Chapter 3.8
Massoud decided on some rest first and then he would get Roy himself. Better to leave as few things to chance as possible on this mission. Finding a suitable couch in what appeared to be a rarely used parlour, Massoud lay down, Koumaya in hand.
Not more than two sands later Massoud awoke more or less refreshed. He knew he could go at least three nights with this little sleep and not be overly effected. Unfortunately it might be a few more nights than that as the plan unfolded. Well I will have plenty of time to sleep if the plan fails, Massoud thought.
Heading down the garden alley, he thought to himself the most likely place he could find Roy. Probably Elspeth’s. I hate to give away that I know this is one of his hideaways but time is important. Massoud turned down another alley, moving purposefully but unobtrusively in the shadows.
There was never a time when Massoud did not expect to be robbed or attacked and so he genuinely was not surprised when he heard the bow pull. By the time the twang of the release sounded he had already moved. Most would run, even a Guild member of his experience, but Massoud was a firm believer in the worst thing you could allow a threat to do was retreat and rebuild to come after you again.
Soon he was on the rooftop from whence the arrow had flow, a Bo-kri momentarily in his hand before hurtling towards his hunter. The clang of the knife against a tile let Massoud know he had missed but he was already leaping along the rooftops after his adversary.
While the scenario itself was no surprise to Massoud, he was shocked at the agility of his opponent. He had expected to close with him in no time, but the way the dark clad figure moved from single level to double level buildings and turned at right angles to the pursuit in places where corners could not be cut effectively was making it difficult for Massoud to even keep him in sight.
Then the man made a right angle where the building at the corner was only a half story higher. Got him, Massoud thought as he cut the corner leaping up and over. Damn. Massoud twisted as he threw hoping for the best. The hunter had made no mistake. He had allowed Massoud to become flushed with the certainty of success, knocking an arrow and waiting for him to come over the half level.
As it turned out, Massoud took the arrow in the meaty part of his left chest, his Bo-kri striking the stranger in the same place on his body. Massoud broke the arrow off as he landed, then pulled another Bo-kri. Then his eyes widened in recognition. “Duilach.”
Leave a Reply