The Court of Earth and Blood was located under the wall, just south of the boundary between Scathta and the Butchery. According to Agath, the buildings in the area “clung to each other like panicked deer.”

“It’s a forest made of thorns,” Moon added. “The residents are difficult to deal with.”

“Let me guess,” I said. “The land soldiers don’t like to go there.”

Agath shook her head. “They love it, especially the rough ones. There’s always someone to beat up.”

“Charming,” I said. “Does this neighborhood have a name?”

“The Brambles,” Moon signed.

“Since Moon and I know the way, Mikal—” Agath paused. “No, he’s no longer my brother... Miklatsei won’t be obvious about leading us into danger. He’ll follow the main road until the Brambles’s entrance. After that...”

Agath conferred with the other guards about what they recalled of the neighborhood’s layout. They’d all been to the Court of Earth and Blood before, but it quickly became clear that—while Kila’s guards were competent—Agath and Moon had a much more robust understanding of guarding against ambushes.

That surprised me, since it was a skillset a merchant family would prioritize in their hiring. Yet, I could also see how the labor market for competent guards would be tight. Grasset and his team might be the best that Kila could afford to permanently employ. No wonder he went to the Soldier’s Lodge for temporary additional help.

And I was glad he did, within fifteen minutes Agath and Moon identified three locations within the Brambles that would be particularly good to ambush someone on the way to the Court of Earth and Blood. These spots took into account sight lines, the number of people crowding the area, and easy access to escape routes.

The first location had been the site of an assassination last year. We didn’t have time for the full story, though, so I’d have to get it out of them later. The second and third spots were more out of the way, but there were shops near them that Miklatsei could reasonably request to stop at before heading to the court.

“We should assume he recognized your Air Shield,” Moon remarked.

“If I were in his place,” Haol said, “I’d arrange to shoot from multiple vantages to bypass the shield.”

“At most, he’ll only have Banan with him,” Mumu said.

“Then two attacks from opposite directions, either from the sides or the front and back.”

“In that case,” Agath said, thinking, “it’ll be either the first or third locations.”

Moon nodded and drew on the table. There was no medium—it was just his finger—but it helped the hunters visualize the layout of the Brambles.

Agath narrated for us. “That is the street where he’ll likely turn toward the court. It will be another ten or eleven saqilm, and then there will be alleys to the sides and tall buildings, each with protected ledges.”

A saqilm was a just shy of three yards, so that was about ninety feet. “But why the ledges?” I asked.

“You have not been to Albei before, so you don’t know that all the roofs have gardens.” Agath gestured, her hand encompassing the city around us. “People grow food, but also spend time in them. The extra space is welcome, especially to those living in cramped homes. Albei is not like your Voorhei with every family owning a longhouse, and every longhouse having its own garden plot. So, if Kuros and Banan want elevation, they will have to hunt for it.”

She continued: “As for why ledges were built onto those two buildings, the answer is that the neighbors hate each other. They use them to stand outside and yell at each other across the street. To throw things—”

“—bones, nightsoil, and even wooden darts,” Moon added. “People go to watch them before the matches begin at the court.”

“That’s true,” Agath said. “If the families are fighting, the ledges won’t be available to Kuros and Banan, and the street will be a crowd. Very crowded.”

Mumu repeated Moon’s drawing with her own finger. “Eight, if that’s the case, you’ll need to prepare in case Miklatsei tries to stab you with a knife, using the crowd to hide his actions.”

“Right, I’ll be careful.”

“The third location,” Agath said, “is down a side street another fifteen saqilm toward the court. It bends in a half circle to rejoin the main street. In between, where it curves, there are locations on the roof tops where two assassins can position themselves.”

“There aren’t any gardens?” I asked.

Agath nodded as if approving of the question. “There are five buildings clustered together, each with a large bell on top. No one knows why—none of the families will say, not even when drunk—but the rooftops are otherwise empty, and the families only go up to them on special occasions.”

“That’s weird,” I commented.

“Very,” Moon said, his hands chopping to emphasize the word. “Their neighbors charge half a taak to anyone wanting to watch. All the bell people do, though, is stand in a circle for a short time, clap their hands like they’re visiting a guest, and then go back downstairs. I don’t understand—”

“More importantly,” Agath said, interrupting. “In addition to the elevation provided by the empty rooftops, there are thoroughfares on the other sides of the buildings. To escape pursuit, all the assassins would have to do is to drop down and mix with the crowds there.”

