.The Shadow Knight.

-18-

"You've been all summoned her for a reason." Elise said.

All the guards of the night patrol were called forth, standing in the inner court where I saw them train the first time, each standing a meter away from the next one, none aware Rain and Sel froze all the exits closed so there was no escape.

All the rest of the guards were gathered on an upper level walkway to watch this.

"Some of your betrayed me last night." She said.

A mutter was heard, all confused about what happened.

"You point to each and do tell us girl." Elise said.

I had her walk ahead of me, walking down the line of soldiers before stopping at the third from the right.

I pulled my katana out and thrusted it through his neck, causing an uproar of confused screams as I glared at the surprised man that spat blood and slowly reached upwards towards his neck before I yanked my blade out and his body collapsed, twitching.

"Some of you were paid to let an assassin through the gates but she failed and in exchange for her life she is giving us yours, if she is the one to point out you were the one you shall die, if you try to stop justice from being brought you shall die but if you denounce yourself you won't be killed by my shadow." Elise explained it coldly to the knights.

The assassin pointed at two and before they could react I slashed their heads off their necks.

"The time is passing dear knights, death is approaching you fast."

She pointed at one that tried to run, I whipped a throwing knife at him, he screamed as it stabbed through the back of his thigh.

"NO PLEASE HAVE MERCY!!" He yelled as I gripped his head and pulled it back, slashing his throat and dropping the corpse.

"I am really disappointed many are ready to betray me, should I replace all of you? It wouldn't be hard after all, not with my allies, the silver dragon would gladly burn all heathens that took part in endangering her blood-heir's life."

The assassin was raising her hand again but the knight dropped to his knees before she could have pointed him out, followed by two more.

"Are these all?" The assassin nodded. "Good little boys, my shadow won't kill you.... Guards take them to the torture chambers!!"

"You said you wouldn't kill us!!" One yelled as he was grabbed.

"I hate repeating myself.... I said my shadow wouldn't kill you, nothing else, now bring them away."

I watched them scream and weep as they were brought away.

"This is a lesson to all those against the empress!!" I declared loudly, raising my bloody blade to the sky. "She has her weapon, magic and shield but her shadow is what you should fear as there is always a shadow looming be it day or night and the shadows know of all and a shadow exists even when the empress isn't here."

"You heard my dear shadow, from now on you'll answer to her, she'll shake you into shape you sons of whores, now scurry before I do something."

---------------------------------------------------

I was given time off before we'd interrogate the knights to see if they knew anything before executing them, the torture wouldn't be long as it was most likely nothing that they could tell us.

I had decided to head to my room after getting a few files on the knights, Elise had given them too me to shape up after all and I had a little idea.

I flipped through the pages as I sat on my bed, looking not for the strongest nor one of the rare with wild magic, no I looking for the most loyal.

I am no longer a shadow knight but it has been what I live to be so there was only one thing to do, create my own sub-group of knights that hide in the shadows, I cannot train them from young age but if I can ever pass down a bit of my knowledge and skills Elise would have great knights at her service.... Some royal guards.

I found a few that would fit the criteria set out by me, I plan on teaching them separately about the arts of being people's shadow because this empire needs them.

I sighed and set down the papers and stood up, walking to the window and staring out it, I miss my given life and homeland but I cannot go back in time and try to refuse.

My poor father, he'll grieve me, not knowing why I don't show up to my rare visits and no way of knowing, burying my memories in a grave where my dead body should rest as I am dead to Solor tho I never really existed.

"You seem lost in many thoughts little miss knight."

"Elise." I said while turning to face her.

"Stop that." She said gently with a shake of her head.

"Stop what?" I asked as she stepped closer.

"Pulling yourself straight whenever you see me."

"I do not."

"Maybe not consciously I give you that." She pushed on my chest with her fingers, making my relax my muscles and letting my shoulders drop, she nodded at that. "But you always react like a soldier, between these walls we are not shadow and empress I hope you are aware right? I hate repeating myself."

"I apologies Elise."

"You know I never saw someone like you." Her hand reached up and grabbed a longer strand of my hair and pulled it up, letting it flow through her fingers. "The white of the snow covering the land you come from all year long, you know I always wanted to visit, it said it is beautiful."

"And dangerous Elise, unlike here, magic is accessible to many and more spirits roam the land as the gate between worlds is on Solor ground."

"I know that little miss knight." I am a simple knight compared to her so I never stopped her from tracing her hand down my arm, while I was staring at her eyes she was staring at her own hand, even through the cloth layer her touch left a tingle behind, lucky me my col was rolled up enough to hide my blushing cheeks. "I was taught a lot of things."

"I never said the opposite."

"You are fascinating."

"And you change subject a lot."

"Did you say something?" She finally looked up to my eyes.

"I'd never dare Elise."

"I really like you." She grinned. "For your mind, skills or body, I cannot lie that was why I chose you from the knights offered to me by the silver and purple queens but I very much enjoy the personality that came with it."

"Thank you."

"Go find out what those knights know little miss knight, after that is done come to my chambers, you can do that can't you?"

"Of course."

"Good... Now go, I'll be waiting for you."

"Right away."