The Raven's Black Shadow

Chapter 2 - Betrayal

Aldrahn was a small town just west of Damascus, about a days ride out. Nasira adored not only the citizens of the village, whom of course knew of the Sisters but they felt safe within their presence, but she also loved the area around the village. Aldrahn was surrounded by luscious trees and other plant-life, making it seem almost paradise. She rode through the village, nodding to the guards whom nodded in return. The citizens of the village waved merrily to her as she passed them. She smiled and nodded to them, her mare ignoring the children that giggled and hovered around her legs.

They passed several merchant stands and buildings. Nasira weaved Asimah around the people and made her way towards a very large temple-like building further ahead and up a hillside. As she neared she halted the mare at the stables by the large building. Upon dismounting a young woman stepped forwards and bowed to Nasira. Nasira smiled to the woman and handed her the mare's reins.

"Thank-you." Said Nasira. The woman merely nodded curtly and led the mare away to be untacked and looked after.

Nasira walked swiftly out of the stables and made her way up the path to the large building. There were quite a few other Sisters, all clad in the same black robes. However, most wore green sashes, this ranking them as Novices. Some wore purple, the next rank above a Novice, then it proceeded to red, silver, then blue. There were only two at a time that could wear a blue sash, ranking them as an Elite. A gold sash was worn only by the Master of the Akhawat-Afya. The Master of the Sisters of the Shadows was an older woman, probably about fifty years of age, named Fadilah Umm-Aldium'Dan. She was a powerful woman, leading and guiding the Sisters for many years. Nasira had learned much from Fadilah but she didn't always approve with much of the Master's ways. This frequently got her into trouble with the Master. Nasira always followed the Creed, but found Fadilah tended to constantly make up rules as she went which annoyed Nasira to no end.

As Nasira approached the staircase that lead to the entrance of the building and younger woman stepped towards her. Nasira lowered her hood and smiled to the woman. Nasira had short, bright red hair. It reached slightly below her ears, a few long strands always flaling over her eyes. Her eyes were an intense bright blue. These features always had others picking on her, that is until she could beat the daylights out of them as she grew stronger. Her skin was a dark, but light in color, almost like one had tanned but remained that way. Her features almost made her look younger than her age, which was twenty two. "Bayan. I'm glad to see you are doing well."

The young woman, Bayan, was barely two years younger than Nasira. She wore a red sash around her waist. Nasira viewed Bayan almost as the sister she never had. She taught her much, excluding that of the skills of the bow and arrow of course.

Bayan grinned and hugged the fiery haired woman, "I'm glad to see you as well Nasira." As she stepped back from the embrace her eyebrows furrowed in mock anger, "What took you so long? You said it was going to be a short and simple mission."

Nasira chuckled, "I apologize. It seemed the pig-headed idiot was hiding well and it took awhile to find him."

"Well I'm glad it's done." Suddenly Bayan's expression turned serious which caused Nasira to frown, "The Master wished to see you and several more of us. She's been acting a lot stranger than usual Nasira."

"It's probably nothing to worry about Bayan. She has probably made up some new and ridiculous rule that will only prove making our missions that much more complicated to fulfill." Nasira rolled her eyes.

Bayan's expression remained concerned, "I pray you are right Nasira."

Nasira smiled softly, "C'mon let us see what it is our dear Fadilah wants."

Bayan shook her head and chuckled as Nasira called the Master by her first name, knowing well Nasira was the only one brave enough to approach the Master and not address her properly. This, to Nasira's satisfaction, also annoyed Fadilah immensely.