Kanika
I was in my study when Rashid returned. I didn't bother to look up when he entered and stopped in front of the cluttered desk. I still hadn't had the time to sort through the information from my last gathering, and things were starting to pile up.
Rashid, to his credit, didn't speak. I knew he was there as I finished the parchment I was scanning, but he could wait. After all, he worked for me.
Once I had finished the paper at my leisure, I set it down and peered across the desk to my adviser. His unshaven, scruffy appearance showed me he had come straight here with whatever news he was carrying. The rumpled, stained clothes and scuffed boots were obviously travel worn.
A light smirk graced my lips as I clasped my hands together. "What news have you brought me, Rashid?"
As if flickering to life, Rashid's spine went rigid. He managed a small bow and tucked a loose piece of his tunic into his trousers. "My lady, I rode all the way here from Burrowhaven to bring you this news." Well, that explained his appearance. Burrowhaven was a good four days ride from here. It was a scant little city, and better named the City of Thieves, as it had been called by the Guild for many years. The whole place reeked of miserable souls.
I sniffed, as if I could smell the horrid smell all the way from here. "I need not know of your ride, Rashid," I said, a sneer replacing my smile. "Tell me the news." It was a command, and one he knew better than to argue with.
Rashid nodded, somewhat frantically, much to my amusement. The man never ceased to fear me, as I wanted. "Maxim Brevil has returned," he said plainly, but I could tell he was desperately trying to keep from trembling.
No matter. The news certainly was worth the wait, as I had suspected when I sent him out weeks ago to not return until he had an answer as to why the Guild had gone silent. I hadn't heard from the others in over a month, and it worried me. I knew it could only be one of two things, and neither option was pleasant.
This was the better of the two options, by far.
"The Guild has summoned everyone for a meeting," Rashid added, and my gaze snapped to his once again.
"You are dismissed." I rose from my seat as he scurried for the door, his long legs almost tripping over the lush carpet.
"And Rashid," I said, halting his steps, "Prepare my horse."
With a curt nod, he left and I was alone to prepare. The papers on my desk forgotten, I turned down the hall of my home. It had been decorated in deep blues and silvers, to match my own personal taste. I couldn't stand any color that resembled light. It held too much of the pain I made sure to keep hidden at all times.
The deep wood of the carved banister was smooth beneath my fingertips as I ascended to the second floor of my home. A heavy, dark crystal chandelier swung above my head, casting shadows on my face and arms.
The second floor of the estate was designed in a similar way to the first, with dark wood lining the walls and deep blue paint in between. The rich carpet muted my booted feet as I turned down the hallway lined with bedrooms and baths. I only used one bedroom and bath on the second floor, but that didn't keep me from designing ten others.
My own bedroom greeted me, neat and elegant in a way that reminded me of my own personality. Everything was in order, and gleamed with power. I had enchanted the chandelier hanging above my silken bed to cast dark stars upon everything while I slept, and provide dim light in the morning.
The deep blue of the bedspread and the curtains was flecked with grey, similar to the sky at midnight. I loved it.
I unlaced my boots at the edge of my walk-in closet, tossing them to the side where they tumbled and righted themselves against the wall, a wisp of magic trailing after them. The loose shirt I wore was a state of comfort I only allowed myself when at home. Otherwise, I wore snug fitting leathers, perfect for fighting while they also accentuated my figure.
As I scanned the many outfits lining the spacious walls of the closet, I tapped my chin. What to wear... I needed my outfit to make a statement, to Brevil and the others. He had returned after so long, and I didn't want him to see a hint of the girl I once was. Whatever he was planning, I needed him to trust me.
Once I had finally made up my mind, I flicked my wrist, a tweak of pain lacing my fingers as I tugged the outfit off the hanger and it floated behind me out of the closet and onto the bed. The boots and accessories followed out of the closet afterwards, finding their places among the outfit.
Black. Dark and powerful. I was a master of it, and this outfit would only confirm that statement for anyone who saw me.
Using a bit of my magic for such a frivolous thing such as this wasn't wise, but after having it hoarded inside me for so long, I was anxious to get it out. The magic didn't like to be kept inside. If I let it build to long, the pain would only increase.
Another flick of my wrist, and the fabric flew to life, unbuttoning as I pulled off the clothes I was wearing and stepped into it. The breeches were slender fitting, and allowed for easy movement of the legs. The undershirt and corset were also a shade of midnight black, sleek and smooth. I used a bit more magic to lace the corset up before I turned to the outer tunic that still lay on the bed.
It was similar to a trench coat, but so much more elegant. The cut was fashioned for my body, tight along my back and arms until my waist where it flared out slightly and reached my knees. A deep shade of purple cloaked the inside fabric, revealed on the front side where the tunic remained open.
