Angel Assassins - Book 1 Lineage & Lies

Chapter 2 - The Human Quarter

The citadel of the Grand Masters of Lucandria stood foreboding in stark contrast to the rest of the buildings around it. It was the central point for one of the larger satellite cities that made up the great city Lucandria. They had levelled a whole mountain to build it, using the grey stone to construct both the citadel and the surrounding buildings. 

Part of the mountain base had formed the foundation for the citadel, but after years of expansion a third of the citadel was now below ground, passages and rooms hollowed deep into the root of the mountain. The part of the citadel that was above ground, spiralled upward into seven great spires, the centre one tallest, with the others forming a perfect hexagon around it. Lights blazed out of the windows on the outer walls, many of its rooms containing foul things long since forgotten. 

To be given a place in the citadel of the Grand Masters of Lucandria was a great honour. Some grand masters had dedicated their lives to attaining such a lofty position. Out of the great archway on the central spire, Xavier crept. He made his way out of the citadel, being careful not to be followed. You never knew on Xaria who would extend the hand of friendship, if there was such a thing in this forsaken place, or remove your head from your shoulders. 

He breathed in deeply as he hit street level. The citadel air was always so musty and dank. He loved getting out of there. It was starting to get dark and cold, he looked up at the myriad of stars that were beginning to appear. 

After a brief look left and right, he pulling his overcoat collar up around his neck he quickly crossed the street and slipped round the corner of the opposite building, a strange shaped building that stretched up to the sky like a monolith. He hugged the wall of the building and peeked round the corner towards the exit of the citadel he had just come out of, 'can't be too careful' he thought to himself.

He gave one last peek and satisfied that he wasn't been followed set off up the street. He stayed close to the buildings, in the shadows. After crossing two intersections, Xavier turned left up a small alley which ended at a large wall with a thick wooden door, with a small port hole in it. He tapped at the door and a pair of eyes appeared in the round port hole.

'Who are you? What do you want?' The eyes darting side to side to see if Xavier was alone,

'I seek entrance most vigilant gate keeper' Xavier said with a smirk.

'Oh it's you! You gonna be long?' said the eyes.

'No. I just need to see Nathan'

The port hole shut and after a minute of shuffling around behind the door, it slowly swung open, revealing the owner of the eyes, a small round fellow, who badly needed a wash, he scowled at Xavier,

'Come on then!'

Xavier stepped through the door. The small round fellow looked out into the growing gloom before closing the door and fixing the 12 bolts and replacing his stand box in front of the door directly under the port hole. Xavier watched in amusement, the small man turned and almost jumped out of his skin.

'Are you still here?' He said, his scowl returning to his face.

'You never change, do you' Xavier said with a laugh. The Gate Keeper just ignored his comment, scowled some more and returned to his seat. He picked up his pipe and a bowl of soup; that was now getting cold.

'I'll be a couple of hours.'

'Make sure you are!' replied the Gate Keeper not even looking up.

Xavier made his way down a dimly lit tunnel, the steps barely visible, the air smelt stale, he reached the bottom of the stairs. As the tunnel turned abruptly to his right, he walked through the archway in front of him. It led him to a cavernous room that seemed to have been hollowed right out of the grey rock. Torches lined the rough walls casting dull circles of light on the black stone floor.