The Search Ends (preview)

As Tayana and Ryas passed the gates and entered the town, they felt the dark and unfriendly mood that held the streets in its grasp. Everywhere people huddled past, mostly their faces downcast or hidden by cowls or whatever scraps of clothing could pass for that. Streets and lanes that should be bustling with evening activity now were silent and gloomy, shops long since closed and the artists normally always trying to make a coin now nowhere to be seen. It had its uses though, as no-one eyed 2 wandering Sylvans, usually an extremely rare sight in human civilised placed. "Lets get to an inn Ryas, I don't like this feeling. Feels like blood about to be spilled, or worse..." The thought of the 'worse' made Tayana shiver for a moment before going back to warily eyeing the streets. "We can't Tayana, and you know it. Kiren specifically told us the contact would be waiting for us after dark." Although it was not in his voice, Tayana knew her companion wasn't at ease. Ryas held his left hand on the pommel of the sword on his belt and his right hand kept flutting towards the one one on his back before going back down, his eyes darting about for a threat, any threat. "Lets just go to where he should be waiting, Kiren's map shows it's the fifth alley on out right. Lets keep our eyes open." "Heh, don't be too over-eager to draw your sword, blade teacher, you seem to think that every passerby will jump on us just because we occupy the same space he's walking in." Ryas beamed a grin down on his female friend and gave a low chuckle "Somehow I might not be too far off you know..."

Meanwhile, back at the Thieves' Den, the underground prince counted todays revenues. A whole bag of golden Azen for a map and some info, those Sylvans must be crazy, dumb or desperate to offer such a prize. Grinning to himself while feeling the money slip through his fingers onto the table, he started thinking about all the stuff he could buy from the Guild for that. Maybe he even would have enough for a woman or 2. Yesss, and enough to bribe those 2 dumb guards, so he could check out the "VIP warehouse". He could already feel his prestige and popularity grow. A sudden knock on the door woke him from his daydreams as he hurredly scooped up the weird golden coins and dropped them back in the pouch. A second pair of knocks made him call out in irritation. "If that's you Lig I hope you have some fucking good reason to disturb me while working in my personal quarters." As Kiren opened the door he felt a rush of wind glide past his cheek and the door banged close. Looking over his shoulder he saw a dark cladded figure step out of the shadows, a long oddly curved blade gleaming in the faint light of the candle. "Hello Kiren. I trust you're faring well..." Kiren felt the blood drain from his face as he heard that voice. "YOU!! HOW DID YOU GET IN!??" Stepping forward again, the figure tsk-ed softly "Now now Kiren, there no reason to be shouting to me. I thought we had a deal here... you gave us the heads-up on and below the streets, and you kept me and my partner a secret from prying ears. Why...have you forgotten?" Bumping into the table and falling on the floor Kiren tried to scramble ever backwards, his eyes unable to leave that prying gaze under the dark cowl. "H-hey there Xeryn... N-now don't be hasty, l-l-lets share the profit huh, We both know they'll never find you if you don't want them. L-look! They payed a whole pouch of Azen...g-golden Azen!" "Azen...Aww Kiren, I thought our friendship was worth so much more then mere golden trinkets. You disappoint me..." "Cmon, w-work with me here. It's the biggest scam ever here. Do you know what Azen are worth on the market...? We are rich...rich and set for years!" Taking another step forward the dark figure now stood almost over Kiren, the blade in his hand still unmoving but drawing closer to Kiren's face. "I like being a secret. I don't care that much about money, but more about the job...the secret kill. I thought you knew me Kiren... It almost makes me sad." "B-b-but Xyren...WAIT! Here...you can have it, take it! Please take it a--" Kiren's pleading was cut short as his head was cleanly split in 2, the upper half smootly sliding down to the ground and landing there with a dull splat. His body just sagged and dropped to the floor, jolting the table and dropping the punch on the floor, spilling the golden coins on the floor. "I'm sorry Kiren... I really am, but this ends our relationship..." Swishing his blade with a flick of his wrist to rid it from blood, the figure called Xeryn reached down to pick up a coin. Rolling it around in his black gloved hand he eyed the peculair markings and dropped the coin. "The mark of Tyrana. Hmmm, it seems our 2 visitors aren't the most normal of warriors looking for a quick way to die... Oh well, if they interfere, they're dead, and he shall never know who they were..."