Chapter 90

Aren

Integration

Aren was so close. No weapons, near exhaustion, but she had trained for just such an event. She had a chance, albeit a small one to end this war with one stroke. A burning fire built within her as she tried to talk herself into striking. Her mind flashed through a myriad of options.

Grab the dagger stuck to his hip, pull out jab. No, it’s on his right side and he appears to be faster on his right side. Likely he could grab the dagger and wield it against her faster than she could strike. Also, with the guard on hand the chances of catching Ajimal the Butcher off guard would be tough.

So many thoughts and plans went through Aren’s mind. On the surface she tried to look like she was scared that they had found out she had Nullify Magic as one of her base Abilities. This had been why she was able to advance so highly within the Cerusian hierarchy. The one thing that was stressed above all others was patience. Patience to adhere to the plan. Patience to wait for the moment. Right now, everyone was too guarded for her to strike.

Also, the leader looked like he was a coiled serpent, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. He looked relaxed, but that was a façade. His muscles tightened, then relaxed almost rhythmically. There was a dance to them, one that seemed to almost hypnotize someone if they watched too long. Perhaps that was a test, a way to determine if she was in fact trying to find a good time to strike. If she struck while disoriented, her mind would betray her actions.

Then with sharp clarity her mind snapped out of the trance as she focused on the eyes of the Butcher. Her mouth working separate from her mind. Truthfully, she couldn’t tell what she was saying or what was being asked. None of it mattered. What mattered now was understanding her new target.

Aren realized she was likely stepping on the toes of one of the order’s informants by being here. This was why she made no attempt to identify anyone. For her cover to work she had to be called in from the wilds to find a job posting. A job she readily took. A job she feigned weakness for. She could have easily carried out each and everybody that was in that death trap, but she didn’t. Why? Well simple, she was playing the long game.

Only once she had been summoned to stand before Ajimal did she realize she might be playing her game a little too well. She had been careless and been called out for her performance. At least that was what she thought was the case. Yet, when she arrived it seemed clear that the Butcher was legitimately concerned with whatever was in that Labyrinth.

Then he asked a question that caused her split consciousness to shatter as she tried to make sure she understood the question being posed.

“Are you now, or have you ever been wed?”

Aren paused her dual train of thoughts and focused her entire being on the words being spoken. Then a wave of revulsion hit her stomach, causing her to almost buckle from the mere thought of being with a pig like him. Fortunately, she was once again able to split off her thoughts from her actions.

Just as one part of her focused on working through the ramifications of the question, another part of her wondered if this was her in.

The order of course had no compunctions on chastity and the like, leaving such decisions up to each operative once they were in the field. Many would use sex as a lure. If used right, it was the best tool in one’s arsenal. Secrets that could never be gained otherwise were left bare, before one who was experienced. At first Aren was going to answer truthfully, that she had been intimate with more than one man. But then her mind froze, as she realized that was not the question being posed. Quickly before she could allow them to question her motives or her words she spoke truthfully.

“No, I have never wed. Sorry you caught me by surprise with such a forward question.” Aren answered and tried to look demure. Again, inwardly she was writhing in revulsion at having to play such a part, but she knew this man would likely need his ego stroked if she was to get close.

Hearing her words though seemed to have an immediate impact on the Butcher as he seemed to pause while looking at her. Did he not buy the demure look? It was one she seldom practiced as she found the whole idea of posing to be weak in such a way revolting. Though it seemed that Ajimal might be of a similar mind as he looked to have been taken aback by the false action as well.

His posture shifted, as his muscles that had been relaxed, now were taught as he arched his whole body away from Aren, if only by a slight shift of his hips.

“You must forgive me. I did not mean to be so forward. Though…” He trailed off as his eyes devoured Aren’s body like she was a freshly caught gazelle and he was a ferocious hunter with jaws covered in the fresh blood of his kill.

This time Aren didn’t flinch, and even allowed the demure look to fade. She would not be weak, not in front of him. She met his gaze with a fierceness of her own. While part of her was telling her that this was an apex predator, one who clearly had reached at least the third echelon of power, if not higher. By comparison they were leagues apart. Aren knew she was barely in the first echelon, as were most humans. That didn’t make her task any less important, or probable. No, she just needed to find the time to strike, if that meant her body had to be used to deliver the killing blow, then so be it.

As they stared a coldness filled Aren’s heart as she watched the man who could very easily decide her future standing before her. The more the coldness filled her mind and body. The more a fire seemed to rise within Ajimal’s own eyes. They stared at each other, each seeming to take the measure of each other.

