{"id":2252,"date":"2015-07-14T14:46:26","date_gmt":"2015-07-14T04:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/?p=2252"},"modified":"2017-02-27T10:14:44","modified_gmt":"2017-02-27T00:14:44","slug":"banestorm-chance-meetings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/?p=2252","title":{"rendered":"Banestorm: Chance Meetings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"GabeRooftop\"<\/a><\/p>\n

HE hated this city.<\/p>\n

The stray thought came out of nowhere as Gabriel darted over the rooftops of Craine, each step carrying him deeper into the city all the while threatening to spill him down into the street so far below. A soft rain turned the footing treacherous but the distant rumble of thunder managed to cover his occasional missteps. There was no time! He and Merasi\u00ebl had only just arrived here in Craine to handle other matters when word of the impending strike had filtered through their usual contacts. Had the target been any other name, Gabriel doubted either of them would care.<\/p>\n

Below, three stories down, a magnificently crafted carriage trundled over the cobblestone street, flanked by a quartet of elaborately dressed (and utterly useless in a fight) ceremonial Curia Guards. The embossed seal stamped upon either door identified the carriage\u2019s origin – Caithness – if the shagginess of the horses leading it did not. Within was the newly elected archbishop of Caithness come to negotiate an end to the ongoing hostilities between his country and that of Megalos.<\/p>\n

And that man was marked to die.<\/p>\n

Gabriel kept pace with the carriage below – not an easy task, given the slick rooftops and the generally poor footing – all the while reviewing his mental map of Craine to determine the spot most likely for an ambush. It was coming up shortly – this street would bear right and then open up into a much wider avenue that connected to one of the wide bridges that connected this half of the city to the other – and he silently cursed. There was no way to warn Merasi\u00ebl. She was, as far as he could tell, on the other side of this street, ranging alongside the carriage in an identical manner.<\/p>\n

The carriage slowed as the street veered toward the wider avenue, momentarily coming closer to Gabriel\u2019s position, and in that moment, chaos erupted. Concealed crossbowmen threw aside their cover and lurched into view, bowstrings snapping sharply. All four of the Curia Guards fell, though one of them looked only wounded as he clawed for his sword even while toppling to the cobblestones. More of the ambushers sprang out of hiding, emerging from shops or from behind conveniently located obstacles.<\/p>\n

Gabriel did not hesitate for even a moment.<\/p>\n

He reached the lip of the building at a dead sprint and was airborne an instant later, landing atop the carriage with one foot and letting inertia carry him the rest of the way. His intended target had not yet loosed his crossbow but did so now with a panicked gasp at his unexpected appearance – the bolt splintered against Gabriel\u2019s cuirass, sending shards of wood spinning through the air, and he grunted at the bruising impact. It did not slow him in the slightest – the flash of pain was distant while he floated in the Void, in the Oneness where all concerns, whether they be emotions, thoughts, or the possibility of death, were gone, fed into the flame of his will – and Misericordia <\/i>flashed out with a soft, mournful hum. River of Light sent the man sprawling in a rain of crimson. He was not dead – not yet – but the spray barely abated even as the man clutched at his ruined neck.<\/p>\n

Gabriel hit the street a heartbeat before his victim, absorbing the impact of the landing by tucking forward and rolling. Something briefly tugged at his cloak – another crossbow bolt, he supposed, narrowly missing his flesh – but it did not slow him as he came to his feet mere steps from more would-be murderers. He danced ruin among them, his music steel against steel. Morning Rain on Ice flowed into Arc of the Moon. A man fell, screaming but Gabriel did not hear it. Kissing the Adder became Falling Coins on Stone. A solid bar of light burned away the night, immolating one of the men so quickly that he had no chance to scream. Into the heart of the murderers Gabriel danced. Black Pebbles on Snow became Parting the Silk. He saw men down that he had not slain, knew that Merasi\u00ebl was dancing her own song amongst them, her blades coming from the shadows as she pounced. It was how they fought together – he would spring in, draw all eyes, and she would lunge seemingly out of nowhere, oft times from directly behind them. Snow in High Wind flowed into Mongoose Takes A Viper. Another man fell. And then another, shrieking as that burning light once more stabbed out, igniting clothes and flesh. Gabriel sidestepped a wild thrust from his last foe and countered – Viper in Low Grass punched Compatior <\/i>through the man\u2019s striking arm, delaying him just long enough for Unfolding the Fan to silence the murderer\u2019s screams forever. He let the corpse topple as he pulled both weapons free, flicking them slightly to ensure they were not stained with blood, and quickly surveyed the blood-soaked streets. Automatically, he fell into Cat Crosses the Courtyard to maximize alertness and reaction speed, but it hardly seemed necessary.<\/p>\n

