The Shadow (part 7)

The sun was just cresting barely over the horizon, the morning dew could be seen across the grassy plains from the high windows where Moludri was still in his quarters in deep meditation. The rustle and bustle of the townspeople opening up their shops to the locals and travelers, guards doing their shift rotations. A slight chilly breeze was present.

Moludri… you need to wake up.

Moludri’s eyes snapped open, as he heard the voice of Theodmer. He scanned the room with just his eyes, making no sudden movements.

Be on your guard…do what you do best…

After assessing that his living quarters were not infiltrated as he deeply meditated, he got up off the ground. Grasping his assassin equipment, and donning it in the usual fashion. Bottoms, clasping them to his waist. Boots, securing the straps around the top of them, and clasping them shut as well. The chest armor which protected his vital organs were adjusted and also secured well. And the finishing touch, he grasped his two straight bladed daggers and put the sheaths to his waist band. Once he felt buttoned up correctly, and well fitted, he opened the wooden door to his quarters and stepped out.

He did not expect to see what he did with his own two eyes.

Theodmer stood before him, in a visage form that almost seemed so real. Moludri reached out to grasp Theodmer’s hand, and realized he was just a wisp as Moludris’ hand fell through.

I don’t have much time, so please listen…

Moludri kept his mouth closed and nodded in response.

Do not be upset or take further vengeance for my death. It is the warrior way to die on the field of battle.

Moludri nodded in acceptance.

I sense something is wrong here, Moludri. You must find out what it is.

And then Theodmer’s ghostly image faded away from Moludri. Puzzled, and trying to deconstruct his message, he was uncertain as to what he was referring to. Perhaps in the afterlife where his beloved cousin now resides, maybe he discovered that he has been exposed to a dark spell. Moludri began his descent down the hallway to his left, clattering down the set of stairs and headed towards the stronghold deep inside to talk to the Master Magician. Passing by fellow assassins, giving him a nod or a salute as a gesture of respect.

Cerlith stopped him in mid stride while route to the Master Magician’s chamber, her arms were held out in front of her, as if she was reaching for him.

“Moludri, something has happened…” Cerlith said as her voice started to crackle a little with emotion.

“What is it this time? One of our warrior initiates injured severely on the training grounds?” Moludri inquired, mostly deflecting his thoughts with a bat of humor.

“No…” Cerlith grabbed Moludri by both shoulders and looked deep into his eyes.

“The Master Magician is dead.”

Moludri swallowed this new piece of information, as it felt like he was trying to pass razor sharp blades down his throat. It caught him mid-way down.

“What do you mean he’s dead? We just spoke last night in my chambers!” Moludri broke the hold that Cerlith had on his shoulders and brushed passed her, and entered the chambers where the assistants of the Master Magician worked. His body laid flat on his stomach, right side of his face laying on the stone ground. His right arm stretched out above his head, and the rest of his body straight and stiff.

Cerlith walked in the room, looking at the back end of Moludri as he studied the corpse for a brief moment. One of the assistants saw a note that was barely legible on the table, and picked it up.

“Omnoc… why did he write that just before he died?” the assistant said.

“I do not know, let me see that.” Moludri held out his right hand and took the small parchment from her. He held it in front of him.

“Do you think he had something to do with this?” Cerlith asked, knowing that this was a very serious accusation. To accuse a senior member of the order, especially of this magnitude, would be treason. Punishable by death. Cerlith walked up next to Moludri’s right side and viewed the parchment herself.

Moludri lowered the parchment slowly, before letting it go from his hand.

“I do not know what it means, nor shall I accuse Omnoc of killing a fellow member, but there must be a logical reason.” Moludri answered.

“Yes, of course there is.” Omnoc walked in behind everyone, along with the rest of the senior counsel.

“You killed him, Moludri.” Omnoc said as Moludri twisted his head around to face him. “And planted a note with my name on it, to raise suspicion that I would commit a barbaric crime against a member of the order.” Omnoc walked up close to Moludri, and then walked around the front. Stopping over the corpse of the Master Magician.

“I saw him leave your chambers after you two spoke,” Omnoc started. “And afterwards, he walked back to his laboratory to continue his research on the matter of you being poisoned by the troll’s claws. Perfect opportunity to kill a man, don’t you think, Moludri?” Omnoc finished.

“I did no such thing. I was in deep meditation.” Moludri answered, putting his left hand on the hilt of one of his daggers.

Omnoc takes the note and puts it in his pocket.

“We will get to the bottom of this soon enough. Cerlith, place him under arrest and escort this heathen to the brig!” Omnoc exclaimed with a certain fire and brimstone in his eyes. Cerlith silently gasped at the order in which she now had to comply. She looked at Moludri, “I am sorry. Moludri, you are under arrest by the counsel in suspicion for the murder…. the murder of the Master Magician.”