To her credit, she hid her shock when her arrow hit, and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Aera!" Envy shouted at her. Her head snapped over and she gave him a look of death before throwing the bow at him. He caught it effortlessly and glared at her, but she turned and rounded on Taris, moving to stand over him. She bunched up her fists, shaking, tears falling down her cheeks. 

It would be dirty, to hit him when he was down and wounded. But he had brought this on himself. She lifted her foot and pressed it against against his groin, giving just enough pressure to earn her a wide eyed gaze. Taris grabbed her ankle, holding her weight.
“I trusted you.” She seethed, her voice low and slow. 
Between her foot and the arrow, Taris held still. Annoyed, she bent and reached. Her hand went toward the arrow and she caught him flinch, so she stopped, glaring at him. He was covered in minute burns, his lip was bleeding and the arrow was protruding from his shoulder, a stream of blood trailed down his chest. The arm that held her foot was shaking. 

With a quivering sigh, she stepped back, visibly torn and unbalanced. She put her hand up to wipe her tears away, only to find that she'd spread Taris' blood across her cheek. Looking at her bloodied hands she choked on more tears while Envy stepped up behind her. 
“Get him out.” She ordered in a flat voice. “I don't want to see him again.” It had been two days since she'd gotten a decent nights sleep, she needed to rest. She walked past the little elf from the tournament, avoiding her gaze as she went down to Envy's chamber.

Envy squatted before Taris with a sigh, his expression grim. Envy's red eyes drifted over the shadow elf, eying his wounds. “Bet that was unpleasant.” He grunted. He turned over his shoulder to where the little elf was standing. “Arauka, bring the box.” She nodded and ran down to the kitchen, bringing back a small kit of first aid supplies. “Thanks dove.” Envy said, taking out a square of wood and holding it to Taris. “Bite.” He warned before he gripped the arrow and pulled.

Taris jerked and shouted behind the wood. Arauka held out a bottle. “No, dove, the blue one. There you go, thank you.” Envy poured it over the hole in Taris' shoulder and it bubbled. The shadow elf swore loudly. “Hey, assassin, there are kids here.” Arauka hid a giggle behind her hand and Envy raised his eyebrow at her. “Go check on the kids, dove.” 
When she ran off, he sighed at Taris again. “For some reason, she's taken a liking to you." Envy said about the young thief. After a moment he turned to topic back to Aera. "I don't know what you did, assassin. But it takes a lot to set her off that bad. And I mean a lot.” His dark head shook. “I'm not asking. I got a good idea when she was raining hell on you. But it will take a while to get her back.”

He leaned back. "Don't get me wrong, I agree with you. That damned fool needs to be removed from her life. Although, the fact that you're here expressly to kill him? May have been better for her to know before whatever happened last night happened." Envy stared at the shadow elf. "Take ever potions you want, anything you need, then go home. I'll talk to her, but don't expect a miracle."

Taris nodded from the floor, “Thank you, Envy. I appreciate it…” He stood shakily, “But, if she never wants to see me again, I understand. Perhaps it’s best, in fact, the last woman that I let love me died.” He reached into a pocket and placed a pendant on a nearby table. “Use this to call me if you have need of me, Envy, for anything. I owe you at least that much.” Darkness began to swirl around him and he looked Envy in the eye. “If she doesn’t want me…” his voice hitched, “If she wants me gone, take care of her for me, Envy.”

Envy watched the shadows begin to cover his whole body, until a flash of movement caught his eye. Arauka dashed toward the assassin and grabbed a hold of his pants, and the shadow enveloped her too. “Arauka, no!” he yelled, but the shadows fell and they were gone. “Dammit dove.” He waited a moment, keeping his eye on the shadows, before turning and following after Aera, "You'd better take care of her, Taris."

Taris and the girl emerged in his flat, the assassin gasping heavily. Pulling someone else through the shadows twice in a short time was tiring, especially with the barriers throughout the city. He looked at the girl at his side, “What do you think you were doing? You could have killed us both.”
She backed away, not meeting his gaze, and he realized he had growled at her. Taris sighed and sat in a chair. He switched to elvish, “I’m sorry, Arauka was it?” She nodded, but still wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Why did you follow me here?” At that she did look up, opening her mouth and closing it, before taking a breath. “You were sad,” she said finally, “I… I didn’t want you to be alone.”

Taris smiled at her and gestured her over. She looked curiously at his scars, and at the shimmer of his new burns and arrow wound healing. He ran a hand through her hair, messing it up, “Thank you, but you know I’m assassin don’t you? It’s dangerous to be around me, and I’m sure Envy is worried about you.”
“I know, but so what? You’re so COOL. The way you stayed out in the sun so you could beat those humans in archery. I want to be like you.”
Taris frowned, “No you don’t, you don’t know what it’s like being an assassin. Being me. There isn’t much room for true happiness in my world.”
Arauka sat on the arm of the chair, “But, you and Aera…”
“Will probably never work. I love her, it’s true, but there are people who would use that against me. It’s why if I were smarter, I’d push her away.”
Her eyes gazed at him, and she surprised him with her next words, “But you can’t.”

He nodded, “You are right, I can’t. But back to you, I don’t think you want to be like me. I think you just don’t want to be scared anymore. Am I right?” Taris watched her look away and nod. “I thought so.” He was silent a moment before he snapped his fingers. “I have an idea, how would you like to be my helper? In exchange I’ll teach you a few things to help you, make you stronger and faster. Envy trained you to be quick, to fend someone off enough to escape if you need to right?”
Another nod. “I will teach you how to make your pursuer unable to chase you. It will not be easy, but if you are willing, I will take over your training until my job is completed.”
She looked at him, “And after? Will you take me with you?”

Now Taris had to pause, “If you still want to leave, then we shall see. But what about the other orphans? What about your friends in the tunnels, and Envy?” He watched her face fall while she considered his words, and approved, she wouldn’t just abandon her friends on a whim. “There is plenty of time to make your decision, Arauka, no need to choose now,” he paused and looked around. Between his own anger and Aera’s attack this morning, the flat was a mess. “First things first, my new apprentice, help me clean up.”

She hopped off the chair with a smile, “Yes, Master Taris!”

“Go away Envy.”
“I can't. You're in my bed.”
Aera lifted her head off the pillow and glared at him over her shoulder. “So?”
The Kartaian shrugged. “What right-minded elf would walk away? I'm joking, Aera.” He added quickly as she kicked him.
After a pause, he spoke again. “I thought you didn't like elves. You picked Ruli and Kentaro-”
“Rulitus and I-”
'I know, I know.” He cut off her disagreement. “But still, I tried for years. He walked in two weeks ago.” Aera kept quiet.

After another pause, he sighed and got up, grabbing a cloth and a bowl of water. “Up.” he demanded, sitting back on the bed. 
“Why?”
“Cause you're getting blood all over my pillow.” Envy retorted. “Do whatever you want, but I don't care to sleep with the assassins fluids all over my skin.”
Aera shot up and smacked. Still alarmed by her hands, he flinched, spilling a good deal of water. He stared at the wet spot on the bed in dismay. “Sorry.” she said softly.
“Eh.” He shrugged. “I can turn it into triumph. I had the Raielwen in my bed and she got my sheets wet.” Aera smacked him again. “Ow! Dammit, that one hurt!”
There was a hint of amusement in her eyes. Progress. He dipped the cloth in the bowl and began wiping the blood from her face, her chin in his huge hands. “Don't hate him, Aera.” Her dark eyes rose to his. “You've got a chance to be happy. You deserve that, even if he doesn't deserve you.” Her eyes went down again. “Tell me you see that.”
“I see it.”
“Then what has you all angry?”
The pale elf swallowed and more tears fell from her dark lashes. “Does it make me a horrible wife? A horrible person? If I know he's going to die and I allow it?” Her hand covered her mouth as she tried to stifle her sob, a rush of tears falling. 
Envy quickly put the bowl down and grabbed her, pulling her into an embrace. “Hush, baby girl.” He whispered against her hair. “Aera, don't be ridiculous. You're not allowing it, you're accepting that theres nothing you can do about it.”
“I even... want … it.” She gasped against him through her tears. Her head came up and she looked at him. “Kentaro knows Taris is behind everything. All the killings. But he can't p-prove it.” She coughed. “Taris killed his best friend, right in front of him. He-e knows Taris wants me. He won't give me up.”

