Chapter 81: Acolyte

Vir heaved a sigh of aid, having simply accomplished his newest mission for the Brotherhoodstealing a sure doc from a well-to-do retailers residence within the Higher Westside Commons district.

As hed realized, the Brotherhood did practically something, and the legislation didnt appear to pose a lot of a barrier to them. Vir had critical reservations about a few of these duties, however to disclaim any greater than he had would bar him from future contracts. It was a value he merely couldn’t afford.

Sorry about this, mister. I actually am, he whispered. Then he took a deep breath, hoping to overlook the vile process. Cmon, boy! Vir stated, nuzzling Neel. Lets go receives a commission!

The bandy had been an enormous assistance on contracts that concerned killing animals, as long as they werent within the sewers. Vir had been reluctant to carry Neel there because of the unsanitary circumstances.

Plus, hed been cautious of venturing again there, given latest occasions. Hed even declined one contract that known as for him to enterprise particularly deep into the sewers, however hed been compelled to simply accept the others. As hed realized, metropolis residing was costly, particularly with an Ashva to take care of. Even with the additional silver payout hed acquired for finding the Prana Rat King, his trove of funds had dwindled quickly.

Strolling again to the Brotherhood to assert his reward, he handed by many guards patrolling the streets. All appeared on edge.

As they rightly ought to, he thought, giving them a small nod as he handed.

The previous two weeks had been extremely uncommon for Daha. First, a dozen Altani skyships had descended upon the town like Acira, swarming on the citadel grounds the day after Virs encounter with Janak and the Prana Swarm underneath the town. There wasnt a single eye within the metropolis that hadnt stared at these unimaginable plane.

Hiranyan sizzling air balloons have been a typical sight, however evaluating these to what the Altani had was like evaluating seric talwars to picket ones; they weren’t even in the identical realm.

Their skyships resembled sailboatsonly giant sufficient to suit twenty or thirty Altani mejaibut they lacked masts or sails of any sort. As a substitute, a dozen pipes protruded from the skyships in any respect angles.

Vir might hardly consider their velocity. The fleet crossed over your entire metropolis in seconds, coming to a halt with puffs of air shot by their pipes. Vir overheard others saying the Altani used C and B grade wind orbs and a group of over a dozen mejai coordinating with one another to fireside off wind spells to maneuver their ships.

He might scarcely think about what a circus that have to be. If the mejai didnt completely time their spells with each other, their total ship would go careening off and crash.

What was extra, the Altani mejai didnt even wait for his or her airships to land. Dozens of ropes have been thrown overboard because the ships got here to hover above the citadel, and mejai climbed down them with superhuman grace. It appeared like a choreographed dance, greater than something.

From this one show of energy alone, Vir understood why the Altani have been so feared and revered. Their self-discipline and their sheer magical expertise have been leagues past something Vir had ever seen.

It was solely hours later that hed realized why they have been right here. The Prana Swarm.

Vir pretended like he had nothing to do with that and promptly ignored them. A process that was simpler stated than carried out, as a result of safety had been ramped up throughout the town. The variety of guards had quadrupled, and Altani airships patrolled the town in any respect hours.

It had brought about fairly a stir till royal pamphlets have been posted, saying joint navy drills between Hiranya and the Altani. This had the impact of boosting Dahan morale, because it confirmed the power of the Altani-Hiranyan alliance.

Vir knew higher. He slept fitfully, all the time holding Prana Imaginative and prescient boosted to its most every time he was awake, lest the Prana Swarm escape the sewers to terrorize the town.

Nothing of the type had occurred, but

The Prana Swarm wasn’t the one factor holding him up at evening. Over the past weeks, a sense had been rising inside his chest. A knot of tension. What was as soon as imperceptible had ballooned till it dominated his desires, turning them into nightmares. Nightmares of Maiya getting harm. Of misfortune befalling his one and solely pal whereas he was right here in Daha, fulfilling his debt to a damaged outdated man.

Riyan stated it would take months…

However after weeks of these nightmares, Vir had determined he might take this not. He’d wrap up his enterprise in Daha, quickly. He knew not how he’d seek for Maiya, however a minimum of being carried out with this obligation would give him choices. And for that, he’d lean on the Brotherhood.

Vir nodded on the receptionist as he strode into the Brotherhood Sanctum, continuing immediately by the hallway to the open-air enviornment the place hed been Balar ranked, and eventually to the Executor cubicles.