There were two young men – boys, really, though they had hard faces – standing alongside the now open carriage door, each with a quarterstaff in one hand and fire in the other. They were staring at Gabriel with aggression in every line of their bodies and barely contained fear in their eyes, but he gave them only a brief glance before letting his eyes slip toward the man they ostensibly stood to protect. It was understandable why they might be concerned. Not only had he dropped out of the sky and killed six \u2026 no, seven men in a matter of heartbeats, but to their gaze, he was little more than a blur of shadows and distorted shapes. That was really Gestlin\u2019s fault since he\u2019d \u2018upgraded\u2019 the hunter\u2019s cloak many years ago. It excelled at times, floundered at others, much like the irritating hum that Misericordia <\/i>uttered when wielded or the equally frustrating blue-white glow the rapier emitted, both of which the wizard had insisted were unintentional additions to his magical upgrades all the while trying to conceal his glee. That too had to be disconcerting to these boys\u2019 eyes: a shadow wielding what looked to solid bar of light? Had he encountered someone adorned in this way when he was their age, he knew that he would have hesitated to act as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelease,\u201d the old man who stood in their center ordered in a sharp tone that expected absolute obedience. He was thinner than Gabriel recalled and what hair he still had was now completely white. His face was lined, both from stress and exhaustion, but his eyes were still bright and far too knowing. At his command, the two boys dropped their hands, quenching the flames. They did not shift their gaze, though, and seemed poised on the verge of summoning more witchfire. \u201cSee to the injured,\u201d the old man instructed sharply, not even bothering to give either of his acolytes a glance. They leapt to obey, allowing him to refocus on Gabriel. \u201cYour assistance was most timely, my friend,\u201d he then said with a smile.<\/p>\n

In the distance, Gabriel could hear the pounding of hooves and the shrill cry of whistles hinting at the Watch\u2019s inevitable approach. He slid both weapons into their sheaths, causing them to vanish under his cloak and took a subtle half-step back, away from the man watching him, away from his past. How long had he been running from that? Even with Merasi\u00ebl there, it still felt like running. He wanted to say something, anything, but no words came, and thankfully, the white-haired clergyman took mercy on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo, Brother Gabriel,\u201d Archbishop Mendel said with a soft, sad smile. \u201cAnd thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without a sound, Gabriel stepped back into the alleyway to his back and allowed the shadows to swallow him.<\/p>\n

\n

He waited until no one was watching to scramble up the building\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n

Doing so was even easier than it normally would have been, once more due to the magical equipment that Gestlin had crafted so many years ago. The gloves and boots that Gabriel wore seemed wrought of simple leather, but they allowed him to adhere to solid walls even when there were no handholds. At the time of their crafting, Gestlin had named them \u2018spidey-gloves and boots\u2019 before grumbling that they should have been red with white piping and muttering about something called webshooters as well, though Gabriel had tuned him out by that point. Merasi\u00ebl bore a set as well and these items had saved their lives on more occasions than Gabriel could count. They also gave them access to locations where normal men and women could not reach, allowing them to accomplish tasks that should have been impossible.<\/p>\n

The elven medallion he wore under his cuirass warmed slightly as Gabriel reached the top of the building and then tugged him to his left. Keeping low and silent, he ghosted along the roof, allowing the device to lead him to where Merasi\u00ebl was. She too was hidden from sight thanks to her cloak and the medallions had become necessary following that incident in Araterre some years back where they lost an entire night trying to find each other while in a slaver camp that they did not wish to alert.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Merasi\u00ebl murmured as he crept toward her hiding spot. She extended a hand from underneath her cloak and Gabriel knelt alongside her. Instantly, she reached out to touch him which was something of a surprise, but his momentary shock faded when her questing fingers crawled across his cuirass. Oh. Of course. The crossbow bolt. Until now, he had not realized how painful that had been – the bruise would likely be quite ugly when he finally removed his cuirass – but he folded the dull ache into a part of his mind where he could ignore it. The Void made it feel like someone else\u2019s pain. He heard her exhale softly in relief before withdrawing her hand.<\/p>\n

In any other place, at any other time, he would have teased her for doing so – between them, he was usually, by far, the more expressive. Oh, Gabriel knew that Mera cared for him – she would not have borne their son, Thorondil, if she did not – but life had left her incapable of displaying her softer side except in rare moments. When they were alone like this, she was more open to him than any other person alive, sometimes even briefly forgetting the dark tragedies of her life to smile at his occasional witticisms. Never when anyone else was present, of course, but still. Once, he\u2019d even caught her singing and she had not trailed off in embarrassed silence upon realizing that he was awake and listening, though after she finished her song, she did threaten to castrate him with a rusty spoon if he mocked her for it. Not that he would have ever thought of doing so \u2013 she might have atrocious timing and unspeakably bad form when it came to dancing, but her singing voice was quite pleasant. For that matter, he thought nothing about speaking his mind to her, whatever or wherever his thoughts went, even if afterward, he might wish he\u2019d kept silent. It was the strangest relationship he\u2019d ever had and to his very great surprise, Gabriel had long ago realized that he was content with the arrangement. Wherever he went, whatever dangers he faced, however great the fire, Merasi\u00ebl would be there with him and she knew he would follow her to hell if necessary. Again. Or for the first time. Whatever was the case. Gabriel thrust the momentary burst of reflection aside, burying it under a layer of mental ice. Merasi\u00ebl was speaking and he needed to listen.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo watchers,\u201d she whispered, her voice pitched for his ears only. Her free hand pointed first in one direction, then in another before vanishing once more under her cloak. It took him a long moment – her eyes were so much better than his, no matter that he wore a ring to enhance both his night vision and his general visual acuity – but he finally located both of the watchers indicated. They were stretched out upon their respective rooftops, crossbows aimed toward the carriage now swarming with city watch and church soldiers. Loosing a bolt now would be suicide, particular given the archbishop\u2019s clear arcane capability. Both men were also watching the rooftops around them with what would have been paranoia had Gabriel not suspected they were trying to find him or Merasi\u00ebl. Under his hood, he smiled slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would very much like to speak to those men,\u201d he said very, very softly. This had been an expensive proposition, in between the better than average capabilities of the would-be murderers and their knowledge about Mendel\u2019s path.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am thinking that I would like fish for dinner this evening,\u201d Merasi\u00ebl murmured calmly as she began inching away, angling toward her target. Neither had to discuss a plan – they would part, each seeking the man closest, and later, they would argue over which of them had accomplished the task first without ever being able to prove the answer either way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d prefer lamb,\u201d he replied, equally soft. He was tired of fish. Really, really tired. Twenty days on a boat with little more than that to eat? Frowning, he let the Void wash over his thoughts and focused on his objective.<\/p>\n