Envy's eyes widened as he understood what she was saying and he pulled her back, cradling her head. He closed his eyes as he held her. “I will not let him hurt you. I'll hide you. I'll take you to Carantathraiel... we'll find it and get you there.”
She shook her head, working furiously to recover herself. “I can't. If I leave, he'll destroy everything. He'll hit the tunnels first. All the children....” Taking a deep breath, she stopped the tears and leaned back out of his grasp.
The Kartaian could say nothing, knowing she'd set her mind on staying. He pulled her forward and kissed her on the forehead and continued to wipe her face clean, mindful of the welt on her cheek. “The moment you feel threatened...” Aera nodded, still steadying her breathing. “Aera...”
“Yea, I know. I'll let you know.”
He gave her a cheeky smile. “No, I was going to say you should have stayed with me.” He laughed she she smacked him again. “Okay, I'll be serious.”
“You do that.” She said, standing, now that her face was clean. “I have to get back before Kentaro realizes I'm missing. He'll wake up soon.”

Envy leaned back on his bed with a sigh when she'd left. Things are about to get dangerous.

Taris adjusted the girl’s stance and the way she held a dagger. Envy had taught her well, but Envy was also a thief, not an assassin. There were things she still didn’t know about. “Much better, Arauka, remember where your opponent’s vital spots are. There is no such thing as a fair fight, only survival.” He smiled at the youngster’s enthusiasm, she was a quick learn and listened well. Already he was finding ways she could be useful to him. He watched her run through the stances he’d taught her a few times with approval, until he felt the pendant heat against his chest.

Already? What could he need so soon? Taris thought. “Keep running through your stances, Arauka, I need to talk to Envy,” he told her and went into the other room. He pulled out the pendant and placed it in a bowl. Immediately the bowl filled with shadows and Envy’s face came into view. Taris frowned, “Already, Envy. What’s happened?” He paused, “She doesn’t want me around, does she?”
Envy shrugged, “I’m not sure, she didn’t say.” He glowered through the shadow, “She deserves better than you, you know.”
Taris nodded, “I kn…”
“But the thing that upsets me most is that you can give her the happiness she deserves. And that is why I’m helping you, and why I need your help. Kentaro is going to kill her.”

Taris stared for a minute, “What?” His voice was ice, and his curved daggers flashed into his hands. Even in the pool of shadow Envy stepped back a moment. “She better still be there, Envy.”
The Kartaian shook his head, “No Taris, listen, she went back to protect the orphans. I wanted her to disappear, but she made a good point. Kentaro knows about the tunnels, and he’d come here first. Taris, he knows you are behind the murders, and he knows how you feel about her. You need to kill him, and get her out quickly. He won’t let her out of his sight, or at least have guards on her at all times.”

The assassin glared, “He’s a dead man. I told him he’d have 7 weeks if he didn’t piss me off. He’ll be dead by the end of the night, Envy. You have my word. Then we can talk about you letting her go back to that castle.”
Envy nodded, “Deal, assassin. But the moment you are seen in the castle, she’s dead. Can you move that quickly?”
“Don’t worry about it, Envy. They won’t know I’m there till they’re dead. Be ready and keep the pendant on you.”

Taris scooped the pendant from the bowl and the darkness dissolved. Behind him Arauka stood silently, he hadn’t even heard her approach. “You were listening?” he asked softly.
“Yes Master,” the girl replied, a hint of unease in her voice.
A smirk pulled at his face, “Good girl.” He kneeled in front of her, “Aera is in trouble and we need to get her out of the castle. But I’ll need your help to do it.” He smiled fully when she nodded eagerly, “Anything, Master!”
“Good, time to train you to walk in the shadows, my girl.”

Back in her chambers, Aera immediately called for a bath, wanting to cleanse herself. Paytin brought her hot water and poured perfumed oil in, and Aera soaked in watery fields of lavender. She ducked underwater and held her breath, drowning out the world for a few minutes. When she surfaced, she opened her eyes to find Kentaro watching her and she jumped.
“Kentaro, what are you doing?” She asked, reaching for her robe.
“Hello to you, too.” He said simply. 
Aera stood and covered herself, dripping on the floor. The silver haired man stepped forward and kissed her hard, his fingers gripping painfully on the back of her neck. She winced tried to pull away, but he gripped her hair. “You left.” Her stomach twisted and she kept quiet and still, her eyes on his. “I had your door watched. So it was either magic, or you have some other way of escaping.” He shoved her toward her main room. “Dress. We're moving.”
“Where's my maid?” Aera asked, noting Paytin's absence.
His lip twitched. “I got rid of her. You don't need her.”

Silently, Aera moved to gather a dress, aware of Kentaro's stare. “Stop.” She froze. He walked over to her wardrobe and pulled a long pair of black gloves. “You forgot these.” He pulled them up her arms and then motioned for her to pull on her dress. When she had, he laced the ties of the gloves with the lace in the back for the dress, so she wouldn't be able to remove them without help. “Much better.” He grinned. “Now out.”
He gripped her hand and led her up to his own room. It was well lit, extra candles had been brought in and were burning everywhere. It seemed Taris' trick with the shadows had left a scar on Kentaro, and he didn't want to be reminded of it. At the door were two guards, two more on the other end near the window, and the court wizard sat with rigid posture on the sofa in the corner. Kentaro pointed to a small chair at the opposite end of the room from the wizard. “Sit.” He ordered, and she moved to obey. “I have business to attend to.”
Aera sat, straight as an arrow, with her hands on her knees, her wet hair dripping down her back, ignoring the uncomfortable stare of the wizard from across the room. They spoke in hushed tones, but her sensitive ears could pick up their words. Kentaro didn't know much about Taris, but he knew he could manipulate shadows, at the very least, and he was asking the wizard what he could do. He'd raised the number of guards around the palace and gave them all directions to forbid the elf from entering the grounds.

Aera kept quiet, listening now and again, her own thoughts capturing her attention. 
What had her angry? Envy had asked that, and the first thing to come to mind had been the fact that she didn't mind the idea that her husband would be murdered. That the fact made her a horrible person. But there was more to it. 
She could be happy with Taris. Would be happy. 
But did Kentaro really have to die? Somewhere, he was still the happy young man she'd fallen for, the boy with the warm smile who made her laugh. He'd only changed recently, when his mother had moved in on them. And after her stunt with the physician, he'd sent her away again. There was a chance he'd come back. Not entirely, but perhaps just enough to realize that they weren't happy, and let her go.
Taris had told Kentaro seven weeks. With the queen out of the way, could she find a way to avoid his death?
Without warning, the scar across her back ached and twinged and Aera fidgeted. She froze when her hands started to tingle. Again? She turned her palms up and stared at her gloved hands. This had happened last night, when she was with Taris. What was it? 