Hed turn into a well-known face just lately, so nobody paid him any thoughts.

At this time was an particularly thrilling day for him, for 2 causes. With todays payout, he lastly had sufficient to afford some respectable gear.

The second motive was

Enter, stated an Executor contained in the Balindam sales space. For no matter motive, Vir had been known as to this sales space extra usually than all of the others. It was as if Destiny was telling him he had some connection to the Pagan Order.

There’s an obtainable contract, however it might ordinarily be reserved for Shadows and Acolytes of excessive standing. I hesitate to even point out it to a mere Provoke.

Im greater than succesful. My Balar Rank ought to present that.

Certainly, I point out it solely due to your rank. That, and the diligence with which you might have accomplished your duties. The Executor paused, observing Vir for an uncomfortably very long time. Very nicely. Nonetheless, you will need to settle for this mission. Deny it, and you’ll eternally tarnish your fame inside our group. If you happen to settle for, and later abandon it, the results will probably be far worse. We will probably be compelled to expel you on this case.

Vir gulped, nervously scratching Neels again. I perceive.

After a second of silence that stretched far too lengthy for Virs liking, the Executor spoke. His phrases got here slowly. Your contract is to assassinate a person named Ravin.

Assassinate!? Vir blanched. Hed thought hed should kill some monster, or maybe steal some priceless treasure. However to kill somebody?

I

The reward for this contract shall be two silvers.

Thats it? Vir exclaimed. Thats barely greater than the contracts Ive been doing!

As I stated, this sort of contract would usually be off limits to anybody beneath Shadow. Now we have adjusted your compensation to befit your rank. You’ll, nonetheless, achieve one thousand Brotherhood karma factors with this, placing you at 1760 factors. Your ascension to Acolyte will value 1000 factors, thus leaving 760 left to your karma. I consider 700 factors ought to suffice to cowl the file you need.

Vir hadnt realized favors would value him factors, however he supposed it made sense.

Who is that this man? Why would you like him killed? Vir requested.

Make no mistake, Provoke, I’m extending this contract to you as a favor. The Brotherhood doesn’t decide its members, nor does it ask questions on why somebody would possibly need a file about Princess Mina. In return, we demand that you just ask no such questions of us.

Vir floor his enamel. What if Ravin was an harmless man? What if he was a great individual with a household? May Vir kill somebody like that?

He might abandon his mission, however hed be banned from the Brotherhood for all times.

The place can I discover this man? Vir requested, his voice hoarse.

Within the Warrens, northeast of the town. Ask round. He’s not a tough man to identify.

Seeing Virs anxiousness, the Executor sighed. Know that the Brotherhood doesn’t fee assassinations with out ample trigger. If it makes you are feeling higher, study what you’ll be able to about this man. However do observe that there’s a time restrict for this contract. You might have three days, or the contract will probably be thought of a failure. Understood, Provoke?

Understood, Vir stated, rising from his stool. Cmon, Neel.

Along with his trustworthy Bandy in tow, Vir left the Executor sales space. Part of him couldnt consider hed simply agreed to homicide somebody. One other a part of him thought of himself fortunate to have lastly discovered a path to studying extra about Princess Mina.

Vir guided Neel as much as his room within the Sanctum. Hed moved right here shortly after becoming a member of up. Whereas the room value the identical because the inn throughout the squareat least for Initiates. Acolytes gained entry to reductions and bigger roomsthe room itself was nicer.

Higher appointed, with cleaner communal bathing services, however most significantly, the Brotherhood took much better care of Bumpy than the inn did. Plus, your entire constructing had Brotherhood guards posted across the clock, making it far safer than any of the opposite inns.

Vir opened his lockboxanother perk that got here with the roomand inspected his funds. With todays payout, he owned seven silvers and a handful of coppers. Between two weeks of board, charges for stabling Bumpy, and meals for himself and Neel, it shocked him simply how a lot he needed to earn to remain afloat.

Solely his diligence at finishing contracts had allowed him to slowly develop his pot.

But as a lot because it pained him, there was one expense he needed to make. A purchase order hed been eager to make for a while, however had deferred: armor.

Vir swept every part he had into his coin bag and headed down with Neel.

Lets see what the Brotherhood armorers gotfor sale.

It was time to buy groceries.