\n

To his utter disgust, Gabriel\u2019s target began creeping away almost as soon as he began stalking the man.<\/p>\n

There was no indication that he knew Gabriel was following him – the man\u2019s attention seemed mostly focused on the cluster of soldiers and priests below – but he was being very careful about his surroundings, a clear indication that he was quite worried about being pursued. This attention made it difficult to get within striking distance as the watcher silently stealthed away from the ambush point. Gabriel was faster, even while trying to remain unnoticed, but still, it took more time than it should.<\/p>\n

Four buildings became five and then six as the watcher\u2019s trail weaved over the rooftops. Irritation and a tiny sliver of anger tried to bubble up but Gabriel ignored them as he crept ever closer. The hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stood up and he froze in place, allowing the hunter\u2019s cloak to completely conceal him from view. Something was wrong. Slowly, Gabriel scanned the wide rooftop for anything out of place but he found only that which was supposed to be here. A sealed crate of roofing tiles, assorted tools for repairs, a faceless man stalking toward him, a wooden crane secured for the night, two ladders \u2026 wait.<\/p>\n

A faceless man? <\/i><\/p>\n

He barely had time to draw Misericordia <\/i>and fall into Leopard in High Grass before the Faceless was upon him, his wickedly curved long blade whistling. Back Gabriel fell – he was suddenly aware of a second man and then a third, all without features and all astoundingly hard to look at; his eyes automatically tried to slide away, as if the men weren\u2019t really there or just not important – and each step carried him closer toward the lip of the building. Branch in the Storm knocked aside a decapitating strike he could barely see and he retreated, catching another thrust from the second man with Kingfisher Circles the Pond. They were fast<\/i>, faster than anyone he could remember facing. None of them made any sounds as they attacked, not even the grunts of exertion one would expect in a close fight like this. Back Gabriel fell, each parry warding off a potentially killing strike. He heard the watcher he\u2019d been pursuing approach and, at the last moment, allowed Folding the Air to carry him away, into a sideways somersault. It put the watcher between the three Faceless, fouling their footing for only the span of time it took for one of them to sink a yard of steel into the watcher\u2019s belly, but it was long enough for Gabriel to draw Compatior, <\/i>regain his bearings, and brace for their next attack.<\/p>\n

Cyclone on the Plain became Lizard in the Thornbrush. He retreated grudgingly, giving ground as he danced away from their blurring blades. Mongoose Takes a Viper badly wounded one of the Faceless – any other man would have been crippled, but this one was only slowed – and Snow in High Wind left a line of scarlet across the chest of another. Sparks flew as their ripostes struck his armor. The cuirass held, but these strikes \u2026 none of them were intended to wound or even slow a target. They were all killing blows. Back Gabriel danced. Ribbon in the Air bought him enough time for Cat on Hot Sand, but that was batted away and countered with something dangerously <\/i>close to Dove Takes Flight. Back \u2026<\/p>\n

His left foot reached the lip of the building and he understood their intent without consciously thinking about it. Another thrust would force him to retreat again and he would have two options: hesitate and be off balance long enough for that thrust to take him in the heart or fall. This was, by far, the tallest of the buildings in the immediate vicinity and the construction behind was a good storey shorter.<\/p>\n

So Gabriel chose option three.<\/p>\n

In mid-step, he threw himself back with every ounce of his strength, relying on the other, unforeseen enhancement that Gestlin had added to the \u2018spidey-boots.\u2019 Instantly, he felt the effort necessary – it was hard to explain the sudden drain on him; it was like he\u2019d sprinted for three or four miles \u2026 but at the same time, it wasn\u2019t. His jump carried him back, further than he would have ordinarily have been able to manage, and in mid-air, he twisted around like a cat so that he would land squarely on his feet. One of the Faceless toppled over the side of the building, having lunged for him in the very instant he sprang away and badly overbalanced.<\/p>\n

Gabriel hit the roof of the shorter building hard <\/i>– thanks to the boots, he stuck the landing, but the strain ran up his legs and would have made him howl had he not been wrapped in the Void. He shook the pain away, buried it, pushed it aside. All that mattered was the enemy. And the two remaining acted exactly as he expected. Both took a step back and then threw themselves forward.<\/p>\n

