Death and Honor: Book 2 of 2 Read online

  Kaylin looked away, her mind somewhere else. “I’m going to stay up for a while, see who comes in.”

  Xander nodded and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

  * * *

  When Xander woke he found no sign of Kaylin. He dressed and headed toward the dining room hoping to find her, or at least finding breakfast. Sure enough he found Kaylin curled up in the corner half asleep. Thieves packed the dining hall. There were as many thieves there now as when the master spoke the day before. Xander wondered if anyone else got any sleep last night.

  Jayden sat near Kaylin and Xander went over to join them. “Has she been here all night?”

  The thief started, as though he’d been on the verge of sleep. “Since I got back in at least. There’s a team still out. They’re way over due.”

  Xander nodded his expression grim. “I’ll take her to bed.” He scooped Kaylin up ignoring her murmur of protest. “If you’re going to sleep you might as well do it in a real bed.”

  He carried her back to their room, laid her on the mattress, and covered her up. He looked down at her and smiled. Xander closed the door and returned to the dining hall. A table near Jayden had emptied, so he sat down. “Who’s still out?”

  “Koen and Alana.”

  “I haven’t met all the thieves. Who was their enforcer?”

  “Dane,” Jayden said. “They were making the rounds of our gambling houses. It wasn’t a risky job.”

  “Yeah, and Dane knew it. I doubt he was paying attention.” Xander got up and collected his breakfast, grits and sausage today. He ate in silence, Jayden a near unconscious presence nearby. Xander shook his head. Damned if he was carrying Jayden to bed.

  When he finished he went upstairs to workout. Jerrod slept on the training mat so Xander got a weighted training sword and began the movements of a basic training routine as quiet as he possible. Jerrod’s eye popped open. “I should have known it was you. No one else is crazy enough to train with everything that’s going on.”

  “Why don’t you get some breakfast? The sausage is edible today.”

  The old man grunted and Xander helped him to his feet. “I’ll do that, doesn’t look like I’m going to get any sleep.”

  Xander grinned at the old man’s back and swung the sword again. He was half way through his routine when Kraven entered. Xander stopped, hoping to do a little sparing.

  Kraven saw the look on his face and raised a hand. “I’m not here to train. We got word our missing team was found, dead, the same message written nearby. Worse the killed took a large amount of gold. Something has to be done.”

  The reason for Kraven’s visit became clear to Xander. “Do you have a plan?”

  “The guild master has suspended all activities until the killer is dealt with. I’m open to suggestions on how.”

  Xander smiled an evil smile. “I’ve thought about it and I have an idea. I don’t know if it will pass muster with the master.”

  “Tell me. Anything would be better than what we’ve been doing, which is nothing.”

  “It’s not complicated. You should send out a team, same as any night. I’ll follow along behind and when the kill shows up I’ll cut him down.”

  “That’s it? What if the killer doesn’t show?”

  “Then the team finishes their work, none the worse for the walk. At least some work would get done.”

  “Don’t you think the killer might suspect a trap?” Kraven asked.

  Xander snorted. “You think someone crazy or arrogant enough to think he can take down the guild on his own will hesitate because it might be a trap?”

  Kraven nodded. “Good point. I’ll talk to the bosses and ask for volunteers.”

  “Better send the ones you’re least afraid to lose. If I fail they won’t last long. One more thing, don’t send Kaylin. I’ll be better off if I know she’s safe.”

  Kraven left to talk to the bosses and Xander returned to his workout. When he finished he went down to his room. Kaylin’s eyes opened the moment he stepped inside. “The late team?”

  “They were found this morning, like the others.”

  Kaylin closed her eyes. “Something has to be done.”

  “Something’s going to be done, assuming the bosses agree.”

  Her eyes snapped open, and she sat up. “The bosses are sending you.”

  Xander nodded. “A team will go out tonight. I’ll follow along behind and take the killer from behind.”

