The Wizard's Terrarium

Chapter Four

Nenth watched the Grubby Goblet from her perch atop the empty warehouse across the street. Her target had gone into the tavern less than an hour ago, but it felt like an eternity to the Nocturni. She preferred action, the thrill of the chase, the terrified look in her victim's eyes, the brief burst of violence at the end. Fortunately, her people were able to put themselves into a watchful sleep, to rest while remaining fully aware, so she napped, even as she stood sentinel.

As she dreamed, she wondered again if the assignment the Shadow Council had given her was a punishment in some way. She'd always been efficient, and tirelessly loyal. Had she failed in some way? There was no honor in her current task. There'd be no challenge, no thrill at all. Just the execution of a rather humble looking newcomer.

She came back to full awareness as a short figure in a cloak emerged from the building. Though the figure wore a hood, she was sure it was the Felinari known as Six Candy. Nenth had noted the distinct manner in which he walked, light footed like a cat but far more casual, careless even, than his four-legged kin. He didn't even look around at all before setting off for whatever destination he had in mind.

Using the support timber on the corner of the building, Nenth slid down in a controlled fall, reaching the ground in a matter of seconds. Then she darted along an alley that would intersect with Six Candy's path. At the mouth of the alley, she pressed herself against the wall and waited. Several seconds passed, and the Felinari did not cross in front of her. Confused, she leaned out into the main street, saw that it was empty. Where could he have gone?

Something shuffled above her, causing her to look up. The head and shoulders of a cloaked figure leaned over the side of the roof of the building above her, gazing down at her. Nenth froze. It had to be Six Candy, but how had he gotten up there so fast? And how had he known about her? With her Nocturni powers, in the dark of the night, she should have been invisible, even with his night vision.

Six Candy raised a hand, wiggled his fingers, then disappeared. Ohhh no, thought Nenth. I've never failed before. I'm not about to start now.

She climbed the side of the building nearly as fast as she had descended the previous one, pulled herself up over the top, only to see Six Candy leaping off the opposite edge. He landed on the next roof over and continued running. Nenth couldn't help but grin. Maybe she would get to enjoy the thrill of the chase after all.

As she gave pursuit, her longer legs and the power of the night pushed her to supernatural speeds. But though she should have caught up to him almost immediately, she didn't. No matter how many buildings they leapt across, he was always one roof ahead of her, just far enough away that she couldn't use her only ranged weapons, her poisoned darts.

This assignment is no punishment, she realized. This is the most glorious challenge I have ever faced!

But another part of her realized that she was in very real danger. One slip up could mean my death.

That's when she realized that Six Candy had completely disappeared. She skidded to a stop at the edge of the roof, scanned all around. He wasn't on the next building, nor was he in the alley below. Where had he gone?

"I'm starting to think you're following me," said a voice from behind her.

Her hands reached inside her belt the same moment she spun, letting loose a volley of darts at the Felinari. He'd pulled his hood back, and his face had a distinct lack of fear that unnerved her. Even as her darts passed through where he'd been standing, he suddenly just... shifted... several feet to the left, his manner still relaxed.

"I'm Six Candy, the Cat Burglar," he said. "Maybe you've heard of me?"

Nocturni never spoke on assignment, not that Nenth was inclined to answer anyway, so instead of replying, she drew her Nightblade and launched herself at the so-called Cat Burglar. Still he didn't emote, just shifted out of the way again, and the thrust of her blade pierced nothingness.