Time: Dusk
Location: Roshimi City
“What about the trainer?” Leandron asked as he stood beside Xenelith. Who was overlooking a giant map of Roshimi. It covered several tables put together. The noble’s house had been far more active in dusk than during the day. Threats had grown more serious. Far away from the richer district, the guard barracks had exploded with activity. Every guard got his call of duty. They were all arming themselves to enact Xenelith’s plan: to capture the worst criminals in the darkest streets and bring them to justice. Rebel or loyalist, this night it didn’t matter. The people that would be dragged in were the scum of the earth. Animals whose hands were covered in the blood of all innocents. They wouldn’t be missed.
Still, that left the question of the Usagi family. The mother had been called to the nobleman’s house under the pretense to explain her son’s behavior. Xenelith couldn’t care less for her excuses. He did not intend to talk to her. Instead, he wanted to pass a message.
“Tell the woman-“ He stopped for a moment. To any lesser man, the next words would be tantamount to treason.
“Tell her that her son must finish the act. When Terneus is dead, his treason will come to light and the Usagi family’s sins will be forgiven.”If Leandron was surprised by the message, he didn’t show it. “Anything else, sir?”
"No, leave me now. I have other business to attend to." Xenelith said. Leandron gave him a small nod in acknowledgment and went to talk with the trainer. Xenelith's gaze returned to the map before him. He hunched over it. Risa had been spotted various times throughout the day. In fact, it gave her an alibi for the assassination attempt. Perhaps she was looking for Terneus then? Or was she simply roaming the city, gathering supporters? The paths she took, it all looked so erratic. So casual. As if she was prey unconcerned by the hunter. Was she truly so oblivious? No, no she couldn't be. He wouldn't allow her to underestimate her. Still, the very sight of it all vexed him. They were so close. So damned close. Yet impossible to catch. It no longer mattered if they found the house she stayed at or not. He couldn't break down any more doors after tonight. It would disrupt the fragile peace he will have made. That failure left a bitter taste in his mouth though. The clock struck its hour, marking the start of his operation. Yet he had other business to attend to. He rose up and walked away. Leaving the table with black, smoldering marks where his hands once were.
The city-guard captains had been gathered in a small room. Many of them were rather annoyed. How dared a common upstart summon them? And then worse, keep them waiting!? Half of them were veterans of the war a century ago. And since then, they had kept the peace in an animalistic city like Roshimi. At any cost necessary. What would a fledgling dark elf know about that? Of course, the murmur of complaints instantly died down when Xenelith entered the room.
"Sit down." He commanded, motioning to the chairs surrounding the central table. Halastra was already rising. The room had no hearth to be lit, nor candles. Instead, the purple hue of the goddess filled the room. The captains did as they were commanded. Though Xenelith remained standing at the head of the table.
"Now someone explain to me how a rebel princess slipped through the gates. No, first, someone tell me how a venerable governor of our great lord could nearly get killed in your city!" Xenelith did not blunt his words. There was real anger on his face. The captains quickly realized what sort of a meeting it would be. The guilty one would be hunted.
They turned on each other within seconds. Yelling across the table at one another, passing the blame and responsibility. For a good minute, Xenelith let them verbally devour themselves.
"Silence." He then yelled across the room. The captains did not listen though. So he slammed his fist on the table.
"Silence!" The room fell still in an instant.
"I don't care who failed what task." He began.
"You're all to blame. I have walked this city for barely two days and I can see the putrid rot of corruption around every corner. How many bribes have you taken, or allowed to pass? How many times have your guards turned a blind eye? I should kill half of you for treason." He spat his words and his eyes betrayed a literal truth behind his threat. To him, they had become weak and fat. Being so far from Aklenroth and Daka had turned them soft. To Xenelith, few things were more ugly than a soft, fat, weak dark elf.
He began to walk around the table. The faces of the captains followed him. Many with angry scowls. One spoke: "What do you know of our plight? We have kept Roshmi safe for a century!" He exclaimed. Xenelith pounced next to him.
"Safe? You call Roshmi today safe?" He stared the dark elf captain in the eyes and inched closer. Pushing him deeper into this chair.
"The word human is uttered and a house burns down within minutes. A governor was attacked in broad daylight, a rebel princess is still at large and you will tell me this city is safe!?" He pulled away from the captain to look at the others across the room.
"This city is not safe."One dark elf captain got up to protest. But Xenelith cut him off:
"Sit! Down!" He stared the captain down again. Who swallowed his words. But apparently one had learned his listen yet. He got up to speak but Xenelith wouldn't have it. He kicked the chair. The dark elf's legs were swept from under him. His head hit the table. Then Xenelith grabbed him and pushed him hard against it.
"I am done with your petty defenses." He said. Something dark and deep told him to finish it. To drain the life from the elf and let his hollow husk fall to the floor. To make an example of him. It would work. The others would behave. But at what cost? They were not yet ready.
He released the man, who managed to sit back into his chair.
"No more bribes. No more blind eyes. If I find one of your underlings show anything less than a veteran warrior's backbone I will flay him and kill you. Now leave."The captains got up. Most of them were angry and defiant. He would have to kill one of them for sure. That would be the worst of his tasks: to kill his own kin when needed. Xenelith took no pleasure in killing another dark elf. But he had done it before. He would do anything to safeguard his people. He would make any sacrifice. Even if he had to become a kinslayer.
