Shadowwalker - Under Review For Now

21. Preparations

Amber looked at him in utter astonishment.

"you want me to what now?"  she said in disbelief.

"I want you to join the raiders."

"And why would I do that?" she asked cockily.

"We can help each other," he told her, his blue eyes staring into her guarded green orbs. She shifted, feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny.

"Help me? By the moons, what in the world could you do for me?" She replied, her tone haughty yet it was obviously a mask.

He rolled his eyes, then closed them. Venarius took several slow, controlled breaths. The air felt warmer, and, somehow, she felt safer. Calmer. Sleepy.

She yawned, and then suddenly he snipped his fingers and the spell was broken.

She shuddered.

"Your Talent- You..... I've never s-," she started, mouth agape in shock.

"No, I don't think you've ever encountered something like my Talent before. I'm an Emotional. I can sense and manipulate the emotion-based energies around me, causing people to feel different things. A slight spark in the air for anger, a cold nip for fear. A cool breeze for sadness, and warmth for joy, to put things plainly."

He grinned, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I can help you control your Talent, Amber- and then you won't be trapped in the same place as Raven anymore."

Amber looked at him warily, and then considered it. She frowned.

"What's in it for you?" 

He laughed at that. "For me? Nothing. At least- not directly. I've just been sent to recruit you, sweetheart- I'm not the leader of the Raiders," he spouted, and snorted again, shaking his head.

"As if someone like me could ever be the leader of such an organisation.." he uttered under his breath. 

"I'm supposed to find out who could be of use, and who is dangerous. Most importantly, who is both. And it looks like I may have succeeded for the first time in a while."

Amber frowned before demanding: "What's in it for me?"

"For you? Free bed and board- although I don't think you need it. Three hundred gold and 50 silver pieces a month if you deliver top work- excluding hazard pay whenever something happens- and, for you most interesting information. Plus, I won't go telling everyone what I learned about you in this," he explained, waving the book about.

She bit her lip in thought. "I don't believe you when you say there's nothing in it for you..." she said slowly. "What about leave? Do I have to stick to the boat? Any curfew? Just how dangerous is this going to be? And, most importantly, what will be required of me to do?" she fired rapidly, shooting a nervous glance at the journal.

Venarius' expression turned blank. He pocketed the journal, and walked over to the window, staring at the world outside.

"You'll have to talk to our leaders about that. If you do, it does not mean you're instantly committed to any obligations. They're pretty gracious like that. A random location would be used, plus disguises for the both of you- assuming, of course, that you're interested in our offer..." he trailed off as he turned to look at her, leaning against the window sill as he did so.

Amber frowned in thought as she weighed the pros against the cons. She sighed. Her answer was obvious, but that didn't mean she liked it.

"Fine, I'll do it," she announced, her tone dejected.

Nequitios grinned. "I'll be off now," he declared. "I'll send a messenger later this evening with the details. Be ready by the time the Red Moon rises."

With that, he opened the window, and jumped out.

She rolled her eyes at his additional dramatic flair, but stumbled over towards the window to check anyway. As expected, there was no sign of him. That did not, however, make it less unsettling.

But she wasn't just going to wait around- no, she had preparations to make.

***

By the time dusk had fallen, Raven was sitting outside in her dark red cloak, with plenty of knives hidden about her, the odd poison, cure, and insta-shift in a variety of small pockets and pouches, and, lastly, a silk handkerchief in her décolleté together with a vial of rosewater. 

Thus prepared, she munched on a meat roll- courtesy of Plonita's new (living) apprentice. 

She gulped it down with some water from her sack, and then reattached it to her hip.

she brushed a black curl behind her ear, and froze as she sensed movement behind her.

A hand rested on her shoulder.

"Miss A, I'm going to teleport you to a random secure location. Please do not turn around. Any and all things spoken about must stay within trusted circles. Not one word of it may reach the Enforcers- let alone the Nobility. You will not turn around and look at me, nor will you attempt to guess the identities of any present who do not wish for theirs to be known. If so desired, you are permitted to wear a mask. Are we agreed?"

Raven closed her eyes for a second.

"We are agreed. Please allow me to retrieve one," she spoke softly, her volume barely louder than a whisper yet- somehow, powerful.

"You have 2 minutes. I will meet you back here."

***

Raven rummaged through the chest in her old room at The Dirty Rag, until finally she found what she was looking for.

Lovingly, she stroked a delicately carved wooden box, a soft pine thing with black detailing. It was about twelve inches long, three inches wide, and two inches tall.

She carefully pressed her finger against the lock, hissing slightly as it pricked her finger. A single drop of fresh blood welled up, and she wiped it onto the centre of the black details.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the blood seeped into the wood itself, and, fast as you can blink, it glowed crimson.

The lock clicked, and the lid sprung open.

Her fingers brushed over the smooth, maroon silk, and then she unfolded it.

Nestled on top of the fabric lay her mask.

It was made of velvet, and would cover the area around her eyes. It was decorated with lace, black pearls and diamonds, and had several soft black feathers lying in front of it, which were to be attached on either side.

Raven lifted the mask, and tied the ribbons behind her head.

She lifted her head, and at her reflection in the mirror.

Show time.