“I want to register as a new mercenary,” Vir said, frowning at the man behind the veil.
It’s like a cult, he thought, recalling the Children of Ash.
“Follow me,” the man said, and when he finally stepped from behind his booth, Vir was once more thrown for a loop.
Not only had the man been seated behind a veil, he wore one on his face!
Definitely like a cult. Vir was starting to reconsider this decision.
He followed the receptionist through the dark hall and into a large courtyard, occasionally passing other mercenaries, whose footsteps echoed in the silence.
A leafless petrified tree occupied the center of the space, surrounded by sand. Proceeding down another hall, they came to a tall stone room containing several wooden booths all arrayed side by side.
“Wait here for your turn,” the receptionist said then departed, leaving Vir alone, facing the doors of the booths that had names painted upon them. Sonam, Alt Ashani, Daha, Avi, Raaka, Kartara, and Balindam.
Vir recognized two—Daha and Balindam. The capitals of Hiranya and the Pagan Order, respectively. Which meant the other booths were named after the capitals of countries as well.
He didn’t wait long. “Balindam. Enter,” a feminine voice said.
Vir made his way into the booth, which was lit by a single Magic Candle and shut the door behind him. The person in the booth wore a similar veil, her hands steepled upon a counter.
He took two steps over to the empty chair and froze.
The woman he was looking at had golden prana flowing through her entire body… and nearly nothing else. Apex Lightning Affinity. Vir was likely dealing with a Mejai of Ash or possibly even a Mejai of Realms.
He made a note to himself not to anger this woman.
“I shall be your Executor this session. Identification?” she asked in a professional, even tone, extending her hand.
“I have none,” Vir replied. “I’m here to become a mercenary.”
“Reason?”
“Just moved into the city. Looking to earn a living, and I’m pretty confident about my combat skills. I, uh, also need some contacts. Connections to Sawai, information about royalty, that kind of thing. Heard the Brotherhood can help there?”
“The Brotherhood’s reach is both deep and wide. Depending on your position within our organization, such things might be arranged.”
It was dawning upon Vir that the Brotherhood was more of a shadow organization. A group that likely took on less than reputable tasks, rather than the usual contracts.
“Balar Rank?” the Executor asked.
“I haven’t been tested, but my instructor believes I’m about Balar 30.”
“Oho?” she said, showing interest for the first time. “We are willing to grant capable members admission, but as you are coming to us unrecommended, we must have you pass a trial first.”
“You want me to fight someone?”
The Executor shook her head. “The combat exam will follow after you pass this trial. Only then will you receive your official Balar Scale Rank.”
Vir perked up at the mention of ranking. He’d been itching to see how much he’d progressed, and to see how he stood compared to others on a standardized scale.
She produced a piece of paper—real paper, not parchment—and slid it out to him. “Literate?”
Vir nodded.
“Good. Then fill out your name, age, reason for application, and qualifications. For record keeping. I trust you can pay the fee?”
“Fee? What fee?”
“Five silvers to join the Brotherhood.”
Vir blanched. “I don’t have that…”
“Then please return when you are able to pay,” she said calmly, taking back the paper.
“Wait,” Vir said, producing all the coin he had left, including Rudvik’s twenty coppers. “Can you take this as a deposit? Until I have enough to pay?”
He didn’t want to risk showing the robe to anyone, so that option was out. “Very well,” she said. Her lack of hesitation made Vir wonder whether they often ran into these situations.
He took a quill and jotted down his information, and while he refrained from mentioning Dance of the Shadow Demon, instead calling it Shadow Blend, everything else was accurate.
The real dilemma was his name. He’d been going by Neel in Daha, but what if he had to abandon that identity in the future? If he registered as Neel, then even if he left Hiranya for some other country, he might be followed and tracked. The Brotherhood was an international organization, after all. His hand hovered over the paper.
Vir’s real name made sense in that case. That way, he could take on and abandon identities, keeping his real name hidden. Then again, using his real name came at a cost if it were ever leaked.
“Is there a problem?” asked the Executor.
“Will the Brotherhood keep this information secret if I need them to? No matter their station?”
The woman stared at him, and even through her veil, he could tell her tone had changed. “As I said, secrets are the lifeblood of the Brotherhood. There is no priority higher to us than keeping the confidence of our members. We have fought empires before to protect such secrets. We will do so again if need be.”
It was the most the lady had ever spoken, and Vir was thankful for it. Her words definitely made the decision easier… but there was a better option.
Apramor, he wrote. It was a very common name, but one that Maiya would recognize if she came looking for him. This way, he kept both his real name secret and left breadcrumbs for her, too. He just had to ensure he didn’t mess up and use the wrong alias in the wrong situation. Any more of these, and he could easily land himself in hot water.
“This appears in order,” the Executor said. “Now, for your task. Bring me the eyes of that which sees without eyes.”
“A riddle?” Vir asked, raising a brow. “Isn’t the Brotherhood a mercenary organization? What need do you have of those who can solve riddles?”
“Brotherhood mercenaries take on a variety of tasks that require both intellect, problem solving ability, cunning, and combat prowess. Each of our High Shadows possesses these skills in spades.”
“I see. There’s no one who’s simply strong?”
“Those types tend not to live long in this line of work,” she responded, furling the paper. “Now, is there anything else?”
“No, but if I do this, I’m in?”
“That will depend on your performance and your ability to pay the fee. Do note that there is a time element to this test. You should complete your task within three days. Here,” she said, giving him a rolled piece of paper. “Take this. It will grant you temporary admission to and from the City of Daha, should you need to leave.”
“Well, thanks,” Vir said, getting up.
“Do not seek outside help. The Brotherhood has eyes in every corner of this city. Should you be caught, you will fail, and if you cheat, the Brotherhood will forever be off-limits to you. In all countries.”
“Right. Got it.”
Vir found his own way out, back to the entrance, where the receptionist hailed him.
“I take it all went well?” he said, pointing at Vir’s writ of entry. “In that case, allow me to explain some benefits of joining our organization.”
Isn’t the order a little off here? Vir thought. Usually they’d try to give you reasons to join first, but Vir wanted to know what being part of the Brotherhood got him, so he nodded for the receptionist to continue.