Trying to return to my regular daily posting basis... here is part 2 pelase enjoy!
Part II.
Rouge, Rouge of the Blades. She couldn’t stop thinking that she finally earned the name she was given by the Oracles of Blades. For many and many years she was trained in the vicious and efficient ways of the Killer Clans, learned the old, unfair and powerful laws of the Empire, and how to bend them to suit one’s interest. Learned how to convincible confess love to a man just before poisoning him with lips covered in ancient potions. She abdicated any possible chance of a normal life in exchange for the secrets that give a warrior the power to drain strength directly from the universe around him – or her – as well to know the secrets of the modern warfare, personal shields, mechs, starships, everything.
For one price: her old, painful life, and the satisfaction of her greatest wish, vengeance.
Wasn’t an easy life, be one with the Blades. Different than most people think, the child of the Blade isn’t valued only accordingly to their strength. No, while other “Mercenary Guilds”, a euphemism to “Killer Guilds” disposed the weak as trash, killing their own, based in mere athletic challenges, the Blades had the philosophy that “everything and everyone has a use”. So, even a pathetic slave like her was warmly welcomed on the arms of the Brotherhood. But to achieve one’s dream, to have the secret mark, and to be one of “the Blades with Names”… It was an everyday fight:
The trainings would start hours before dawn, no matter if outside was raining or snowing. The adepts were expected to be on site to be trained punctually: No one would call for them, and anyone late to the training was sent back to basics.
Then the morning exercises: eight hours of severe training to shape body, mind and above all, soul, to the requirements of the job of an assassin. Those who didn’t meet minimal standards, like jumping over a trench six meters wide, in absolute silence, or climb a ten meter wall without tools in less of five seconds, were failed and sent back.
Then the more difficult lessons, secret arts, like mind control, hidden weapons handling, sabotage, explosives, ambushes, lessons in how to lie and how to see through lies…
The worst, some would say, were the lessons about pain, were teacher and student would physically torture each other. To her, the pain was an old friend, but to torture someone she learned to love like a father, a brother and a teacher, was terrible.
Many times she cried to herself that would be easier to forget and live like a Blade with No Name, a spy, a second class agent, hidden in the darkness, but she just had to look at her scars to remember the disgusting touch of the skin of her molester, her torturer, and then pure wrath would fuel her again.
Tonight she fulfilled her vengeance, and the wrath had changed: Before it was an intoxicating red mist, but now it was like the hot sun burning in a hot dry summer day.
But the pain was still there, unchanged. The masters and brothers warned her that vengeance helped to ease the wrath but not the sorrow, and they were once again right, but still, now she finally belong to something else. Something beyond her family, beyond her hatred, beyond her pain. Now she was truly a Blade, heart and soul, and soon body too, would belong to the Guild. It would bring a smile to her face, if she wasn’t a master of her expressions and feelings.
Was close to three in the morning when she arrived at the Castle Kardis, the fortress that guarded the only road through the mountains to the capital of the land of Ord
Kardis was a huge and old castle, from the times before the Second Empire , and in the past it guarded another capital, a hundred miles away, Lotonn.
It was past: Today the old capital was nothing but stones and dead unburied bones on a land that belong only to misfits and witches.
The security was tight, even with the frantic movement. Troops where marching over the army of Drepain, now completely lost in confusion and with no supplies or reinforcements. Tonight the land would be drenched in blood and the land of Ord
She covered her face and presented her orders to the guards at the gate: She could enter the castle silently, but it would be disrespectful. The fear of the guards and soldiers as she passed through them was delightful, after all she found the human touch disgusting, and no one touch something they fear.
The Feudal Lord was a man who looked and dressed like a statue of a fat Budha, and transmitted a aura of tranquility, aura she identified as a ancient mind control technique, like the ones the Blades learn in secrecy. He was sit in the middle of a large room, with plain and sober decoration and several holographic maps. At least eleven generals and a dozen advisers and secretaries were there, waiting for her, all sitting on comfortable white futons. They looked at the package like thirsty men look at the fresh water. She kneeled and spoke softly:
-My Lord. Mission
The “Budha” replied:
-Excellent. Please, unwrap the head of my foolish enemy, so I can offer it to my loyal followers.
