Endana

"We must do something." I held The Anax's icy stare without yielding, knowing this was worth the risk of a lashing. He needed to see the reason and wisdom of this plan. He had to, or we were all doomed.

The sword in the possession of my sister was the only thing that would hold any sway over Maxim Brevil. I had seen a hint of what he could do if he so desired, and I had no wish to see more destruction.

Four years ago, Maxim Brevil had unleashed a horror upon a nearby town, devastating everyone in it. I had just been promoted to a Virtuoso and was on call when the event happened. I rushed to the town with three other Virtuosos and a hoard of soldiers, but we were too late.

Maxim Brevil didn't leave anyone alive, and by the time we reached where he was casting his curses, only several people were left alive. I challenged him, foolishly, and didn't stand a chance. Brevil struck me down on the second blow, and I still have a scar on my back from that day.

When I awoke weeks later in the infirmary, Arisia had explained what happened. The rest of the Virtuosos managed to save what was left of the town, and Maxim Brevil slipped away in the chaos, disappearing until now.

Not even the women and children survived his attack. And to this day we still had no clue why he chose that town, that day, to attack. As far as I could tell, he gained nothing but his reputation. He caused grievance all across the Empire. We all felt the loss as our own, and I could still picture the day like it was yesterday.

As I focused back on the present, the Anax's eyes were still watching me. I blinked, breaking the gaze as I glanced about the meeting room. Shomari, the Anax's general, was focused on a pile of maps and documents spread across the marble table. Busara, the Anax's forecaster, had his eyes tightly shut, as if in pain. But I knew better. The man worked better without other distractions to bother him.

"Endana, I can't risk you going into the heart of the Guild, no matter the reason." The Anax, his hair ruffled and tunic wrinkled from a long night, turned back to the parchment covered table. He sagged in his seat, weariness evident across his usually strong features.

"We don't have another choice," I insisted.

"We don't even know if weapons like that exist. To risk my captain on such a flimsy hope is a fool's errand." The Anax shook his head. "You are not going and that is my final word."

I sucked in a breath, holding back the retort hovering on my lips. I knew better to push him when he took on that tone. But I knew this was our only shot. We had to take advantage of it, before Brevil caught on and made it impossible to stop whatever he had planning this time.

I pushed the worn book across the table to the Anax, the book still opened to the page on the four swords. "This book is the only lead we have to stopping him," I said, my voice quiet and respectful. "If we don't get that sword, then what chance do we stand against him?" As I recalled the horror he had wreaked on that town, the scar down my back tingled. I rubbed a hand along it, my face pinched slightly.

The Anax clasped his hands together, sighing deeply. He bowed his head. "Choose someone else."

Confusion swirled in my mind and I blinked. "What?"

"I cannot risk you. But if this is indeed our only hope at stopping him, then send someone else. Someone expendable."

I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him this mission couldn't be trusted on anyone else's shoulders, but he raised a hand to silence me.

"Endana, find someone fit for this task. Someone who is not in my court." The Anax's tone was firm, and I knew the discussion was over. I rose from my seat, bowing curtly.

"It shall be done," I answered, my mind already whirring with possible candidates as I slipped from the meeting room and headed down the hall. With the Anax's instructions to choose someone who was not in his court, any other Virtuosos were not an option. But who could be trusted with this task? And who could handle it except for one trained for such a task?

Or maybe that was exactly what we needed. Someone trained for this task. Someone who excelled at remaining hidden. Someone who could sneak into the home and swipe the sword from under Kanika's nose.

My feet took a different turn, now heading for the stables. If I couldn't choose someone trained in combat for the Anax, then perhaps someone trained to work against the Anax would work. Someone I would only find in Brinestone.

I saddled up my horse, Hola, and rode out of the Citadel with haste, making my way across Eynsworth as Hola kicked up gravel in our wake. The city was bustling at this time of day, slowing my travel as people crowded the streets. I took to several back streets, trying to avoid the largest crowds.

When I finally arrived at Brinestone, the prison walls loomed before me. The stone was charcoal black, heavy and foreboding. I waited at the gates while the soldiers on duty checked the Virtuoso mark on my sword and hauled the metal gates open. As I rode inside, several groups of soldiers marched by. The prison was notorious for being a death sentence to anyone condemned there, as no one had ever escaped. In fact, if a prisoner did try to escape, the guards were ordered to kill them on sight.

I swallowed back the worry that no one would be alive enough to suit my needs as I dismounted and allowed a soldier to take my horse. I hurried up the stone steps to the guard entrance of the prison where I was led into the office of the warden.

Hodari entered not long after, his grey speckled eyes studying me with cold calculation as he greeted me. From what I had heard of his prison, the inmates beheld him with great fear. And from the dark garb and wicked sword strapped to his side, I didn't blame them one bit.

"Why have you honored me with your visit today, Virtuoso?" Hodari rounded his desk and sank into his chair, a hint of pain flickering across his dark face. My eyes flicked over the dark clothes he wore, trying to uncover the source.

