Chapter 5: Hunted by the Guild
The first light of dawn broke over the city of Valdrion, its golden rays illuminating the stone spires and shadowed alleys. The gates loomed ahead of Kade, tall and heavily fortified. Beyond them lay the open road, his only chance to escape the web of assassins closing in around him. But the closer he got, the more he realized that slipping past the guards unnoticed would be nearly impossible now.
The southern gates were bustling with activity. Merchants loaded their wagons, travelers bartered for last-minute supplies, and guards patrolled in greater numbers than usual. Kade crouched in the shadows of a nearby rooftop, his sharp eyes scanning the area for a weakness in their defenses.
Something wasn't right.
The guards weren't just conducting routine patrols. They were searching. Questioning travelers, inspecting carts, and scrutinizing every face that passed through. Kade's chest tightened. The guild's influence reached far deeper than he had imagined. They'd likely bribed the city watch to ensure he didn't slip out unnoticed.
He had to think fast.
Kade's gaze fell on a merchant's cart piled high with crates of fruit. The driver, an older man with a hunched back and tired eyes, appeared preoccupied with arguing over the price of his wares. The cart was positioned near the gate, close enough for Kade to slip inside if he timed it right.
He weighed his options. The cart was his best chance, but it wasn't without risk. If the guards decided to search it thoroughly, he'd be trapped with nowhere to run. Still, the alternative — staying in the city and facing the guild's assassins — was far worse.
Kade adjusted his hood, pulling it low over his face, and began to move. He descended from the rooftop in silence, his body melding with the shadows as he navigated the narrow alleys. Every step was calculated, every movement precise. He reached the edge of the marketplace undetected, his eyes fixed on the cart.
The merchant was still arguing, gesturing wildly at a stubborn buyer who refused to pay his asking price. Kade saw his opening. He darted forward, slipping behind the cart and lifting the edge of the canvas tarp. The crates of fruit provided decent cover, and the smell of overripe apples made his nose wrinkle, but it would do. He climbed inside and pulled the tarp back into place, settling into the cramped space.
Moments later, the cart lurched forward as the merchant resumed his journey toward the gates. Kade steadied his breathing, forcing himself to remain still as the cart approached the line of guards.
"Papers," a gruff voice demanded.
Kade tensed, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his dagger. He could hear the merchant fumbling with something, likely a travel permit.
"All in order," the merchant said, his voice laced with irritation. "Just let me through. These apples won't sell themselves."
There was a pause, followed by the sound of heavy boots circling the cart. Kade held his breath as the tarp above him shifted slightly. A guard was inspecting the load. His fingers twitched on his dagger, ready to strike if needed.
"Looks fine," the guard muttered. "Move along."
The cart jolted forward again, and Kade exhaled silently. He had made it through. For now.
---
As the city faded behind him, Kade slipped out of the cart under the cover of a dense forest lining the road. The merchant, oblivious to his stowaway, continued on without a second glance. Kade stretched his limbs, grateful to be free of the cramped space.
The forest was quiet, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the distant call of birds. Kade knew he couldn't afford to linger. The guild would be tracking him, and the southern road was the most obvious route. He needed to stay off the main path, to lose himself in the wilderness until he was far enough away to devise a plan.
He moved swiftly through the trees, his boots silent on the mossy ground. The forest provided cover, but it also brought its own dangers. Wild beasts roamed these lands, and the deeper he went, the more isolated he became. But isolation was exactly what he needed.
Hours passed as Kade pushed forward, his mind racing with thoughts of the guild and the secrets they were hiding. The assassin's words from the previous night echoed in his head: "The Shadow King, he's after something… older."
What did that mean? What power was the Shadow King seeking, and how was Kade connected to it? The letter he had found in Blackthorn's chamber hinted at a larger conspiracy, but the pieces didn't yet fit together. All Kade knew was that he couldn't face the guild head-on — not yet. He needed more information, and he needed to stay alive long enough to find it.
---
By nightfall, Kade had covered several miles, his path taking him deeper into the forest. He found a small clearing surrounded by thick trees and decided it was as safe a place as any to rest. He gathered some dry wood and used his flint to start a small fire, the flickering flames casting long shadows across the clearing.
As he sat by the fire, sharpening his daggers, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. His senses, honed by years of training, picked up on subtle shifts in the air, the faint rustle of leaves that didn't match the rhythm of the wind.
He was not alone.
Kade stood slowly, his daggers glinting in the firelight as he scanned the darkness. "You can come out," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I know you're there."
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, a figure stepped out of the shadows, their movements smooth and deliberate. It was a man, dressed in dark leather armor that bore the insignia of the Shadowfang Guild. His face was partially obscured by a mask, but Kade recognized him instantly.
"Riven," Kade said, his voice laced with disdain.
The man tilted his head, his eyes cold and calculating. "You've made quite the mess, Kade. The guild doesn't take kindly to traitors."
"I didn't betray the guild," Kade replied, his grip tightening on his daggers. "The guild betrayed me."
Riven chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Is that what you tell yourself? The Shadow King gave you everything — power, purpose, a place in this world. And this is how you repay him?"
Kade took a step forward, his daggers at the ready. "I don't owe the Shadow King anything. And if you've come to kill me, you'd better try harder than the last three."
Riven's smile faded, his expression hardening. "Oh, I'm not like the others. I won't make the same mistakes."
With that, Riven drew his weapon — a long, curved blade that gleamed with a faint, unnatural light. Kade recognized it immediately: a blade imbued with shadow magic, designed to cut through flesh and spirit alike.
The fire crackled between them, the tension thick in the air.
"I've been waiting for this," Riven said, his voice a deadly whisper. "Let's see if you're as good as they say."
Kade didn't respond. He didn't need to. The fight was inevitable, and he was ready.
The shadows around them seemed to come alive as the two assassins lunged at each other, their blades clashing in a storm of steel and magic.