "We parted with rash words six years ago, and I want to make peace with him."

  Nimdja raised one eyebrow, obviously skeptical, but nodded. Abhaya followed him to his father's office, almost oblivious of Khopesh's silent presence. He'd missed that building. It had been his home for almost twenty years!