Chapter 10: Chapter 9

Helena opened the box that had been delivered to her room in the Griffin Inn. Madam Danielle had done everything Helena had asked of her with welcome exactness. She smiled to herself in amusement. The message author had told her to live in the grey but Helena didn't think they had meant it this literally. Given the amount of grey metal coin she had used to buy it maybe she should call it her liquid platinum dress. Combined with the starry silver and black mask it was a striking ensemble. It would produce the effect she was looking for. People would be so fixated on her exterior appearance they would overlook everything else. She would be visible yet still hidden.

As Madam Danielle had instructed her, Helena stripped naked before putting on the outfit. The dress maker informing her only when the threads touched skin would they reform themselves around the wearer. She placed the dress on the floor and put her feet into the neck opening. The cloth slowly began to move upward of its own accord and flowed over her body. It didn't itch or tickle, it was more like stepping into a warm bath of oil. Once it was in place she felt exposed, that was expected, but Madam Danielle had understated just how comfortable the dress would be. She took a few utterly silent steps around the room without a single hitch or feeling of friction. It was wondrous.

There was a belt-like strap and hooks under the tiny skirt where she could attach her knives, no holsters required, and several hidden pockets in the outfit for everything else she was bringing with her tonight. Madam Danielle stated these had all been requested by the client who had commissioned the outfit. They were certainly perfect for Helena's needs. She put on the ankle high flat-bottomed grey boots Madam Danielle had provided. Now she was ready to leave. All that was left was to sneak out of the inn unseen.

The barroom downstairs was still filled with guild members and locals. That left her with only one option, if she couldn't go down all that remained was up. Like the rest of the Interface Helena learnt that to use [Stealth] required only a thought and gave her the faint internal sensation it was working. After some earlier experimentation she discovered if she walked by someone, made a loud noise, or did anything non-stealthy the sensation stopped. So using the skill she carefully opened her bedroom door and silently stepped into the corridor. Her room was on the top floor of the inn and on the opposite end of the corridor to the stairs was a ladder leading up to a small trapdoor and the inn's roof. There needed to be some way to get that large flag up there. The row of buildings on one side of the inn were conveniently at a height where she could drop down one floor each time and then onto the next until she eventually made it down to ground level.

The first waypoint on the directions she had been given to Talvox Square was the huge gates through the massive wall of Nodel by the royal road. Reaching it was not difficult, taking the quieter roads that ran parallel to the main thoroughfare and using [Stealth] made that straightforward, getting past the city guards and soldiers stationed at the exit however required her to sneak aboard a cart making the trek outside and hide under a tarp. Thankfully the guards were not inspecting anyone, they were just standing around making sure there was no trouble. Even if she was doing nothing wrong and could have simply walked through the gate her outfit would make her a focus of attention and questions she did not want. Helena was following the message's advice to stay hidden.

Once in the outer suburbs she navigated the dark streets by using a few landmarks the directions mentioned. As Helena made her way along, sticking to the patches of shadow cast by the lamps spaced along the roads she kept receiving notifications that her [Stealth] skill was improving. The fact she managed to stay under its effect while civilians walking the cobbled streets remained oblivious to her presence attested to that.

She encountered a problem as she was making her way down the busiest street yet. Even with her improved [Stealth] such had to wait for lulls in the pedestrian traffic to move to the next patch of darkness. Her skill had even been broken twice, someone catching a glimpse of her out of the corner of their eye, but she had quickly managed to find a spot to reactivate her [Stealth] each time. Helena was lurking in a shadow when the two groups of three people stopped in the middle of the street and started to argue with each other. Precisely what she did not need right now, she had places to be. She was stuck here until their shouting was over.

Then the man closest to her kicked a child and the fighting started. A large, blocky man in ringmail armour used his huge shield to save the small boy from a roaring ball of fire.

So that's what combat magic can do.

