Throne of Blood

Part I Chapter 10

Ilor stared at the freshly engraved mark imprinted on his chest. He traced his fingers around the circle and winced at the pain it still caused him. He could still remember the vivid events that had transpired just the day before. The standing before the Night Thorns, hearing that he must join them, and then the branding of his flesh. The hot metal melting away his skin as it permanently marked him before he faded into unconsciousness.

The crescent moon and thorn created a bright red mark as the wound was attempting to heal. Suddenly Stephen entered the room once again completely unexpected and completely care free of the curtesy of knocking. He was again carrying a bowl of soup which he handed to Ilor and told the boy to eat and when he was ready to return to the council chambers where he would be instructed on what to do next. Ilor quickly responded in agreement to the old man as he turned his attention to the soup before greedily eating the entire bowl. Upon finishing the bowl he noticed that his burn had suddenly ceased its stinging as he looked at the mark that had now become a healed imprint on his body.

His hunger satisfied, Ilor rose and left the room to appear once again before the council. As he entered the room he was greeted by the sight of all five members sitting before him. Irdel motioned for him to take the seat next to his as Ilor moved towards the seat and took his place among the assassins.

"It is time for our new recruit to learn our ways and take his place among us," began Irdel who glanced briefly in the direction of Ilor. "We have much to accomplish as the tides of this world require us to balance the scales once again."

Each member nodded their head in agreement at the words of Irdel. As the nodding ceased the dark haired woman named Zavera began to speak. "My friends I shall take Ilor into the market and show him the gift of the Night Thorns this evening. I do have some business to attend to while in Seavern anyhow and perhaps he could join me on my hunt."

"That would be good Zavera," Irdel responded in agreement, "Greylor will you take the young man and begin training him. I do believe you will provide quite the challenge for him." As a ripple of laughter spread across each member. All except Ilor.

"Now hold on," said Ilor "First you bring me here and then burn this mark on my chest and now expect me to just start training on missions with you? Come on now you have to give me more than that!"

Irdel turned to look at the annoyed man sitting next to him and calmly responded, "The Night Thorns are a creed of assassins who origins are of a time before the formation of Valtoria as the empire we know today. Our duty has been, and always will be, to keep the balance of all things in this world. The seven members of our order are from each of the seven lands; Seavern (as he motioned to Stephen), Amfell which is Greylor's, Kae is in Kilaron, Zavera is Petroas, I am in Kavanland, and you my young friend are in Meloas."

"What about the seventh person? That's only six people." Ilor inquired.

"The seventh is of the Sunny Isles. He has not been seen by any member of this council and remains rather reclusive," said Stephen, the elder of the group.

"It is time for us to go now my new friend," said Greylor giving a an excited grin to the boy.

With that the meeting concluded and each member headed their separate ways. As Ilor made way to follow Greylor a hand caught his arm. As he turned to see the owner of the hand he saw Kae who smiled at him and said, "Have fun new guy and try not to get destroyed." She said this with a giggle leaving Ilor with a knot in his throat at having been touched by such a beautiful woman and from having been warned about what may await him in training.

"Th-thanks!" he managed to get out before he noticed Greylor staring him down as he followed him out of the building and into the small enclosed patch of grass behind the building. It was evident that they were in a city but were most like at the edge of it as all Ilor could hear were the waves and the faint bustling of the people beginning their daily tasks within Seavern. The location of the Night Thorns hideout was rather secluded which made sense in Ilor's mind since these people were, after all, secret assassins.

As Ilor was still taking in the surroundings of the world around him he suddenly felt his feet swept out underneath him. He was now staring at the sky, everything in slow motion as he landed on his backside snapping him back to the moment of real time. Ilor rolled over onto his knees and began to stand up when he felt a sharp blow to his side sending the new recruit sprawling on the ground as he gasped for air.

"What the hell man!" Ilor yelled at Greylor still trying to catch his breath.

"You must understand that as an assassin of the night you must be quick and ready the game. You have to strike quickly and be prepared to defend yourself if needed," as Greylor swung his fist down upon Ilor. He managed to just roll away from the blow as he quickly scrambled to gain his footing.

"Good! You are learning. Now let's see how you are with your fist."