The guard nearest her cleared his throat loudly and she glanced up, suddenly aware that Kentaro was leering at her from across the room, his eyes dark.

Taris gathered his equipment, checking that each was in good condition. Beside him, Arauka waited eagerly, full of the excitement only youth seemed to find. Taris envied her that, knowing that if she stayed with him, he’d destroy that youth. He slipped the last blade into its sheath and nodded to the girl. “Do you remember what I taught you? How to move through the Shadow Realm towards a beacon?”
She nodded with determination, “Yes Master, I won’t mess it up.”
“One more time then: What’s the plan?”
Arauka’s face became serious. Her brow furrowed slightly, “We go through the shadows, find Aera in the castle. You kill the guards and go after Kentaro. I take Aera and shadow walk back to Envy, using the pendant you gave him as a beacon to guide me and pull me through the barriers. I wait with Aera until you return as well.”
Taris gave her a look, and she rolled her eyes a little. He cuffed her lightly on the back of her head. “OW! Okay, okay! And I stay with her in the tunnels and don’t leave her side at all until you are there. I keep her safe for you.”

The assassin smiled slightly, “Very good.” He sliced open the darkness in front of them and placed a hand on her shoulder. The void shut around them like a set of jaws. Arauka tried, with only partial success, to hide the wonder on her face. Taris slammed through barrier after barrier, his haste shattering the weak ones, and leaving a ripple in the others. Taris’ jaw set as they began to pass openings to the castle. He scanned her room first but it was deserted.

Arauka tugged on his arm, “Where to now, Master?”
Taris thought for only a moment, “His room.” They passed a dozen more openings out of the void before finding the right one. From inside the Shadow Realm Taris could see two guards flanking Aera, swords drawn. Across the room were two more guards, and Kentaro who was speaking with a man in long robes. A mage then, likely. Damn, the assassin thought,I hate mages. But the immediate threats were the two nearest Aera. As soon as he entered, their weapons would find her. Unless the assassin moved faster than they could.

The two guards were leering at the elf between them, when suddenly two curved lengths of steel materialized from the bit of shadow behind them, slicing through their throats. Blood sprayed as Taris quickly followed the daggers into the room. The other two soldiers brandished their weapons and charged the Shadow Elf, only to fall a moment later with throwing knives from the little thief girl in their legs. Taris stepped forward and plunged the tips of his blades between their ribs, into their hearts.
He stood and advanced on the mage, “Aera, go with Arauka and get out of here, now.”
She looked down at the small waif beside her, and back at Taris, “No, Taris, they’re ready for you.”
“Just go Aera, I’ll be fine,” he said as Kentaro moved between him and the mage. Arauka tugged fervently on Aera’s arm, but to no avail.

Kentaro sneered, “I knew it was you, Dark Elf bastard. Now you die.” He struck.
Taris parried with ease and returned with his own attacks. He didn’t even smirk, “That last person that called me that, ended up hanging in the lobby of a brothel. I told you to use your time wisely, idiot.” Their blades met in a flash of steel. Kentaro was good, keeping Taris away from the wizard. He needed to kill the mage before he finished the spell.

Taris flipped one blade forward and caught the guard of kentaro’s sword, flinging it wide. In came his other dagger, slicing once in the Prince’s belly, then back across his chest, and back across his throat. He heard Aera try to warn him when a massive white light flared to life before him, sending searing pain through his eyes. Blinded, he knew almost every shadow was gone in the light. He stumbled back until Aera caught him by the shoulders. “Damn it Aera I said get out of here!” he shouted. He grabbed her and the girl, opening the only shadow he knew was there. His own.

Taris shoved them both through, slamming it shut behind them. Trying to go through his own shadow was suicide, the magic would tear him apart. Another light flared on the other side of the room, and Taris screamed in agony, barely maintaining consciousness. A mailed fist caught him in the temple and he collapsed to the floor.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Arauka stumbled into the tunnels, pulling Aera behind her. It was much harder without Taris to help her shadow walk. Envy was there next to them immediately, “Where’s Taris, dove?”
The girl shook her head, “Back there, he’s in trouble.”
Aera shook her head, “We need to go back and help him.”
“No!” shouted both Envy and Arauka. The Kartaian looked at the girl in surprise. She stared at Aera, “My Master gave me orders to stay with you here in the tunnels. Do you know how much he cares about you? I won’t let you go back, he made me promise to keep you safe.”

Aera glared furiously at the girl, but knew she was a dead end, so she rounded on the huge elf behind her. “Take me back.” Her hands flew up to untie her gloves, until she remembered Kentaro's trick with the ties. Dammit. “Take me back now, Envy.” He shook he head and lifted a hand to her face, where blood spattered her skin. She reared her head, her mouth curled in anger. “Its not mine, Envy, please... “ Annoyed, she found she was crying again. “You can shadow walk, I know you can. Stop shaking your head!” She threw herself at him, beating at his chest before he wrapped his large arms around her, immobilizing her. “Please, Envy.”

Suddenly, her palms itched and her scar tingled. Behind her, Arauka gasped and Aera felt a tension in Envy's arms before he released her. When she stepped back, she saw there was a Kartaian woman holding a blade to his throat, her long, scarred blue fingers tangled in his hair. She stood a few inches taller than him, clearing seven feet tall, her deep red eyes glaring at Aera while a wolfish smile spread across her lips. “Hello, Enlor`Lei.” She purred against Envy's ear. 
His nostrils flared. “Vier'na.”
“Envy?” Aera asked, her brows pulled together, her own rage forgotten.
Envy put up his hand to tell her to go but hissed as the woman jerked and blade, drawing blood. “Is this her?” Vier'na glared at Aera. “The Raielwen you've fought so hard to hide from us? How beautiful she is. Fierce. And who is the little one?”

There was an odd sound and more Kartaiains appeared, black smoke and shadow wafting in the air around them. Now there were six of them in the chamber with them, and judging by the children's screams that echoed in the tunnels, more had appeared throughout. One, a burly male who was more scar than skin, stepped forward and put a large hand behind Arauka's neck and lifted her off the ground with ease. She screamed, clawing at his hand.
“Stop!” Aera shrieked. “Let her go! She's just a child!” She went to run forward but another Kartaian grabbed her by the elbow and yanked her still. 
Vier'na nodded and the one who held Arauka lowered his hand and squatted, pushing her to the ground. “We made that mistake before, princess.” She leered at Aera. “You were only a child, and how many of our fully grown warriors did you kill?”
The pale elf pointed to the girl. “She doesn't have Kartai's Curse!”
The tall woman grinned again. “Answer the question.”
Aera let out a breath, frustrated. “Three. I killed three.” She knew where this was going.
Vier'na smiled. “All these years, we've been hunting you, and my dear brother here has been hiding you. But now we've found you, and you're coming with us.” Aera glared. “We have spread all through city, and we can take it easily. We will kill everyone as soon as the sun sleeps. When the people of this city lower their heads to their pillows tonight, they will never rise again. Unless you agree to come with us.”

Aera's purple eyes rested on Envy, who was looking down at her, keeping his emotion from showing. Vier'na caught their look and sneered. “Do you love her, Brother?”
A muscle in Envy's jaw flexed in his anger. “Yes.”
“Good.” In a flash she thrust a dark blue blade into his rib cage while she jammed the blade that was at his throat into his shoulder. He roared in agony and fell back while Aera and Arauka shouted in shock. “Now the girl.”
The scarred Kartaian lifted Arauka again and she flailed and kicked to no avail, her eyes widening as he brought out a jagged blade that looked to be half bone, half rusted iron.
“NO! Stop, please....” Aera's stomach twisted and she blinked tears away. “I-I'll go. Please, I'll go with you, just don't hurt them. Don't hurt any of them.”
“Aera.....” Envy pushed himself up to sit, shaking his head. She ignored him. 
Vier'na walked over to Aera and took her chin in her blue fingers, looking her over. “So you're the little wench that murdered my betrothed? My Ferân?” Aera shivered under her gaze, and the woman grinned. “This will be fun.” She stepped away, releasing Aera. “You heard her, Qualme. She's coming with us. Take her home.”

