The Killing Grounds Page 20

  “Good evening Barkley,” Lucinda said to the man. “I don’t need you to show me around my own house.”

  “The master has requested that you meet him in his study Lady Millhaven, and that Miss Du Preeze wait for you in the library.”

  Alara felt Lucinda tense, but she pulled her in close as a warning to relax. “I’ll be fine darling, you run along and see daddy. I’m sure Mr Barkley will make wonderful company,” Alara said mocking the tone used by the servant.

  Lucinda grumbled a retort that Alara couldn’t hear and disappeared into the house with Barkley, after the butler had given Alara strict instructions to wait by the door. The entrance hall to the house was bigger than the gym at the barracks and could house hundreds of apprentices all exercising at the same time. The high ceiling was home to a crystal chandelier that Alara guessed was over three metres wide and several tiers high, the ceiling itself was covered by a mural of clouds in a sky so blue that Alara first thought it may have been some ancient sea. Unlike the sky above her, the walls were coated in dark oak cladding and if there were any doors Alara couldn’t see them hiding away. There were no pictures hanging in the hallway and no tables or chairs where a weary guest might relax before waiting to be introduced to the owners of the mansion. A huge dark oak staircase with black marble steps led the way to the three upper levels of the house. During their walk up the driveway Alara had tried to count the windows to assess the size of the building, but there had been too many to accurately note. She waited patiently for Barkley to return, even though she was aching to explore the house. Somewhere in these walls there could be a clue to Lord Osari’s whereabouts and this may be her only chance at finding it. Barkley appeared, standing to the right of the staircase and motioned for Alara to join him.

  “Follow me please Miss Du Preeze,” he said and led Alara toward the rear of the hallway. He placed a hand onto a panel of the wall which opened with a swish. “Lord Millhaven will be with you shortly.”

  She thanked Barkley as he ushered her into the library and then left her alone. The smell of burning cherry wood filled her senses as she gravitated toward the fireplace, and the comfort of the two chairs that sat on opposite sides of the hearth. She relaxed into the chair and let her mind examine the room for any signs of the Arts, but found none. This didn’t surprise her, as the rest of the Millhaven family were mundane. Two large bookcases lined the wall on either side of the fireplace filled with encyclopaedias packed neatly from A-Z and a massive gilt-edged mirror adorned the wall above the roaring flames. The rest of the room was filled with three free standing cabinets that were illuminated by two smaller chandeliers, similar to the massive one in the entrance hall. The bookcases were packed neatly, whoever looked after the library was meticulous in the way they looked after the room, and Alara found herself admiring the person’s attention to detail.

  But that all paled into insignificance as she gazed upon the three oak dragons that decorated the top of each bookcase. The first dragon was standing as if on guard, its mouth open, exposing massive wooden teeth and a forked tongue, the face contorted in a frozen roar. As a child Alara had seen pictures of dragons in books, but those were friendly beasts that had helped children on their adventures, this one was different and even though she knew it was wooden she felt threatened by its presence. The second dragon was positioned lying down with its tail wrapped around its body, and cradled inbetween its front legs were three large white eggs. Alara looked into the dragon's loving eyes, it was a beautiful sight that filled her with hope and joy. She wished that she could reach out and stroke the dragon as it doted over its unborn young. The third was in a similar position to the first, but this one was positioned so that its head was down below its shoulders and pointed at the second dragon. Its wings were spread behind its back with its tail held up, and the look of hatred on its face stunned Alara. She found herself wanting to protect the second dragon that was being threatened by the third. For some reason she hated the look of the third dragon and opened her mind to check the statue for any signs of life.

  “They're amazing aren’t they?” Bastian said, standing in the frame of the door to the library that Alara hadn’t heard open.

  She swallowed to catch her breath, “I’ve never seen anything like them.”

  Bastian smiled at her and walked over to stand at the foot of the first dragon. He walked up and down the aisle admiring the workmanship. “This is Parian,” he said as he ran his hand over the wooden scales, “it’s said that he was the father of all dragons and he was undefeated in battle. Isn’t he magnificent? In real life he would have been over ten times the size of this one, and stood eight metres tall from head to talon and fifteen metres long from nose to tail. His scales were impenetrable to all forms of attack and his only weakness was his love for Trian.” He pointed at the dragon with the eggs. “She was the mother of all dragons and a fearsome matriarchal figure amongst the species, much like a queen bee would be in a beehive. She was over a thousand years old and twice the size of Parian her mate. This jolly fellow,” he pointed to the third dragon, “is Paragon, she was Trian's sister and rival. When she battled Trian for dominance the ground was said to shake and crack open under the sheer ferocity of each dragon's attack. Trian eventually defeated her, but not before Paragon had devoured the last of the dragon eggs in spite. With no more offspring the dragons soon died off. People say that when Trian died she let the magic of her soul release into the world that infused into the earth and plant life, the animals ate the plants and the humans ate the animals. That was the moment that the Arts were discovered and the world of man changed forever.”

  Alara was mesmerized by Bastian’s story. “Why didn’t they just have more babies?” she asked.

