Canary Lands

Chapter One

            The city was pretty peaceful that night, at least as peaceful as a city can be. The streets were bathed in a faint orange glow from the streetlights that partially illuminated the sky, turning the pitch black copper. The glow competed with the various neon lights of the signs of shops still open for space on the pavement, forming streaks of colour that played across the shoes of those who walked past them. Two such pairs of feet turned away from the well-lit streets and into an alleyway, the glow fading as the two walked further away into a damp back alley. The pair consisted of a man and a woman, both faces obscured by masks which secured their safety should their job take a sour turn.

The woman was tall and dark-skinned with black hair, locks of which were dyed shades of blue and purple. She wore a grey flight jacket over a light, golden tank-top, a necklace of shaded metal rested below her collarbone. Her mask was simple in design; plain black, plastic meant to cover the top half of her face. The nose was long and hooked, reminiscent of a plague doctor's except nearly a third of that size. Her eyes were a fiery red which struck out against the darkness of the mask, carrying with them a look of coolness and a silent warning towards those who would dare to cross her. She walked slowly, scuffing her shoes every other step; but her every movement radiated confidence.

Her partner was about a head shorter than her, with tanned skin and pale brown, medium-length hair covered by the hood of his beige coloured jacket. He wore a white mask similar to that of the woman without the beak-like nose, as well as the addition of a bandanna which covered the rest of his face. His shirt was white with a tinge of grey due to age, and a holster belt holding a loaded pistol hugged his hips. Like his compatriot the mask drew focus to his rich brown eyes, however his eyes held little emotion; only solemn determination to ensure that neither of the two would die tonight.

The two made their way towards an unmarked door at the side of a large building illuminated by a single lamp. The woman knocked on the door quickly while the man glanced warily around the area, reaching for his hand gun at random intervals. The sound of a latch behind the door caught their attention as the door opened slightly, revealing a figure and a well-lit kitchen. The man behind the door wore a red waistcoat with a pair of diamonds across the chest and a well ironed white shirt with a black bowtie. His skin was mottled with patches of pale skin and had long dark brown hair. His brown eyes regarded the pair coolly before nodding, allowing them to enter. They followed him out the kitchen and through the main attraction of the building – a large casino decorated with rich colours and bright flashing signs. The woman found her gaze wandering as they walked, whistling under her breath as they passed row after row of neon coloured machines.

They came to a stop in front of a plain wooden door at the end of the casino, with the words 'Manager and Owner' painted on in gold. Their guide gestured for them to enter as he walked into the room, shutting the door behind them. They found themselves inside a plainly decorated office, shelves lined the walls covered with various memorabilia, photos and awards. At the opposite end of the room to them was a desk, behind which sat their employer, looking to be in his late forties. Like the man who guided them through the casino he wore a red waistcoat and white shirt except instead of a bowtie he wore a long red tie. His skin was a similar shade to the woman's partner, and his hair was shaved close to his head. He watched the two for a moment before nodding and indicated towards a pair of chairs in front of the desk.

"Please" he spoke, his voice gravelly. "Take a seat. It would be rude to keep you standing." The woman nodded in acknowledgement, slumping heavily in her seat. There was a moment of silence before she spoke.

"So...Mr Antony Doveman, owner of the most famous casino in the canary lands." Her voice was soft, yet laced with cunning. "I am quite curious as to why you've called me and my partner here. Surely someone of your talent and status wouldn't need people of our skill? Unless... there is a threat to your fame." The elder gentleman nodded and sighed.