Why was I even here for this discussion? This sounded like a conversation that should be between them, not me. But at this point I felt it better to sit quietly and speak as little as possible. I couldn’t figure out Adept Pax’s reason for me to be in this meeting. And I just prayed that he would forget about me so I could sneak away. But no sooner had that thought crossed my mind when I saw his eyes dart back to me and a smile started to spread across his face.

No chance of that.

Pax grinned. “So, to help us achieve our goal I have devised a training game, to encourage and challenge your soldiers and my students.”

Turning back to Commander Meryl, Pax leaned his giant frame against the shelf and folded his arms across his chest. “We are going to simulate an attack on the Citadel. But it will be on a small scale, nothing to worry the Queen or the town. Four of your best captains will try to attack our training grounds.”

Commander Meryl’s eyebrows rose in thought.

“Go on...”

“You will select a group of your best soldiers who will be the attackers. Their goal is to attack, distract and kill the students, while my specially selected assassin will sneak in and eliminate his prime target.” Pax moved away from the desk and picked up a book and flipped it open absently before putting it back on the shelf.

“Kill! What do you mean KILL?” I squeaked out. I had a feeling I knew where this conversation was going. My palms started to sweat and I decided that I didn’t like the idea of being killed one bit.

Commander Meryl began to stroke his short grey beard in thought. “The idea has great merit. I think it would be something to consider. Thalia’s right though; explain how we are to be killed exactly?”

Adept Pax’s eyes turned dark and they glittered dangerously in the candlelight. All emotion left his face, “Like this!”

In a blur of motion, Adept Pax charged both of us and I felt something heavy stab into my chest, knocking the breath from me, as my chair fell backwards and hit the ground. Grunting in pain, I grabbed my chest to see a pool of red blood gush between my fingers.

Pax leapt upon Commander Meryl bringing him to the ground in one smooth motion. I watched in shock as Pax pulled a knife from his belt and mortally stabbed Commander Meryl in the gut, as blood flowed out and onto the cold tiled floor.

Chapter 18

Pax slowly stood up from his kneeling position over Commander Meryl’s prone form, face deathly white and uniform covered in blood. This was it. I thought, my body starting to shake and go into shock; the end.

Hearing a slight chuckle, I looked over in surprise to see that it was Commander Meryl. Pax started to laugh as well. Stunned, I watched as their chuckles turned into full-fledged belly laughs. I couldn’t believe how a mortally wounded person could laugh that hard. Then I noticed that I wasn’t in any pain, other than the slight discomfort of landing on the cold, hard floor. Looking down at my shirt, I saw that I was covered in blood but could find no visible wound.

Upon closer inspection, I saw the remains of a small rubber-like ball that had broken open on impact. Pinching it between my fingers let loose a red liquid paint.

Pax walked over, pulled me up and set to work on putting his office back aright. Commander Meryl nimbly jumped up and patted Pax on the back.

“That’s brilliant, my friend. May I see it?”

Adept Pax handed over what looked to be a real knife, but the blade was made in a soft rubber that, when bent, leaked red paint.

“It’s a pliable version of a practice knife that has been altered to release paint on contact. We will all be armed with similar weapons. Anyone that gets marked with paint is therefore considered killed and is out of the game.”

“Absolutely brilliant!” Commander Meryl intoned again. “And when can we expect the training game to begin?” His eyes twinkled at the thought. “You are right, our soldiers have been getting bored and this is just the thing to test them. It gives me a chance to do some internal promotions as well.” The Commander sat back in his chair, crossing his legs with a thoughtful grin on his face.

“You have two weeks to prepare and begin the students training as well as Thalia’s. When the fourteen days are up, your Captains, along with my chosen Assassin, will begin the attack on the Citadel.”

“I see the point of only having a small attack team. You doubt this madman would unleash a full army upon us, when a small group would have more success at sneaking in. But, Pax, my Captains are good, but how can four of them attack the whole training facility and it be considered an even fight? Unless you have something up your sleeve?” Commander took one look at Pax’s knowing face before slapping his knee in excitement. “You ol’ dog, you do, don’t you? Who did you find to be the assassin?”

“I have called in a SwordBrother.”

Commander Meryl shot out of his chair, his face registering shock. “You know a SwordBrother? How in the world did you get one to agree to come here? That alone will even out the numbers, if not give us an advantage.”

I was stunned by the news. Being in the Healer’s wing for so long, I had plenty of time to do some reading and recently just learned of the existence of SwordBrothers. They were the most prestigious and fiercest fighters in the world. Their whole existence centered around honor, battle and sword skills. They are an extremely dedicated Clan, who were the personal bodyguards for the Kings and Queens of old. Only the powerful were important enough to have a SwordBrother for their bodyguard. But during the Denai War, they were betrayed by those they swore to protect. Now they refuse to swear fealty to anyone; King, Queen or Council.

Since then, they have gone into isolation and took with them their fighting techniques and secrets. Many have tried to find their clan over the years only to disappear and never return. They have become the stuff of legends and stories. A threat you would give to your misbehaving child. “Careful, or a SwordBrother will steal you away in the dark of the night.”

My throat constricted in nervousness and I felt myself running my sweaty palms on my legs. The Commander was ecstatic; to actually live to see the day where he would not only meet a legendary Swordbrother, but have him train some of his Captains, that was a great honor and privilege.

“Like I said, I had to call in a favor.” Adept Pax’s eyes became distant as if he had become lost in his memories. With a shake of his head, he turned to us again. “But remember, I want Thalia to be under guard as soon as possible. And her self-defense training starts now. Thalia will be the prime target. For I have also promised the SwordBrother a prize if he kills Thalia. It would do her good to be doubly on guard.”

“No!” my mind shouted. “No guards!”

From the shocked looks on Adept Pax and Commander Meryl’s faces, I realized I didn’t think it, but yelled it. I wasn’t emotionally ready to be surrounded by guards; it would be like being in prison again.

“Adept Pax? I know you mean well. But I don’t want to live my life under constant guard. What if we never capture the Septori, will you guard me forever? Someday I will have to rely on myself.” I stood tall, straight and refused to break eye contact.

Under the scrutiny of his dark eyes I could feel myself shrink in size, but I clenched my teeth in determination and refused to back down.

“Well then, you better hurry and learn to defend yourself either with a weapon or with your power.” Turning back to his desk, he dismissed me and began to debate defensive plans for the Citadel.