The scarred Kartaian dropped Arauka, grinned a nasty smile and rushed forward, turning his blade around and jammed the jagged, sharp pommel into Aera's stomach. Before she could scream, his thick hand wrapped around her throat and they were gone in puff of smokey shadow. 

Envy growled and Arauka lept up, pulling a small blade from her hip. “No, dove!” But Vier'na reacted and swung her own bone blade, slicing the child up the middle. Arauka's scream echoed the tunnels and she fell on the ground, holding her stomach. Envy glared at Vier'na, who smiled sweetly at him, looking at the blood on her blade. “Don't worry, Enlor`Lei.” She crouched before him. “We'll take special care of her. We've hunted her for a long time, we won't let her go to waste.”
He roared and swung at her, only to find his arms swing through her, her image dissolved into smoke. They all vanished.

Envy gasped, wrenching the daggers from his body, his body shaking violently from the poison from the blue one. He crawled toward Arauka, who was crying on the ground in a pool of her blood, her small hands shaking. “Envy?” She sobbed.
He leaned over her and pressed their foreheads together. “I'm here, dove.” She was cold. His hand reached for her dropped blade, his other hand taking one of hers.
“I'm s-so sorry.” She shook, tears falling down her cheeks.
Envy shook his head, blinking back his own tears. “You did good, little dove. Look at me, I'm proud of you.” He lifted the blade over her and positioned it. 
Her face twisted in pain. “Wi-will you tell him t-t-that-”
He cut her off. “Sshh. I promise, I will. Look at me, baby girl.” He pushed on the blade and she jerked, gasping a final breath before her eyes unfocused and her grip on his hand relaxed.

His scream echoed through the sparse chamber over the hiss of burning flesh. The torturer brought the white hot iron away from Taris’ side. The assassin sagged in his chains in the middle of the room, exhausted. Four orbs of intense light floated around him, keeping any shadows far away from him, keeping him from escaping. His eyes burned, and he was beginning to doubt if he would ever see again, even if he did manage to escape.

His magic tingled on his skin, but after a couple hours of this, he couldn’t continue to heal himself, instead just numbing the pains. The torturer came back with a whip, Taris could hear him crack it, if not see it. He’d been whipped before, and could handle that pain. Then the bladed tip slashed his cheek. Another scream tore out of his throat, and the bladed whip tore into his back. The whip cracked against his back until he couldn’t scream anymore. Taris’ head hung down and the chains attached to the posts to the sides pulled at his arms and shoulders, but even that strain was drowned out by his wounds.

The torturer stepped away and came back a moment later, and the elf tried to muster the energy to brace for what might come, finding himself unable to. He couldn’t even scream now, his throat felt destroyed. At least he thought he couldn’t, until the man poured alcohol over his back. Every slash felt filled with molten iron. One last anguished scream tore from him before the pain overwhelmed his magic and he slipped mercifully into unconsciousness.

“Taris.”
He looked up, his eyes still working in this realm. Layne caressed his cheek, “I’m so sorry my love. I wish I could help more.”

Taris shook his head, “I’ll be fine, Kentaro is dead, Aera is safe. That’s all that matters.” At the look on Layne’s face he felt his stomach drop out. “She is safe, right?”

Layne looked despondent, “I’m sorry Taris, but I found another spirit that was searching for you. She’s scared, thinks she failed you.”
“Arauka…”
A tear leaked from her eye and she nodded. “I tried to bring her, but she says she can’t face you yet. She can’t stop crying. I asked her who it was, but all she said was ‘Kartaians’. She also mentioned someone named Envy, who was hurt too.”

Taris crumpled to the floor. “Arauka, no. I’ve failed again. Damn it all, why? First you, now Arauka and Aera…” Layne tried to put a hand on his shoulder but he stood and pushed her away. Black flames swirled around him and he roared in despair. Layne reached for him again. He slammed a fist into the ground and the world dissolved around him.

He returned to the waking world, returned to the pain. Only now, the physical pain couldn’t begin to compare to the pain in his soul.

It was a long while before Envy straightened, the poison in his system making it an effort. 
“Paget!” He shouted. Paget was one of the senior women in the tunnels, one of the few who stayed after adulthood to help with the children. She came from the tunnels and gasped. “Is everyone else okay?” She nodded, her brown curls bobbing. “Good, keep them in their rooms. Send Russel to me.”

Russel came a few minutes later. He was a young man, a few years older than Aera, and, to his credit, he didn't flinch at the sight in the training room. He carried a black sheet with him and they covered Arauka's body. When Russel lifted it, Envy moved his feet in the dirt, trying to hide as much of the blood as he could. He'd get more sand later. Gathering the blades on the floor, he forced himself to stand and made for his room, leaning heavily on the walls. 
In his chamber, in the corner with a small rainbow of colored bottles of potions, he picked out the tiny black bottle and drank it down. He knew the tricks his sister used in her poisons, and she wouldn't have changed anything for him. She wanted him to live, only to be too sick to follow. At least anytime soon. By the time he'd be well enough....

“Paget and Cainne are going to clean her up.” Russel said behind him. Envy sat on the bed and Russel bent to help him clean up. The elf pointed to one of the darker bottles and leaned onto his side for Russel to pour over the hole in his rib cage. “They were like you.” Envy didn’t answer. “Did they kill Arauka? Why?”
Envy gripped the edge of the bed and hissed under the potion. “Because.” He snarled under the pain, his skin bubbling. “They do things like that.”
“Is that why you left?” 
Russel handed Envy another bottle and the elf rejected it with a wave of his hand. “Part of the reason.” Envy stood, still unsteady. “Arauka had a pendant. It looks like this one. Bring it to me.” While he was gone, Envy finished before turning his attention on the pendant Taris had given him. 

Something was up, if the shadow elf hadn't turned up just yet. Aera had said they were ready for him, so they must have grabbed him. Envy needed to get to him. Aera needed their help. His stomach twisted in knots, just thinking about her.
Russel handed Envy the pendant and Envy thanked him. “Now listen, gather the older kids, all of them, with the exception of Paget and Cainne, I need them with Arauka. Go to the castle, outside the gates. I need a distraction. A good one.” Obediently, Russel nodded and hurried away. Envy took Arauka's bloody pendant and the blade she'd dropped, assumingly a gift from Taris, and overturned a bowl of grapes on his table to throw everything into. 

“Vee?” The elf turned to find one of the small toddlers waddling into his room. He bent and hugged the boy. 
“Mikeal, are you okay?”
The toddler grinned, showing his few teeth. before wiggling from Envy's grasp to pick up the fallen grapes. Envy caught his attention again. “Mikeal, will you take a few grapes to mommy?”'The toddler grinned again and waddled off, holding a few grapes like they were a treasure. The elf went back to work, mixing a few potions and powders into the bowl. 
He was trying to use the objects that had been in the shadow elf's possession to pinpoint where he was, so Envy could shadow walk to him. The idea of it made Envy nervous, he hadn't tried in a few decades, but he needed to reach the assassin.
It worked. 
With a deep breath, he opened the shadows and focused on where he felt Taris was and stepped through, hoping the children had made their distraction. 