He met them in mid-air.<\/p>\n

There was no finesse to his counter and this was simply not a thing that could be practiced. He took two long steps and jumped once more, ramming Compatior <\/i>into the chest of the Faceless to his left where he left it while swinging wildly at the other with Misericordia<\/i>. The latter he caught high – a neck strike – and shower of crimson followed the dying thing that looked like a man to the roof of the shorter building. Gabriel hit the wall of the larger construction a mere heartbeat later, his feet and free hand finding instant purchase and adhering him in place. I must send a very congratulatory letter to Gestlin<\/i>. The stray thought flickered across his perception but he barely noticed it as he tensed his leg muscles and jumped <\/i>a third time.<\/p>\n

Both of the Faceless were dead – he stabbed Misericordia <\/i>through their eyes, just to make sure – and he recovered his sai quickly before leaning over the edge of this building to look for the third man. Evidently, extreme pain negated their strange ability to go unnoticed because he found the man immediately and it looked as though he\u2019d broken a leg with his fall. The Faceless looked up and, though he could not see the man\u2019s face, Gabriel knew he was looking at him so he offered a grin that he knew the man could see since he could feel a cool night breeze in his hair, alerting him to the fact that his hood had been knocked askew. It was more acting than anything else – the three enhanced jumps had left him so exhausted that he just wanted to sit down for an hour or so – but it must have been effective as the Faceless reversed his sword and drove it through his own heart.<\/p>\n

Gabriel blinked. That \u2026 he had not expected that<\/i>. He stood there, staring at the dead man for a long moment before a thought occurred to him. Merasi\u00ebl.<\/p>\n

He was sprinting back toward where they\u2019d separated even before he was conscious of moving. Rest could wait.<\/p>\n

\n

Whether by luck or divine protection, Merasi\u00ebl had encountered none of the Faceless.<\/p>\n

When he reached her, she was finishing up with her watcher who looked none the worse for wear. The man was visibly terrified as Gabriel drew closer and lowered his hood, but other than that, bore few injuries. That was to be expected – while she was more than capable of physical coercion, Merasi\u00ebl knew quite well that the threat <\/i>of torture was usually a better tool than actually going through with it. She frowned slightly the moment she recognized his stance.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeopard in High Grass,\u201d she murmured in Elvish. \u201cAre there enemies on all sides?\u201d Her own body language had phase-shifted to one of readiness as well and the casual, perfectly balanced and seemingly arrogant way in which she stood was so similar to Cat Crosses the Courtyard, a walking stance that she disdained as looking like an arrogant saunter, that Gabriel might have teased her about it at any other time.<\/p>\n

\u201cFaceless,\u201d he replied in the same tongue. Why hadn\u2019t she encountered them? Bad luck on his part? Sometimes, he wondered if God simply enjoyed toying with him. \u201cI just encountered three of them.\u201d He scowled at the bruised man at her feet and switched to Anglish. \u201cI hope you learned something,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome things, yes.\u201d Blindingly fast, she flicked Angrist underhand, burying the knife in the man\u2019s chest. He had just enough time to gasp before death took him. \u201cNo one will grieve that one\u2019s passing,\u201d she remarked coldly. A lifetime ago, Gabriel would not have recognized the disgust in her voice – clearly, the dead man had confessed to vile activities. A rapist, perhaps? Certainly not a molester of children as Gabriel doubted the man would not have still been breathing when he arrived. \u201cAre you certain they were Faceless?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Merasi\u00ebl frowned again. She studied him for a moment, likely attempting to determine if he had been injured, and this time, Gabriel had to frown. He hated when she gave him that look, as if he was a little boy who had gone and done something he should not have. Besides, she knew as well as he did that the blades used by the Faceless were poisoned. If he\u2019d been cut, he would be dead already.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis \u2026 complicates matters.\u201d Gabriel smirked at the extent of her understatement. \u201cThat one pointed me to certain individuals linked to our <\/i>investigation.\u201d She gave the corpse a scowl before recalling Angrist to her hand. \u201cBut I think it likely that the attack on the brother\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArchbishop,\u201d Gabriel corrected. Merasi\u00ebl shrugged and continued as if he said nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201c…is connected in some way. He will need to be warned.\u201d Gabriel opened his mouth to argue, then closed it immediately. She was correct. The Faceless were hideously expensive and he had just encountered three. There weren\u2019t many people or organizations who could afford to put three of them in the same city, and those that could afford it – like the Church, for example – could easily put another three here as well. Merasi\u00ebl nodded. \u201cI will see to this,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ll go speak to Mendel,\u201d Gabriel said grimly.<\/p>\n

\n

Gaining access to Mendel was frighteningly easy.<\/p>\n

As an important visitor to Craine, the Archbishop of Caithness and his entourage were granted rooms in the ducal palace, which should have been harder to infiltrate than it was, especially given the events earlier this evening. He was three-quarters of the way to where he knew Mendel would be staying before it occurred to Gabriel that his old friend had very likely cleared the path somewhat for him. That should have made him happier than it did.<\/p>\n

