Secrets and Shadows

The birds warning call

I studied the jumble of awkward limbs that that nervously shuffled from one foot to another. Belva was his name. He did not look like much, but that was all part of what made him so great. 

"So, care to tell me who seeks my presence?" I inquired with a raised brow, looking up from my nails . I did not particularly care for them, however, it gave off the uncaring, bored aura that gained respect and confidence from those among my ranks, and who would not want that?

 "Wha- oh, um ar-I m mean Crow has a mes-messege f-for you.  H-he said i-it was som something of im- importance." His eyes kept glancing back down the hall, expressing his eagerness to leave.

"Go on then, Yin will meet you down in the training room later." He threw me a grateful smile and sprinted down the hallway. Only then did I notice the smile that ghosted my lips, which I proceeded to quickly shake off with a jerk of my head. 

Damned sentimentality. 

 "He has progressed a lot over these past few years. Yes, I do believe it was the right choice to put him under your tutelage ." I stated turning back to look at my colleague. Considering my underlying attachment issues tat I intended to never address, that was about as close to a compliment as I got.

 "Well it takes the best to make something out of nothing." I repressed a smirk at her self praise. In all the years that I had known her I had yet to see her doubt her abilities. "Come along, you know the lack of patience your little protege has. Besides, the old crow wants to sing me a song." We exited my office with only a glance back at my desk, papers scattered across it.

  Later.

As the door closed behind us I listened for the resound click that indicated the door fitting into place. I then reached up to one of the warn, yet thankfully clean bricks and ever so slightly, pushed it inwards, releasing a panel that covered the door and seemingly merged with the wall. In a world like this, you could never be too careful with who you trust. Oh, paranoia, my most expensive and time consuming flaw.

 We  proceeded down the hall like ghosts, not even the rustling of our cloaks could be heard in the air. Yin turned off at a dimly lit staircase down to the training room while I continued onwards towards the end of the corridor.  When the wall was all that I could see I looked upwards at the string that dangled precariously from the dark wooden ceiling. I latched onto it and pulled, releasing the trapdoor above. Pulling my hood up to conceal my face, I swung up to the roof above. I stood upon the rooftop with the stillness only a statue could achieve (either that or a very patient housecat), and waited.

 Tap.

 "Report, brother." My voice was but a whisper, yet had a certain power behind it that could control even the most unruly. It took me far too long to learn that skill.

"Inform Ghost that he has returned." Spoke the gravelly voice belonging to Crow, a sadistic smile peering out from underneath his ragged hood. He perched on the rooftop's corner, hunched with the weight of years. 

"Who?"

God. Don't let it be him,please no.

 His smile grew impossibly wider, revealing his blackened teeth.

 " The captain of the guard."

 Well shit.