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alydri Sanyi clapped her hands once as the incense burned amid the basin of sand within the shelter of the little shrine. It was barely an hour after dawn but already the market was bustling as merchants scurried to lay out their wares and welcome buyers. The little temple had but a small sanctuary at the top of a short flight of stairs and was enclosed on only three sides so that at times a chill wind would trouble its visitors. That morning the slightly built monk was clad in dour gray and trimmed with earthy tones of black and ochre red. Her lustrous brown tresses were neatly pinned back with two pale blossom ribbons that suggested a longing for spring amid the wintry gloom. Only in the very early or late hours of the day could she find peace in this place, and oddly, her friend Keisha Lhan.
Keisha had a knack for appearing when she was least expected. Despite her shocking hair color, she could vanish without a trace in a crowd. When she wanted to be seen, however, she dominated any space into which she strode. As she did now. Kalydri bit her lip in annoyance and finished her prayer. Could she not have waited just a few more moments?
“Greetings,” she said at last, turning to face her old friend with steepled palms and a shallow bow.
“I looked for you last night,” Keisha murmured by way of apology. Her dark eyes flashed sideways, indicating she was being watched or followed. By now, Kalydri was used to such things.
“Still an expediter? Removing obstacles are we?”
“I don’t have time for philosophical arguments.”
“Point taken,” Kalydri Sanyi replied, moving away from the shrine quickly so as not to disturb the others who were attempting to have some peace and quiet. Keisha moved lightly after her, still predatory in her motions and gestures. Kalydri would never understand assassins. While they were still students together at Shing Jea she prayed her friend would realize her error once she entered training but instead she had excelled at it. They stayed close despite the divergence of their paths and eventually Kalydri grew to accept that Keisha was still a good person and that yes, it was possible that an assassin could also be good and honorable.
Once they were well immersed in the preparatory hustle of the market, Kalydri slowed so that they could walk in tandem. She saw a pair of young men following them in gray servant livery. They did not seem menacing and Keisha nodded to them so that they stayed a polite but protective distance away.
“So what is it this time?”
“Another obstacle I have doubts about.”
“You know what I’ll say.”
“Look, I know you don’t approve of what I do, but I value your opinion. And frankly, how is what I do different than what your warrior friends do?”
“Because my warrior friends don’t pretend to be something they are not? Because their prey gets a sporting chance? Because they don’t let some crackpot bureaucrat decide for them what is right and wrong,” Kalydri thought angrily. She hated this argument. There really was not a good clean answer.
“My work is for the Empire,” Keisha sighed, glancing behind her to ensure she was not being overheard by the trailing servants.
“So you say.”
“If he is a good man, he will not be the first I have had to remove.”
“And I will pray for you both.”
“Don’t you ever wonder if you and your warrior friends get it wrong sometimes?”
“Of course.”
“And I took a vow… several vows. I have to do what is expedient.”
“Why not simply state what it is you do? Are you ashamed, Keisha?”
“No, I’m not ashamed.”
“Then I will tell you what I always tell you. Maybe I should write it down for future use. Save us both some time.”
“I thought you were my friend!”
“I am your friend. Why would I waste my energy being honest with you if I were not? I serve Dwayna, I heal the wounded, I am sworn to embody compassion. Does it please me to hear you are planning to kill, by deceit, another human being whom you believe does not deserve to die? If I were so conflicted I’d lay down my weapons and walk away.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“I count two hands, one for each weapon. Set weapons down, turn in opposite direction and leave. How hard is that?”
“I vowed to give this man’s soul to Grenth, I swore to uphold my duty to the Emperor by stopping his heart. Death is not simple for an assassin, Kalydri. I performed all the proper rites upon reception of this task.”
“Then my usual advice. If you are right by the gods, then you are right by me,” Kalydri Sanyi replied quietly, “but I do wonder why, if you are right with the gods, you must come to me to justify your actions.”
“Why are you making this so hard?” Keisha sobbed. Kalydri stopped and stared at her friend. In all the years she had known her she had never seen her weep. Maybe she was finally starting to get through to her. She put aside her anger and let her love for her friend shine through.
“Your doubt is the voice of compassion,” Kalydri whispered, “The gods are more concerned that we do what we know to be right than the words of some foolish vow. . Would the Emperor thank you for tainting his hands with the blood of innocents?”
“What am I going to do? If I fail, my own life is forfeit. And even if I step aside, others will come in my place. He is marked for death. But if he has to die, I would rather it were me. I can make it painless, he doesn’t even have to know.”
“Oh Keisha, what an awful choice.”
“I think that is what I have to do… and I wish there were another way. I just want to know if I can be forgiven.”
Kalydri Sanyi held her friend as she wept like a child, all her years of doubt and pain shed in a final burst of misery. The gods forgave, but what good was that if you could not forgive yourself?
“Do what you know to be right,” Kalydri whispered, “That is all the gods ask. Do right by them and forgiveness will be yours.”
“I wish I’d listened to you. When this is done I’m going to resign. I can’t do the dirty work of hidden masters.”
“I’ll still be here.”
“I have to go.”
“Then may Dwayna’s wings enfold you.”
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