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Chapter 110: The Gathering Storm
Chapter 110: The Gathering Storm
A Quiet Return
The night air was thick with the scent of blood and iron as Seraphis and the twins walked through the dimly lit streets. The heavy silence of the city pressed in around them, a stark contrast to the chaos they had just left behind. Each step they took was measured, deliberate. There was no need for words; the weight of their latest mission still hung over them like a shroud.
The Assassin’s Guild loomed ahead, its shadowy facade barely distinguishable from the surrounding buildings. Seraphis led the way, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. The twins followed closely, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons, always prepared for an ambush.
As they stepped inside, the usual murmurs of the guild quieted. Every pair of eyes turned to them, lingering on Seraphis’s bloodstained cloak and the undeniable aura of death that clung to her. She ignored the stares and made her way to the second floor, her mind already focused on what came next.
A Message Delivered
Seraphis reached the Gold Master's chambers, the heavy wooden door slightly ajar. That was unusual. She pushed it open fully, stepping inside with her usual confidence. The Gold Master was waiting, seated behind a massive oak desk, his fingers steepled in front of him. The candlelight flickered across his face, casting long shadows over his aged features.
“I assume it’s done?” he asked without looking up.
Seraphis walked forward, reaching into her bag and withdrawing a small velvet pouch. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it onto his desk. It landed with a dull thud, the unmistakable outline of a severed noble’s ring-bearing finger pressing against the fabric.
The Gold Master smirked, finally looking up. “Efficient, as always.”
Seraphis crossed her arms. “The Queen will be pleased.”
“She always is,” the Gold Master said. “But this time, I suspect she’ll have more for you.”
A New Threat
Seraphis’s eyes narrowed slightly. “More?”
The Gold Master leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Word is spreading. That noble family wasn’t just dealing with the usual enemies of the crown. They were tied to something…bigger.”
The tension in the room thickened. Seraphis remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
“The Ivory Hand,” he finally said.
Seraphis felt a flicker of recognition at the name. The Ivory Hand was an elusive underground organization, one that specialized in toppling kingdoms from within. They were whispered about in the darkest circles, their presence more of a rumor than a confirmed reality.
The Gold Master studied her reaction carefully. “You’ve heard of them, I assume.”
Seraphis nodded. “I didn’t think they were real.”
“Oh, they’re real,” he said grimly. “And you just took out one of their most valuable informants.”
A Warning from the Shadows
A slow, measured breath left Seraphis’s lips. She didn’t regret the kill, but if the Ivory Hand was involved, things were about to get much more complicated.
The Gold Master drummed his fingers on the desk. “The Queen wants you to be aware that retaliation is likely. These people don’t take kindly to losing assets. Expect assassins, mercenaries, and spies watching your every move.”
Seraphis let the words sink in, her mind already calculating. “Good,” she finally said. “Let them come.”
The Gold Master chuckled. “I thought you might say that.”
Gathering Strength
Seraphis turned on her heel, motioning for the twins to follow her as she exited the room. The moment they were out of earshot, one of them spoke.
“Do you really think they’ll come after us?”
Seraphis smirked. “I know they will.”
The guildhall was still eerily quiet as they descended the stairs. The assassins lingering in the main hall parted as they passed, whispering amongst themselves. Word traveled fast.
They needed to prepare. This wasn’t just another mission. This was war.
Into the Night
Once outside, Seraphis led the twins toward a secluded alley, her mind already working through the details. The Ivory Hand would send their best. Stealth killers, spies, informants. They would try to isolate her, to weaken her defenses before making their move.
She wasn’t going to give them the chance.
“We’re going hunting,” she said.
The twins exchanged glances but didn’t question her. They had seen the fire in her eyes before. This was what she lived for.
Seraphis pulled her hood up, disappearing into the darkness, her senses sharpened. If the Ivory Hand was watching, they were about to learn that she was watching back.
The First Encounter
It didn’t take long.
As they moved through the city, Seraphis felt it—the subtle presence of someone tailing them. She didn’t look back, didn’t let on that she knew. Instead, she turned a corner, leading the twins into a dead-end alley.
The bait was set.
The footsteps behind them hesitated for only a moment before continuing. Seraphis could hear the whisper of a blade being drawn, the telltale sound of leather boots on cobblestone.
She turned. Fast.
The assassin barely had time to react before Seraphis’s blade was at his throat.
An Unwanted Messenger
The man froze, his mask concealing his expression, but Seraphis could feel his panic. He wasn’t just an assassin—he was a messenger.
“Speak,” she commanded.
The man swallowed. “The Ivory Hand knows of you,” he said hoarsely. “They have a message.”
Seraphis pressed her blade closer. “Then say it.”
The man’s eyes darted around, as if searching for an escape. “They don’t wish to kill you.”
That was unexpected. Seraphis narrowed her eyes. “Then what do they want?”
He hesitated. “They want you to join them.”
A Dangerous Proposition
For the first time in a long while, Seraphis was caught off guard. The Ivory Hand didn’t recruit outsiders. They didn’t make offers.
This was something different.
She leaned in slightly, her voice cold and sharp. “And if I refuse?”
The man didn’t hesitate. “Then they will destroy everything you hold dear.”
Seraphis let the words linger before stepping back. She could feel the twins watching her, waiting for her response.
A slow, dangerous smile crept across her lips.
“Tell them,” she said, her voice calm but filled with lethal promise, “that if they think they can control me, they are sorely mistaken.”
With a flick of her wrist, she released the assassin, stepping back into the shadows.
The messenger gasped for air before stumbling backward. Without another word, he turned and ran, disappearing into the night.
The Hunt Begins
Seraphis exhaled, rolling her shoulders. The twins were still silent, waiting.
“What now?” one of them finally asked.
Seraphis turned toward them, her expression unreadable. “Now?” She sheathed her blade. “Now, we hunt them first.”
The Ivory Hand had made their move.
Now it was her turn.