His self control was absolute; she could feel nothing in his voice but peace.
As instructed, she unwrapped the thermo blanket and revealed the head, first to the Feudal Lord, then to the Generals, who watched in awe and applauded, not her, but the lord.
-Wonderful my lord! Now the knights of Drepain lost their lands and have nothing to fight about! Soon they will realize their only two choices are coming before you and offering their services or escaping! The samurai too, now ronin, will no longer threat you!
-Yes! Such marvelous development! Almost without moving troops on enemies territories, Ord conquered his three most troublesome neighbors and all their wealth, with the roads and cities intact! Congratulations Sir!
The Lord kept calm and peaceful, but the tone of its voice changed slightly: She could sense the pressure of his will-power as it flooded the room. Now he spoke like a father who lecture a dear son, but his mind control was strong enough to scratch the surface of her many mind defenses.
-Yes. The last years have been difficult, with such bad neighbors imposing terrible taxes over our traders and many times stealing precious cargos to assure they never reach their destinations. They attacked our economy directly, shielded by the ancient laws of Feud Independence, and sadly they managed to reach the very core of our good land, breeding distrust and worst… Treason, among our most precious citizens.
Now the mind control was obvious: They wanted to reply, but none could move; actually, they could barely breath. His will paralyzed them.
-It saddened me, not for the “change of hearts” of those few, trusted servants. What brought down tears to my face was to discover for how cheap a lifetime of friendship and trust were sold to puny jackals, like this one who’s head lay here, dead and cold, at our feet.
She could move freely, not only due to her training, but because she could almost see the shape of his will power, avoiding her.
-Such petty treason, in exchange of gold and jewels, it is unforgivable. If it was something made in a moment of passion, against some unfair action of mine, if it was a vendetta, for family or tradition, or even for the pride of a soldier, I would forgive it! But gold… gold is nothing. Some of you, in this room, sold their souls and honor in exchange of few golden coins of cold, worthless metal. I have my trustworthy assassin in front of me, I should simple ask her to purge those traitors and their families at once… But I won’t. Many say I am a fool, but I live accordingly with a simple law, that everyone deserve at least one redeeming chance to regain honor. So, I will grant a last chance to save your names and bloodlines, the ten-thousand years ritual of the seppuku.
To her surprise, he released them. His aura was still strong, but they were free… Most of them were confuse, but three generals immediately collapsed in tears. The older, a bald man with blue eyes and a scar shaped like a crescent moon under his left eye, was the first to spoke:
- I am General Nathaniel Krawer, and for five generations my family served yours with loyalty… But I brought shame to them all, for I betrayed my Lord…! I am ashamed and assume total responsibility: No one in my family knew about my dishonor; master, I thank you for the chance to clean the name of my family!
And the old man caught his pulse-knife. The energy formed a burning blade that he pushed deep inside his own abdomen, from left to right, then from bottom to top, in two fast and continuous movements. He leaned forward almost immediately, dead, with the energy knife still blazing his body.
A heavy silence took the room, and once again, was the Lord the one to break it:
-General Krawer was a good soldier and friend, this honorable departure deserve praise and respect. Few men can meet their end with such dignity and strength.
And he bow down in respect to the dead man, something the others soon follow to do.
The second man to speak, a young general, handsome and elegant, had a faulty voice, as he tried to hold the cry in his throat.
-Indeed… General Krawer lived and died up to the name of the Iron Boar. Master, I faulted with loyalty to you, but I didn’t sold my loyalty for money. I was arrogant and stupid enough to be caught in a indiscretion, which was used to blackmail me. Still, to save the appearances, I compromise many secrets.
-Yes, the nature of this indiscretion is not of the concern of anyone here, but is good that everyone know who was the coward who blackmailed you and caused your downfall.
-Master, the one who betrayed my trust and blackmailed me was an young ordnance called Myamoto Laccus, he serves with the high military staff.
Many men in the room had the blood drained of their faces. Oh, she could guess what kind of “indiscretion” the young general was caught doing, and she could bet he was doing it – or letting it be done to himself –with this Laccus boy. Probably many other officers in that room had done the same “indiscretion” with that ordnance a couple times… men were sad and filthy creatures, a man who could have any woman just with his looks and beauty was too busy frolicking in the shadows with a boy no older than sixteen, and getting blackmailed over it.