She could let the fight run its course and wait for the eventual winners to walk off. That would have been the safest and smartest option. But who knew how long that would take. She wanted to reach Talvox Square with time to spare before high moon. Also the group that had saved the child were losing. It was somewhat their own fault. They hadn't noticed the other group ahead of them had been watching their stroll for some time. The skinny one waving his sword around like a crazy person had antagonised the clearly stronger group. Just run away next time. The flustered archer was standing there trying to get a clear shot instead of moving to a better location first. The man with the shield seemed the most competent but he should have rushed at the one using magic instead, he was the most dangerous. Hadn't he noticed how long it took for that first spell to cast? With his size and shield he could have flattened that opponent like a bug before he could use his fire magic again.

Helena sighed. They'd done a good thing, I guess I should help. Also the man near her had hurt an innocent child. That made her very, very angry.

(Mistwalker) [Race: Human] [Grade: Iron] [Level: 60] [Class: Pyromancer]

That was new, though thinking about it Helena could not remember having used [Identify] that often. If she survived the night she should try using it on more people, a good place to start would be those in the Golden Griffins.

Keeping [Stealth] active for as long as possible Helena ran towards the man, keeping out of sight behind his back. She grabbed his neck to hold him in place as she shoved one of her knives up into the back of his head all the way to the hilt.

[Stealth] Bonus Success! You have performed a Critical Sneak Attack causing increased damage.

Go away! That's the last thing I need in the middle of a fight, random messages appearing.

Setting changed. Alert for Critical Hits changed to passive mode.

What? I can do that? Well I guess I know what my next conversation with Kellin will be about.

Well that had been a success. The fire user was now dead. The good people should be fine now three versus two.

Congratulations, you have successfully ripped [+1 Strength, +1 Dexterity] from a defeated foe.

I can do that too? Nope, never telling anyone about whatever this ability is.

Helena snuck back into a dark shadow and watched the conclusion of the fight.

Oh come on. I took out that guy and you still can't win?

She tutted to herself in irritation. Running into the middle of the fight would be counterproductive. She'd likely be more of a hindrance than any benefit amongst such close-quarter chaos, and there were things in her pockets she didn't want to break. Helena then noticed a loose brick in the wall next to her. That'll work. It took some twisting and effort but she slowly worked the brick away from its weakened mortar.

She stood, brick in hand, ready to throw. Just need to wait for the right moment. They're all moving around too much. The axeman stood still as he raised his weapon high above his head. Perfect. Taking out her frustration on the brick she flung it as hard as she could.

There was a loud, sharp clunk as the brick smacked against her target's head. The axeman reeled and the lanky swordsman redeemed his earlier mistakes by immediately seizing his chance and stabbing the axeman twice.

Helena watched from her shadow hoping this time they could manage three versus one. Thankfully they could, though rather messily. She could have simply left then and there, and remained unseen but she still had her levelling error, and there was loot to collect. After a few brief words with the man with the shield she quickly took everything off the magic user's body, then Helena gave the group some needed advice to be more observant next time. After that she departed and ran towards The Ravens.

---

Talvox Square was not what Helena was expecting. Rather than an open paved square inside the city it turned out to be a small park surrounded on all sizes by affluent-looking, two and three storied houses. The park was split into four quadrants by two wide, pebbled pathways, inside each quadrant were a smattering of trees, and at the centre of the park was a two-story circular building, a small church or temple with a domed roof made from some kind of black stone. Tall poles topped with flaming torches were spaced along each of the pathways illuminating the temple and sections of the park.

Helena was currently crouched atop a flat roof, using [Stealth] to hide inside a shadow cast by the pale light of a half-moon. This was the tallest building she could climb, one street over from the edge of the park. From her vantage she could see that despite the late hour the park was busy. Armed men festooned the grounds or lurked against trees, and there was a large group clustered by the church. She could also see people armed with crossbows or strung bows atop a number of the houses on every side of the park's outer edges. She estimated there were at least two hundred Ravens in total out there tonight. Helena observed the park for some time taking note of all their actions, but mostly they just stood around and waited. They were waiting for her. There was no way she was going down there if The Ravens had that many people. She was thinking about dropping the brute's token right here and now, and leaving.

