Chapter 21 （Caleb）Family Business
Chapter 21 (Caleb)
Family Business
I ’d already been in the elven city for several days, maybe even a week. I’d lost count, and I didn’t care. I became increasingly irritated at not finding Nathan. That had been my primary goal in coming to Mytvathyr, but I was beginning to wonder if it was a waste of time. I started to wonder if Nathan was even in the city. Tsk! I was pissed.
He wouldn’t have returned to Ichoryllia. That would be suicide, and he was more intelligent than that. He was as good as dead if he went to the dwarven city. The elven king had been at war with them for several days. It was all anyone could talk about. Rumors that the king was about to return began to circulate. I wanted to leave before he came back.
No, Nathan had been trained in strategy all his life. He’d been a calculated king. He was probably off to join the humans he cared about or the werewolves. But which? The human city was perhaps more likely since he constantly needed blood. I’d come across this high elf looking for Nathan’s vassal. He hadn’t said it so, but the description fit perfectly. How many humans were there in an elven town anyway? The fact that she disappeared meant Nathan needed a new human to drink from. It was the most plausible choice.
I heard people talk as I walked the busy street, keeping my eyes on the floor.
One elf said, “Have you heard? They found another dead elf.”
“Another?” replied a woman in dread. “I don’t feel safe anymore.”
The first one replied, “If only the king were there. He would find those responsible.”
I smirked at the fact that they were talking about me, but I also knew they were right. With most of the army gone to war, I had free reign over the city, killing who I wanted. When the king returned, he’d probably have his guards investigate the recent string of murders. But if Nathan wasn’t here, there was no point in me staying anyway.
The city bells sounded, and everyone stopped. Guards came shouting in the street, “We are victorious. The king returns tomorrow. Prepare for the parade.”
It was perfect timing to leave town. I didn’t want anything to do in the elven city or their stupid parade anymore .
I headed to the bakery for breakfast. The fresh taste of croissant unraveling in my mouth was one I particularly enjoyed. As I savored my first bite, I heard, “Caleb, I didn’t expect to see you here!”
I startled. I hadn’t expected to hear my name. Very few people knew it. I turned to see the master of the Ichoryllia Thieves’ Guild grinning through his teeth.
“Vince, what are you doing here?”
I grabbed his hand and patted the back of his shoulder. He suddenly turned serious as he spoke, “I’m so glad you’re there. I need your help.”
“I was about to leave the city, but you know I’m always there for you. You’re the brother I never had.”
A few people eyed us, two vampires in a sea of elves. The man smiled. “Let’s go where there are less ears.”
I followed Vince to a dark alley. There were no people there. The man’s gaze darkened as he spoke, “Remember Timmy?”
I remembered the ten-year-old vampire turned rogue after the death of his parents. Killing him had been the most challenging thing I had to do. “Of course, I remember your nephew.”
My friend nodded. “I discovered the fire that led to his parent’s death was orchestrated by an elf named Braern.”
I raised a brow. “What does an elf have to do with your brother?”
The vampire shrugged. “I don’t know, but that’s what I’ll find out. I discovered that Braern has a store in the underground market. ”
“Is that so?” I asked. Thieves and murderers ruled the underground market. Despite orchestrating in secrecy, it was renowned to all thieves. Everyone knew to be careful when venturing there. The laws didn’t abide in the underground market. “And you intended to go alone?”
My friend chuckled. “Do I really need to answer that?”
I smirked. Of course, he intended to go alone. Otherwise, he would have brought people from the guild with him. “I know you. Come on.” I gestured to Vince. “I’ve got your back.”
My friend smiled. “I knew I could count on you.”
We went to a dark street further down. Every thief and murderer knew where to enter the underground market. The best weapons, poisons, and illegal merchandise could be found there.
“What do you plan to do once you’ve found Braern?” I asked as we walked.
“First, I need to find out why he killed my brother. Then . . .” His canines protruded as he grinned. “Make him pay.”
This was risky—a den full of vipers—but I liked it. “I love challenges,” I answered.
The street was filled with cheap houses. People with money avoided this part of town, which was better like that, as pickpockets plagued this area. I wasn’t worried about them. They knew better than to approach us. Maybe they didn’t know we were assassins, but we looked dangerous enough to try to steal from us. I ignored the scurried glances as we passed by.
We quickly reached an old, abandoned guard’s tower with a metal door. Vince knocked three times. The heavy metal door creaked open just enough to let a man examine us from inside.
He asked warily, “What do you want?”
“We come for the goods,” Vince answered.