The handsome general got his short Japanese sword, a replica from ancient Earth’s samurai swords, and with his hands shacking asked:
-My lord, can this pathetic man ask two last favors?
-Yes, if they are reasonable, they will be granted with happiness.
-First, I pledge that Laccus don’t be tortured, or be subject to any cruel punishment.
-You ask for mercy for the one who caused you downfall?
-Yes. Even knowing his treason, I still hold him dear to my heart.
-Your kindness leave me no choice. The punishment to this boy will be fast, painless and will not mark his body unnecessarily. Your second wish?
-Please, forgive my weakness, but could this fool ask for an assistant in his seppuku?
-There is no shame in having a assistant, and I wouldn’t deny such humble request. The woman of the Blade will assist you, for her skills are the greatest among those in this room.
She got up, and without a word stood beside him. His hand was quick, but her was far more: In the moment his small sword punctured the skin of his abdomen, her sword cut his head off with perfection. Swiftly, she caught his head before it could land on the floor. His face was strangely beautiful, no pain or fear, just a almost childish smile of tranquility. She respectfully dragged his body to the middle of the room, put his head in the space over his shoulders where it belonged, and covered him with a dark blanket.
-Thank you, woman of the Blade. Your assistance made the last moment of my young general a beautiful memory. He lived as a strong and beautiful soldier, and died in the same way. I will always cherish the memories of him.
Her spirit was between the amusement and the usual repulse for those affected nobles and their rites, but her expressions and voice were cold and respectful.
-The Blades are here to serve.
The last traitor among tears of pure despair growled a curse at her and then spoke to all in the room:
-Honor? A beautiful death? You are all insane!!! You really expect me to kill myself for you?! You are crazy! Crazy! Bastards… Why should I be punished for treason? Few weeks ago we were all sure we would be murdered by our neighbors! Our lord told us he had no plans, and the only order he gave us was to move troops from left to right without purpose… So how can you, no how can any of you blame me for accepting their offer? I didn’t want to loose everything without fighting! If our lord had shown trust in the first place and revealed his plans I wouldn’t never take such desperate measures! It’s not my fault!
He caught a concealed energy pistol, small but deadly and took the general at his left as a hostage.
-Now listen to me… I am in charge now… you will get me my money and a shuttle…
The men in the room were paralyzed in surprise and fear, but not her. She spoted the gun on him in the moment she walked into the room, and from his expressions she could tell he wouldn’t simply cut his own guts and die for his lord, lord which was also completely calm. In his face just a minor, discrete and probably well calculated sign of outrage, for appearances. He didn’t said a word, just signaled to her with the tip of his finger and she charged.
The traitor split his attention between her ant the guards, a deadly mistake, once that in the fraction of second he looked away from her, she literally flew over him, gave two extremely fast spins in the air above, to land silently beside him.
Not even the most diligent soldier or general could tell the moment she drew her sword, or when she cut of both, finger and trigger, with supernatural precision, and they only noticed that she cut the top half of the head of the traitor after it felt on the floor. But they will never forget the calm which she took what was left of the gun of his hand, searched him for explosives or other devices, and in the end, pushed the infamous long dark steel dagger, symbol of the Guild of Blades, into his chest, till the hilt.
The lord broke the silence for the third time that night:
-Such pitiful demonstration of dishonor and cowardice. This man don’t deserve our kindness or respect. No, he was a vermin, breeder of treason and malice. Guards!
Two armed soldiers, kneeled in front of him, they were about to present their apologies, but he interrupted with a imperious voice:
-I don’t want to hear nothing! I command both of you to issue an order to terminate the blood line of the traitor Aspen Weller, former general and a traitor! Kill his wife and children, and all his male brothers, as well as any male son those may have, kill too any any male grandchild! Seize all his wealth and give it those who lost fathers, sons and husbands in the war! The land I lent to him I now take back! All his family members must be banished of my lands under the penalty of death to those who return or refuse to leave immediately!