  “You make it sound easy. If the killer is skilled enough to take out a whole team, what chance will you have on your own?”

  Xander smiled without humor. “No offense to the rest of the men, but I could take out one of those teams if I wanted to. They aren’t that good compared to a real swordsman. I can do this, I have to, or the guild will fall apart. I’m the best.” He said it without arrogance but as a simple statement. “If I can’t do it we’re finished.”

  “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “Me either, but no one will be safe until this is taken care of, so I’m going to take care of it.”

  * * *

  Xander climbed out of the secret tunnel and pushed aside the crates hiding it from view. He was in the warehouse district and the team was already on the street. He had to go north from the tunnel and pick them up as they made their rounds. When he’d returned the screen of crates to their proper position he turned north and made his way through the dark city, fast and silent, ears straining for any sign of pursuit.

  He rounded a corner and spotted the rest of the group a hundred yards ahead. He needed to keep his distance, so he stopped and let them get a little further ahead. While they moved further away he considered the best way to keep an eye on them. Xander looked up at the flat warehouse roofs fifteen feet above him and grinned. The buildings were ten feet apart, he could jump that easily. From up high he kept watch, ready to leap down on the killer when he showed himself.

  A pile of crates sat beside one of the warehouses and Xander climbed it, jumped up, grabbed the edge of the roof, and pulled himself up and over. He jogged to the far side of the roof where he watched the team. Hakim strutted in the lead. Xander assumed the bosses sent him as a test of some sort. Tempting as it was to wonder off and let the killer get his revenge for him, Xander had no quarrel with the other members of the group and they’d die as well.

  The team moved out of sight so he leapt to the next roof and ran a little ways to catch up. Xander frowned; the attack should have come by now.

  Something creaked behind him. Xander spun and drew his sword in the same motion. He caught a glint on metal in the moon light and batted aside a thrown dagger. The man that threw the dagger stood behind him. He wore a long thin sword at his waist which he drew when his first attack failed. Xander advanced, not wanting to meet his opponent so close to the edge of the roof.

  He studied his opponent as he approached. The man had a slim, athletic build, a shaved head and dark beard. He carried a rapier, not a weapon popular in the city. He had to be an outlander.

  “I was told the finest swordsman in the guild waited to kill me tonight.” The killer’s voice was deep and rich like a singer. “Imagine my disappointment when I find a half grown child instead.”

  Xander smiled at the vain attempt to anger him. He had moved so far past caring what anyone thought the words slid right off. “I get that a lot.” His harsh whisper sounded the polar opposite if his opponent’s fine voice. “I suppose no one expects to get killed by someone my age.”

  “I certainly don’t.” The killer advanced to meet Xander in the center of the roof.

  The killer cocked his arm telegraphing the lunge that followed. Xander parried it and counter slashed at his opponent’s eyes. The man jerked his head back in time to avoid getting blinded. After the initial clash their blows came at a blinding pace, the night showered by the sparks of their clashing swords. Xander fought on pure instinct. His opponent moved so fast if he tried to think he’d be killed.

  Aft
er a furious exchange the killer bound Xander’s sword with his own. They leaned together, fighting for position. When the killer made a final big push Xander didn’t resist. He spun to the right and the killer staggered past, before he recovered Xander slashed him across the back, a deep, six inch gash that bled bright red.

  “First blood to me.” Xander held his blade ready to accept his opponent’s next attack.

  The killer snarled, both in pain and anger. He came at Xander again, but his movements had slowed. Where before it had taken all Xander’s skill to survive now he found blows easy to dodge or block aside. Xander dodged left and his foot caught on a twisted up board. He staggered and fell to the roof. The killer lunged, trying to finish him. Desperate, Xander roll to the side, avoiding a killing blow but taking a slash to the ribs. He grimaced and kicked the killer’s left knee. Bone and cartilage crunched, and the killer crashed to the roof.

