Tirius checked the string on his bow for what must have been the tenth time this evening. Soft drops of rain coated his long leather coat and soaked his short black hair. He looked over to the other end of the alley where Alex would be stationed. This was where it would be most likely to happen, all that was left to do was to wait. Of course the waiting was the hardest part no matter what operation was scheduled. Drug bust, gang stint, undercover. Whatever it took, it was always the waiting. Never the subterfuge, never the fighting, never facing down hardened criminals, never facing the knight captain after the scum escaped. It was always the waiting. Tonight held special significance, however. Word was spreading among the people and Fallholt's street informants confirmed that there was to be a high profile smugglers meeting tonight meant to discuss the potential for some new venture in Fallholt. What exactly that was, the guards of Fallholt could not know. However, the Justicars of Peace, Fallholts elite unit of detectives, clearly had some clue. They told much more with their actions than their tight lips could ever reveal.
The fact that they were enlisting the help of the town guard said that they were expecting trouble, the number of guards enlisted also said that they wanted to keep this on the down low. It was only Tirius and Alex, the best archer and the best fighter respectably. Tirius remembered when he and Alex were approached for the stakeout.
"You know, we ought to see about promotion, I haven't seen you miss with that bow since I met you. The Justicars of Peace are the only ones in Fallholt who care about their jobs." Alex had said one night after a few drinks at the Bloody Cross.
"Indeed, and you easily outmatch those guys at training. You take guys down that are twice your size with that blade of yours" Tirius said pointing drunkenly at Alex's longsword, which leaned against the table.
The conversation in the tavern stopped for a brief moment as the door was opened, letting in the cool autumn breeze. One man, deep into his cups shouted.
"Close the damn door! It's freezing!"
Turning to look at the new patron Tirius and Alex saw a cloaked man, unbuttoning the clasp that held his cloak to his shoulders. Tirius noticed the insignia of the Justicars of Peace, nudging Alex and watching him squint to see the symbol. A downward pointed sword with a star above the pommel. He scanned the quiet room, scrutinizing brown eyes taking in every detail. From the bleary eyes of the revelers to the dingy cat that found its way from table to table. Hunting for scraps that may have fallen to the seldom mopped floor. They finally landed on Tirius and Alex. Giggling to each other like children as they whispered amongst themselves.
"Oooohhh, your in troubleeeee" Alex jibed in Tirius's ear. Which warranted a drunken snicker.
"Shut your mouth idiot, he's obviously after you. He knows about your skipping out on watch" Tirius whispered back. Forcing a faked gasp from Alex
"For one, they are called recovery naps and I'm still awake for most of my watch"
"Excuse me gentlemen, may I join you at your table?" A new voice spoke up.
Tirius didn't realize how much he and Alex had been caught up in their shenanigans. They had missed the quiet in the tavern fading back into music and revelry. They had also missed the Justicar weaving his way toward them and tapping his foot before them. Alex wore shock on his face like a fitted mask. Tirius, who was less inebriated than his compatriot, recovered first.
"Of course Justicar, we would be honored. Shall I order you something to drink, it's on me?" Tirius said. Serving a Justicar? Perhaps all of the time spent with his mother was rubbing off on him.
"No need, I won't be here long" The Justicar replied, taking a glance at the rowdy atmosphere and wrinkling his nose at the stench of spilled ale.
"What I am really here for is to ask for your assistance in a Justicar operation. We have intel on a smuggler's den and need you to help us cover our bases"
"Why us, wouldn't any fools in the guard do?" Tirius responded, albeit slurred from his fifth cup of ale. Or was it his sixth, he couldn't remember. He looked over at Alex, who had had even more than him. He was pink in the face and doing everything in his power to not break out giggling.
The Justicar eyed both of them and sighed.
"Listen, it was the Knight Captain's recommendation that you two be the ones we use. You are both capable in a fight and work better together than 20 of the other guards in the town could"
"We also need to keep it small, this is a very risky operation and we cannot have our cover being blown with the streets cut off and guards everywhere." The Justicar added.
"Well, a recommendation from the Knight Captain himself, when is this happening?" Tirius asked
"Tomorrow night, meet us at the guard barracks, we will give you your instructions and conduct the operation soon after. Be prepared in your battle gear, we don't know what to expect once we move in,"
"I might be busy, could we maybe postpone this for the *hic* weekend?" Alex said, snickering to himself. The Justicar glared at Alex.
"Alexander, I certainly hope your sword arm is as proficient as you are humorless." He said, returning his gaze to Tirius
"Forgive him *hic* Justicar, you have caught us at a *hic* horrible time" Tirius blurted out
"Be there" And with that the Justicar rose from his seat and wove his way back towards the door. Tirius swore he saw him swipe a drink from one of the tables as he passed. But then again, he did pass out a few moments later so perhaps not.
Now here they were, guarding an alleyway in the freezing rain. Trying to keep a watchful eye open for suspicious activity, as ordered by the Justicar field commander Virion. Tirius watched the street from his position, they moved like shadows. Crossing the main thoroughfare as black clad blur, many folks in town thought the Justicars mere detectives and clerks. It was obvious they were much more than they appeared. Even Tirius's keen eyes could only make out outlines as they took positions around the front door. Then with one quiet command, chaos erupted.
The first Justicar planted his boot into the door and it splintered open with a loud crash. They filed into the brightly lit room. Tirius couldn't see them as they entered the threshold but he could certainly hear some sort of struggle within. Grunting first, then the sound of blades leaving the scabbard. Tirius reached into his quiver, nocking an arrow as he heard the fighting get worse. The grunts turned to cries of pain and dull thuds echoed through the walls and into the alley. Tirius could almost sense Alex's anticipation down the way, he was brimming for some action.