A few seconds later, he stepped into the corner of the dungeon and gasped. He lost his footing and fell, landing with a curse. The dungeon was well lit on one side, with Taris bent on his knees, hanging by chains on his wrists under the light. The Kataraian could hear the shadow elf's rasping breath and could see the smoke rise from his black skin.

“Taris.” Envy grunted, trying to push himself up from the ground. Leaning on a table, then the wall, he succeeded. “Taris, you fool. Wake up.”

Taris managed to lift his head at the voice.
“Taris, wake up!”
He realized that he recognized the voice, “Envy…?” Coughs racked his body and blood splattered the floor. “What are you doing here? Aera…”
Envy cut him off, “She was taken, Taris, by my people. I need your help to get her back before it’s too late.”
Taris coughed again and spat more blood, “Need to get out of here first, Envy. And I’m in no condition to accomplish that right now.” Footsteps echoed in the hallway and they froze. “Get out of here, Envy,” the assassin said hoarsely, as the sound of the rusty lock echoed in the room. Unable to see, he didn’t know if the Kartaian did as he said.

Taris struggled to listen. The footsteps were different than the torturer’s heavy plod. He calmed his rattling breath. There were two sets of footsteps that he could distinguish, one light and refined, the other firm and practiced. The footsteps reached the room and echoed even louder. “So here is my brother’s killer. Rather sad sight, I must say.”

Taris forced a grin, “Princess Risa, I’d say it was nice to see you, but unfortunately I do not have use of my eyes currently. And you’ll forgive me if I cannot prostrate myself before you properly.” He rattled the chains on his arms. He fought through another coughing fit, carefully spitting to the side, “And I assume the one with you is Haxfur? I’m curious, how long has he been fucking you?”

A fist caught him in the stomach, and he retched. Risa laughed lightly, “Your charm is slipping… Taris, right? I suppose I can forgive it this once, given the circumstances.”
Taris was tired of blood in his mouth by now, “Why are you here, Risa?”
She laughed again, “Why, to thank you, of course! With my idiot brother dead, I’m next for the throne. You’ve saved me the trouble of getting him disavowed later. And the whore is gone too, so I won’t need to dirty my hands having her killed.”

Taris growled at her, “If you want to thank me, then you can release me.”
She seemed even more amused, “Oh I can’t have you running loose. The city wants your head on a pike, elf. And I see no reason to deny them.”
Now Taris laughed. It was a horrible sound. He grinned in the direction of her voice, “Is that so? You seem to forget that I AM an assassin. I get paid to kill people. That means there’s a client out there that wanted Kentaro dead…” He paused, letting his words sink in. “Who’s to say the client won’t have you killed next? Unless you can find out who the client is and have them killed first.” The sudden silence amused him, “It seems you understand, good girl. I propose a trade. You get rid of these damn lights, unbind me. I’ll tell you who the client is, even kill them for you. We go our separate ways, and never see each other again.”

There was a moment more of silence. Then Haxfur spoke, “I thought you worked for money, assassin.”
The elf smiled, “Ah, so it is you. Yes, I do get paid to kill. However, I’m rather attached to my life, and would consider it a fair trade.”
“Name the client then,” Haxfur said.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Taris said, with a shake of his head, “First a show of good faith. The lights.”

In a second the room was darkened, the only light coming from the torches flanking the door. “Name, elf.”
“I don’t have one, I only know where he fell in line for the throne before I began my work. He was thirteenth. Give me the name and he’s dead.”

There was a moment, and the manacles on his ankles and wrist were removed. The elf fell to the floor in an undignified heap. Risa spoke, but her voice had lost its air of innocence. Instead it was like ice, “His name is Por, Marquis of Erris. Kill him and be gone from the city.” She strode from the room, Haxfur on her heels.

Taris levered himself to his elbow with difficulty. Every inch of him felt seared, “Envy, help me up, and let’s get out of here.”

The Kartaian grunted from somewhere else and approached on unsteady feet. “Easier said than done, assassin.” Taris heard him crouch near his head. “I'm not good at the shadow walking thing.”
The Shadow Elf narrowed his unseeing eyes. “You should have thought about that before you came here, Envy.”
The tall elf gave a shrug. “Can you stand? Right in front of you, take my hand.” With effort the assassin raised his arm and clamped, groaning in pain. “Okay, I'm going to grab your other arm.”
The shadow elf clenched his jaw and screamed when Envy grabbed him and lifted him to his feet. “Open the shadows.” Taris shook, holding onto Envy's extended arm. “Don't argue, do it, or we're stuck here.”

Taris bared his teeth and gave it a shot, tearing his hand away from Envy's arm to open the shadows. The opening flickered Envy pushed through, half dragging Taris. When they stepped into the tunnels, Envy turned and grabbed Taris around his torso to keep the Shadow Elf from falling into the dirt. Taris yelled, his eyes rolling in pain. 
Frowning, Envy called out. Paget and Cainne appeared, their dresses still covered in blood, their faces frightened. “Bed, please. And where is Hadhen?”

“No.” Taris argued. 
Envy lowered his eyes to him with a frown. “You need to lie down.”
The Shadow Elf snarled. “No, I need to see her.” Envy's red eyes went to the girls, who stared back before giving a small nod. “Envy!” Taris pulled on his arm.
The huge elf heaved a sigh, wincing as his ribs expanded. “Alright, you stubborn assassin. Prepare the infirmary chamber, will you girls?” Holding one hand against the wall and the other arm out, he walked. His left hand gripped Tari's left wrist, where the shackles had been. Seemed to be the only place Envy could see that didn't look inflamed and angry. Around Envy's elbow was Taris' right hand, tight gripped and shaky as the darker elf worked to hold himself up. “Do want me to carry you?”
“Shut it.”
Envy grinned and twitched his eyebrow as Hadhen came running down the tunnel. “Taris, this is Hadhen.” The blue eyed blond stared at Taris with a confused look. “Tell him anything you need from your inn, he'll retrieve it.”
“Keep walking.” Taris hissed, keeping his feet moving. “Hadhen, is it? I know that name.”
“We met a few years back. I remember you, but not your name.”
The Shadow Elf nodded and Envy glared. Taris described what he needed from his room, his healing powders and clothes, and Hadhen nodded and vanished.
“How is it that you know Hadhen?” Envy inquired. 
“Envy...” Taris released the elf and dropped to his knees and vomited, his whole body convulsing. The Kartaian leaned against the wall, looking down at him. 
“Good?”
Taris gasped and heaved, lifting a shaking arm for Envy, who lifted him back to his feet. “I came with the other Shadow Elves a while back... when you needed the Guild's help.”
“Hm, as I remember, you needed my help.”
“You're going to argue?”
Envy shrugged and kept quiet until they entered the small ante-chamber where Arauka lay. 

Her body lay on a stone bed, wrapped tightly in a white sheet, and flowers, coins and toys lay around the floor, gifts the other children had brought to say their good-byes. Envy stopped and held his arm forward, telling Taris where she was.

Taris stumbled forward, only a vague blur to guide him. Halfway across the room he stumbled to his knees. He tried to push himself back up, half crawling to her. His hands found the sheet she was wrapped in. A sob tore from him, and he was surprised. He hadn’t cried in over a century, since he’d found Layne dead. “Arauka, I’m so sorry. I failed you.”

He pulled her head to his chest and held her there for a long while. He let himself go, letting the tears fall freely. A pair of small arms hugged him, and a pair of larger ones, but when he raised a hand to where they were he felt nothing. Layne and Arauka. “I’m so sorry, both of you.” He sat there for several minutes, until the tears stopped.