In the park an owl with feathers black as sin hooted, then it dove from its branch and caught a small animal with its beak before flying off into the night.

Congratulations, the skill [Deceive Scans] has improved: 2 -> 3

Helena blinked with momentary confusion. Why was her Interface telling her that particular skill had suddenly improved when there was nothing ... wait, that could only mean ...

Project mystery and confidence. Project mystery and confidence.

"If you're not going to attack me you may as well stop skulking and come over here if you want a better view." Helena waited but no response came. "Look, do I really have to come over there and prick you with my knives a few times to prove a point? All your lurking is making my skin itch and we have better things to be doing with our time."

A tall, dark haired man dressed entirely in black leathers walked out of a narrow slice of darkness. It seemed impossible he could have been hiding in such a space so Helena assumed he had been using the skill [Stealth] or one like it.

"No one has ever been able to sense me with such ease; or at all, to my knowledge, in recent years. I do not know whether to feel impressed or humiliated."

His voice was deep and rich, his face lean and full of hard angles. Maybe a decade older than her. Helena would describe him as severe rather than handsome, and he had a violent intensity about him she could sense even at this distance.

This man is dangerous.

"Both. Neither. That's up to you."

Helena guessed he would get along well with Sami. Like the Shamel woman he was covered in an assortment of knives and bladed weapons, all of which were entirely black, even the metal used on each. The man certainly had a fondness for the colour but who was she to judge how someone dressed themselves given her current fashion choice.

Helena raised an eyebrow at him. "Nice collection of stabby things."

"Nice ... dress?"

"Thanks. I like it too. I got it for a steal, or should that be stealing. It's perfect for nights such as these."

"You do not speak or act as I thought a Scion of Day would. But then I believed such a person could not exist."

"Since I don't know what that means I can't respond to that. When we become friends you will discover there are many things I do not know."

"And why would we become friends?"

"Because we have the same enemy. The Ravens."

"How do you know they are my enemy? I could be one of them."

"The fact you were hiding not just from me but those below. The fact you are dressed as you are. The fact you have not alerted anyone or attacked me already. Should I go on?"

"No, that will suffice."

He then walked over and crouched next to her. He definitely had an aura about him that make Helena shiver when he was this close.

[Race: Human] [Grade: Silver] [Level: 138] [Class: Priest]

"See anything interesting in my Status?" he asked her in a tone laced with sarcasm.

Clearly she was not the only person who could tell when someone scanned them. That or it was a lucky guess. Helena gave him a slight grin then remembered he could not see it behind her mask. "I should believe you are a priest?"

The darkly shrouded man frowned. "You should not be able to see that. Just who are you?"

"Funny you should ask that ..."

After a few seconds of thought, under her mask, Helena smiled in wry amusement. Sorry Eruwen but I need to steal your friend's name.

"You may call me Snow. I am no one."

"Aethelius Highgate. Priest of Night. Master Assassin. Clan Chief of The Scorpions."

"Good to meet you Aethelius. Impressive job list. I'm going to take an educated guess and say Scorpions and Ravens do not get along."

"They are scum and are not worthy to be called a Clan of Night. They take his name in vain."

"And you are here tonight because?"

He looked down at the park spread-out beneath them and the crowd of armed people lurking inside.

"Like rats they hide within their dank, squalid holes and only come out when they know their betters are elsewhere. They are craven vermin and never normally all group together in a single place like this. Their upper ranks only rarely leave their fortified base. We have never before had such a chance to remove this tumour from our city. From their lowest ranks to the Raven Clan Chief himself, all are here, out in the open."

Helena nodded in understanding. "They have a lot of men down there. Can you match them?"

"I have brought everyone I could, we are not weak, but we lost many in the explosion. It will be a difficult fight but this singular opportunity cannot be ignored. For my city, for my clan, and for my own personal reasons I want them dead. Every last one of them, but especially their head. The rest are trash but he is not to be underestimated. I want to be the one to take his life."

That gave Helena the idea for a risk-laden plan. The danger was probably many times higher than her letter writing friend would want her to take, if they could see her right now Helena bet they would be shouting no, but it would mean the threat of The Ravens would be no more. She would be safe from them forever.

