Shadow Blades (The Cimmerian Cycle #2)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Feeling that he would like a walk as he needed some fresh air he stood and made his way to the door. He opened it to find Rider's face inches from his own and his hand about to rap on the door. The both instinctively took a step back and concealed their looks of surprise.

"I've been instructed to take you for basic training," Rider said, take a further few steps away from the door.

"Basic training?" Cormac said sceptically, he was not a child.

"Damien's orders," Rider hid his smile by pulling the door shut.

Cormac didn't reply, only falling into step beside Rider. As he walked he noticed how light the fabric felt and how smooth his walking was. As they travelled through the Assassin's Guild headquarters Cormac was beginning to recognize where he was going some of the time.

The more people they passed as they walked the deeper questions burned into him. Master Damien hadn't really told him much, looking back on their meeting. What he had told he seemed pretty self-explanatory and was very similar to the values that he had held in his gang. It was clear that Damien had been busy and unable to spend much more time explaining it to Cormac.

Cormac bit his tongue before he allowed himself to talk.

"Why did you join the guild?" The words spilled from his mouth.

Rider raised his eyebrows, "For the same reason the others did, I guess. The lust to kill. The lure of power," Rider shrugged, "A family who will protect you. I have no other family, well none that I care about and I chose this over rotting in a stinking orphanage or resorting to less desirable occupations."

Cormac frowned. He was directly referring to the path that he had chosen as a boy.

"What about you Pond? You had a pretty cosy set up in the city," Rider glanced at Cormac.

Cormac swallowed, "Revenge."

Rider frowned and ran his fingers through his black hair, "Wow," he muttered.

Cormac could only guess as to why Rider was so shocked but he knew that he was probably right. He had given up a successful life and everyone he knew to get revenge on one noble girl, and there was no option of turning back.

"I don't know if Master Damien mentioned this to you but killing without a contract is strictly against the code," he said, "If we all did as we pleased we would become no more than common murderers. We have a standard to uphold."

There was that reference to the "standard" again. Cormac was sure he would quickly weary of it. It was no wonder the assassins had only myths surrounding them rather than a reputation.

Cormac shot him a calculating look, he would have to find another way to get his revenge, a way that couldn't be linked back to the guild. He saw the guild as more of a means to gain skills rather than a life choice. In hindsight, he had made a poor decision.

"No he did not mention that," Cormac said tonelessly.

Rider looked somewhat reassured in his lack of interest and relaxed his shoulders.

"It's strange that they took you on," Rider said thoughtfully, "We usually don't accept newcomers at your age."

Cormac found nothing to say in reply to this and was glad that they had arrived at their destination.

The training room was another cavernous area. Targets lined the back wall and dummies were stacked up in the corner. By one of the walls was a huge amount of strange equipment like none Cormac had ever seen. One wall was built like the side of a building.