“Envy,” he called softly.
A rustle to the side, “Yes Taris?”
The assassin nodded, figuring the Kartaian would still be there. “I’m going to give her a burial,” he said, his tone implying he would not be dissuaded.
Envy said nothing for a moment, looking around at the walls. “Taris, we’re surrounded by stone, and you are in no condition to dig a grave, or even travel.”

Taris shook his head, “Watch, Envy. I know more about the Shadow than almost anyone alive.” He reached out with his Other senses, feeling for the cold void of shadow. The closest was behind the stone bed Arauka’s body lay on. He focused his effort, pulling the darkness to him. The shadow stretched and contorted, then became like water, sliding over Arauka’s body like cloth. Slowly it covered her legs, body, and last, her head and face. The shadow lifted into the air pulling the body up inside of it. She floated for a second, and the shadow dissolved, leaving nothing behind.

Taris struggled up, physically and emotionally exhausted. “Run a bath, Envy, and bring my powder when Hadhen gets back. I need to heal before my entire body scars over.” He walked back towards Envy, holding his arm for guidance only. The assassin was determined to walk on his own.

Envy led him to another chamber, calling for Paget to run the bath. He handed Taris off to Cainne as Hadhen returned, giving her the jar of powder as well, “Go with her, Taris, and bathe. She’ll handle your needs. When you’re done I have a bed prepared, you need to rest.”

Taris nodded, too tired to speak more. The woman led him to the bath, asking, “How much do I put in?”
“All of it,” Taris answered. He tugged the tie holding his pants up, and climbed in. The powder immediately tingled against his skin and light sparks played in the water. The assassin slid his head underneath the water, keeping his eyes open. If he had any hope of seeing again, he needed the water to reach his eyes.

Several minutes later he stood, Cainne and Paget helping him out and giving him a towel. After drying himself gently, they led him to his bed. Taris fell into it gratefully, asleep within moments.

”Do it.”
“No.”
A pause. “Do it.”
“No!”
“Push her.”
“No! Please don't-” There was a gasp, followed by blood curling screams.
“The more you fight us, Princess, the more painful this will be.”
Sobs could be heard, a woman coughing through her tears.
“Again.” 
“No.... please...”
More screams. “Don't!” A thud of a body hitting the ground. “Ah, dammit. Remove him. Do it again.”
“How long?” Asked a male voice over the shrill screams of a woman.
“As long as she fights.”
“Then she's mine.”
Vier'na smiled. “Yes, Drugan. Then she's yours.” She turned her head. “So, friend. How much more of this do you think she has in her?”
Bright blue eyes glared back as another scream broke through the air.

---

Envy's eyes snapped open as he woke, beads of sweat running down his cheek. He was sitting up in the infirmary chamber, leaning back against the cold stone wall. The whole of his body was shaking, and he couldn't decide if it was his nightmare or the damned poison. The little antidote had blocked the brunt of it, but he was still struggling with controlling his body, unable to do much more then sleep and sweat.
He lifted his hand and wiped his face. His nightmare had seemed so real. The sounds... her screams still echoed in his head.

Groggy, he turned his head and saw the pitcher of water on the table beside a glass. His arm went out and, in his weak clumsiness, knocked the glass to the ground where it shattered. Frowning, he stared at the pitcher, willing it to magically hydrate his parched throat.
Then he noticed Taris' red eyes blinking at him. “Assassin.”
The other elf frowned. “Envy?” His sight was still incredibly blurry. “You know that its creepy, you just sitting there.” The dark elf chuckled, bringing on a thick, rattling cough, his whole body jolting. “What's wrong with you?” Taris glared.
Envy rested his arm across his forehead. “Sibling hatred.” He answered shortly. The wound on his shoulder was healing nicely, but the one in his ribcage from Vier'na's blade was inflamed and angry. “How do you feel?”
The shadow elf was silent for a bit. “Better.” Gingerly, he lifted himself up, testing his mobility. He felt something crack on his skin and he blinked, touching his arm.
“Took the liberty...” Envy panted. “..of allowing Cainne to-” he choked. “Salve.” He motioned weakly to the dried green paste that cracked on Taris' skin. Paget came in, hearing Envy's coughs and fetched another glass, pouring him water and holding it up to him, then offered another to Taris. They both drank deeply. “Thank you.” He gave her an appreciative smile. She handed him a dry cloth and swept up the broken glass and left again.

“Business, Taris. You've got to get better.” He wiped the dry cloth across his face, moping up the sweat. “I've got to get better. And we've got to get Aera back.”
He noted the pained look on Taris' face. “Yea, about that, Envy, explain to me how she got taken?” There was an obvious hint of irritation in his voice.
“Long story.” He paused, unsure about how much of herself Aera had told the assassin. Or how much he knew about her through his contacts. “When she was younger, she killed one of their princes. Fellow named Ferân. Killed a few of them, the group of them that were kidnapping children throughout the realm. It was when they learned about her curse.” Taris noted the way he spoke about the Kartaians, disassociating himself with them. “From then on, she was something they wanted.

“I put a ward on her earrings. Those teardrops she always wears. To keep them from finding her. When she removed them, she exposed herself. After that they were just waiting for a decent distraction.” He frowned, knowing that it couldn't have been that simple. There was more to them finding her, but he couldn't figure that out. His thoughts were muddled under the fever. 

Taris listened intently. Something still seemed off. They’d need some idea about where Aera was first, to begin their search once the ward was gone. He frowned in thought, unless the Kartaians’ lair was nearby, they’d likely need an informant in the city. The assassin brought a hand to his face, all this was giving him a headache.

At least his skin seemed to be healing up quickly, another night’s sleep should see him healed. But his eyes were another matter. Everything was blurs still. Even after the healing powder in the bath, Taris could only hope he’d get full use of his eyes. His magic was even tapped out trying to heal them, already. The Shadow Elf tried to focus a little more on the dark elf across the room, before the pain caused him to fall back onto the bed.

He turned his head back in Envy’s direction, keeping his eyes closed. “We need a plan. We need to heal. We need to know where they are. I need to know more about your kind. And yes Envy, I know you distance yourself from them, but they remain your kin. And you need to realize, to get her back safely, I will kill everyone there. So I hope that ‘sibling hatred’ is mutual, my friend.”

He sank deep into thought. Something nagged at the back of his mind. That tingle the other night, after Aera had left. It made sense to him now, he'd felt them in the shadows. He felt guilty. He never should have let her leave. Moreover, he should have just killed that bastard Kentaro, instead of letting his ego get in the way. He could have protected her. The assassin growled and the darkness crawled out from under his bed, swirling around his hands.

Far off in the castle, his daggers flashed, and the black of the blades pulsed. Slowly, the blackness shifted, tearing away from the blades leaving them completely silver for a moment, before settling over them. The shadow pulsed once, and dissolved, leaving nothing.

Taris held his arms out the shadows swirling faster. There was a thump that was more felt than heard, and Taris was holding his blades. “Hello my angels,” He whispered, and the blades seemed to hum in his hands. “We’re going to spill much blood, soon.” At his words the blades gave off a singing sounds, as if they themselves were happy. Taris had a thought, “There will likely be many of them, dozens I’m guessing, and I don’t want to take any chances getting Aera out. Do you know anybody else who can fight? Like that one you sent to look in my head?” He grimaced at the memory, “What about him? Can he fight?"

