Shards

Chapter 64 - Blame

Key bit his lips to keep from interrupting. Ghost was having difficulty talking and it would not do him any favours to go off topic with questions now.

We fought and I killed him before Lord Zhang and Captain Zhang came out. They helped patch me up.

Key shook his head in denial at the implications. Despite his best attempts, he burst out to contradict Ghost's absurd explanations. Fear for his senior blossomed in his heart. If what he said was true, he was as good as dead when they go back.

No! I don't believe it! You would never kill another brother Shard! Never!

I did.

No, you did not! Ghost, think about what you're saying! If you did, you'll be dead when we go back after this mission. One of the Zhangs must have done it. Please, just tell me the truth!

I did it, Ghost said flatly. Glass would have killed me otherwise. The Zhangs came too late to stop us. Go check the body and you'll see.

Key frowned, crossing his arms. He lips flattened into a thin line, shoulders stiffening stubbornly. His whole body shouted his disbelief.

Ghost closed his eyes for a moment mustering strength. He had to see this through. or House Zhang will be hounded by the Dark Sect until enough Zhangs were killed to satisfy the loss of a brother Shard. And Nightshade who was Glass' mentor was not the forgiving type. The first Target would be Captain Zhang, the one who dealt the killing blow. Assuming they did not find that out, it would be the Lord of House Zhang himself followed by his immediate family members, closest advisors and friends. The rest would thereafter be fair game. The hunt could go on indefinably.

Key, I killed Glass and that's final. Report that. It's what happened.

No.

Report that, it's an order! Ghost said pulling Rank on the distraught Three. I'll fill in the details when I get back and give a full report.

Key clenched his jaw to keep his tongue still. When Key lowered his head but did not retaliate further, he continued.

There are several Twos doing guard duty at the city gates. Give them the report. Tell them we need someone to retrieve Glass's body within twenty-four hours. The longer his body is here, the riskier it gets.

We should keep this incident quiet. This is between House Zhang and House Zhai. Let them handle it. We'll go home after the wedding.

Key tried one more time.

But Ghost, you'll be judged and the punishment for killing a brother Shard is death.

I was dead the second I killed Glass. He came at me and didn't give me a chance. It was self defense but that's no excuse.

Key stared at Ghost. He couldn't wrap his head around the disaster. It was just a few more days before they could return to the Dark Sect to enjoy their riches. Now all that was gone.

He got up to inspect Glass's body. This time he flung the shroud completely off. The Five's face was frozen in a horrific grimace. His bloody hands and the wounds on his body confirmed that Ghost had given him a good fight. Tears threaten his composure when he saw damning proof of what he had been told. Ghost's dagger was still embedded in Glass's body. The position and depth of the weapon made it clear that the killing blow was dealt by his friend.

Ghost, please reconsider, Key pleaded. We can report that a Zhang soldier or a patrolling Zhai Elite caught Glass off guard and killed him by accident. We'll down play the incident and think up a believable excuse.

No one would believe that.

I know you're protecting them, Key gave a sidelong glance at the small group willing Ghost to change his mind. You don't have too. The Dark Sect is our family not them. Please Ghost, don't make me do it.

The last was said in such a pleading note that Ghost had to clamp down hard on temptation to save himself. He thought of Xi Xuan. Then he thought of Xi Xiu.

Ghost sighed. You'd would do the same too if you were in my position. Now, go do your duty. I'll make sure I'm back at Shuang's by morning.

Key nodded numbly, he could only do as ordered. He had no proof otherwise. On his way out, he paused to look at Lord Zhang, then the Captain and the two advisors. He would gladly sacrifice any or all of them for Ghost. If only Ghost would let him lie in the report.

Lord Zhang wondered what Ghost had told the Three to make him look so defeated. Wasn't he just telling Key to report the incident and arrange to send the body back? It was a good thing, it meant the Dark Sect never forsake their own, right?

"Shards will come for him soon," Key said indicating Glass' body. "They will identify themselves to you or your Captain. Rest assured, they will take the Target, nothing more."

"O'kay," replied Captain Zhang. He took note planning to inform his men so that no mistakes would be made. However, they would remain ready for trouble.

There were some internal politics going on in the Dark Sect, Lord Zhang was sure of it. He studied the Shard's retreating back and then glanced at Ghost's unreadable expression. Something Ghost had said made Key upset and it had nothing to do with the dead Shard.

He wanted to know what was going on but the Three had left without another word.

Lord Zhang made a mental note to investigate the matter. Information was his forte and when he wanted to know something, he would.