At last, I laced on dark leather bracers and slipped into the boots, buckling them in place. I strode to the vanity along the wall, smoothing the tunic back in several spots. My fingers brushed a strand of hair away from my face as I observed the face I knew so well. My eyes were deep grey, like the earliest beginning of sunrise and my lips, deep red, were stained from the dark juice I enjoyed.
With a hint of a smirk, I tilted my head and swept my raven hair over one shoulder, letting the soft curls tumble down in waves. I was ready to face Maxim Brevil and the rest of he Guild.
{~*~}
The meeting was to take place in Runeswick, a small town at the outskirts of Eynsworth. It was a laid back town, and no one seemed to notice as I rode in and towards The Hollow Dahlia, a tavern named for the ghost rumored to inhabit it. I slipped inside the dimly lit building, past half empty tables of drunkards and up the rickety stairs to the meeting room. The night was still young, and most of the patrons for this establishment wouldn't be here for another hour.
It provided the perfect place to speak away from prying eyes and ears.
When I reached the room, I paused before entering, checking to make sure my clothing and hair were in place. Perhaps I had a flare for dramatics, but that just made things more fun.
Right as I entered, I knew Maxim Brevil hadn't arrived yet. Everyone was lax around the long table, drinking and behaving obnoxiously. All that would end the moment Brevil entered.
Several other members looked up as I entered, but no one greeted me. I would have been insulted if they had. This wasn't a place for niceties. We were the most feared villains in the Empire.
I took a seat towards the end of the table, picking at my nails while I waited. Knowing Brevil, he would probably be late. He enjoyed dramatics more than I did, and I was still convinced his absence had all been a part of some power show towards us. It wasn't a secret that he believed himself to be the most powerful. And anyone with a brain knew not to argue with him on it.
When Maxim Brevil finally did arrive, everyone faced the door. He swept in as faded darkness filled the room. The cloak he wore seemed to be spun out of the shadows he lived in, and was just as mysterious as the wearer.
As Brevil strode to the front of the room, he pulled back the hood of the cloak, revealing a face set in stone. His hair had been shaved since I last saw him, all except for a braided lock behind his ear. Scars littered his face and scalp, hints to the many adventures that earned him such a notorious reputation. All of it combined, along with his deep ruby eyes, made him look just as evil as I remembered him.
"You all look miserable," Brevil said to the room as a way of greeting. We all knew that was as close he would come to one. And we didn't care. The only thing pleasantries would do was waste time.
"I bring good news," Brevil said after a moment. He pulled a chair from the table and lowered himself into it, clasping his hands behind his head and crossing his mud flecked boots onto the table. "The Anax, and all his warriors, don't stand a chance against us this time."
A few people around the room nodded, Brevil having gotten their attention. I lowered my hands and turned my chair a notch in his direction to let him know I was listening. His hawk-like eyes flicked to mine for a second, then scanned the rest of the room.
"Who is ready to dispose of the rulership?" A wicked smile crept onto Brevil's face, mirroring others who were clearly in tune with whatever his plan was now. I still wanted to know what had been so important for him to do that he had been gone years.
Brevil readjusted and clasped his hands together in front of him. "Well, I'm sure you're all wondering where I've been these past few years..." A few nods, hesitant though they were, edged around the room. "That information is my business," Brevil continued on, "so I won't be sharing it. But, I will share the delightful plan I have for taking what belongs to us all."
I crossed my arms, almost ready to shake my head in disgust. Did he think he could just walk in here without any explanation and expect us to follow him? Maybe others would, but I wasn't that kind of girl.
"I think you owe us an explanation," I spoke up, my voice tinted with shards of ice. Brevil's eyes once again slid to mine, cold and calculating.
"Ah, Kanika dear, it is good to see you again."
"Cut the muck, and tell us where you've been all these years, while we had to deal with the mess you made." I didn't bother to acknowledge the others around the room who were undoubtedly staring at me in awe right then. Not many members of the Guild had the guts to speak up against Brevil. I was one of the few who he couldn't touch, since I owned one of the four Recreant blades.
Brevil stared at me, the room silent for a moment. I was pretty sure I could see a hint of amusement flicker in those red eyes as they watched me. "I was away finding this." As he spoke, he pulled a worn satchel from his belt and deposited it onto the table. All eyes turned to seek out the contents of the bag.
"What is it?" Someone dared to ask.
Brevil leaned forward, pulling back the flap of the bag with a steady hand. Then he dumped the contents onto the hewn table for everyone to see.
A/N: Yes, a little cliffhanger to wet your appetites! Hehehe, don't worry, this is only a mild one compared to the ones I have planned for later in the story!
Now, on to more serious matters! What do you think of Kanika?