The two hard-faced acolytes were standing watch outside Mendel\u2019s door, so Gabriel circled around them and climbed to the roof. He ducked a pair of chatty guards on rounds – one of the two was telling an improbable story about the duke, a turtle and an irritating al-Wazif ambassador that was so engaging Gabriel almost shadowed them just to hear how the story ended; it was exactly the sort of almost believable nonsense that he recalled Magnifico telling – and then slid toward the open window that opened up into Mendel\u2019s chambers. Even before he entered, Gabriel felt his skin begin to itch or rather, the tattoos that crawled the length of his arms and now intertwined on his back. There was magic at work. Of course. Mendel would not have trusted the duke to protect him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Gabriel,\u201d the subject of his thoughts called out from where he sat. The Archbishop of Caithness had abandoned the robes of state for something more homespun and simple. Suddenly, he looked far more like the old friend than the Church official and Gabriel wondered if that was a ploy on Mendel\u2019s part. He discarded the thought almost before it fully manifested.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d he replied as he clambered through the open window. Without thinking, he pulled his hood back and scanned the room for potential threats.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at you,\u201d Mendel whispered. \u201cYou haven\u2019t aged a day.\u201d Gabriel\u2019s eyes snapped back to the white-haired man who suddenly looked frail and tired. He could still see his old friend but only just as the ravages of time had worked their terrible magic upon him. \u201cGestlin said it was so,\u201d Mendel murmured, \u201cbut I did not truly believe \u2026 not until this very instant.\u201d Gabriel tried not to frown – he was suddenly vastly irritated at Merasi\u00ebl even though he knew this was not her fault. This <\/i>was why she went out of her way to avoid interacting with people past a certain amount of time – according to what he\u2019d gleaned, one of the reasons they parted ways briefly while he traveled with Gestlin to Rainald\u2019s lands and then on to Sahud was because she\u2019d begun noticing how much older the wizard had begun to look.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I knew the secret, I would share it,\u201d Gabriel said quickly. That was not entirely the truth – he strongly suspected that the dragon-marks were responsible for his apparent lack of aging, but he\u2019d found no others who bore them would could answer his questions. Even the Fortress of Tears stood abandoned and, when he\u2019d visited it some years ago, it had looked far more desolate than it should have, as if its halls had stood empty for many decades, not just the ten years or so that had elapsed since he fought and killed within. He greatly feared that he was the last man to bear the dragon-mark and it was this that had changed him. Not even the elves could wholly decipher why he did not age and they had more reason than others to be wary.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, I know,\u201d the old man began, waving his hand to dismiss it. Before he could continue, there was a soft knock at the door and it slid open.<\/p>\n

Auqui.<\/p>\n

His former apprentice was not wearing white but rather a dark gray that almost bordered on black, the crimson Templar cross still prominent upon his chest. If there was a deeper meaning to his uniform, an indication of Auqui\u2019s station or assignment or status among the order, perhaps, Gabriel was ignorant of it as he purposely avoided Templars whenever possible. Auqui had not entirely discarded common sense as he was armed and wearing mail underneath the dark tabard.<\/p>\n

\u201cForgive me, Excellency,\u201d he began in the instant before his eyes alighted upon Gabriel. Without a word, he went for his sword.<\/p>\n

Gabriel had already half-drawn his own blade when Mendel sprang to his feet with the grace of a much younger man, placing himself squarely between them. Auqui had also bared steel and from his absolute lack of expression, Gabriel knew he was deep within the Void himself, already centered and ready for a fight that could only end in one way. Despite the distant anger, the unresolved rage and fury, Gabriel could not help but to feel a flash of pleasure that his former apprentice had learned his lessons well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold!\u201d Mendel snapped, his voice stern and hard. \u201cYou will, neither of you, bare steel in my presence!\u201d The old man now wore authority like a cloak and Gabriel backpedaled slightly, placing his back to the wall just to the right of the window even as he allowed Misericordia <\/i>to fall back into its scabbard. He was not fool enough to take his hand from the hilt, not even with Mendel standing there, but Cat Crosses the Courtyard came easily as he lounged, deceptively casual. Auqui knew the form and frowned, but he too rammed his sword back into place.<\/p>\n

\u201cForgive me, Your Excellency,\u201d he said stiffly, his eyes still locked on Gabriel. \u201cI was unaware that you were entertaining \u2026 guests.\u201d He scowled and glanced away, which Gabriel was silently glad of as it gave him an opportunity to recover from the shock he hoped did not show on his face. Auqui looked so \u2026 old.<\/i> He did some quick mental calculations and almost winced at the result; His former apprentice would have to be in his early forties now. Seeing Mendel as an aged man was one thing – the onetime priest had already been nearing middle age when they met so very long ago – but Auqui? Gabriel still recalled the young boy he\u2019d first met on the Huallapan homeworld. Now, that same boy looked like he could be Gabriel\u2019s elder brother or uncle. In a few years, it would be worse. He tried not to grimace but, from the fleetingly confused expression that flickered across Auqui\u2019s face, he did not do as good a job as he would have liked. \u201cI am surprised to see you <\/i>here, however,\u201d his former apprentice stated flatly. \u201cOur reports have you in al-Wazif.\u201d Gabriel narrowed his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeeping track of me are you?\u201d he asked with a smirk that he did not entirely feel.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsidering your activities and capabilities, it is necessary,\u201d Auqui replied. He grimaced. \u201cDo you realize what you\u2019ve done? What may come of your actions in Qazr?\u201d Gabriel blinked – the Templar intelligence network was better than he had anticipated – before grinning. This time he meant it.<\/p>\n

