ANGEL OF JUSTICE (2014 revised)

Chapter Fifty Two - Gambit

Gambit

Bane sat across from the Captain of the city watch, feeling a flicker of unease under the grey haired man's scrutiny. His head hurt like it had been kicked by a horse and not for the first time since being captured by the wizards, he cursed his existence. He may be grateful for being free of the wards that had pinned him to his previous master in a life of murder and treachery, but the resulting nightmares and memories that haunted his every conscious moment since, were unbearable. Day in and day out he continuously he was forced to relive each death he had taken and in his mind's eye he saw the victims begging for mercy before he had cold heartedly taken their life. His blades ran crimson and pools of blood swam about his ankles. Such is the penance for a life of crime I suppose.

Bane's heart skipped a beat and he felt a flush of guilt and remorse tear at his sanity. He blinked and shoved aside his emotions and the blinding images, putting up the wall he had created many years ago. Now is not the time or place to fall into a well of self pity. He reminded himself. Another feeling flowed over him. It was the faint warmth of what he knew to be the truth seeker's spell as it brushed across his mind. Bane focused his thoughts purely on the mission he was originally sent on by Arbinn; to eliminate the wizards and the street thief. He was here now to offer important information regarding them to warn the Captain of the riot about to take place in a few days time. He had no desire for the truth seeker to become suspicious enough to return to the lord and question Bane's mission. If he ever learnt he was alive let alone learn he had switched sides, there would be repercussions he did not have time to deal with just yet, at least not until he was the one holding a blade at his master's throat. His gaze lifted casually over the Captain's head to where a dark curtain flickered at the entrance to another room. In the shadows he knew the truth seeker was reading his thoughts.

"You know what you tell me Bane, could very well be a ruse?"

Bane snorted and shook his head. "All things are possible. But I have mixed with these people long enough to know they have no true organization and are little more than peasant farmers, fishermen and a few scholars wanting a piece of action. What they plan is suicide they just don't know it yet and I don't plan to enlighten them."

"Never under estimate your enemy, assassin. You of all people should know that."

"I do. These people are of little challenge to you and your men. One only has to look at how easily your men took over the city to know that to be a fact."

"True, but never be fooled into complacency, there is always someone who is willing to chase the glory."

"The First Guard has suffered heavy losses and are currently without officers of battle experience, there is no hope of any help for the city from outside these walls. Kasik is loyal to my master and the Cardinians can feel doom settle over them, they know their time is short. This is just a desperate grasp at straws. I do not think a little riot from some disgruntled citizens is a lot to be concerned about. But since I am to inform you of any suspicious activity in the city that could impede your control here, I brought the news as soon as I was sure of their plans. That way you can be prepared, if you show them a force of strength, they will regret their plans of stupidity as they die."

Captain Grey stood and stretched his back. He was a solid man standing at almost six foot even at age fifty. He carried a presence much like his officer status, tough and demanding and had so far served a distinguished career as a loyal servant in Arbinn's personal guard. This was to be his final assignment and both men at the table knew it. Grey may have thought this to be his crowning achievement before being released from service. But Bane knew differently, for he had orders from his master long before his capture. Captain Grey was getting old and was no longer of use to Arbinn regardless of his experience and loyalty. Arbinn expected the old Captain to die here, if he did not, Bane was to see to it that he did not return home. Arbinn wished to have no loose tongues around to spill any of Silver Isle's secrets by some old retiree.