Book 3 Chapter 36

Three assassins stood at attention, keeping a careful watch over the children in front of them. The guild didn’t expect the children to put up too much of a fight, with as young as most of them were. However, there were a few who they thought were relatively skilled with the shard, therefore guards were necessary.

For the guards looking at the meek and scared children, they couldn’t help but think it was unnecessary. Only one, a young teen girl, seemed to have enough talent to even think about trying something, and she was busy tending to the other children.

All three assassins agreed it would have been enough to just lock them down here, yet Boris’s words were law and so they were stuck here babysitting. A frustration they didn’t hesitate to take out on the children.

Finishing another bored circle around the group, one assassin kicked at a crying child near him, scoffing, “These was supposed to be our next generation? They’re far too weak…”

“That’s what happens when they skip the training…” The other replied, “That traitor Raife ruined an entire generation. Boris must be hoping he can salvage something from these ones after we lost so many but it seems like it’s too late.”

“Hmph,” The first assassin grunted his dagger appearing in his hand in a flash. He held it towards one of the children only for the teen girl to step in front. He clicked his tongue, “Honestly…” He started moving the blade to the girl’s neck, “We’d be doing you a favor if we just…”

The assassin stopped his eyes going wide in confusion. There at the entryway was a small furry form. Tottering into the room innocently was a small puppy of some kind. Its silver fur speckled with streaks of black. It stopped for a second, plopping itself onto its tiny bottom while letting out a large yawn.

How the fuck did this thing get here, One of the others asked as they raised their crossbow. The deadly tip pointing directly at the small form…”

“Stop!” Another said, “What if it belongs to one of the council members? Do you really want Borris to have another reason to complain?”

The crossbow was put down regretfully, the assassin snorting as he did so. While his companion went towards the puppy with a face of annoyance.

The first assassin, still holding his blade to the teen girl's throat, complained, “It's bad enough we have to babysit the children and now they want us to watch their pets too?”

“At least for now, until Raife and that kid are taken care of… Eventually, the Council will return to their cozy homes and things will return to normal…” The third said as he reached his arm down for the small pup. He grabbed him by the gruff picking him up as he brought it back to the others.

“We'll have to wait for the relief so we can send this runt off. “He shook the puppy, ignoring its complaints, “Hear that you little rat? You’re stuck with us for a while….”

The words caught in his throat as his arm disappeared in a flash of blood and gore. He tried to let out a scream, but razor-sharp teeth sunk into his neck and all he released was a slight gurgle.

The others started to turn in shock when the assassin holding the crossbow felt his vision go black as he slipped from the world in a meaty crunch. The remaining assassin watched in horror as his companion’s skull caved in as a small rock flew in from the entryway.

There at the entrance, was Maria, a look of triumph on her face as she finished her throw. It was another thing she had only seen tirr do but felt that she may be able to get away with it.

The remaining assassin snarled, his dagger flashing as the world around him slowed to a crawl, then stood still… He started forward, moving through his silent world when he heard something shatter. In an instant, the world around him returned to normal. His eyes widened in shock as he felt his dagger press into the back of his neck…

“You… he started as the dagger stabbed in, splitting his flesh and severing his spine in one fluid motion. His body fell to the ground, limp and lifeless. She broke it… How… Was she stronger than me…? He thought in his last seconds.

Sera dropped the dagger and turned to look as Garm finished off his own opponent. Throwing the now lifeless body to the side like an old sack of clothes.

Already the children were running to him, they jumped on the now adult-wolf sized Garm, crying and petting him. He gave a look of annoyance as the children rubbed their snot and tears against his fur, but seeing the glare Maria gave him held it in as the children pressed in close.

Maria ran up, watching the children as they dogpiled on Garm… The only one not joining them was Sera, who waited for her to approach. Sera bowed politely, her voice as monotone as ever as she spoke. “Thank you for helping us.”

Maria smiled at the young girl, “You did well Sera, it must have been tough….” She raised her hand patting the younger girl's head gently…

Sera nodded slightly, looking somewhat awkward but not moving away from the praise.

“We're going to get you all out of here okay?” Maria said taking her hand away as they went towards where the other children lay piled up on Garm.

“Others will be coming soon…” Sera informed her as she helped Mara start prying the children off the buried wolf.

“Then we need to go right now, the way out isn’t far…” Maria replied before clapping to get all the other children's attention “We’re all gonna stay close and listen okay? All of us are getting out of here!”

The children nodded obediently and Maria was working with Sera to get them organized as they prepared to escape when Garm let out a sudden growl. Maria and the children froze, hushing instantly.

Dull footsteps came from down the hall… Maria quickly motioned toward the children telling Garm to stay with them while she snuck to the front near the door. She waited until the footsteps got closer, sweat trickling down as she channeled her blessing.

As the door swung open Maria sprung forward, her fist launching towards the first person she saw… Who turned out to be a somewhat familiar-looking young woman with a look of deep shock on her face. Just before Maria’s fist crashed into the newcomer she suddenly disappeared…

She appeared a few meters back in the hands of another young woman in a white mask. The white-masked figure sprung in front of her companion as Maria charged again.

Just as Maria and the white mask guard were about to collide a soft voice called harshly “Stop! Stop! We’re not here to fight!”

Maria stopped confused blessing at the ready as she waited for some kind of trick, “What do you mean?”

The young woman stood up quickly dusting off her dress while looking exasperated “We’re here to help you… Well, not you specifically but your definitely a good bonus… Silk said finally, smiling.

“Who are you?” Maria questioned when the ground suddenly shook around them. Silk gave a worried glance behind them while moving forward. “You can call me Silk… I was supposed to help the children survive until your god gets here, but things have gotten a little more complicated…”