Chapter 7.6

Massoud slowed the horse to a walk once he was out of sight of the others.  Partly to give himself some additional time to think, but moreso because despite the two nights of rest, his body was shrouded in pain and his reserves were low.

First he needed to know the political scenario.  He had a well-placed man that would serve his needs but how to contact him without arousing curiosity would be mildly challenging.  Then he had to find the whereabouts of the Right Hand and his intentions.  If this man was as deadly as Ian had claimed then he would be alive and aas the only survivor of the ambush he had great potential to throw a burr in the loom.  Akane would have to be tracked down as well since she had a lesser potential to do the same and Llyr neutralized per his plan.

Ultimately though he had to seek the death of Duilach or Roy.  There was an ugly rift between him and Roy but he felt this was one he could contain if not repair.  Provided he could do this, Roy was both the one who could aid him the most and whom he could kill the easiest if necessary farther down the path.  But how does one dispatch the deadliest human of the Age?

Or was he the deadliest?  What if he could pit the Right Hand against Duilach?  Massoud mused on this and how he might bring it about as he finished his journey to Blathan.

He was still half lost in thought when one of the two guards stationed at the gate siezed his reins and signalled to the other guards above.

“What are you doing?” Demanded Massoud in a firm but low voice.

“Arresting you per orders from the Interior Minis–”

Massoud had heard enough and the man screamed noiselessly in agony as the purple lichen powder filled his lungs with blisters and blood poured from his mouth.  A few other travelers nearby cried out as the purple cloud coated any exposed skin.

Very messy, Massoud thought, as the collateral damage drew greater attention to the scene.  Not how he would have chosen to enter the city, but he was through at a gallop and soon deep in the alleyways of the Trader’s Quarter.

~ by beinnsgriob on April 26, 2009.