  “All things come to an end Miss Du Preeze, and the world wasn’t safe for the dragons to coexist with the humans. Natural selection, if you believe in such a thing.”

  As she looked into Trian's eyes, Alara felt sadder than she had ever felt before. “I always thought that the ABC wars were the cause of the Arts to be released into the world.”

  “Well that’s one explanation, but personally I like to believe in a far more romantic notion, don't you?

  “I do think I like your explanation better.”

  “Indeed. As you can tell I wasn’t born with the use of any Artistic talents, but unlike my father I like to think of your kind as a gift, rather than the scourge of mankind. Now enough of my story telling, why are you here Miss Du Preeze?”

  She snapped out of her reverie and focused on Bastian, who had sat down opposite her. “I’m just here to keep your sister company. It’s a lonely place at the barracks with no other females around.”

  “Oh come now Miss Du Preeze, surely you wouldn’t expect me to believe that such an adept assassin as yourself needs any company, and the idea that either of you are gay is simply preposterous,” he said, dismissing her story.

  “You think too much of me Lord Millhaven,” she fluttered her eyes at Bastian in the hope of flattering him.

  “I think that there is much more to you than meets the eye. For instance I would bet that you have at least two blades hidden about your person as we speak.”

  She blushed and subconsciously tapped her hand on her thigh where she had three blades hidden under her baggy slacks. She also had two more, one tied neatly to each tricep underneath her black blouse. “Force of habit I’m afraid.”

  “I wouldn’t expect anything less, but I’ll trust that you will keep them to yourself tonight,” he said smiling at her.

  “I’ll do my best,” but I’m not promising anything she added silently.

  “Now back to my question, why are you here Miss Du Preeze? You won’t find your Lord hidden anywhere within these walls,” he tilted his head as he watched her. “The Junior Council has no dealings with your Guild, even though we do have eyes and ears and have learned of the power struggle that exists within your walls.”

  She let her mind wander into his, searching for any
lies or any obvious omissions to his story, but it was a mind like none other she had ever sensed before and pulled back quickly, “That may be so Lord Millhaven, but the same can’t be said of the Senior Council.”

  “Indeed. My father and his cronies have spies everywhere, including the Junior Council. We’ve tried to keep their influence out of our decision making, but their Artistic prowess limits our effectiveness.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” she asked.

  “Much like the rest of the city the Junior Council has challenges, and they feel that the only way forward is to ask the Assassin's Guild for help, but if we made any formal approach the Senior Council would soon find out and our efforts would be thwarted. However, if we could gain the employ of some of the younger members of your Guild in a private capacity, we could limit the Senior Council's influence.”

  She was taken aback by his boldness, “I cannot act outside of the Guild's rules and regulations, it’s forbidden for any apprentice to collect on bounties."

  He held up a hand to stop her, “We are aware of your restrictions Miss Du Preeze. What we’re proposing will not break any rules and you would be working well within your rights. In return we may be able to offer some assistance in your search for Lord Osari.”

  She felt a cold chill run up and down her back, an Artist had entered the house and was probing around the building. She knew by the spell scent that Sable was present and she threw a shield up around the room. Bastian obviously felt the change in the air and searched around the room for any intruders. “Our conversation remains private Lord Millhaven, but I’m not sure how long I can keep this shield up, so carry on if you please,” she knew that she could hold the shield for hours if she needed to, but she wanted to put some pressure on the young Lord.

  “Who was trying to eavesdrop?” he asked.

  “Madam Isabelle and her entourage have arrived for dinner.”

  “Ah that old Witch! Please excuse my choice of words, I know not all Artists are Witches,” he added noting her disdain at the use of the word.

  “No offence taken. Now the plan, if you please.” Her heart was racing at the thought of Sable being close by, but she kept her tone normal.

  “We would like to offer a quid pro quo exchange between the Council and your group, we supply information and you supply services.”

  “My group?” She paused and looked Bastian in the eye; his raised eyebrow prompted her to be honest. “My turn to apologise, I didn’t intend to insult your intelligence,” she admitted.

  “Thank you Miss Du Preeze, we’ve come across certain information regarding the Senior Council’s plans to replace Lord Osari’s seat on the Guild Council with one under their influence, a certain Lord Basel. He’s a lower Lord and would not normally have the chance for this promotion, but these are not normal times. If he were to be retired during your final week the voting would go in favour of your Guild, rather than the Senior Council.”

  Alara knew Lord Basel, he had assisted in their stealth training and was an expert in camouflage techniques and strategies. “I know of his reputation, he’s dangerous but I imagine that we could retire him given the right circumstances,” she said, not having a clue how they could possibly kill such a veteran assassin and make it look like a fair kill. “What assurances do I have that none of my team will face repercussions?”

  “None Miss Du Preeze. If you are found out you will be retired along with your accomplices as per your Guild rules, but if you succeed the information we have will lead you to Lord Osari.”

  She took a moment to think. She had to find Lord Osari quickly, but this would mean she would be planning to break the Guild laws in her first year. She wished that she had thought to bring Lord Osari’s stone to check out Bastian's story. No matter, she had to find Lord Osari. “Then we have an agreement Lord Millhaven.”

  He laughed, “I’m so pleased you decided to join us.”