  Xander rolled back, pinning the killer’s sword arm under his knee. He put his sword to his opponent’s throat. “Who told you I’d be here?”

  “Go to hell!” the killer spat at him.

  Xander pressed his blade harder against the man’s throat, enough to draw blood. “Who?”

  The killer screamed, sat up, and then wrenched himself to the side, cutting his own throat. Shaken Xander got to his feet. Who could do that to themselves? Xander grimaced and got to his feet. The cut to his ribs was long but shallow. He’d live but he wouldn’t be working out any time soon. He walked to the roof’s edge and found the team staring at him. They must have heard the fight.

  “Anyone got a rope?” he asked.

  One of the young thieves, Xander had never met the boy before tonight and didn’t remember his name, took a silk rope with a grapple out of his shoulder bag. With an expert toss he threw it up on the roof a couple feet from where Xander stood. Xander hooked in tight, eased himself over the side, and climbed down.

  When he hit the ground he grimaced as a spasm of pain shot through him. “You’re hurt,” the boy said.

  “It’s just a scratch.” Xander clenched his teeth against the pain

  Hakim stared at him, arms crossed over his great belly. “When they told me you would be our protection tonight I thought I was as good as dead. I guess you’ve decided to let bygones be bygones.”

  Xander glared at him through pain narrowed eyes. “No one will kill you, but me. When the day comes I’ll be the last thing you see. Now let’s get out of here.”

  He led the way down the streets followed by the silent thieves. His threat had unnerved them, but his ribs hurt too much for him to care. It couldn’t have come as a surprise; everyone in the guild knew how he felt about Hakim. If he could have gotten the fat man alone he would have cut his throat tonight, but the opportunity never came up.

  When they got back they found both bosses and Kraven, pacing like a caged animal, waiting in the entry room.

  “Well?” All three demanded at once.

  “It’s done.” Xander winced and grabbed his ribs. “Kraven, can you help me to my room? The walk back took more out of me than I thought.”

  “Of course.” Kraven slung one of Xander’s arms over his shoulder and they made their careful way out of the room.

  When they’d gone beyond earshot Xander said, “Someone set me up. The killer knew I would be there. If he’d been a little less arrogant and brought a friend I’d be dead.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “He said as much before we fought. He seemed confident of winning so I can’t imagine he’d lie. I didn’t want to say anything in front of the others since I’m pretty sure one of them is the leak.”

  “You think it’s one of the bosses?”

  “One of them or one of the team members.”

  “What about me?” Kraven asked. “I could have set you up as easily as one of them.”

  “Yeah,” Xander said. “But I had to tell someone and you seemed the most trustworthy, for a thief.”

  Kraven smiled. “Of course. It couldn’t have been any of the team members. They didn’t know they were going until a couple hours before they left. It had to be one of the bosses.”

  “What about the guild master?”

  “We didn’t have time to contact him before you went out. Which is just as well since I must contact him now without the bosses finding out so he can force them to take a truth potion.”

  They stopped in front of the door to Xander’s room. Kaylin must have heard them because the door opened at once. “You’re hurt!”

  “It’s just a scratch.”

  Kaylin shooed Kraven away. Before he left he said, “I’ll contact you when I learn something.”

  Xander nodded and Kaylin helped him inside.

  * * *

  Xander’s side had healed for the most part when Kraven came to see him three weeks after the battle. He sat up in bed when Kraven entered, wincing a little. “How did it go?”

  “We finished the interrogations yesterday. The night boss masterminded the whole thing. The killer wasn’t a vigilante, just a mercenary the night boss hired to kill those thieves that wouldn’t pledge themselves to him. We dealt with him yesterday.”

  “What took so long?”

  “The guild master isn’t an easy man to get a hold of. I got a message to him last week then we had to figure out who we could trust before we grabbed the bosses.”

  “The master must be pleased.”

  “That it’s been dealt with, certainly. In fact there’s going to be an announcement tonight. Do you think you’re up to attending? This concerns you most of all.”