“If I’m hearing you right,” I said. “These two locations are our best, educated guesses for where Kuros and Banan will set up. There’s nothing stopping them, though, from finding another pair of rooftops, as long as they happen to be empty of residents.”

“There will always be uncertainty in every plan,” Moon said. “We don’t know Miklatsei well—if he has special knowledge of the Brambles, secret family techniques, or he’s simply stupid, which is its own kind of unpredictability. All we can do is prepare using what we know and adapt to the unexpected.”

“That's what we do in our lodge too,” Mumu said. “Truly, hunters and soldiers are cousins on the Path to Perfection.”

As Haol began to practice Moon’s map on the table, he asked, “Do we go ahead to set up our own ambush or do we escort Eight as hidden outriders?”

Mumu considered the question. “I’ve not been to the Brambles, but from its description, I envision a place where a skilled hunter can find countless opportunities within its hidden nooks and corners. Banan and Kuros’s fighting skills are excellent, but their hunt craft is average at best. They’re used to relying on others.” Mumu looked at Haol, and then me. “My sense... my sense is that these fools have not changed. They’ve stood in place while others passed them by. In their hearts, they have replaced Otwei with Miklatsei, and will trust in his knowledge. If he points to one of these locations, they will do as he says.”

“So we’ll go ahead,” Haol said, his eyes narrowed in anticipation.

“We will,” Mumu said, just as intent.

“And how do we deal with you two becoming mankillers?” I asked, remembering the grilling I’d gotten upon entering the city.

I’d been the one to land the killing blow on Borba, so the magic at the city gate should let them through without problems. That’d change, though, once Kuros and Banan were killed.

“We let them draw their bows,” Mumu said, “so that it’s obvious what they intend. That way we can speak truthfully when Honored Aslishtei asks.”

“So there’s no way to avoid getting marked as a mankiller.”

Mumu nodded, and Haol along with her, both accepting the burden it implied.

Agath frowned. “Can you interrupt the assassins before they shoot?”

“Probably, but you needn’t worry.” Mumu let a smile slip out. “Our Eight can cast two Air Shield spells simultaneously.”

The guards turned to consider me. “It’s true,” I said. With me and Yuki working together, I could cast any two mana spells. “If they have an additional archer, though...”

Moon gave the table a tap, and said, “We will protect you.”

Agath nodded, as did the other guards.

“We trust our Eight to you,” Mumu said, looking each in the eyes. “Let none of us fail him.”

Agath patted me on the head. “Our shields are yours. Have no doubt.”

With nothing left to add, Mumu gestured for Haol to follow. “Then, we’ll run ahead. Good hunting to you all. And Eight—”

“Yes?”

“Mind your elders and don’t run off on your own. Once was enough, understand? We’ll not have a repeat of the kalihchi bear hunt.”

“Yes, lodge master. I hear you.”

###

Unlike the rest of Albei, the buildings in the Brambles were built from either brick or wood. The streets were also narrower, and the buildings leaned out over them so that it felt like walking through a ravine or even a tunnel in places. Laundry hung on lines strung between windows, and there was almost always someone yelling, whether it was the hawkers on the street or the families within their residences.

The air smelled of mildew, unwashed bodies, and chili peppers, although all three were occasionally cut by the scent of piss. The place stank of life, and clearly not the rich kind.

Even after dark, the air chilly from a cold autumn evening, the streets were lively with people. No candle stones here, though. The only light was from the lanterns carried by the hawkers and from the windows of the nearby houses.

The ghosts were many, and they varied in age. One looked as fresh as this morning—an old man sitting forlornly at the front door of a house. Others looked tattered with age, but not all of them were human. Beasts walked among them too.

As elsewhere, my collection of bodyguards drew looks, and there were some that were distinctly predatory, a quiet measuring of wealth and strength. Agath and the rest stared right back. Once, I caught Moon grinning, and the young man who was his target slunk away.

I was glad; the fellow’s attention felt like a knife against my neck. I was wide open to the land, breathing it in and out and letting it move through me as I searched for Kuros and Banan. As I kept careful watch of Miklatsei beside me.

We’d met up with the soldier about a half hour after dusk—he was the late one—and the man had felt compelled to play tour guide in apology. It’d taken forever to even get to the Brambles, and the delays were an obvious signal that he was buying time for his accomplices. I let his bright, cheery words wash over me like everything else.

