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By Michele aka Ygraul Verdemorte |
Chapter 7. The Handler |
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rescent Blade knelt obediently upon the matted floor in the dim little room. Her handler was late, yet another annoyance atop an already frustrating day. Things always moved slowly at the Celestial Ministry. A pot of steaming tea had awaited her arrival and it was starting to grow cold. Her dark eyes narrowed with annoyance. She was a blade of the empire, she deserved better than to be treated like a lowly servant. She heard Shao Li’s soft footfalls in the narrow corridor and saw his narrow silhouette through the intricate sandalwood screen as he approached. He pushed past the folding door, his black robes sweeping softly around his mysterious figure. Crescent Blade had never seen his face for he kept it concealed behind a hooded mask of black silk and steel. Its harsh visage was that of a stylized oni with narrowed eyes and swollen brow surmounting vicious rows of ripping teeth. It was not unusual for a spy or assassin to be unaware of the true identity of their handler. If she were ever captured and tortured, Crescent Blade could not betray him. She suspected he was quite powerful in whatever department he worked for, a bureaucrat, certainly, perhaps a direct report to one of the ministers. All she knew of him were his sharp brown eyes shadowed by the mask. They were fixed upon her now as his swathed figure closed the carved screen behind him. Shao Li scanned the tiny room to ensure they were alone. Only a pair of pillows, a low table and a lantern awaited him. “Report,” he said sharply, sitting across from her now. He would not drink tea, doing so would reveal the cut of his jaw and the distinctive shape of his mouth. Out of courtesy, however, he filled the lone cup and pushed it toward her. “He goes nowhere alone. He knows he is hunted. Today at the meeting he openly wore a purge signet. He suspects he will be poisoned.” “I have extracted information of interest to you from a former servant,” Shao Li said quietly, “It would seem Master Bei spends his winter nights alone.” “Is he not married?” “His wife leaves after the last moon of autumn and returns at the first moon of spring. It is well known among his retainers.” “What is the reason for this departure?” “The woman stopped breathing before I could inquire,” Shao Li replied darkly. Crescent Blade gazed impassively upon him, quietly disgusted but revealing nothing. The woman in question had betrayed the Crystal Palm to Red Lotus Clan and had fled retribution by Master Bei. She was dishonorable and deserved her fate. Nevertheless, torture revolted Crescent Blade, and the fact that Shao Li was so glib about it caused her loathing to extend to him as well. He was a despicable man. “Clearly I cannot strike him in the open, but the compound is well warded, both physically and magically.” Shao Li folded his gloved hands upon his lap and studied her for a moment. “I believe Master Bei is a sentimental fool. He takes in children and stray foreigners. If your story is hard-luck enough he might even take you in.” “I had considered that.” “Why do you hesitate? The charm I gave you is proof against his mental prying.” “I know.” Crescent Blade chided herself for showing weakness. She kept thinking about the little orphan and the gentleness of Master Bei’s voice and manner. It was not her place to question what was or was not expedient. If the ministry wanted him dead, that had to be good enough. He was in the way and it was her patriotic duty to remove obstacles. She could make it painless. There were certain poisons that could take a man quietly in his sleep from a single scratch. He did not deserve violence and horror. “I will not report back until he is dead,” she said quietly. It was time to go into deep cover. Until she had succeeded, she must not return to the ministry. “Very well. I await news of your success. May Lyssa guide your blades true.”
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