  “Indeed,” she said but she swore to herself, we haven’t joined anyone!

  “Now Alara, my family would have expected me to come in here and charm you with my fascinating stories and many witticisms. I do have a reputation to live up to, so if you wouldn’t mind hanging onto my every word for the rest of the night I am sure that you will leave with your story and your head firmly in place.”

  She smiled back, “Just don’t go getting any ideas.”

  “As if I would do such a thing.”

  To her surprise she found herself warming to Bastian, he was a Lord and he was treating her like an equal, unlike his father and Sable. She checked herself, he was a politician and a very good one, and he was planning to disrupt the Senior Council’s plans. She had no idea if she could trust him or the Junior Council, but she had no choice at this point. If he double-crossed her she would place an assassin's curse on his head and retire him to the mines.

  The evening meal was a nightmare for Alara, she was kept apart from Lucinda who had been seated next to her mother at dinner, and consequently didn’t say a thing. Alara had been seated opposite Sable at the long wooden dinner table. The woman had constantly tried to scan Alara, but she had kept up her shield and the woman never got into her head. A few of the dinner guests had tried to corner her for a conversation, but Bastian had been there to cuddle up to her and change any subject they brought up about her being an assassin. The elder Lord Millhaven and his wife kept a wide berth of her and refused to even acknowledge her presence in the room. Penelope was quiet all night as she sat next to Lucinda brooding. Alara could only guess that it was because she had been seated further away from her mother than normal. Sable had been the first to leave, and had disappeared into the hallway with Lord Millhaven when Alara finally got close enough to Lucinda to speak to her. However Lucinda was distant and kept her responses to a minimum until it was time to leave.

  ***

  Alara and Lucinda chose to return to the Killing Grounds on foot, and after the perfunctory goodbyes to Bastian and the rest of the Millhavens, they finally made their way into the night.

  “How bad was it?” Alara asked as they exited the gates and made their way down the concrete road that led into the city. The moon was now high in the night’s sky and lit their way.

  “Bad,” the girl said. “They questioned me for hours and I’m not sure that they believed my story at all. I think my mother had forgiven me by the time dinner started, but my father will never forgive me.” The disappointment in her voice was unmistakable and Alara felt sorry for the girl. “I see my brother had the opposite effect on you.”

  “He wasn’t exactly as I expected him to be.”

  “He never is. Did he tell you the dragon story?”

  “Yes, it’s a fascinating one,” Alara said, brightening at the change of subject.

  “Which dragon did you feel attracted to?”

  “Trian, such a noble creature, how could I not love her story? She looked magnificent guarding those eggs.”

  Lucinda harrumphed, “Did Bastian explain that Trian murdered Paragon's twin sister and that she used her magic to destroy Paragon's ability to mate? Trian was evil, she could have easily left the twins to travel to foreign lands to populate and increase the dragon's hold over the humans, but she was jealous of Parian’s plans to join them and break away from the queen’s evil grip on the land.”

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “That’s the thing with Bastian; he only tells you what he thinks you want to hear. So I guess you’ll want to see him again and put me through more misery?”

  “No, he has other plans.” Alara explained the scheme he had put forward as Lucinda jogged next to Alara through the cold city streets.

  Twenty:

  “How can we trust them?” Black asked after Alara reported on the events of the previous night.

  “We can’t, but Lord Osari’s stone indicated that this is a possible course of action,” the three apprentices sat in silence as they contemplated the way forward. Alara got up and stretched before making her way to the ro
pes, exercise always helped her think and her mind kicked into gear as she made her way up the climb. She’d stopped using the hand over foot method that Lord Sirap had instructed her to use, it had become too easy for her and she held her legs horizontally to the floor relying only on her upper body and core strength. She still had no idea how they would retire the lower Lord and they were a week away from finals. The other two joined her at the ropes for a race, which Black won with ease.

  “You could always let one of us win,” Lucinda complained as they reached the bottom of the climb.

  “What fun would that be?” Black scoffed at her.

  Alara had noticed that her two team mates had grown an affinity toward each other during their time together, and she had encouraged Lucinda to pursue him. Lucinda had dismissed her as being ridiculous, but Alara sensed that the girl would like nothing better than a private tryst with Black. Whether Black would return her advances was questionable, he was single-minded in bettering his brother and any side adventures would hinder his progress.

  “Ready to go again?" Black asked, but both girls gave him an I’ve had enough look. “Fair enough,” he said and went back to climbing on his own.

  “We have the finals dinner coming up, maybe we could get close to Lord Basel that way?” Lucinda asked as she wiped the sweat from her face with a towel.

  “That could work but we can’t retire him until the finals start, that would be murder.”

  “I’m not saying kill him there, he’s young for a lower Lord and fairly handsome. It wouldn’t be the first time that an apprentice hooked up with a lecturer. I’ve heard a ton of stories of Lords using apprentices for their private trysts.”

  “The plan has merit. Lord Basel has a wandering eye and we can shield so we should be safe from prying minds, but we could be giving away our position if someone from the Council notices and they could put two and two together if Lord Basel was retired the day after,” Alara said. “We need something else.”