Yuki’s thoughts hovered next to mine, although neither of us said anything. Words weren’t needed.

They maintained an Iron Heart spell for me, and had ever since we’d met up with Miklatsei. They'd slowly teased the spell out, and the soldier's spirit hadn’t flickered at all in response. It’d gone unnoticed by him.

Ahead, torches lit the street, and the crowd thickened. Gazes were turned upward, and we heard the angry screams of people yelling at each other. We’d reached the first location—the place where two families feuded.

They stood on their ledges, and to my spirit eyes, the air above the street warped with the vitriol spewed between them. Ugly-twisted-corrosive, it was the stuff curses were made of, and I had to pull my attention away for fear of getting it on me.

My pace stuttered, and Miklatsei slowed alongside. His own bit of ugliness came to the surface, and I saw him glancing between the crowd and me. His face smiled, though, and happily told of the amusement to be found watching the Albei equivalent of the Hatfields and McCoys in action.

I didn’t see the allure myself, especially once the weapons came out. Both families used wooden darts, and the crowd roared every time one was thrown. Some people played a game of standing directly between the buildings to dodge any darts that fell short or were deflected.

My guards readied themselves, and I brought the Air Shield rune to mind. Yuki cast Callaut’s Hide for me, which Miklatsei noticed since the spell visibly toughened my skin.

He said, “Be easy, young Eight. This fight has nothing to do with us. We’ll walk right through, and even leave this street for a short while. There’s a soaper down a side street farther on who I’d like to visit.”

This guy, if he really wanted me to be easy, he’d let go the hilt of his knife. I just nodded to him, though, and made my way through the crowd. Twice, Miklatsei tensed as if wanting to move, but I kept bodies between us—whether they were my bodyguards or simple bystanders. No darts fell either, at least not while I was passing under the feud.

On the other side, once we were through the crowd, Miklatsei’s spirit sank as if he’d missed an opportunity. He quickly picked himself up, however, and led the way, with none of the fluctuations in his emotions showing on his face. He’d remained bright throughout.

The side street was about another forty yards onward, opening to the left and with the statues of two mountain lions on each side. They were about five-feet tall each and looked to be made of mahogany. They must’ve been magnificent too—when they were new and well cared for. Now, the statues were covered with countless symbols and names carved into the wood.

The street curved as I’d been told it would, bending to the right, and my pace slowed as I took it all in—the cold, dead air; the fading noise of the main street behind us; the sharpening of Miklatsei’s spirit in anticipation.

“We’re almost there,” he said. “Just a little farther.”

Briefly, Yuki and I merged to solidify our coordination, but it was only a moment, barely the blink of an eye. While our fighting skills were better when combined, we could cast more spells when apart, and having access to two separate Air Shield spells was going to be key soon.

I walked in the dark, passing through puddles of light, until the vague outlines of giant bells on the rooftops came into view. A head poked up to peek at the street, and I felt danger’s knife edge draw against my chest. A thrill arose from within me, answering the challenge.

“The shop’s at the curve,” Miklatsei said, licking his lips. “You can wait outside; I’ll be quick.”

I nodded, then gestured for Grasset and one of his team to follow him. When Miklatsei protested that the help wasn’t necessary, I said, “There’s nothing wrong with having good people to watch your back.”

Which was entirely true, except that Grasset would be watching mine, thank you very much.

Once again, I would be playing the bait for my fellow hunters, so I walked into the middle of the street, watching and waiting for the second head to pop up. The first was:

Kuros the Spear (Human, Dawn)

Talents: Swift, Runner, Enduring, Spearman

The faint sound of small claws on stone sounded from above—it could’ve plausibly been a rat or something like it—but almost immediately the other assassin appeared in response:

Banan of Albei (Human, Dawn)

Talents: Natural Woodsman, Knack for Leadership, Professional, Face

As they both stood up, a crossbow on one side and a bow on the other, both lifting into shooting position, I took a breath and cast my Air Shield. Yuki matched my timing and cast theirs along with me. The combined mana blew through me to coalesce into two swirling masses of thick wind.