Finally, Ajimal broke first. He didn’t look away, no, instead he just nodded to himself as he realized.

“You have spirit. I like that.” He said, then paused before he would say anything too revolting.

“I tell you what. Go to the labyrinths, explore the depths, and bring forth the treasures that are held deep within the bowls of their chambers. Do this and you will be rewarded handsomely.” He paused there as if coming to some conclusion.

After hearing that, Aren let out a slight sigh of relief. She didn’t know what she would do if he pronounced a wedding for something as simple as a retrieval job. Logically she should take such an encounter, as it would mean she could get close to the target. A Black Widow was not just a blessing given by the gods, but also a rite of passage that many in the order wear as a badge of pride. Men and women alike try for the title, as it is one that is the height of putting the order first.

It is also one of the few blessings by the gods that forever taints one’s aura. To get the title, one has to first been wed by witness to the gods. Then sometime after the ceremony and before a divorce can be implemented, the widow must strike. Fortunately, Aren had never gotten to that point. As far as she was concerned it was one of those blessings that was truly revolting to achieve.

Then as if reading her mind and wishing her to think even worse of him, he continued.

“Who knows. If you find an appropriate treasure, you might even become my wife.” Ajimal said with a faint smile cresting his face. He looked the picture of health and beauty but looking at him Aren couldn’t help but feel revulsion clinging to her stomach. Still, she couldn’t refuse such an opportunity.

She was aware that even now the order had many who were embedded into the Butcher’s own services. For them to find out that such an action had been offered and then refused would look poorly on her. Realizing she had only her last shred of dignity to stop her. Her last moral high ground stopping her, she thought back to the small child from the woods. The one who was now alone, despite having so many who would live and die for her. A child who was all alone now, thanks to him. Then she realized that this was her chance, a way to get close to the Butcher before he could slaughter more innocents. She would also be able to get close without his royal lap dog so close.

Realizing she had but one action, to suffer so that others would not have to. She forced a smile to her lips. It was faint, as she could not stomach the thought of truly liking this man. But getting close enough to stick a dagger in his heart, that was possible.

“Well then.” Was all Aren could muster in response. Her words fighting with her revulsion. Fortunately, she was saved by the lap dog.

“Perhaps we should see what she can find. Or if she can even survive the experience before we offer such matters as relationships and status?” Khanion the lap dog spoke.

Hearing that a true smile filled Ajimal’s face, one that went to his eyes. “Yes, you are right.” Then he paused and turned back to lock stares with Aren. There was a moment of intensity, one that Aren refused to back down from in his stare. Then as if seeing something that had once again gained his interest, he nodded to himself and then gestured for Aren to leave.

“Yes, it seems that we both have something to prove then.” Ajimal said, as he gave a slight bow, a sign that this informal meeting was over.

Stunned Aren gave a half bow herself, before raising up from her kneeling position to quickly leave the chambers. Her mind going through the different scenarios.

There was a lot to work with, but she had an in. An easy way to cut the head from the serpent. This was her chance to stop a war and the reign of a tyrant in its infancy.

Calming herself as she made her way back, she decided to try her best with this whole scenario. There was a lot riding on her actions. A lot of possible future conflicts could be ended if Aren took but one chance, if she crossed a line, she swore she would never cross. For Aren, being wed was the one thing she swore she would do for the one. Though that was such an obscure notion that it almost seemed comical. She was old and getting older by the day. With the rules and regulations as they were, she would be lucky if anyone looked past her status as a Null to see her.

In fact, Ajimal was the first to do so. The pig. So why was she so torn about the consequences?

Was it because she knew she would forever have the tainted aura of a Black Widow, making her chances at a true marriage even tougher? Or was there something else? Something deeper.

Shaking her head, she realized there was a lot of speculation about the possible futures. But what happened now was she needed to first lay the groundwork for such possible futures to even occur. For that she needed results. For that, she needed to go deep into the labyrinths and find artifacts that could make Ajimal unstoppable if delivered. Unfortunately, there often seemed to be only one way in and one way out of these labyrinths. Meaning that once she went in, she would either come out and offer the found artifacts to Ajimal, or she would need to find a separate means of escape.

She didn’t like any of the scenarios. When she got back to the site, she was somewhat surprised to see that a few provisions had been made for her. She had a backpack filled with rations, water, and a bed roll. She also had a torch and flint to light her way. There was also a knife and a length of rope. Everything a budding explorer would need to go deep into an unknown space, where only her had managed to ever return from successfully.

With all thoughts of marriage and becoming a black widow aside, she exhaled deeply before entering the labyrinth to find out what secrets had been sealed beneath its depths for so long.