\u201cCivil war, if we\u2019re fortunate,\u201d he replied. It had been his idea though once he explained it to Merasi\u00ebl, she\u2019d suggested a handful of adjustments that turned wild speculation into an actionable operation. Everyone knew that the governor of Qazr as-Sawh, Emir Harun abd Ishaq, was at least half-mad. Brother to the reigning Caliph, Harun had spent the last thirty years building up the army with an eye on invading Megalos once more but his obsession with war had turned him bitter and insane, especially as he knew he was in the twilight of his life. And so, Gabriel and Merasi\u00ebl had visited him, not to do murder, but to tip him even deeper into madness. Merasi\u00ebl had stealthily dosed the emir\u2019s food with a potent elven drug that caused hallucinations and then, as Harun struggled to decipher what was real and what was not, Gabriel had visited him, wearing his cloak of distorted light and shadows. The irritating glow of Misericordia <\/i>was useful for a change as it gave him the illusion of a divine messenger, an angel perhaps. And the punchline was something even Magnifico would approve of: at no time did Gabriel speak a single word that was untrue.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnow that I am Gabriel!\u201d he\u2019d said in a loud, booming voice, consciously emulating Magnifico or Mendel when they were proclaiming things to a crowd. Harun had prostrated himself immediately, thinking that he was being visited by the archangel himself. \u201cKnow that the act of slavery displeases us and that you are henceforth charged to combat this practice by any and all means!\u201d When Harun visibly reacted in surprise to that, Gabriel had finished with, \u201cAnd know that he who would keeps another in unwilling bondage, whether they be man or woman, elf or dwarf or other thinking creature, this man shall I visit. And my wrath shall be terrible.\u201d Merasi\u00ebl had struck then, having snuck up behind Harun, and the extra-strong dose of the drug had sent Harun spiralling even deeper into his delusions which allowed them both the opportunity to depart undetected. The last he\u2019d heard, Harun had declared himself to be a holy man, visited by the same archangel who delivered the word of the Qur\u2019an <\/i>to the Prophet himself. His fervor (or his madness) had convinced many that he spoke the Word and he was causing massive upheaval in al-Wazif as he demanded emancipation for all of those who were slaves. War would come…<\/p>\n

Providing the Caliph did not have his half-brother simply murdered, of course.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not think that he came here to discuss his actions against the heretics, Lord Commander,\u201d Mendel said gently as he retook his seat. Auqui scowled again but simply nodded. \u201cSpeak, Brother Gabriel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe attack on your person this night,\u201d Gabriel began. \u201cThere were two watchers and I followed one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to speak to that man,\u201d Auqui said sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is dead,\u201d Gabriel said with a shrug. \u201cBut I did not kill him. He was slain by Faceless.\u201d Auqui inhaled sharply but Mendel showed no sign of recognition. \u201cHave you made any foes in Tredroy of late, Your Excellency?\u201d That caused a response – the archbishop exchanged a quick, knowing look with Auqui – and Gabriel frowned. \u201cYou expected an attack tonight,\u201d he guessed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seemed \u2026 probable, yes.\u201d Mendel gave Auqui a questioning look.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour guard was supposed to be my <\/i>men,\u201d he said darkly. \u201cThey were ordered to stand down from someone \u2026 I mean to find out who.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I shall pray for their soul when you do,\u201d the archbishop said before turning his eyes to Gabriel. \u201cI know nothing of these \u2026 Faceless. What are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAssassins,\u201d Auqui spat.<\/p>\n

\u201cMagically enhanced assassins,\u201d Gabriel corrected. \u201cThey are faster, stronger and generally harder to kill than a normal man. One would think that having no faces makes them easier to spot but in truth, your eyes slide right off of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTredroy.\u201d Mendel frowned. \u201cI remember \u2026 there is a guild of assassins there, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was,\u201d Gabriel replied. He shrugged. \u201cSome years ago, there was a war in the underground of Tredroy. The Faceless appeared then and supplanted the old guild.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I am certain you had nothing to do with that <\/i>war either,\u201d Auqui snapped. Gabriel smirked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in Sahud at the time, so no.\u201d He returned his eyes to Mendel. \u201cFaceless are extraordinarily expensive and they do not kill indiscriminately. The watcher I pursued would have been ignored unless he attacked one of them if he was not on their list of probable targets.\u201d He started to say more when the medallion he wore suddenly grew warm. Merasi\u00ebl wanted him to join her. \u201cIt is highly unlikely that Faceless simply happened <\/i>to be after one of the men watching the attempt on your life.\u201d He shifted closer to the window. \u201cFew can afford a single Faceless,\u201d he said, \u201clet alone three<\/i>. And those that can could easily afford more.\u201d He met Mendel\u2019s troubled gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think the Church has hired these assassins.\u201d Gabriel offered a tight smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would not be the first time,\u201d he said in a knowing tone. \u201cAnd now, if you will forgive me, I am needed elsewhere.\u201d He was gone before either of them could react, though he heard both of them calling out.<\/p>\n