  Xander frowned, announcements were seldom a good thing. “I’m fine, a little sore maybe. What’s going on?”

  “I’ve recommended you for membership in an elite group of assassins. The Shadow Hand are the most feared assassins in the world. None but the best make it through their training.”

  “Back up.” Xander didn’t understand what was happening. “Why would I want to be an assassin and how is it you can make such a recommendation?”

  “I’m a member of the Shadow Hand assigned to scout for talent. I don’t mind killing a man in a fight, but it turns out I don’t have it in me to run someone through from behind. So instead of an assassin I became a scout. You’re the first person in this city I found worth sending back to the Hand. They send a courier to fetch you, if you’re willing to join.”

  “What do I get?” Xander asked.

  “Aside from the wealth that comes from working as a top tier assassin you’ll eventually get access to a worldwide group of agents like me. What better way to discover who killed your family?”

  Xander smiled. “With sales talk like that you should have been a merchant. What do I have to do?”

  “Nothing, when the courier asks if you want to join say yes and be ready to go. You’ll leave at once.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  Kraven took his leave and Xander sat on the edge of his bed musing on what he’d agreed to. He wasn’t sure if joining a group of assassins was the right move, but if they could do what Kraven promised it made the risk worth taking. The only thing that made the decision hard was leaving Kaylin behind.

  The door opened and Kaylin entered. “I saw Kraven leaving. Is everything okay?”

  Xander nodded and patted the bed beside him. She sat beside him. “I’m leaving this afternoon to join a new guild, an assassin’s guild. Kraven recommended me.”

  “Why?” Kaylin trembled and Xander said a silent prayer that she wouldn’t cry.

  “The guild has spies like Kraven all over the world. I’ll have a chance to learn who killed my family. I can’t let this chance pass. I can’t.”

  She hugged him and whispered in his ear. “I know, but I’ll miss you.”

  Xander kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll miss you too. If you need to get a hold of me Kraven can help you.”

  The two of them walked to the dining hall. Most of the guild had gathered as word of the meeting spread. Kraven and
the day boss stood on a rough built platform in the rear of the hall. Kraven caught his eye and motioned him up.

  Xander gave Kaylin’s shoulder one last squeeze and went to join Kraven. “Said all your goodbyes?”

  Xander nodded. “Keep an eye on her for me?”

  “I will.”

  “Thanks. How long is this stupid ceremony supposed to last?”

  “Not long once everyone gets here. Fifteen minutes at most.”

  “It’s a waste of time. I always hated this sort of thing.”

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Kraven grinned. “Still, you’re the first member of the guild to be asked to join and the master wants to make a big deal of it.”

  “Well, he’s the boss, for a little longer at least.” The hall was near three quarters full. It wouldn’t be much longer.

  A few minutes later the robed guild master arrived along with a whip thin man, his face hidden by a deep cowl. It looked like no one wanted their face seen, not that Xander could comment with his mask. The guild master and courier joined Xander, Kraven and the day boss on the platform.

  The guild master raised his hands and the room fell silent. “My friends, one of our own has been selected for a great honor.” He beckoned Xander forward. Swallowing a sigh Xander went to stand beside the master. “Xander has been chosen to join the Shadow Hand assassin’s guild. The first member of our guild so honored.”

  A smattering of polite applause followed the announcement, more for the master’s sake than Xander’s. He hadn’t made many friends during his time in the guild.

  “Do you join the Shadow Hand of your own free will?” The courier asked.

  “When I join will I still be considered a member of this guild?”

  “No, your sole allegiance will be to the Shadow Hand.”

  “In that case I join with pleasure.”

  The courier nodded and handed a heavy looking sack to the master. “With Grandfather’s thanks.”

  The guild master hefted the sack, seeming well pleased with the weight. The courier turned to Xander. “Are you ready?”

  “I have one more thing to take care of.” He scanned the room and soon spotted Hakim.