Stone Sacrifice ✔️Chronicles of Grey BOOK ONE [COMPLETED]

Chapter Two

      We walked in silence as we followed the Shadow through the streets. Rather, Jovian followed the Shadow, while I followed Jovian - only his mage abilities made it possible. I was trained well in tracking and following, but Shadows were aptly named and it was similar to tracking a ghost, one with no purpose.

When the streets were dark and blackened by night, I feared we would loose him completely except right at the moment of thought, he turned into a tavern that had only an unreadable sign hanging above the worn door. We were now in a part of town that would have been poor even during times of wealth. Together we entered the tavern, my gloves hand hiding in my pocket, fingers curled around the hilt of my blade at my hip. Being on the run for my entire life mean't being in these places a lot, but that only made me all too aware of the dangerous types that frequented them.

Of course, they all paled in comparison to the Shadow that sat in the corner of the bar, his back to us, dark hood over his head and a sword shaping over the curve of his back, hilt above his left shoulder.

I looked to Jovian for further instruction but he was already walking across the sticky, wooden floor toward the figure. I followed quickly, my head down, being sure my face was covered. I was glad it was winter as my hooded cloak didn't bring so many curious eyes as it would in the heat of summer.

The cloak he wore was clearly expensive with finely woven wool and hints of grey glowsilk weaved through, but it was well worn and rough, showing him a traveller. The blade he bore was sheathed and yet it was clear it was a fine one, even with the stain of oil around the grip where it had been handled so many times. I noticed his boots when I moved up to one side of him, just out of sight of his hood, and saw they were of dragon hide with spikes around the edges for spurring as well as fighting, the leather soft where it creased, proving its use.

"Well?" Said the Shadow, lifting the wooden cup of questionable cleanliness to his lips before continuing his question, "Have you been following me all day to kill me or hire me? I hope for your sake tis not the former."

I felt a little embarrassed at being caught, but not surprised, after all, what good was a Shadow that could not feel the shadows that moved behind him? And this particular Shadow was the best. It was why we had risked going to the Viewing Square when we did - it was the only place we could find him.

"The latter." Said Jovian. "For a price you can't refuse."

He took another drink. "You want someone dead, you'll need permission of King Marqis."

"We don't need your mercenary skills."

He said nothing, but I suspect we had caught his attention. No doubt that was what most asked of from the Shadow.

When he said nothing else, Jovian spoke again. "Perhaps we can speak somewhere more private?"

Without a word, the Shadow stood and began walking around the counter. After a moment, we followed. The barmaid turned her back to us on purpose, so that she could later claim ignorance with at least partial honesty.

The Shadow knew where he was going. The hall was a mess of rats and old meat that was beginning to stale, we moved through the filthy kitchen of heat where a single, scrawny cook and an even thinner dishwasher boy turned their back on us. We entered a small room filled with barrels of ale and a single lantern which hung precariously on a rotting post.

The Shadow closed the door behind us and leaned against it, crossing his arms as he studied us. "An old mage and a little girl. Poor by the looks of you. I doubt you could afford my services."

Jovian reached in his cloak and tossed the Shadow a purse. The Shadow caught it deftly and emptied it out onto his hand revealing a dozen tiny rocks sparkling even in the dim light. I could not see his eyes (how he had seen ours beneath our cloaks, and how he knew Jovian was a mage was a mystery) but I knew we caught his attention completely because those stones were dragon crystals and each was worth over fifty coins of gold. Jovian had just given him enough to live off of comfortably for at least three summers.
He carefully poured them back inside the purse and pocketed it. "I'm listening." He said simply.