Chapter 86: Wolf with a sheep's smile

Chapter 86: Wolf with a sheep's smile

Jade stared down into her yellowed reflection in the beer on the table before her. The village around her was alight with cheer and laughter, but she couldnt untwist the tight knot of unease that had bound around her heart.

She swirled the beer around in its wooden mug, not having touched it since the barman had served her. Jade hadnt even ordered it hed just shoved it into her hands and ran off to join his fellow villagers in celebrating another day of life.

It wasnt like Jade could blame him. There was a reason that villages this far away from the Scholar Cities didnt get names. Names were a privilege, as was life. Survival was worth celebrating.

You look dour, a mans voice said from behind Jade.

She raised her gaze, looking over her shoulder. Jades eyes widened and she jumped from the chair.

Officer Shae! I didnt realize youd arrived at the village, Jade said, stumbling over her words slightly.

You were gone for too long, Shae replied, pulling out a stool beside Jade and sitting down. He gestured for her to do the same. I thought you might have had difficulty with the monster.

Jades hands clenched at her sides. She sat back down and pushed her mug to the side. I did.

It appears to be dead, so you clearly didnt have much. Shae glanced around the empty inn, then reached over the counter and grabbed a bottle of wine from the wall behind it. He snagged an empty mug and poured himself a glass, then took a long draw from it. You arent injured either.

Another cultivator was here. I wasnt alone.

Shae finished his drink and pursed his lips in mild distaste. Not the best Ive ever had. And thats quite a surprise. Someone else actually bothered to come out for such a low paying job?

Jade just nodded. The two of them sat in silence for a few uncomfortable moments. Jade picked her own drink up and stared into its fizzy depths, swirling it around again.

Something is troubling you. Shae tapped his mouth dry with a napkin. He picked up the wine bottle and refilled his drink. Didnt perform how you expected without a team?

Thats part of it, Jade admitted. Officer Shae, I know I was the one that sought you out when I heard you were also on this mission, but are you certain we got all the details?

Shae raised the mug to his lips, draining it within seconds. He set it gently back down on the table and refilled it once more. Thats an odd question to ask.

Jade squirmed under his sharp gaze. She picked her drink up, largely just to have something to turn her attention toward other than the Shikari officer. I was just thinking about it. Chance our target hes not even a Knight rank, and even though I wasnt at the tournament he won, I had friends that were. Apparently, he seemed really friendly. Why would he just kill a Shikari and go on the run?

Ah, Jade, youve stumbled into something that many Shikari do in their line of work, especially as we grow in strength. Shae gave her a small smile. Theres a fundamental misunderstanding, Im afraid.

About what?

The guards eyes lightened. Ah! Yes, the Dancing Cloud sect. Theyre the ones that sent one of the cultivators to help us.

Fantastic. Shae clapped the man on the shoulder. Please, dont let me interrupt your celebrations any longer. I wish you a long life.

And you a longer one, the guard replied, giving Shae a salute before turning back to his friends. Neither the guard nor the other men said anything else until Shae and Jade were well out of earshot.

And there we have it, Shae said. The Dancing Cloud sect. We know where our fugitive friend has run to.

Ive never heard of it, Jade said.

Then it is a good thing you came to me and asked to work together. Shae pulled a small metal rod out from a pouch at his waist and knelt, drawing runes in the packed dirt on the side of the road. Jade peered over his shoulder to watch him work.

All the villagers gave them a wide berth, giving respectful nods and small smiles whenever they made eye contact with Jade. Within half an hour, Shae had finished his work. He tucked the rod away and examined the circle hed drawn on the ground.

You know where they are? Jade asked.

A floating city, Shae replied. I did not think that Chance would have the resources to get there, but they must have been recruiting or Chance made friends with one of their members. Luckily, I can get us onto the island.

Jade chewed her lower lip. After a moment, she just nodded her understanding. I guess thats the easy part. Actually finding him will be hard.

Hard? Shae let out a low chuckle. This was the hard part. I have the scent now. Well be on him before the sun rises in the sky tomorrow.

Jade cleared her throat and, after a brief moment of deliberation, spoke. About the job is it possible to capture Chance instead of killing him? I know its not my place to question the role, but I think we could avoid needless bloodshed. He seems more reasonable than I expected.

Im sure the Shikari he and his group killed thought the same thing. Be wary of the wolf with a sheeps smile, Shae said. He nodded to the runes on the ground. Get in the circle. If youre adamant about this, we can discuss it once we arrive on the floating island.

Jade stepped into the ring. She opened her mouth to ask a question, but never got the chance. There was a sharp crack and she vanished, swallowed by a cloud of black Essence. Shae watched it for a moment, then nodded.

Always good to make sure the circle works before you use it yourself, he muttered, striding in after Jade. He disappeared an instant later, swallowed by the same cloud. The Essence slithered down into the runes, burning through them and leaving nothing but faint scorch marks in the dirt and the scent of sulfur hanging low in the air.

Unbeknownst to the two Shikari, a shadow in the alleys of a nearby building rippled. A man stepped out from it, a pensive frown on his face as he rubbed the back of his neck and approached the remains of the circle.

Well, thats not good, Brent said. He knelt beside the circle and pressed his hand into the dirt. I think the Boss is going to want to know about this.

He straightened back out and reached into a pocket, pulling out a small wooden token. It had the insignia of the Dancing Cloud sect emblazed into it, surrounded by a small ring of runes. Brent snapped the token between his fingers and Essence swarmed around him. When the wind blew the last traces of it away, there was no trace of him.