Envy's eyes narrowed at the assassin when he pulled his weapons from the shadow. It made him a bit uneasy. He'd seen it in his own people, but the way the Shadow Elf had much more control made Envy weary. 

A plan. “Huh, well, fixing ourselves comes first. Just enough to where we can move. Or in your case, see.” It was clear the elf was having trouble focusing. He sighed, fighting the urge to cough again. “The sibling hatred is mutual.” He offered, his hand going up to his maimed ear. Vier'na had done that to him before he'd left them, had taken her jagged tooth dagger to him, declaring him a traitor. It had been a pain he'd never experienced before, and his sister used to torture him constantly, so that was saying a lot. Even now, all these years later, it burned and pained under his touch. “Kill as much of them as you want.”

“Do you know anybody else who can fight?”
Envy frowned when Taris brought up Ruli. “He may help. Mostly for me, then for Aera. They don't work well together, after they effected one another.” He grimaced at the memory. “But he'll do as I ask. I'll send word.” He leaned toward the pitcher and poured himself more water, his throat dry. “He can fight, and fight well. He was my best until Aera came long and knocked him to the ground.” Envy smiled. “You should have seen it, Assassin. She was barely alive, could barely hold herself up. Looked kind of like you, with the squinting and headaches. And in a matter of seconds, he was on his back in the mud with a broken nose and a knife at his throat. She just stood over him and smiled.” The Kartaian chuckled and flew into another coughing fit, bending forward to be sick over the edge of the bed, shaking. “Nng.” He groaned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before he lay down, covering his face with his arms. He was so long his legs fell over the end of the bed frame. “Other than him, Russel and Hadhen might want to join. They like Aera, and loved Arauka. But they're young, I'm not sure I want them to come along.”

Envy wheezed, sweat running down his sides, as he focused on talking. “I can lead you to where they are, possibly where they'll keep her, but it wont be easy. They'll know I'm coming, at least, and put more wards up around her.” He turned his head and peaked at the Shadow Elf from between his arms. “Hear me, Taris. We need to get to her fast. I know what they wanted her for, and, as strong as Aera is, she won't be able to fight for long.”

Taris nodded in thought. “Fast won’t be a problem. Just stay close behind me, Envy, and tell me where you think they’d hold her. I’ll clear the way. You and whoever comes with us, I want you to get her and get out. I’ll draw them off.” He became quiet for a moment, and Envy straightened at the sudden stillness. “Envy… I’m not sure I want to know for certain, what they’re doing to her… My mind is supplying bad enough images, and it is becoming difficult to contain myself.”

“Envy, Aera means everything to me. Everything. My powers, well, to be plain, my skills with the shadows likely far outstrip yours and likely those of any of your race. There is one thing I can do that no other of my kind has ever been able to achieve, and live. I’ve let Shadow become a part of me, before. The results weren’t pretty, but it was effective.”

The dark elf pondered this for a moment, “Could you do it again, Taris?”

He breathed quietly for a while, trying to calm himself, all the while his daggers were humming softly. Images flashed in his mind, of back then. Back when Layne was killed. He remembered the shadows entering him, the total control of the void he wielded for the short time. He remembered also, the nearly irresistible feeling of pleasure that it gave him. That it nearly consumed his being, nearly devoured his mind and soul. But there was little choice, this time. The Shadow Elf knew of no other way to ensure her safety. The Lady of Shadows granted him her favor back then, without him asking for it. This time, he would.

He would master the Shadow for Aera.

Taris lay back down on the bed, wanting the healing sleep brought with it. The assassin looked over towards the blur that was Envy, “I’m going to warn you, Envy. When we do this, it will not be nice, and I may not seem like myself.” He sighed, “I will call my Mistress to me, and she will change me. It will be… shocking, in the least. I need to know that you will keep focused on the mission. But yes, I can do it again, Envy.”

Envy peered at him for a few seconds further before he left this head fall to the bed again. He was exhausted. 

“I won't tell you anything you don’t need to know, Assassin.” He offered softly. Even Envy didn't want to think about it, but he knew, despite trying to unsee it. 

Instead, he tried to imagine this... shadow Taris spoke of. The idea of it seemed helpful, but the tone in the Shadow Elf's voice... Envy could tell it wasn't something he was entirely willing to do. Only that, for Aera, he would. “It may not be necessary, Taris, don't get ahead of yourself. Theres a chance we can do this without.” Shakily, he sighed. “Taris, what you need is to keep your head. They're going to try their hardest to piss you off. Make you lose your sure footing. If you do, they'll win. They feed off of anger.” Nauseous, he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the curiosity of how they were going to get to Aera. “For her sake, Assassin... Taris. Keep a level head.”

The Shadow Elf didn't respond. Envy, unwilling to uncover his eyes and look, assumed the elf was sleeping. A good idea. Envy relaxed and quickly fell into a feverish sleep. 

What seemed like days later, Envy woke. His fever had broken, and he felt normal, despite being thirsty enough to drink a lake. He sat up and flinched, the stab wound on his ribcage still tender. With a breathe, he stretched, testing his aching limbs. 
Taris was still asleep, but was finally wearing clothes again. He must have woken and dressed at some point. On quiet feet, Envy left him to his slumber, seeking Paget. When he walked out into the training room, Hadhen had the younger children running through routine. The blond boy turned and grinned. “You're awake.”
“So it would seem.” Envy replied. His red eyes scanned the children. “We need to talk.”
Hadhen shook his head. “No need. We're going.”
The elf looked back at him. “Are you now?”

The young man crossed his arms and planted his feet. “We over heard you two. You're going after those ...” He paused, remembering Envy was one of them. “We want in.”
“Who is we?”
“Me and Russel. Cainne wanted to go, but we knew you'd shoot her down.” Envy said nothing. “Aera is our friend, and Arauka was one of us. Permission or not, we're going to follow.”
The elf shrugged. “That depends on the Shadow Elf, Hadhen. He may need to take us with his shadow walking. I don't know how many he can drag through.”
Visibly, Hadhen was disappointed. Envy patted his shoulder. “Don't lose hope yet, Hay. Work on the kids. I have something to take care of.”

He went into his chamber and pulled out one of the stones in the wall, revealing a hidden hole. Inside were a few trinkets he'd brought from his home. Their home, more like. This was his home. He stared, wondering which one to use to get him and Taris back.

Taris first waking thought was that he could see. His second was that he could see, barely. He swung his legs off the bed, finding it strange that Envy was gone. The Kartaian seemed the type to make sure he was there as you woke up just to make you uncomfortable. No matter, the assassin was restless, he needed to do something besides lay there. He opened the shadows, noticing that the wards in the city had gone.

He stepped out into the training room, noticing Envy leaving on the other side of the room. He grabbed a spare bow and quiver and placed himself in front of a target. He could make out the colors of the rings now at least, which was promising. He waved a hand over the arrows, turning the fletching a bright yellow that stood out in his damaged sight. The assassin nocked an arrow and drew back, sighting as best he could. The arrow flashed out and struck nowhere near the center.

Taris grunted, but he’d expected no different. He ran through his arrows, one-by-one, aware that halfway through the quiver Hadhen had stepped up behind him and was waiting. He fired every arrow from the quiver, each shot getting closer to the bull’s-eye. He set the bow and empty quiver on a table and turned to face the blond boy. “You want something from me, Hadhen?” he asked curtly.

The young man stiffened but stayed in place, “Russel and I, we’re coming too. Aera’s been our friend for a long time.”
The shadow elf considered his words a moment before answering, “And what makes you think I’m going to take you with me? I’m not going to deliver you to your deaths, so unless you can show me that you can stand up to trained killers then you are not coming, period.”