\n

The medallion drew him across the city and to Merasi\u00ebl.<\/p>\n

Once again, he chose the so-called \u2018thieves\u2019 highway\u2019 that connected so many rooftops together, mostly because it suited his mood but also because it was simply the quickest way to cross Craine. The streets below had once followed a discernible plan but over the years, much had changed. Buildings had collapsed or burned or simply been torn down and rebuilt. Streets had been diverted and redirected away from the straight paths into something more easily defended. Only the thieves highway provided a direct route.<\/p>\n

His thoughts raced as he darted across the slick rooftops and narrow walkways. Merasi\u00ebl\u2019s avoidance of their former friends and comrades had been something of a source of conflict between them over the years, especially as he learned about some of the life events that had taken place for them, but now \u2026 now he completely understood. This year would mark his fiftieth year and yet, he looked and felt no different than he had twenty years earlier. Would he still look thus in another fifty when all of his friends (save one) had passed into memory? Or a hundred? Five hundred? No wonder elves seemed so detached from this world – everything and everyone <\/i>would be gone in the blink of an eye.<\/p>\n

The medallion grew warmer, tugging him in a specific direction, and heartbeats later, he heard the distinct ring of steel upon steel. Automatically, he fell into the Void, hardly even noticing how easily it came to him. He paused for only a moment – there! <\/i>That rooftop! He could see Merasi\u00ebl wielding her weapons against \u2026 nothing? Gabriel grimaced and threw himself forward, concentrating as hard as he could on seeing past the illusions. Two Faceless were there, pressing her hard with their longer blades, and a third was already down, Angrist <\/i>rammed in his throat. Gabriel understood why she was wielding the lesser blade now and he sharply angled toward the corpse. Without missing a step, he seized Angrist<\/i>, tearing it free from the dead man and hurling it at the nearest of the living Faceless. It caught the assassin by surprise but was far from a killing blow as the elvish blade struck him high in the meaty part of his shoulder. Merasi\u00ebl reacted without hesitation.<\/p>\n

In mid-step, she twirled around the staggered Faceless, ramming her lesser blade into the back of his skull. She released her hold on that dagger and seized Angrist <\/i>in the same, easy motion, all the while staying on the move. Half-crouching, she side-stepped to put the dying Faceless between her and the remaining one. The elves did not name their stances and forms like Gabriel had been taught, but rather referred to them by the animal they sought to emulate. This was Wolf, a fast, aggressive style that relied more on teamwork than individual effort, and Gabriel darted forward to aid her as expected, drawing Misericordia <\/i>as he fought the urge to look past the remaining Faceless.<\/p>\n

Swallow Rides the Air became Snow in High Wind. Merasi\u00ebl shifted left, Angrist <\/i>coming in low. The Faceless narrowly dodged, but his footing was fouled. The Rose Unfolds drove him back, which only further allowed Merasi\u00ebl to slip further into his blind spot. Gabriel flowed forward, redoubling his level of aggression. River Undercuts the Bank became Ribbon in the Air. The Faceless had to know that he could not devote his full attention to Gabriel, not with Merasi\u00ebl there circling behind him, but the speed with which Misericordia <\/i>flashed at him made doing so a necessity.<\/p>\n

And as he parried, Merasi\u00ebl struck. Like any good wolf, she went for hamstring and throat – the first strike was with Angrist <\/i>and it severed the tendons in the Faceless\u2019 back leg, which happened to be the one holding most of his weight. He toppled without even a squawk of surprise, and she struck again, this time using the weapon she\u2019d pulled from that place where they rescued Wallace so many years ago. Blood gushed as the blade abruptly lengthened to a short sword and sliced through skin with the ease of a hot knife through snow.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou took your time,\u201d Merasi\u00ebl remarked once they were certain all three were dead and no others were present. Her breath came rapidly as she recovered – Gabriel watched for a moment – and then shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was on the other side of the city,\u201d he pointed out. He gave the bodies a frown. \u201cSix. Someone has spent a considerable <\/i>amount of money on this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA Churchman,\u201d came the reply. Her breathing was sadly returning to normal. \u201cI observed him issuing instructions to the Faceless.\u201d She scowled suddenly. \u201cI was sloppy and one of them saw me,\u201d she added. Gabriel shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it is any consolation,\u201d he remarked, \u201cI walked right into their trap before I even realized it was <\/i>a trap.\u201d She grunted. \u201cThe Churchman?\u201d he asked. Merasi\u00ebl nodded and quickly recovered the knife still buried in the second Faceless\u2019 head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis way,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

It turned out that she had been pursued by the Faceless for some distance. They retraced her steps back over the roofs of three buildings, across a stone-cropping that served as a bridge over the street below, and then finally up the side of a large, wide wall that looked down into the wide streets outside the Craine cathedral. It began to rain again midway through through their journey and by the time they reached the overlook, both were soaked all the way through. Gabriel fell into the Void to escape his discomfort – here, where there was no emotion, he could ignore how badly he wanted a hot bath.<\/p>\n

