Assassin from Abyss

It was near midnight in Redweed when three cloaked figures came out of the Lustrum and turned toward the south-eastern edge of the village.

Only a handful of commoners were still on the streets at that hour, and they were heading home, and none of them spared the three cloaked figures a glance.

Ganzuo and Saana walked ahead, side by side, with Kervyn trailing four meters or so behind. Kervyn drank from a bottle of surah as he went, and felt impatient. Ganzuo had told him to hang back — not to draw attention, and to let Ganzuo work on Saana in private.

So Kervyn followed, and drank, and walked, and thought of the pleasurable night ahead.

" But, Master Markus — " Saana began.

Markus — Ganzuo — Kei cut her off.

" Saana, my friend Kaiser is in trouble. His life is in danger, and he needs to stay hidden tonight. Another noble house means to move against him, and their informants are already in the village — they will have watched him at the Lustrum. I know of a very safe place for him to hide. An empty house. Only I know of it. " He lied with a straight face.

" But, Master Markus — why are we going with him? And why have you turned your hair black? "

" Oh — that, so none can recognize me. If I am seen helping Kaiser, House Tsakani is drawn into the trouble too. We hide Kaiser safely and come away after a while. In the morning the guards of his house will come and escort him back to the city. " He let a little urgency into it. " Saana, I have to help him. His family has good funds. If I keep him safe, they will back me, and I will gain the position of lord with ease. And I will not forget your help — I will give you whatever you want. "

Saana’s eyes gleamed with greed. A golden opportunity, she thought — and felt, suddenly, as though she held this foolish noble on a leash.

Her tone shifted, and turned demanding.

" Then I will help you, Markus. But I want something in return. Wealth. Status. I am sick to death of living as a commoner. I want you to marry me and make me a matriarch — no petty concubine in your harem. I want the status and the luxury of the nobility. Promise me that, and only then will I help you. "

Ganzuo laughed inside. He had her measure now, entirely.

He put on a love-struck face.

" Saana — you are so beautiful that males would kill for you. When I am lord, I promise, I will marry you and make you a matriarch. Many in my family will object, you being a commoner — but if you help me to the lord’s seat, my word will be final. Here. Take this bead, as my promise. "

He drew the prism-shaped white bead from his pocket and held it out to her.

Saana looked at it. She had never seen a bead like it, and took its strangeness for great value.

" What is it? "

" A token bead. Exclusive to House Tsakani — given by a male of the house to the female he takes in marriage. I give it to you, and count you my wife from this day. We will wed formally once I am lord. Keep it safe. From today, you belong to House Tsakani. " He lied like a rug, and marveled, privately, at his own acting.

Saana’s eyes shone. Ecstatic, she tucked the bead away inside her chest, certain she had roped in a rich fool of a husband by seizing the moment, and praised herself for it inwardly.

" Of course, Markus. I will help you. I am your wife from today, am I not? And a good wife always helps her husband. "

" Thank you, Saana. When we reach it — go inside, please. I do not want anyone out there to see you. Kaiser and I will look around and come in one at a time, quietly. We stay a while, then leave. " He winked. " I have booked a room for the two of us at the Fellow Mire Inn. We will have our honeymoon there, after this. "

" I will do just as you say, " Saana said, and thought: *what a rich fool — but a handsome one.*

Soon the three of them reached the south-eastern corner of the village. A medium reed house stood apart there, alone in its corner, as though the rest of the village had abandoned it.

" Go in and light a fire in the hearth — it is in the middle of the entrance hall, " Ganzuo told her, while they were still some twenty meters off.

Saana nodded happily and went toward the house.

The moment she was gone, Kervyn came hurrying up.

" Brother — hic — what happened? Did you — hic — convince her? "

" It was hard, " Ganzuo said, turning to him. " But she agreed. On one condition. "

" What condition? I will pay her. I have about eight thousand — hic — droqdo on me. "

" No, no. Not money. " Ganzuo leaned in. " She is very much into her roleplaying. She wants you to act as her husband — Kaiser — and — " and he whispered the rest of it in Kervyn’s ear.

" Ah — that saucy minx. Just the way I like it. I will gladly meet her condition. Right — I am going. " Kervyn started for the house.

Then he stopped, and turned back, and ran a hand through his white hair.

" Brother — how do I look? "

Ganzuo smiled.

" Just like Kaiser. " He held something out. " Here — wear these arm-gloves. She bites. "