Hadhen bristled slightly at his words, “I can shoot better than you, right now.”
Taris laughed aloud, and Russel came over at the sound. He wiped his eyes and he grabbed a pair of daggers. The elf magically blunted the edges and tossed them to the two boys. He held his hands out and his daggers appeared in them. He gestured and a shimmering barrier blunted his blades as well, “We’ll be underground likely, arrows will do little good. You want to prove that you can hold your own? Come at me and try to land a hit.”

The two pleasantly surprised him by launching at him immediately. The assassin let his ears guide his movements more than his eyes, dancing around their strikes. A few steps back and a swift strike with both of his blades, and their daggers clattered on the floor. “You have to do better.”
They picked the blades up and came on again, moving quicker, but just as controlled. Taris spun, ducked and parried, “Better, but still not enough.” He struck out, stinging blows on their ribs. He grimaced, “Come on, do you want to help save her or not?”
They growled and attacked anew, and Taris had to move even faster. The two moved as a team, striking well, getting closer and closer to making a hit on him. The assassin grinned and sped his own strikes and parries. Still they came on, faster and faster, playing off each other’s movements. After several minutes Taris ducked inside their reach and punched out with the hilts of his dagger, knocking their blades out of their hands once more.

He sheathed his daggers. “Very good. We will train more every day until we can leave, and if I find your progress satisfactory, then yes I will bring you.” The elf turned and walked out heading off to find Envy.

Envy held the small blade in one hand and pressed against the palm of his other and took a breath. It was one of those forsaken jagged tooth blades the Kartaians carried. This one had been his, made from the teeth of his first kills, chiseled to points by his child self and melted together with lumpy iron. He'd been too impatient to let the iron melt completely before he'd insisted on giving it to the blade. 
He'd never wanted to see the blade again, but in order to pin the closest location to shadow walk to, he needed something from the depths of Carantathkartai. And, Kartaian blood.

With a face as straight as he could keep it, he clenched his fist and pulled the blade through his grip, hearing the skin and bone grind. He bristled and bared his teeth.
“Envy!” 
Dropping the blade into the bowl, the Kartaian turned to see Taris standing with a shocked look on his face. “Assassin.” he said simply through the pain. The Shadow Elf walked up and peered into the bowl before which Envy stood. The odd assortment of objects resting in it, a black feather, a piece of coal and a finger bone, to name a few, were crimson with the elf's dark blood. Envy offered an explanation without being asked. “They set up wards against shadow walking a ways out, and beyond that, spells to make you afraid. If you get caught in the spells, they feel it, like a spider feels a moth in its web, and they come. We need to avoid those, and get as close as possible.
"If I did this right, I should now be able to get as underground, hidden from their spells.” His red eyes landed on Taris'. “It will take more energy from you, though, but, its all shadow. They live in the dark. You should have no problem …. working.” He grimaced.
Taris took Envy's hand and held his own over it, his fingers beginning to shimmer. There was a small hesitation, as Taris wasn't his whole self yet, but after a moment, the skin of the Kartaian's hand began to press itself back, the torn tendons and muscle beneath sealing together. When it was done, Envy wiped his other thumb across his palm, smearing the blood over where the wound had just been. 

“Did you talk to Russel and Hadhen?” Envy asked to break the silence. He bent to level his head with the shorter elf and thrust his thumb against his eyebrow to peer into Taris' eye. The assassin's arm flew up and knocked Envy's arm away with a dirty look. Envy smirked and moved away, sitting on the bed. “We can leave as soon as you think they're ready.” He put his head in his large hands, ignoring the blood that was now on his forehead. “I don't want her in there anymore, Taris. I'm dreaming about it. Which may be my sisters doing. I don't know. But... I can hear her.” He lifted his head and gazed at the darker elf, his expression full of agony. His lips parted like he was going to say more, but he just shook his head.

Taris just growled at Envy’s words and his eyes flashed with an intense luminescence briefly. His already strained self-control snapped and his dagger flashed out, carving a gouge in the stone more than a foot long. For just a moment his skin looked the color of reddish ash and the image of a wolf’s head appeared over the assassin’s face. Then it was gone and he collapsed to his knees, “Envy, if you are sure about that…. I can’t leave her with them any longer. I need to go now, Envy.” His voice trembled in pain.

Envy shook his head. “If you go now assassin, you will die, and she’ll never get out. It hurts me just as much to hold you back, but I’m no fool. I need you to get her out, because I’m not strong enough on my own, or with anyone else. I know you better than you think, Taris, you revel in the violence of killing. I can see it in your face when you hold your blades.”

Taris slammed a fist into the ground, but the Kartaian continued on, “No Taris, listen. She is strong, they will try to break her spirit but she is strong. It will take time. I… don’t like to think about what they might be doing, and just hearing her is more torturous than I think actually seeing it. But it is for that reason that I need you to be healed before we attempt this.”

The assassin’s body sagged in defeat, his face a mask of anguish, as Envy’s words took root and the taller elf felt a moment of pity for him. “Damn it all to the Void, Envy, I know you are right. And I hate you for it right now, you know?” Taris told him. His other fist hit the ground, “Fine, but Russel and Hadhen aren’t fit for this as they stand. I told them I’d train with them, but if I push them too hard I could leave them too exhausted to fight with us. Or worse. It’s just not enough time. Where is the other guy that left the wheat in my pocket, have you sent for him yet?”

Envy’s brow furrowed. “I have, but there’s been no word back yet,” he paused with a thought, “How long do you think your eyes will need before they are healed, assassin?”
“I think three, maybe four days, given their improvement so far.”
“I will help train them, and find Ruli, then. Get some food, Cainne will see to your needs. I… need to finish with this spell.”

Taris stood and looked at the tall elf a moment more before walking out. He knew the other was right about everything, but that still didn’t make it easy to stomach. After eating, he trained with the others working them until they could barely stand, and then training himself even more. It became the routine for the next two days. Wake, train the others, train while they rested, train them more, eat, train, rest, train, heal, sleep.

On the third day Taris woke early. His sight was much improved, another day would see it completely restored. But he felt uneasy, he worried about Aera. Every minute without her was pure torture for him, and he was terrified he might be too late. He needed to kill, and he’d promised an assassination in exchange for his freedom.

The Erris Estate was a dozen miles outside the city, but a quick jaunt through the shadows brought him to the manor grounds. The sun had not yet risen and the place was still fairly quiet. A scry through a nearby shadow located the target, an overweight middle-aged man. Taris decided to forego the darkness and nimbly scaled the wall by hand to the third floor balcony. He picked the locks on the glass door and swung it open, nearly laughing that the well-oiled hinges were nearly silent.

Taris padded across the room to where the man slept on the bed, a young woman still in her teens lay beside the Marquis staring off into nothing, wearing naught but a thin shift that revealed more than it hid. He had seen the same look in broken whores outside of seedy brothels in many towns, and the sight always disturbed him. Focusing on the Marquis, he clapped a hand over the man’s mouth and hauled him upright. The assassin conjured black flames around his body and gave his voice a demonic edge, “So sorry to disturb your rest, sir. But I’ve been made a better offer to end your contracts, at the source.”

His dagger flashed out, the pommel stunning the nobleman’s vocal chords. The assassin gagged him for good measure, and painfully began his work.

Soon enough, the sun rose over the horizon just as Taris stepped into shadow. Left behind in the room, the Marquis’ skin hung from the bedposts, his flayed body pieced apart at every major joint was scattered over the room. And still the broken girl lay on the bed, oblivious even when the maid’s scream roused the manor to a frenzy…