Vir had seen that glint in her eyes. Maiya had often given him the same look. Right before she sprung a trap.
“Not that I mind this little tour you are bringing me on, but why exactly are we here?” Cirayus, the four-armed giant, asked the mejai beside him.
They, along with their retinue, had traveled to the Kin’jali countryside, where they based their operations. Cirayus couldn’t set foot in civilization owing to his great size, so this was the best they could manage while Hiranyan operatives scouted local towns and cities for any information that might lead them to Mina’s assassin.
“Believe you me, I am taking a great risk coming here. The Kin’jals will not be happy to learn of Hiranyan forces in their lands, though none of us are wearing anything that would tie us back to Hiranya. And you better not say a word, or I’ll activate your subjugation collar.”
“That still doesn’t answer my question. Why are we here?”
“We’ve traveled south to Parul, and even north, but have found no trace of the princess’ assassin. The next logical place to flee to would be Kin’jal. They do not suffer Ashborn, but we know he is well versed in disguise.”
“Disguise, is it? Can’t say that’s a skill I ever picked up myself. Handy for a demon wishing to disappear in a realm polluted with humans, though.”
The Mejai of Realms turned around. “I understand you begrudge humans. But as I see it, I’m the one in control here. So you will mind your tongue, or else—”
“Or else, what?” Cirayus said, rising to his full height, where he towered over the little mejai. “Don’t think for an instant that you have authority over me, little mejai. For it will be the last mistake you ever make.”
20PURE SERIC
“Name?” asked the Brotherhood Executor.
Vir had been dreading this moment. To register into Tia’s party, he’d need to provide his Brotherhood name—Apramor.
He should have told Tia in advance. That would have been the smart thing to do. And yet, he found himself unable, fully realizing the pointlessness of hiding it until the last moment.
“Apramor,” he said, earning him an appraising glance from Tia and Vason. Haymi was thankfully still resting in the room, but that just meant Vir would have to confront her about it later.
“Never felt like Param suited you, anyway,” Tia said with a grin.
Vir smiled sheepishly. “Sorry…” His chest burned with shame.
Vason clapped his shoulder. “So, Apramor, then? That’ll take some getting used to. A name’s a powerful thing. Don’t blame you at all for using an alias.”
That they forgave him so easily only made his chest burn hotter.
But Vir’s apology wasn’t for lying about Param being his name… it was for lying about Apramor being his name. He still wasn’t willing to risk exposing his true name. As Vason just said, it was a powerful thing. While he doubted Hiranya had the resources to send pursuers after him, one could never be too safe.
“Very well,” the Executor said. “Acolyte Apramor is now registered as part of Spear’s Edge. Leader Tia—Shadow, Vason—Acolyte, and Haymi—Acolyte.”
Vir was surprised to learn Tia’s rank. Shadow was a decently high rank within the Brotherhood, and not one that came easily.
“Welcome aboard, Apramor,” Tia said, squeezing his shoulder. “We’re gonna need you.”
She wasn’t kidding about that. The contract Tia had described sounded nearly as dangerous as taking down the Narapazu.
South of Avi lay the vast Aranya Forest. Recently, a monster had made it its den—a being the locals referred to as the Lord of the Forest.
Nobody knew what it looked like, or even how dangerous it was, but wildlife had been going missing at an alarming rate, and so the Brotherhood was commissioned to put an end to it. Vir didn’t enjoy venturing into the unknown blind, and he’d never have considered undertaking such a contract by himself. He couldn’t have, even if he wanted to. Such contracts would only have been assigned to parties, or High Shadows working individually.
But he wasn’t alone. He now had a party and mejai support. Rather than feel anxious, he was even looking forward to it.
Vason, Tia, and Vir ambled to the courtyard, where a large bulletin board had been erected. Soon, it would display the results of the mining operation and the rewards doled out.
Such rewards would normally be divulged in secret, but the mining company wanted to recognize the efforts of those who had taken part, so it had been announced beforehand that the results would be public. Any mercs who didn’t like that always had the option not to participate.
The crowd of forty mercenaries gathered around, each vying for the best spot.
“I mean, I doubt anyone could’ve beaten us, right?” Vason said. “That Narapazu was the strongest monster down there.”
Vir wondered about that. Depending on how much importance the mining company placed on that beast, they could very well be overtaken by mercenaries who took down numerous weaker beasts.
That said, ‘weaker’ was relative. All Ash Beasts were formidable foes, so Vir doubted anyone had accrued too many valuable kills. Even so, his heart raced faster and faster as the Executor walked up to the bulletin board and unfurled oversized sheets of parchment with the names, starting with the lowest positions first.
Unfamiliar names revealed themselves, one after another, and with each entry, Vir’s hopes rose. The halfway point passed, and still, neither his name nor Spear’s Edge appeared. The number three position was announced, then the number two.
And yet, neither name showed up. Something was wrong.
Then, finally, the first position was revealed. The one who had accomplished the most, who’d earned 65 silvers and 3,000 Brotherhood karma… was Spear’s Edge.
Tia yelped and clasped arms with Vason, but then immediately realized Vir’s name was missing.
“There must have been some mistake—” she began, but was cut off by the Executor, who projected his voice via a utility orb.
“You have all performed well. But there is one among you I wish to call out. One who rose above the call of duty. As you may have heard, the lowest level of the mine contains an ancient compound, likely built by the gods themselves. Within it lurked a very special and rare Ash Beast. A Narapazu.”
Whispers of confusion sounded out among the crowd. ‘Narapazu?’ ‘What’s that?’ ‘Never heard of it.’
“It is likely few of you have heard of it. Even in the Ashen Realm, it is said to be rare. We know not what it was doing at the bottom of that mine, but we certainly intend to find out.”
“Acolyte Apramor not only assisted Spear’s Edge in taking it down, but according to them, felled the beast nearly single-handedly.”
The whispers grew louder.
“Furthermore, he brought the injured mejai of Spear’s Edge up to the surface, just in time to save her life. For his contributions, the client has issued a reward of 70 silvers. But to honor his valiant acts, the Brotherhood awards a further thirty silvers and a total of 5,000 karma to Acolyte Apramor.”
A seric’s worth of silvers! It was Vir’s largest haul ever. Maybe I can even afford a seric weapon now!
Tia began clapping, and others soon followed suit. Soon, the entire courtyard was filled with the sound of claps and cheers.
“I…” Unused to being the center of attention, Vir found himself overwhelmed. The recognition moved him more than he’d ever expected. “Tia, why? All of you contributed to taking down the Narapazu, and Haymi even delivered the finishing blow.”