"I have need of one of your prisoners." I kept my hands tucked at my sides, my fists clenched to keep my face clear of all emotion. Hodari was known to prey on those who showed weakness, Virtuoso or not. He had been one of my trainers many years ago, and I still hadn't forgotten the torment he had caused me. I had no desire to extend this meeting any longer than necessary.

If Hodari knew my purpose for being here, he didn't let on. "Oh?" He tilted his head in curiosity, even though his expression remained neutral.

"The Anax sent me," I added icily, trying to school my own features into stone. Hodari was testing me, as he did everyone. I had to remain calm, and not show any emotion.

Hodari studied me, not even bothering to hide the fact that he was ignoring me. I seethed beneath my mask, wanting to rip out his throat even as I stood there patiently.

"Who are you wanting, exactly?"

"I need a thief. One who can become night and shadow, and who won't get caught." I said as little as possible, not wanting to give this man any accidental leverage over me or the mission I was on. He was in high standing with the Anax, but only because he did his job well and knew how to get information out of a man.

Once again, Hodari took his time in answering. When he did finally speak, his tone had changed. "You are welcome to take your pick. However, I request that you return the prisoner to me when you are done." I detected a hidden edge in his words, a trace of disgust, or displeasure. I couldn't be sure, but when Hodari rose from his seat I thought I glimpsed a flicker of anger in his dark irises.

"This way." Hodari brushed past me, his large form towering over me for a moment as he left the office. His footsteps echoed loudly down the hallway as I left the office on my own time and followed him. He led me deeper into the prison, the darkness growing thicker and more suffocating. Even the pitch torches couldn't penetrate the thickness, barely creating enough light to see by.

As we entered a narrow hallway even dimmer than the first, the sounds hit me. Sounds of suffering and anguish. Of those dying and without hope. Endless of cries and moans of pain and even terror. High sky, what were they doing behind those locked doors? The noise was stifling, worse than the darkness, but I resisted the urge to cover my ears.

The smell reached me next, strong with the metallic scent of blood and human waste. My throat constricted as I held back the urge to vomit or show any reaction to my surroundings.

"What is this?" I asked, my throat thick and hoarse even though I strained to keep it neutral.

Hodari didn't bother to look back at me as he said, "The interrogation block."

We continued on, passing out of the interrogation block and leaving the horrible sounds behind. The smell lessoned somewhat as we climbed a staircase and walked out onto a metal walkway over a large room. The room was better lit, with several grated slats in the ceiling that allowed for a bit of fresh air to enter.

The room below must have been where the prisoners ate, because it was filled with rickety tables. Along one wall there were guards serving out some kind of gruel to the men in line while others sat at the tables, already picking at their meal. I scanned the prisoners, trying not to cringe at the shaved heads, gaunt expressions, and bloodied uniforms they wore. Most of them had hunched shoulders and backs, clearly defeated and having lost all will.

But there were still a few I spotted that held their heads high, bearing their gazes across everything in scrutiny. Those were the men I could use. Someone who had given up all hope and their will to live wouldn't do what I needed them to do.

I needed someone still resistant.

"See anyone you like?" Hodari asked, his tone mocking. I almost forgot he was there beside me in my observations.

"What is he in for?" I asked, pointing to a tall, bulky man in the corner of the room. He had a bloodied lip and a swollen eye, but he didn't look beaten. On the contrary, those wounds made him more fearsome in appearance.

"Mass murder," Hodari said, his voice much too casual for this conversation. But I held back any retort brimming on my lips and merely nodded.

As I watched, several more guards entered the cafeteria, a prisoner in between them. He was struggling, though from what I could see it didn't look like he was trying his hardest. The guards brought him to the middle of the room before they dropped him onto the muddied ground.

The prisoner was unable to catch himself as he face planted. He laid there in the mud for several seconds, seemingly debating whether he wanted to get up or not. Finally, he hauled himself out of the mud and onto one of the wooden seats. I watched as he wiped some of the muck off his face and hair, cleaning it enough that I could distinguish some of his features.

His hair was a ruddy brown, though with the dirt and grime perhaps it was lighter when clean. His eyes, from this distance up, were dark and piercing. Even though he was covered in blood and grime and wearing the ripped prison uniform, I could tell he was fit and strong.

"Who is he?" I didn't bother to point, knowing that Hodari had been watching me. And I had been staring at the prisoner since he'd entered.

"Him? He's a troublesome one. In for thievery, but after all the trouble he's caused he's earned more on his sentence."

"Who employed him?" I didn't take my gaze off the prisoner, who was now limping over to the food line. I noticed how the other prisoners ignored him, some even going so far as to cast worried glances in his direction.

"I believe he is an ex-guild member."

I considered the facts for a moment, weighing the many, many risks and possibilities. Then I crossed my arms and faced Hodari. "I want him."

A/N: So.... what did you think of this chapter? Who do you think Endana chose? 😏 If you enjoyed it, please vote and comment! Also, my greatest apologies that this is a week late. I wanted to make sure and publish the best chapter for you guys. (It wasn't because I was procrastinating or anything... cause I don't do that.)