"Hmm. I might be able to help you with that if you can prove yourself to me first."

"I am the youngest Clan Chief of The Scorpions in four generations and you ask me to prove myself? It is only my curiosity about you that tempers my anger at such an insult. There was a rightness in killing you the second I sensed your mark but I stayed my hand."

This man is a killer, don't forget that. Please only see my outer mirage and not my inner weakness.

"You could try. I have killed men far uglier than you. Two since I had my lunch today. All I ask is for you or your people to take out those crossbows and archers they have perched up-high around the square. Do it quietly, and in secret. Then I will go down there and talk to their chief."

The man appeared unfazed by her admission to multiple murders or her implied threat.

"I can make that happen. You will go down there amongst ten score foes and face them alone? Are you really that strong?"

Truth can get you killed but so will being caught in a lie.

"No. I am far weaker than I appear."

Aethelius was visibly confused by her statement. He clearly didn't believe her despite the fact she was telling the truth.

"I go down there also for my own personal reasons and to give you a chance. If I succeed you will know when to strike. Get all your people ready. But I warn you, there are only two outcomes I can envision. Either I die or I will leave their chief in a state where fighting him will not be fair. Does that matter to you?"

"Night does not care about fair. He cares about what is right according to the natural order, not how we enforce it. I have heard there is a proverb in the Lands of the Mist: the ends do not justify the means. Night would vehemently disagree, and I follow Night."

"Do what is right even if that means doing what others will not."

The man looked at her with open astonishment. "You know the Testaments of Night. How do you know our secret lore?"

Helena shook her head slowly. "Just some advice from a knowledgeable friend. Don't get distracted, how long will it take to remove those sentries?"

"Not long." Aethelius touched something on his belt and then waited. In less than a minute another figure climbed onto the roof. The woman, also dressed in black leathers, gave Helena a look full of curiosity before leaning over and having a whispered conversation with the Scorpion Chief. Then she departed back into the darkness.

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"My people will soon surround the square, then once in place they will take out the bowmen. Then it is up to you. What will be the sign?"

"Screaming. Lots of screaming. Could be mine, too soon to tell. Either way you will know when."

"You are a very strange person."

"I think I'm a normal person finding themselves in very strange situations."

Aethelius kept to himself after that as he stared into the night. Maybe he had ways to see his people that she did not. Eventually he broke the silence with a question.

"I know my blades and those are some impressive knives you have on you. Where did you get them?"

Helena looked down and saw her skirt had inched up slightly as she had crouched down revealing Sami's knives and other things.

"A small gift from an acquaintance."

"Those are no small gift. People place too much trust in magical gear when an unbreakable blade with a razor's edge that will never dull would serve them better in many cases."

"When I see them next I will ask. They have served me more than well so far and even match my outfit."

"Are you always so flippant?"

"Only when I'm bored." Or nervous, or scared.

"I see," he commented in a tone that made it clear he had heard her unsaid words. Looking back out across the park he said, "It begins."

Helena watched as dark shadows moved amongst the rooftops and the archers fell to silent blades. She picked herself up and stretched her legs and back, arms above her head. "Nice work. My turn now."

"Night's blessing on you."

To Helena it sounded like a benediction.

"Thank you. I'll take it."

She climbed down the building and made her way to street level, then walked to the nearest park entrance. She stopped, took a deep breath, and then hopefully with what looked like calm confidence she began to walk down the path towards the small temple. Not fast, not slow, but an assured, leisurely pace, eyes fixed forward. Helena was soon spotted, after all she was not trying to hide, but no one stopped her. She was walking towards where they wanted her to go. As she approached the building she changed her mind on what it was. It was no church or temple, it looked more like a large mausoleum. That was fitting since she was on a march to her own funeral.

They were waiting for her on the steps of the monument. When she reached what she felt like was the correct distance she stopped. Helena stood there alone in front of the Raven Chief and all his cronies. Their eyes feasted upon her, faces mirroring their dark inner thoughts.