There were a handful of armored Curia Guards standing watch before the cathedral\u2019s door and they looked every bit as miserable as one would expect, but as he and Merasi\u00ebl settled in for what could be a long, boring wait, a pair of bishops emerged from the cathedral, pausing briefly to seek immediate cover from the rain. Merasi\u00ebl shifted, though Gabriel felt it more than saw it since her hunter\u2019s cloak did a fantastic job of keeping her concealed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat one,\u201d she murmured. \u201cThe thin one. He\u2019s the one.\u201d Gabriel grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe looks familiar,\u201d he replied softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought so as well but could not place him.\u201d Merasi\u00ebl paused. \u201cThe Templar stronghold in Cardiel, perhaps?\u201d At that, Gabriel frowned. If this man had been there, he would likely be one of the Talosian cultists who had escaped the Templar purge. He would need to die.<\/p>\n

\u201cBishop Aloysius of Tredroy!\u201d Mendel\u2019s voice boomed over the streets, echoing so loudly that it caused Gabriel to jerk in surprise. Below, the Curia Guards reacted were visibly startled and the thin bishop – Aloysius Honorius, Gabriel guessed – jumped as well. Flanked by mounted Templars who were armed and clearly ready for a fight, Archbishop Mendel appeared around a bend in the main avenue. He was seated astride a horse himself and was garbed in resplendent garments identifying his position and rank; only the simple quarterstaff he held in one hand was unadorned. \u201cYou stand accused of apostasy and heresy under the eyes of God!\u201d Mendel said, his voice still echoing in such a way that it had to be magically enhanced.<\/p>\n

To their credit, the Curia Guard reacted immediately. Upon recognizing an archbishop and a squadron of Templars, they levelled their pikes and moved to surround the heretic bishop, even as the man he had been speaking to backpedalled rapidly, holding his hands aloft in surrender. He was too distant to hear what was being said but Gabriel suspected he was proclaiming innocence. Bishop Aloysius, however, did not go quietly.<\/p>\n

With a sharp gesture, he set the foremost of the Curia Guards aflame – the screams of the men could be heard even here and Gabriel tensed, intent on throwing himself forward to join the engagement, but Merasi\u00ebl caught his arm and held him back – before dancing back from the thrusts of the remaining Guards and gesturing once more. An explosion of rock and debris erupted at the feet of the men, flinging them back as shrapnel from shattered cobblestones tore bloody strips from them. Momentarily safe, Bishop Aloysius took a step away, glancing in the direction of the Templars\u2026<\/p>\n

Who were already thundering toward him.<\/p>\n

Aloysius managed to get off another spell – a scalding hot jet of burning sand streaked through the rain where it caught the lead rider\u2019s horse squarely in the face – but that was it. The Templar at the head of the squadron came off his shrieking, panicked mount in a smooth dismount that even Gabriel had to admire. Even before the man struck the ground and rolled to distribute the impact of the fall, Gabriel recognized Auqui\u2019s body language. His former student came up, a bastard sword whistling free of its scabbard, and struck. Black Lance\u2019s Last Strike drove the blade through Aloysius\u2019 neck – Gabriel frowned; not only was the form sloppy, but it had been a poor choice. He would have used Arc of the Moon instead of leaving himself so wide open like this – and the bishop staggered back, blood drenching his robes and spraying the streets where it was promptly washed away by the rain. Auqui flowed forward – Low Wind Rising became Striking the Spark and ended with Folding the Fan – and the Talosian toppled. He twitched once, twice, again, and then was still.<\/p>\n

\u201cSloppy,\u201d he muttered under his breath, even as he silently acknowledged that Auqui had not entirely forgotten his lessons. He was aware of Merasi\u00ebl studying him \u2026 though how she managed to do so with his hood up and the hunter\u2019s cloak shrouding him from view, he had no idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a dangerous strike,\u201d she remarked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd his elbow was crooked again.\u201d Gabriel paused, considered. \u201cStill,\u201d he corrected himself. \u201cI think we are done here,\u201d he added as he straightened slightly, attention mostly still focused on the street below. Mendel had arrived and was attending to the injured. So was the other bishop for that matter, though that might have been a ploy on his part to avoid looking at the squadron of Templars now surrounding the area. Someone had thrown a cloak over Aloysius\u2019 body.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgreed.\u201d Merasi\u00ebl stood, glanced once more at the street, and turned away. \u201cI greatly desire a hot bath,\u201d she murmured. Gabriel gave the madness on the street below another look but then paused..<\/p>\n

Auqui was standing there, looking directly at him.<\/p>\n

Gabriel hesitated, considered – how could his former apprentice see through the magical shroud that was the hunter\u2019s cloak? Or was he just reacting to observed motion? The latter seemed the most likely and, without letting himself think it through, Gabriel flicked his hood back. He saw Auqui tense – that too was not unexpected given their long-standing agreement to avoid one another – but Gabriel simply nodded and turned away, pulling his hood back up.<\/p>\n

And then, he followed Merasi\u00ebl into the rain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

HE hated this city. The stray thought came out of nowhere as Gabriel darted over the rooftops of Craine, each step carrying him deeper into the city all the while threatening to spill him down into the street so far below. A soft rain turned the footing treacherous but the distant rumble of thunder managed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,20],"tags":[29],"class_list":["post-2252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-banestorm","category-bs_pcs","tag-gabery"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2252","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2252"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2252\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2741,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2252\/revisions\/2741"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2252"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2252"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2252"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}