Black Reign

Astryd

Maldara has over one hundred forms, and the one we worship lies in the dead centre of my master's table. Swathed in dark fabrics, Maldara is beautiful. Afternoon light graces the downwards slant of Her cheekbones, the delicate curve of Her lips and the sheets of onyx hair tied high upon Her head in a ponytail, clasped by a long band of gold. Her ears are delicately pointed and would have stolen the attention of all if it weren't for Her eyes: a deep, beautiful black which vanquishes even the whites surrounding. Her eyes are all pupil, for She sees all. Nothing escapes Her sight, no sin, no traitor. The Dinshei, the Asura... She sees their sins and will punish them.

"We need that poison." My master's brow is contorted in worry, and his voice draws my attention from Maldara's elegance. His fingers are laced together, thumbs rubbing against one another where they are pressed against his lips. We are alone in his study. I stand at the edge of the table he sits behind, now staring at Maldara's feet. The situation becomes more dire by the day.

A group of Sayaadi assassins would have been killed if it weren't for Sahar's quick analysis and movements just hours ago in a town not far from my complex. The Auria were targeted a day before, killing thirty fine trainees and newly-graduated assassins; and a Shivarra base was found to be near-full with Dinshei spies. I would've been killed, too, if I hadn't found an odd odour coming from the kitchen. It seems the Dinshei poison and Gideon's cooking do not mix well. We tracked down the traitor from our kitchens, but by the time we had found her she had slit her own throat.

I begin to feel restless, and fight the urge to fidget. I must remain calm, rational. Steady. I clench my fists and meet his eyes. "I will be leaving soon with Veradis, Master." I say, forcing surety into my voice. "We will find a solution. I give you my word." But even as I say it, something at the back of my mind wants to suck all those words back into myself and cower, for the future is uncertain, and we do not even know why the Dynasty are here.

"It is not enough, Astryd." He says. And those words... it is enough to fracture my resolve.

"It has to be." I say, forcing the possibility of victory into existence. "We must continue to hope, Master. All will be lost, otherwise."

His stern features do not shift, though I sense a change in his demeanour. He lowers his hands to the desk, an unfinished letter lying beneath his arms. He pushes it towards me. I drop my gaze and pull it closer. It seems the stresses of the past days have not only brought an odd, oozing sensation that feels both light yet thick to the skin of my arms and hands, but has also effected my eyesight for everything becomes more blurry with the day. I scan the page, struggling to recall all the information I have just read, and lift a brow. "You're planning to recruit other criminals?"

He nods. "A plan must be formulated in case the shipment never arrives. Skender may have been fed false information, he is suspicious of such. Requesting spies throughout the continent to check is the best plan forward."

"I agree."

"We should include the other guilds, too." At that, guilt begins to claw at my chest. I swallow. He still does not know of Citali's betrayal. The Asura's betrayal.

"Master..." the next words I must speak hang at the tip of my tongue.

We cannot trust them all.

"Go on." He says.

I suddenly feel sick. My throat threatens to close, pressure builds up at the sides of my forehead and they begin to ache.

The Asura have betrayed us.

I swallow again.

Our allies have betrayed us.