Congratulations, the skill [Deceive Scans] has improved: 3 -> 8

The man who led The Ravens dominated over all the others. He made his dead brother the [Brute] look small, weak, and apparently the one that had gotten all the good looks in the family. His appearance was more bear than man. When she used [Identify], Aethelius had been right, he was not to be underestimated.

[Race: Human] [Grade: Silver] [Level: 144] [Class: Berserker]

He sat upon a huge seat of dark wood, it looked more like a throne than a chair to rest in.

Did he really have his people carry that with them so he'd have somewhere to sit tonight?

The Clan Chief stood and his relationship to a bear became even more starkly obvious as he towered over the rest of The Ravens. He wore furs and animal skins instead of any kind of armour. The only weapon she could see on the man were spiked knuckle dusters on powerful fists large enough to punch a tree in half.

"You are not from any of the clans. I can taste the light on you. A neutral messenger then."

"Yes, I bring a message though not the one you will be expecting."

"Did they send someone so weak as a display of appeasement or are you an offering for me to slake my lust upon?"

He gave her a contemplative look full of contempt before shaking his head.

"No, I think not. You wear no mere [Dress] but that is all my skills can reveal. Do they think such unmistakably high-tier magic can protect you?"

"I would not call it a mere dress. That would be doing a great dishonour to its maker. I think she was modest and underrated her own work. This is her masterpiece."

"Do not jest with me girl. I want my brother's killer. Tell me where they are."

Helena tossed the black token to the Raven Chief then folded both her arms over her chest.

"I ripped his life from him."

He roared in fury so loud it made Helena's ears hurt. As flecks of spittle flew out of his mouth he picked up the massive chair with one hand and smashed it into the ground, shattering it into kindling with a single blow.

"I'm going to snap all your bones, tear off your fingers, then your hands, your feet, and then crucify you to a wall and flay you."

"That does sound fun but before that I want to hear you all sing."

The hands of her crossed arms were inside two of her pockets where she was grasping some of the items she'd purchased from the perfumery. Tiny, fingertip sized decorative coloured spheres of paper thin glass, normally used to hold scented oils. However Helena had asked the storekeeper for empty ones, as many as they could spare. Then she had carefully filled them with ground phlacta seeds, or as Eruwen called it, extra strong chilly powder, and sealed the small hole with wax.

Helena flung her arms wide and rained down suffering upon The Ravens. The spheres shattered against bodies, limbs, and if she was lucky their faces. Even those that missed and exploded upon the ground at their feet all contributed to create a miasma of agony. Their screams were like those of the damned.

She threw two more handfuls of the powder filled spheres creating a toxic cloud of pain around the group. Taking extra careful aim she threw a sphere directly into the face of the Raven Chief causing him such torment as it entered his eyes and mouth he lashed out indiscriminately, his huge fists and their knuckle dusters killing at least one of his own people and seriously wounding several more. After that she ran away as fast as possible as the Ravens still left in the park rushed to investigate all the noise.

She now had the prospect of racing through the trees and fighting, in the dark, against all those running towards her, where she would be outnumbered and facing almost certain death. So instead she enabled [Stealth], climbed a tree and hid, leaving The Scorpions to do their job. When the opportunity arose she threw more of the spheres at small groups of Ravens as they searched the park. After each time she switched her position to another tree.

It was not so much a fight in the end but a slaughter. Those she had afflicted with the powder were unable to defend themselves, some in that moment may have even welcomed the release from their agony - by the Gods the powder was potent stuff - and the rest found themselves surrounded on all sides by The Scorpions and ruthlessly taken down.

Good to his word Aethelius took care of the Raven Chief. He cleanly put the blade of a wicked black sword through his heart without emotion, as if the other clan leader was beneath him and not worthy of even an iota of respect. Helena came down from her tree and approached the head of The Scorpions.

"You have saved the lives of an untold number of my clan. I can count our losses on one hand. I and my people thank you."

"That was our agreement. I gave you the chance, you and your clan took it. Careful when you loot this lot, probably best to wear gloves when you do so."