Now he used all his theatrical talent and mind control technique, the room was totally hypnotized. If he ordered them to commit suicide, she would be the only in the room to walk out of there alive. Before they leave, his expression changed again, now apologetic, and even sad:
-This shameful demonstration of cowardice and dishonor almost made me forget a important promise to a good and loyal servant. What a shameful Lord I am. Send my private guard fetch a young ordnance called Myamoto Laccus, that serves with the high military staff in this fortress. He must not be harmed in any way. For his crime, give him a quick and painless death. Ask my private doctor for aid, he will have neurotoxins to do such merciful task. After his death, dress him properly and assure he is buried with my good young general, and that in his files shall be noted that he died in service.
She was amazed with the spirit of peace and charisma that emanated from him now, his men just watched him order to butcher the family of and colleague, people they knew, but now they only cared about the suffering of his lord. Drepain was truly a fool to fight such monster. Short after the officers were dismissed, and she was requested to speak privately with the Feudal Lord:
-So, you are Rouge of the Blades, am I right?
-You honor me calling me by my name sir.
-You deserve better than just be called by your name, Rouge. Your role in this war was decisive to my victory.
-I was only one among many loyal Blades, my Lord.
-Oh, but the one who orchestrated this war was you, not the Blades.
She controlled her emotions:
-My lord, you give too much credit to this poor peasant.
-Enough theater Mariz. Even if we were just small children, I wouldn’t forget the face of my favorite cousin.
-Well, you sure pretend very well Asshrahm, I could swear you and your father forgot about me in the last years.
-Our fathers hated each other. My father never forgive yours for marrying Neptunia. Jealously, resentment and the fear of engaging war without having any ally…
-Yes, spare me. I know its not your fault. I remember how my father used to talk to yours. I never truly believed they were real brothers.
-But they were, so the land Drepain took is, by successor’s right, yours.
-No. its not. I would have to find a husband, and he would become the feudal lord in my place.
-A husband, one you can control and even dispose at will is something easy to arrange, specially to the Blades.
-I and the Blades had a arrangement, and it involved vengeance and leaving everything behind. So if your concern is me taking your lands with the aid of the Blades, you can relax, and tell your shock troops behind the paper walls to relax too, I’m not trying to murder my contractor, not tonight.
-How did you managed to…
-To find them? Well, they are very, VERY good, but 40 armed men, even highly trained, are difficult to hide behind thin paper walls, at least from someone with good hearing like me.
He smiled.
-And if I say to you I want you to have your land back, even if you have it under other name?
She was a little puzzled, but she didn’t let it show in her face, but he probably was reading on the edges of her mind, because he noticed her doubts.
-As one of my generals, or as my kin, you would be a very important ally, and a excellent mediator with other feuds that don’t exactly appreciate the fact I am now three times more rich and powerful than I was yesterday.
Now she spoke with her mind, directly inside his:
-But you have skills that most don’t even know that are real, like mind control and mind whispering…
-Oh well, I could hide my mind whispering from you, but it would be pointless. Yes, I have such skills, but you too, and much more. A guild assassin that is dazzlingly beautiful. Elegant as few, once you were educated as a noble lady and as a professional assassin. Expert in politics and murder, war and diplomacy. You are the most valuable soldier anyone could desire.
-Oh, are you trying to enlist me or marry me?
-Both. Rougeblade, become my spouse.
She fell strangely aroused: That man pleased her. And she didn’t need to enter his armored mind to know he had great ambitions, and the talent to achieve them. She, for the first time in her adult life, desired to be touched by a man, by him. But not enough to forget who she really was, who she wanted to be.
-Alluring. But I’m not interested. I am Rouge of the Blades, not by accident, not by fate, but by choice. I have no interest in playing games of power with nobles. I have more fun this way.
She got up, walked to him and landed a soft kiss on the right side of his face:
-You are an excellent client, I would be honored to work for you again.
And she walked away, powerful and silent like a tigress. He couldn’t help but smile and admire that woman. In his mind a last though before he turned his attention to other subjects:
-Maybe when I become Emperor…Maybe you will accept to become my Empress…
She disappeared in the night, as the ambitious feudal Lord gave his first steps toward the ultimate goal. Both were sure to meet again in the future.
End.
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