Then Tirius heard footsteps heading fast toward him. He jumped away just as a side door crashed open where he was standing. Looking back, he saw light streaming out into the dark alleyway, and a figure dash out to the chorus of shouting Justicars.
This figure was short but well built with a wider muscle profile and broad shoulders well suited to pushing through thick crowds and shouldering town guards to the side. He was quick for his massive build though. He dashed with great speed down the alley shoving a stunned Tirius into the hard stone of the narrow passage. He would have made it out if Alex hadn't stepped in when he did.
He lept in front of the man, his left hand drawing forth his longsword. It was an elegant weapon. It did not carry the bulk than many other guardsmen preferred, its design was sleek and slender by contrast. The faint light that spilled into the alleyway from the street lamps illuminated the snakelike engravings along the blade. As well as the dull blue hue that shone around the weapon, an eternal promise that it would never break or tarnish.
The figure, in a swift motion drew a blade of his own, it would have been distasteful to call it a short sword. He lunged at Alex attempting a quick but effective stab to the ribs. To which Alex brought his blade to bear, parrying the attack with a broad sweep of his weapon. He then made his own attack. He stepped forward inside of the figures next attack, his blade slashing down on the figures hand and through his thumb, the appendage hung but by a few strands of tissue when Alex's strike was complete. The figure dropped the blade and shouted out in agony but Alex was not done yet. Using this distraction he pivoted around the figure and the sword struck like the snake that was engraved on the blade. This time severing the figure's hamstring. He collapsed to the wet cobblestones, screaming bloody murder as his body shook from the pain. It was not long before shock took over and he lay there still.
Tirius almost gawked at the spectacle, such massive damage dealt with swift and precise attacks, and Alex's face. The corners of his mouth twitched, Tirius couldn't tell if he was smiling or grimacing in the low light. But then again, Alex didn't smile much, not without some ale in his system.
"Oh hell, Tirius BEHIND YOU!!!" Alex's voice reverberated across the stone alleyway. The warning came too late, however.
Tirius felt an arm loop around his chest, securing him in a headlock. Then he felt the blade stab into his back. It was a straight blade, stiletto style, 7 inch length. Tirius could tell well enough as he felt it pierce his lower right abdomen. The second stab was a little higher, he missed the lungs by inches. Tirius's arm moved of its own violation. Grabbing the meaty forearm that held him in place, he pulled just enough to where he could move his head. With a little wiggle room established he rocketed his head back. He remembered his father's words.
"Always aim for the nose, break that and they've got tears in their eyes and blood everywhere. Not to mention it'll hurt like hell."
The crunch he felt told him he had hit his mark. The third stab never came and Tirius spun around, adrenaline flowing quickly through his veins. The figure before him was a man, tall but well built. He had taken the impact well, and with the element of surprise gone he was already making for the deserted streets, down the path that Tirius was supposed to be watching. With his adrenaline levels rising by the second Tirius ignored the warmth soaking his cloths and leather armor and darted after the figure.
He had an arrow on the string before he even made it to the street. He could see the figure running, he was fast and had gained quite some distance. He looked back, saw Tirius standing there, bow in hand. He picked up the pace, darting left and right in an attempt to shake off the arrow that he knew was bound for him.
Tirius took a deep breath, in through the nose, and out through the mouth. He brought his bow to bear and began to draw.
"Now, which way will you go?" Tirius mused to himself
"Left perhaps? There is an alleyway that could conceal you."
"Oh but that one is a dead end, and you know that." His bow was at full draw. He felt his side begin to burn.
"Maybe you will stay the course, try and gain some distance, I am more likely to miss after all"
"But why take the risk? If there is cover available why not take it?" His voice was smooth and pleasant, just the way his mother taught him.
"No, you're going right. Good choice." He released his arrow. The bow thrummed as the arrow whizzed down the quiet street.
"Run little rabbit, run"
Jacob couldn't believe this, how in the hell could that damn guard still be chasing him. Sure his ambush was not the best, but two knifes in the back was nothing to scoff at. He had learned that the hard way, and had the scars to prove it. Jacobs eyes darted about like a frightened deer.
"Fuck fuck fuck, hes got a bow. Gotta throw him off" He said between short breaths
He saw a promising alleyway to the left and he began to turn in the direction.
"Shit, thats a dead end, Raker got hisself killed in that way"
Jacob noticed the sign on one of the buildings, the brothel.
"The Rat Run, I can make it through there"
Jacob broke left, taking two steps before pivoting back to the right headed for the Rat Run. There was a cellar entrance in there that he could use to shake off these guys.
He took the arrow right through the throat, mere seconds from the safety of the alleyway. The last sound that Jacob Stone ever made was a bloody gurgle as he soaked the grey cobbled streets crimson red.
"You know it's creepy as hell when you talk to yourself like that. Gives me chills" Alex said, moving up next to Tirius. His tall and elegant profile overshadowed Tirius's short and wiry form.
"But I guess if it works, it works. Nice shot man"
"Now come on, your bleeding pretty bad," Alex said, draping Tirius's left arm over his shoulder. Together they returned to the Justicars, who were gathering out in the streets. The whole time Tirius couldn't get something out of his mind.
The rush, seeing the arrow strike true, feeling the vibrations of the bow, to know the difference between a killing shot and a graze. To hold the power of life and death in his very hands. Watching the scum hit the ground, seeing his vital essence paint the cobbled streets, stain them with his mark.
It all felt so good.