The man grunted. “We don’t have goods here.”
Vince spat, “The fuck you don’t. With the number of times I came here, it’s a wonder you still don’t recognize me.”
The man huffed as he opened the door to let us in. “Come on, Vince. You know it’s the procedure.”
“Procedure or not, you should make exceptions for the regulars,” added Vince as we entered.
“Tell that to the boss,” replied the man at the door, more for himself than us.
The room was dark, lit up by candles along the wall. The corridor led to a large open room. Beyond it was another big open room and then another. These were ancient barracks and training grounds for the guards that had been converted into a big marketplace. Tables lined up against the wall and at the center of the rooms. You could barely walk between the stalls. Customers browsed the goods and kept to themselves. No one wanted to be seen in the underground market. Sellers often kept hoods on. Others didn’t care, as their faces were plastered on wanted posters.
Vince spoke close to my ear, “According to my intel, Braern has a closed shop at the back.”
I nodded slowly. “Impressive. Only families rooted in generations of crime and wealth have this privilege. Even more reason to be cautious.”
We continued past the stalls and the big room to arrive in a corridor full of closed doors. Vince walked confidently to the second last to the left. “This should be the one. ”
We entered the room. Inside, half a dozen elven thieves eyed us warily. As the door closed behind us, I knew what would happen here wouldn’t leave the room.
A counter in front of us held dozens of weapons, ranging from regular knives to exotic and banished legendary swords made from dragon horns. The rarest weapons were behind a locked display or a spell that would discourage the bravest-or rather stupidest-who might try to steal them. Behind the counter stood a man. He was taller and more muscular than the elves but had the typical elf ears. His slightly golden skin seemed yellower under the light of the lanterns illuminating the room, and his brown, almost black eyes pierced us.
“Welcome to my humble establishment,” said the man in a gruff voice.
We walked up to the counter, the only customers in the store. “What brings you here, Vince Hunter?” Braern continued.
Vince barely flinched, and the elf smiled broadly. “Surely you didn’t think I wouldn’t be informed about the vampire at the head of the Thieves’ Guild?”
My friend replied through gritted teeth. “I wouldn’t expect anything from the half-elf at the head of the legendary Farric arms dealers.”
Braern held a knife with a gem-encrusted handle, twirling it quietly so the light shone into the stones.
“Did you know this knife was made by a dwarven tribe hundreds of years ago? It is said that the blade was made of a metal given by the gods to the dwarves, capable of piercing even dragon scales.”
“I didn’t come here for a history lesson,” Vince retorted.
Braern frowned, irritated. He put the knife away in a locked box. “What a lack of culture,” he huffed.
“I came here to talk about my brother. Surely you remember him,” Vince pressed.
The elf clasped his hands together. “Ah, yes, I do. How could I forget Patrick and his sweet wife Leanna?”
“Then you should remember what happened to them,” Vince blurted angrily.
The half-elf pouted his lips. “Such a tragedy.” His eyes suddenly darkened, showing him in his true light. “I was wondering if you’d show up here.”
Vince spat, “My family has always stayed away from yours and your business. Why did you attack my brother?”
Braern hit the counter hard. “Are you fucking with me? Or are you really that ignorant?”
I stood, adrenaline coursing through my veins, ready for an attack at any moment. The thugs were prepared too, weapons drawn. Vince clenched his fists, answering nothing.
“Leanna was the eldest daughter of a family renowned for creating the most potent poisons,” said Braern.
“You’re not teaching me anything,” Vince scoffed.
“She was promised to me,” the half-elf spat violently.
Vince’s eyes widened as Braern continued, “Our two families were supposed to be partners. The biggest suppliers of weapons with the biggest makers of poisons. But the bitch fell in love with your brother. If it hadn’t been for their marriage, your father would never have been able to take over the Thieves’ Guild. ”
I was stunned. It was true that the prestige of Leanna’s family had allowed Vince to become heir and next master of the Thieves’ Guild after his father.
The thugs had approached us and were now too close for comfort. Vince finally said, “I didn’t know that, but it doesn’t matter. You’re going to pay for the insult to my family.”
The elf spat disdainfully on the ground. “It’s nothing compared to the disrespect your family has caused mine.”
The thugs prepared to attack, but I didn’t wait for them to make the first move. The elves all jumped into a brawl. Vince and I were outnumbered but far more powerful. My abilities allowed me to be much faster than the thugs, and I could block and anticipate every one of their blows.
I struck the thug closest to me. He wobbled but stayed on his feet. “Impressive,” I said, grinning. “You survived my first attack. That means I get to hit you again.”
