Foxfire (The Blood Oath) old version

Chapter 9: Dancing with Death (new inclusion)

In the cover of darkness, the Guildmaster Leman Lezzar led Zelos up an almost endless winding stair. Though he had offered to lead her to the Keeper of Mystics in exchange for his life, she had not given him the chance to prove that loyalty.

Lezzar was now a dog on a very tight leash, and would bark, roll on the floor, and even sing if she wished it. Through use of the darker half of her bond to Evocation magic, she had summoned a familiar spirit and bounded it to the soul of the Guildmaster. He was now her familiar and would even slit his own throat if it pleased her.

They came upon a large double door. Two huge men stood abreast at the side, halberds held to their chests. Both guards crossed their weapons over each other immediately they set eyes upon the intruders.

"Hold," the first guard shouted in a deep voice.

Zelos cringed. It was too soon for another fight with men twice her height and size. More so, she was drained. Summoning a familiar had negative effect on a bloodwielder's essence. She needed time to replenish her flow.

"I will handle this, mistress," Lezzar whispered to her.

He walked closer to the guards.

"Hey, Darius, it is I, Lezzar . . ." he paused and glanced at the other guard.

"Lezzar," the guard calmed pulling back his halberd to a less hostile position. "You foul bastard, you still owe me for the last job I did for you. Though I have to admit, working for the Keeper has been real beneficial. He pays us generously and even offer allowances for our families."

"Oh, by that you mean allowances you collect as gold coins for the room and whores you maintain at the Seaman's Siren," Lezzar replied.

The other guardsman laughed at his partner.

"I said it, Lezzar, you are a foul bastard. What do you want here? And who's the girl?"

Lezzar glanced at Zelos and then his face paled like one burden with a great secret. He drew much closer to Darius, "A whore for your master. He contracted me to bring him only the best of the Siren's harlots."

The guards suddenly pushed their halberds forward in a ready position.

"What use has a eunuch of tits and wine, Lezzar? Are you trying to trick us?"

"There must be a misunderstanding here," the Guildmaster tried to calm the guards.

"The Keeper is a very private man," the second guard bellowed. "Only the Archon of Scepsis and the Highorder have been through this door all year."

Zelos knew she had failed in her deception. Lezzar pulled his dagger quickly and jabbed towards the first guard's chest. The large man moved almost immediately and Lezzar missed, his blade sinking into the side of the guard's armour.

The guard pushed back Lezzar with the steel length of his halberd and then turned the blade, piercing it into the Guildmaster's stomach. Blood pooled on Lezzar's tunic. He fell on his knees, half-dead, and rolled down the stairs.

Zelos had barely fended off the second guard's strike when Darius, the first, slammed his weapon on her chest. The force was too great and pushed her backwards. She broke through the double doors, shattering one away from its hinge.

She came at a halt after rolling a distance on the red rug in the hall. Zelos spat blood from her mouth and then lifted her body up. Her left arm had pulled from its joint. She pushed it in immediately, closing her eyes to show less pain.