Book 3 Chapter 15

Tirr looked down at the well-built man standing at the bottom of the stairs, with a barrel chest and arms that seemed as thick as Tirr himself. From his arms to his head he showed no signs of hair of any kind, seared by the fires of his forge Tirr guessed. What he noticed most though was that even in this situation, Alloy showed no signs of fear besides a subtle step back, allowing his white-masked guard in front of him.

They had arrived an hour early following Torvus’s directions. The guards had been no match compared to Torvus’s stealth and Tirr and Maria’s strength. After tying up the remaining servants upstairs, all that had been left was to wait.

It had all gone so well that Tirr couldn’t help but reveal an arrogant smile as he gazed down at the newcomers. Next to the large blacksmith was a slim figure in a white mask. He seemed calm as well, giving no sign of worry or apprehension, just standing calmly beside his charge.

“Torvus,” The white-masked figure responded, “Shouldn’t you be hiding in Lutel? Did you come back with your tail tucked between your legs to beg for the council’s forgiveness?”

“There will be some begging today Yori... But not from me.” Torvus answered, looking back at the burly man still staring at him.

“Why are you here Torvus?” Roe asked seriously.

“What Alloy? I can’t check in on an old friend? Didn’t I handle all sorts of problems for you back then?”

“Of course,” The blacksmith answered, glancing toward the child standing next to him. “I’d be happy if that was the case… But for some reason, I don’t think that’s why you’re here...”

“Well, Alloy when you’re right you’re right…” Torvus repled noticing his glance towards Tirr, “And just as you’ve guessed, I’m am here because of this little god. You see, you and your other friends have done some stuff that really made him mad you know? And since he's been taking such good care of me, I couldn’t let that stand.”

“I’m sure…” Alloy sighed, looking at Tirr. “So what is it you want? You snuck your way in here, into my home, leaving your armies and servants behind… So answer me little god…Why are you here? Obviously, you have set your sights on the city. But for what? Do you want gold? Jewels? Fabulous Food and luxurious drinks? What draws you here?’

“I can get all of that for myself,” Tirr answered frowning at the man below him. “I’m here to get rid of you parasites, all of you… Your council is a cancer on my land and I won’t stop it is gone..”

Roe laughed, “You think you can get to all of us? With your armies still days away? I don’t know if you’re just overconfident or stupid…” He turned serious once more, “Even if you did get all of us. I don’t know what Torvus has told you, but this city can’t run without us. It would be chaos within hours…”

“Oh don’t worry Alloy” Torvus cut in, “Raife has an idea for that…”

Roe‘s eyes narrowed, “Then I guess there’s no more need for talking…”

As he finished the windows on either side of him shattered, dark figures bursting through and into the hall. The deadly crossbows in their hands raised in the same moment, firing their poisonous bolts. The shots flew towards where Tirr and company were standing with deadly accuracy.

Tirr simply raised a hand and golden light spilled from his fingers covering the front. The bolts shattered against the sudden barrier harmlessly. In the same moment, both Torvus and Yori disappeared… Meeting in a clash in the middle of the room. Daggers flashed and arced beautifully as they went at each other with deadly strikes, faster than the normal eye could see.

Roe watched the confrontation for only a moment before turning and running with fast steps back for the door. Just as he was about to charge through a shimmering light rose in front of him. He crashed into it and the barrier shimmered weakly but held, knocking the blacksmith back and onto the ground. He clutched his throbbing head, blood dripping from the impact as he turned back to see the brown-haired girl standing with her hand out, a look of intense concentration on her face.

Tirr turned to Maria and gave her a thumbs up “Nice one! You’re getting good out outer manifestation… Soon you might be ready to start forming your first aspect…”

The words were nonsense to Roe but he knew she must have been the reason for his failure to leave. As he tried to stand he heard a sudden hiss and saw Yori standing with a blade through his chest. The body went slack, falling away from a still smiling Torvus and onto the ground.

His remaining guards continued firing, but the barriers from the two in the back foiled their every shot. And Torvus, now free, tore into them with a vengeance, killing them one by one. Roe managed to get to his feet, swaying slightly as he watched the last of his men fall. His head still throbbed and blood had blurred his sight, but he didn’t cower as Torvus approached him.

“Any last words Roe? Torvus asked him, his tone sarcastic. “Might as well apologize for any regrets now, maybe god will forgive you...”

Roe smiled, “The only regret I have is not twisting that neck of yours when you were younger…”

Torvus's smile didn’t weaken at all as he shook his head, his body flashing as his dagger suddenly appeared in the blacksmith's chest. Roe let out a gasp his body sinking. he grasped Torvus’s arm for a moment, holding himself up as he stared at him, before collapsing down into his own blood…

Torvus stood over the corpse, looking down at it pensively before looking up at the two waiting figures with a smile, “Now onto the real fun...”