Phoenix

Chapter 2

   The crows flew down clapping their wings and croaking like crazy, whole clouds of feathers were falling down. They looked at she-elf with flashing, scarlet eyes. The birds were so unnatural that could have feared anyone, with all the grave sound that they made. Or almost anyone. Nyx stood there looking at cloud of birds falling on her with her hood blown down by wind made by their wings. Her short, dark brown hair covered eyes but still there could be seen pale skin and dark blue almost black lips (Strange tradition for assassins). Her face was firm and calm, almost ice cold.

   And then when the claws of a first bird almost touched her head she spoke softly. It wasn't more that whisper but even in this quiet tone it sounded forceful.

   "Noks."

   With this one word birds stopped their flight and turned into cloud of ash, that was blown away by soft breeze in same moment. It had bad smell as any magic substance after destroying, sometimes this smell could even be the weapon itself, many fell unconscious only thanks to it...

   Nyx swiped it off from her shoulders and walked forward hurriying while magic trap haven't been set up again. She had no wish to face crows second time. Elf pulled the steal gates opening them and stepped inside castle, muttering something under her breath. Though she fell silent in same moment as her feet touched same black stone again, only here it seemed smoother.

  Very strange view opened to her gaze. I mean strange for someone other that could have walked in this place. Children, youth and rare adults walking around with stone hard faces. Rare discussions took place here, there were more glares and stealthy whispers. Different blinks of polished metal could be seen in pale hands, sharp blades were fancied here. Though not only them... They all seemed to ignore that fact that the she elf entered. She tried to ignore them.

   When Nyx started to walk between them their reactions were very different. Children seemed to not notice her at all, when they looked at her direction it seemed that they see only empty space. Youths saw her but only like tiny shadow, some of them looked at her few times but then their eyes traveled away again. On other hand adults seemed to see female perfectly, some even nodded or grinned at her but nothing more.

   Nyx was heading to doors of dark mansion in front of her and like any assasin that had at least little self respect she used all her skills to hide from gaze of others. It is bad tone for assasin to get seen by anyone else than other assasin while being in work clothing. Nobody really knows why, but assasins have archived greatness in bidding from all kinds of beings except, of course, magical creatures that never fall for illusions.

   While then Nyx already had reached doors made from black, polished wood. They had silver initials of school on them. After glancing at other elves one last time she turned around and opened doors, stepping inside. Her gaze traveled around room, finall she threw hair off from her face and letting herself relax a little. Though in next second her figure seemed tense again. Her emerald eyes almost shined in magic lights of empty room. She ran up small stairs quickly not giving first floor even one more look, she had been here far too often.

   In second floor there was only one door made from same dark wood as door through which she entered. Only this one didn't have any letters only simple silver circle. Nyx stood in front of these doors for few moments, at some moment it almost seemed that she stopped to breathe. Then somebody from inside of room spoke.

   "Enter!"

   Voice sounded calm but had some tones of amusement in it. She elf fully ignored it and entered room keeping her calm facial expression. At this point it looked far too unnatural. She allowed herself to give room fast look admining same shelfs and chairs that she remembered. Then her gaze found man standing at window, looking right in her eyes. Man had short gray hair, pale skin and two piercing black eyes.

   "Welcome, Nyx. I've been waiting for you... It took longer time for you to get here then I supposed."

   Man spoke again looking at her with slight smile crossing his lips.

   "Master Zaywulon, please excuse me. I traveled from East lands of Humans and-"

   "Enough!"

   Man raised hand and Nyx stopped talking in same moment. Oldest master of Assasins Zaywulon didn't need to do anything special. People felt fear near him even without knowing who he is.

   "Please sit down. I need to talk with you about serious matter."

   Now his voice sounded softer. Female assasin sat down on nearest chair slightly nervous, she couldn't truly hide her emotions anymore.

   "Have you heard rumors that travel around lately?"

   Zaywulon asked sitting down as well still looking right in eyes of she-elf.

   "Rumors master? About North clan and their plans about Impery?"

   Male shook head softly.

   "No... I have no interest in wars between shape shifters. I'm talking about things that happened in Great North Forest near temple of Kwetlan."

   Nyx looked at him for a moments slightly confused and surprised in same time.

   "If you're talking about those tales then..."

   "Oh believe me those are not tales. That's why I've called you here."

   "I will complete my duty and serve Academy."

   Nyx said these words quickly, but without real tone. She had said this phrase so many times...

   Zaywulon nodded slowly giving brief look to window behind him.

   "Good. Very good. Then know and this time believe, Nyx assasin of our land's blood. Phoenix has returned."