Up above, from both sides of the street, I sensed the telltale signs of qi being gathered into Spiral Pierce—a pair of them. Then, the spells cut out, the half-formed qi dissipating. To my right, there was a long sigh, as if air was being let out of bag. To the left, there was a thump, and the sound of wood against wood. Then, the clacking picked up speed as the combatants both cast Dog’s Agility spells.

My own Dog’s Agility was only a half second behind, and I took off for the building. Yuki cast Bear’s strength to power my leap onto the wall. Then, I muscled my way up; it was only three stories, and there were lots of handholds. I’d be on the roof in moments.

Behind me, Agath cursed. Below me, I heard her and the other bodyguards barge into the building to demand to be let upstairs. By the time they got through the door, I slithered over the low wall surrounding the roof, and paused a precious breath to pull my knives and take in my surroundings.

Mumu thrust her spear high, the point rotating and sinking midway as the feint revealed the true attack. Kuros backed away, his own spear rotating along with Mumu’s to block. Then, he bound her haft with his, trying to wind in past her guard. She kicked, and he had to let go or risk her breaking his knee. Instantly, I was up and circling to get behind him.

Kuros switched stances to one that let him deal with multiple opponents. None of us said anything. There was nothing to say.

From his spirit, I sensed disappointment and annoyance at my arrival. Disappointment, because he hadn’t been able to get his shot off. Annoyance, because he wanted to duel Mumu now that she’d shown up. I was a pest spoiling his opportunity.

It was too dangerous with me present. Mumu was good enough that he’d need his full attention on her, and any distraction I posed could be fatal. So, he backed away, circling around the giant bell, toward the far side of the rooftop. If he dropped over the side, he’d be able to make a run for it. He had confidence in his running.

For a moment, for half a thought, I wondered at his sanity. He'd wanted to fight Mumu after a failed assassination attempt, and then he thought we’d just let him get away?

I blasted him with a full-power Spark, and the roof lit up with a coruscating line of skyfire. I kept the spell going, and poured the electricity into him until his body shook. Surprise!

Mumu gathered her strength and cast Spiral Pierce. She waited for the light to die, and then her spear took Kuros in the throat, penetrating clear through. She followed up with a sweep of the haft to maximize the damage.

Kuros’s body dropped, and in the last remaining flashes of Spark on my hands, I saw that he’d been wearing a mask that covered his whole face. That explained why he thought he could get away; he didn’t think we’d be able to recognize him, which wasn’t very smart, really. From his fighting style we’d know he was a hunter. And it’d only work if both he and Banan got away.

Did they really think that poorly of us?

From across the street, Haol signaled all clear, and a moment later, my bodyguards rushed onto the roof followed by the building’s residents complaining about the intrusion.

Agath read the scene, and gestured for the others to spread out to make sure there weren’t any more assassins. While they did that, Mumu knelt by the body to remove the mask.

“It’s Kuros, as we’d guessed.”

His head was nearly separated from his body, and I heard startled gasps from the building’s residents. There was a Strong-Willed matriarch at the head of the family who stayed behind to keep an eye on us. Also, she told us in no uncertain terms that the land soldiers would be called. There’d be no hiding the body, and definitely not under the bell. Once was apparently enough. Which really, really begged asking for the story, but it wasn’t the time nor the place.

Kuros lingered, confused about how he’d come to be dead. That he’d lost was inconceivable, so I took advantage of his daze to push him out of this world and into the next one. He didn’t even try to resist until the end, but by then it was too late. I looked across the street but didn’t see Banan’s ghost. Apparently, he hadn’t needed help moving on.

Mumu came to check on me. We half-smiled at each other, and then each of us sighed. She’d never killed a human being before, so I closed the distance to give her a hug. That surprised her, but then she pulled me in tighter.

I hugged her just as hard. “Thank you for helping to protect me. You are my lodge master, my friend, and my sister.”

“What are you saying, my Eight? Of course, I would protect you, no matter who it is that wishes to harm you. And besides,” she said, scowling, “these people betrayed their lodge. They deserved to die.”

I nodded, feeling the smooth buckskin against my cheek. “I hate to say it, but it gets easier.”

“To kill people?”

I nodded again, and I felt her take a deep breath and sigh.

“We do what we have to,” she said.

“Miklatsei next?”

“Him, we leave to the land soldiers. Since he was with us, he’ll be questioned. And if not—”

“—then we’ll handle him for them.”

“Now and always,” Mumu said, whispering the words to herself, “we do what we must.”