I struck again, but one of the thugs attacked me from behind with a dagger. I hissed as pain shot up my back. It would take more than that to stop me. I sent a wave of brutal power, sending the thug flying into the wall, unconscious, his back pressed into a sitting position. I gritted my teeth as I pulled the knife from my back. I could feel the blood flowing, but I knew I’d regenerate soon enough. Taking the dagger, I sent it crashing straight between the thug’s eyes against the wall.
Vince was at my side, choking another thug with his bare hands. I went to block oncoming attackers, preventing my friend from being overpowered. One by one, Braern’s sidekicks fell. They were no challenge to my strength and experience as an assassin.
Finally, we came face to face with Braern. The half-elf disdainfully said, “I didn’t expect you’d get rid of them so easily, but it doesn’t matter. Your luck ends here.”
“Don’t underestimate us,” Vince growled.
“Don’t be cocky,” he answered. Pointing to me, he added, “It’s only him I underestimated. You’ll both be dead soon.”
I snickered. “Let’s see if you can back those words.”
Braern lunged at us with a sword with a blade that glowed with magic. He fought with a ferocity born of desperation. Vince and I were faster than him. I hit him in the stomach, wanting to give Vince the pleasure of finishing him off. Despite his efforts, Braern was now bruised and gasping for breath. Yet his spirit was intact. He faced us, trying to catch his breath. His eyes burned with a defiance that mirrored the dying embers of a fire, a last hope of abandonment when you know there’s nothing left.
He swore, “You won’t win. Even if you get rid of me, my family will come for you and avenge me.”
I exchanged a silent glance with Vince, his gaze that of a predator. The half-elf’s challenge was met with cold efficiency and cruelty. Vince lunged at him at lightning speed, his fangs sinking into Braern’s throat with a sickening squelch. The half-elf’s body convulsed, a silent scream resounding.
I watched with pride as my friend celebrated his victory. As the last flicker of life faded from Braern, I put my hand on Vince’s shoulder.
“Don’t let him take you with him,” I reminded. He had the experience and knew better, but carried away by emotion, I preferred not to take chances. Vince let the body fall to the ground, a tear streaming from his eyes .
“This is for you, Patrick, Leanna, Timmy,” he said, his voice trembling. “May this bring you peace.”
A cold wind filled the room, causing the lantern flames to flicker. Standing among the dead, I beckoned to my friend.
“Let’s get out.”
He nodded, and we returned to the city. We walked silently for a while, caught in our thoughts about what had happened. We arrived at a lookout above the city. We leaned back, enjoying the beauty of the landscape.
“What are you going to do now?” I asked my friend.
He sighed. “I guess I’ll go back to the guild. It’ll take me a while to grieve, but I hope that wherever they are, they know they’ve been avenged.”
I nodded silently.
“What are you going to do?” asked Vince.
I replied, “I’ve got to get out of this town. I’ve been here too long. Nathan isn’t here anyway.”
“Are you still looking for him?” asked Vince.
I nodded. “The bastard is harder to find than I thought.”
“You know,” he began. “Just before I left Ichoryllia, two young vampires came in panic. It sounds like the former king has been killing people.”
I raised my eyebrow. “That’s interesting.”
Vince nodded. “Yes. And it happened recently. They came from the farmlands south of Ichoryllia. They wanted to claim the prize on Nathan’s head. You know, the guild. We wanted to keep them quiet so they wouldn’t draw too much attention, so we started rumors so people would think they were crazy.”
I laughed. “You guys are the best. But still, if Nathan was south of Ichoryllia, it simplifies my choice.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was hesitating between the human city or the werewolves’ pack. If it’s south, then he’s definitely heading for the pack.”
Vince nodded. “True.”
I turned to my friend. It was time to go.
“Will you be all right?” I asked him one last time.
A resolute smile spread across his face. “Go. Don’t worry about me.”
I said my farewell to Vince and left the city on foot. I’d wait until I was in the forest nearby to take flight. There were various werewolf packs, but the Dark Forest Pack was the closest. I was sure it would be the one where Nathan was going. The shortest path to the werewolves would be flying over the Valley of Nysa.
This valley had been the place for multiple wars over centuries. Destroyed multiple times by the force of vampires and werewolves, then healed. It was said to be the land of wood nymphs, a luxurious plain of plants and grass, but it had been ages since I went there. I had heard of magical beings protecting the lands and had always avoided it.
I remembered how Aeris hated werewolves and smirked. If I were to spread chaos there, she would be satisfied.