Chapter 7.4

Massoud followed Roy out the door into the great hall.  It went against his instincts to walk through the narrow opening with two deadly men at his back but then he supposed this was unfortunately his place in the current hierarchy of their cabal.  Once in the Great Hall he did fan out to keep an eye on everyone and noticed the handful of men approaching them.  He briefly wondered if Ian would play his hand already but he dispatched two men to the room they had left and told the other four to come with him.

“Two,” commanded Duilach.

Ian waved and two men left them.

Outside, they mounted horses that servants brought to the front steps.  As they were about to ride they heard a piercing cry.  Looking skyward, a thorn hawk shot towards them, flaring at the last second and landing on Duilach’s arm.  He pulled the message from a canister attached to the hawk’s leg.  He frowned for a moment and then without looking up said, “Massoud, to Blathan.”

“With what purpose, Thorn?”

Duilach lifted his head and gazed coldly at the Thief.  “To ensure the next step of your plan, you fool.  You do my bidding, but that doesn’t mean you cease intelligent thought.”

Massoud smiled without a trace of coldness.  Disdain and ridicule were tools of the weak in human manipulation and in this element Massoud was still master.  “Of course, Thorn.  I would not insult the intelligence of either of us.  I will execute your bidding to the fullest of my capabilities, which will surpass those of most you know.  However, I did fail to phrase my question properly.  I was to ride with our band, and now from your message it seems I am to return to Blathan.  Is there news I should be aware of as I go forth to execute our plan?”

Duilach stared at Massoud for an uncomfortably long time.  Then he sighed.  “Unfortunately, you are like a good milking Caora, more useful to me alive than dead.  Ride to Blathan.  Do what is necessary.  Come to us in Adalstan within the week.”

With that the assassin turned his steed and rode out the gate, not looking to see if the others followed or if Massoud did as he was commanded.

~ by beinnsgriob on March 31, 2009.