2: Chapter 10

2: Chapter 10

In the sewer system that ran under the city, a strange group stood in silence, shrouded by the deep darkness. There were no lights in this part of the sewer, and they didnt light any torches, though if one looked closely, they could occasionally see a faint rainbow in the shape of a flower swaying near the wall. Viper stood stock still, his mask and cloak concealing his whole body, while Pax fidgeted beside him. She had mostly gotten used to the flower ghouls, but standing next to them in the darkness was conjuring all sorts of bad memories. It got worse when she realized that two of them had vanished. Not wandered off, but simply faded away as if they had never existed.

Viper, she hissed.

Silence answered her.

Viper!

What?

Vipers voice was low, and his tone annoyed, but she didnt care.

We lost two of our friends.

We did not lose them. They were called.

What are you talking about?

Prepare yourself.

Viper!

Before she could finish the complaint that bubbled up to her lips, she felt a sharp tug, and the world around her changed. No longer was she in the darkness of the sewer, but instead stood in a small stone room. A single light streamed down from the ceiling in a cone, and in the middle of the light, like some macabre ringmaster stood a man in a strange outfit and a white mask. Against the far wall lay the crumpled form of one of the most notorious loan sharks in this part of the city, his ravaged body spasming as the two flower ghouls feasting on him bit down.

Turning around, Garrett nodded to the two awakened he had pulled into his dream. Despite the sprays of blood that covered the floors, walls, and even the ceiling, Garrett was immaculate, apart from a single drop of blood that rolled down his mask like a stray tear. Even though they wore masks, Garrett could see the fear building in Pax so he waved his hand and gave his instructions, not wanting to draw things out.

In a moment, I will draw another awakened into this room. It is your job to recruit them or eliminate them.

With a snap of his fingers, the world seemed to divide, and they were standing in a hallway lit by dark flames burning in torches along the wall. A dozen doors lined the corridor in front of them, and Garrett opened the first one, walking out of his personal dream and back into the building where the Howler gang slept. Laying in front of him was Thomas Howler, his body growing cold. Though there were no physical marks on his body, his expression was twisted with the pain of having his mind devoured. For a moment, a tinge of panic ran through Garrett, but fast on its heels was an icy coldness that obliterated it.

Without giving it another thought, Garrett turned on his heel and left the room, activating Dreamers Cloak as he stalked through the dream. While he had little offensive power, his level of power in his own personal dream was high enough to trap others, and since he could pull others into his dream, he had come up with this strategy. He would trap his enemies, and those who served him would cut them down. The only problem was that it required him to spend experience points to plant flowers, while he gained nothing from killing them.

Ill have to find some lesser wraiths to put in the prisons, so Ill at least get the experience points I spend back.

A saving grace were the single flowers that grew naturally, as they allowed the carrier to not only maintain their own minds, but actually strengthened and reinforced their carriers minds, making them less susceptible to influence. It was these flowers that Garrett had been using on those who entered Dreamers Rest, but he was not going to give any of the Howlers that privilege. They had all knowingly participated in the evil plans that spawned from Thomas Howlers brain and lips, and Garrett had not even a shred of mercy for them. After watching the young man for a moment, Garrett nodded to Viper and they left the cell.

Take his body with you when you leave, and keep him until he regains his wits. You can use him to work the tunnel to the swamp once it is finished.

Yes, sir.

Across town, Ryn was just finishing buckling on the last of her gear. She had dipped into the gold bars she had stolen from Carraways safe to buy a set of dark leather armor and a long dagger that she hoped she would never have to use. Her thieves tools went into a pack on her back and she did a couple quick stretches to limber up before slipping out of the window. The night was moonless, which was perfect because she had no desire to be seen. As she skulked through the city streets, making sure to dodge the sporadic patrols and keep clear of the drunks and thugs that littered the alleys, her mind couldnt help but return to the strange experience she had just had.

Every night, almost since she had met Garrett, she had gone to a strange class and been taught by a strange man who not only instructed her on reading and math, but also expounded on concepts regarding business and something he called marketing. The result had been explosive growth for her, and she was eager to continue. However, tonight the classroom had been closed. After arriving in the familiar hallway, she had tried to open the door, only to find it stuck fast. Instead, a message had appeared on it, instructing her that she should bring the tools of her trade to a building of a well known loan shark.

The message had continued, mentioning a prize hidden in the basement, and it was with some excitement that she had geared up and left the inn. It was curious to her that she didnt doubt the message, but there was something about it that was so familiar she just followed the directions. Arriving outside the building, she ran an experienced eye over it and found a small window on the first floor that would serve her purpose. It was simple enough to open the window and she slipped in, making her way down the hall on cat feet. There she found what she was looking for, a slumped over guard in front of a locked door, just as the message had said.

Ryns nose wrinkled as she watched the guard carefully, the stench of death clogging her breathing. It wasnt that the corpse of the guard was starting to smell, but Ryns training had put her around enough dead bodies to know when someone was gone. A shudder ran through her and she almost retreated, but once again, the message flashed across her mind and she gritted her teeth. Creeping across the passage, she tried not to look at the dead guard, but the bodys soulless eyes and horrified expression were impossible to miss.

Just focus on the lock, Ryn. Focus on the lock.

Emboldened by her whisper, she took out her tools and a few seconds later, the lock popped open, allowing Ryn to flee down the stairs. There she found the cage, and a bored red-masked awakened standing over a perfectly square hole that dropped into the sewers below. After a moment of staring at each other, Pax gestured to the locked cage.

I take it that youre the specialist I was told to expect? Wanna get these big boys open so I can get moving?

This was not the first time that Ryn had encountered the red mask, but from the build and voice of the awakened wearing it, she knew that it wasnt Viper. Seeing her confusion, Pax figured an introduction was in order.

Im Pax. One of Vipers compatriots. Well, more like a mule, the way he cracks the whip. Heh, dont tell him I said that or Ill be on latrine duty for a week. Who am I kidding, Im always on latrine duty. Seriously though, are you going to open the gate? Were on a schedule here.

Hurrying to unlock the door to the cage, Ryn kept glancing at Pax.

Are you one of Garretts guards?

Garrett? You mean the leader of the Family? Yeah, I guess you could say that. More of a shadow than a guard, but you can call us that.

Us? Are there more than two of you?

Unfortunately, yes, Pax muttered, throwing a glance at the gaping hole as she opened the gate that Ryn had just unlocked. Oh, I know you. Youre that merchant girl who pushes the boss around. Who would have thought that youd be so talented. Come on, these safes are toughuns, so you should have plenty of time to tell me how a pretty lady like you got caught up in this creep show.