"Understood. I know of acid grenades, but this, I admit I have never seen the like. What did you use?"

"Phlacta seeds."

Aethelius blinked. "A simple spice?" His normally stoic face was struggling to not show his incredulity. "Ingenious. Despite it being common knowledge the excruciating pain they can cause, I had not thought to put them to such a use."

Aethelius reached down and carefully unclasped a necklace from around the neck of the dead Raven Chief. It consisted of a fine lace of hair-thin metal chains and was clearly intended to be worn by a woman, so Helena was slightly bemused why the huge bear of a man had been wearing it. Someone had attached a line of yarn to make it fit around his huge neck, this Aethelius removed and then wrapped the delicate piece of jewellery in a clean, plain black handkerchief he pulled out of a pocket, and then handed it to Helena.

"This is yours, you have earned it."

"I just wanted The Ravens to no longer be a problem. I was not looking for payment. However, the loot is welcome, thank you."

"Payment should always be made when it is due."

He looked down with disdain at the body at his feet and asked, "I heard some of what was said. Were you really the one that killed this curs brother?"

"Yes."

"He was known to hurt women. Hurt them badly."

"He said as much to me when I met him. I was meant to be next."

Aethelius turned to face her. His expression was hard as stone.

"I had a younger sister ... Senna", he spoke coldly but Helena could see his teeth were gritted.

Helena looked at the seemingly emotionless killer in front of her and could sense an undercurrent of long hidden rage and grief. She heard it in his question. Helena intuitively understood what he needed to hear.

"I made him hurt as he had hurt others. I made him scream," she said with as much force as she could muster in her voice. "I looked into his dread filled eyes and saw that he knew my hands would be the ones that brought him death. He died in a state of pure terror."

Aethelius shuddered as a cascade of emotions swept through him. His hard muscles locked with tension. Helena stood there in silence as she let him savour his vengeance. It took him some time before he managed to compose himself and speak.

"Everything about you is a contradiction. You wear the Mark of Day, and yet your deeds, and your clearly fraudulent [Status], show you walk the path of Night." He stared into her uncovered eyes and in a voice even harder than before said, "You have given Senna the justice of the dark. I Aethelius Highgate, swear to the Givers and the Watchers, that I and my family owe you an oath bound debt of blood."

Hmm. He knows about [Mislead] or similar skills. That is something I need to be careful of. Unless necessary my actions, my displayed level and abilities, should all appear consistent.

"Your appreciation is welcomed but unwarranted. I did it for myself, not another."

"Irrelevant," he said dispassionately and then tossed something towards her. Helena caught it in her hand. It was an engraved black disc that fit into her palm, she could see a scorpion carved into the visible side, its claws and stinger highlighted with gold leaf. "That is my personal seal. Show it to any true Clan of the Night in this realm and you can call on them for protection or assistance under my name, or to send me a message or request for aid."

Helena stared at the seal. It was a dangerous item to keep in her possession should someone find it but her future was still unknown, and filled with potential dangers. It could prove extremely useful. She slid it into her pocket. "I accept and I promise not to abuse the intent under which it was given."

The Clan Chief of The Scorpions bowed to her deeply. "The story of this night will spread amongst the clans and faithful of Night. Snow, Scion of Day, Apostle of Night."

If you are no one you can be anyone.

That's great my friend but do I get any choice in the matter?

"Yeah, about that. You can mention my name but not those titles."

"As you wish. Where do you go next? Will I soon see you again?"

Helena looked to the night sky as she considered how to reply.

"A library. What happens after that, not even your Night can say."

+++

Congratulations, your Level has increased: [error] ~1

Congratulations, the skill [Stealth] has improved: 1 -> 13

Congratulations, you have gained the [Uncommon Tier] combat skill [Throwing Weapons].

Congratulations, knowledge had been revealed:

[Mark of ????????]

  Tier: Unique

  Duration: Permanent

  Effect: Those devoted to Day or Night are aware you have been touched by their God's greatest foe. Other details remain unknown.

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