Chapter 287 - A Name is a Nuisance (1/2)

*Eldovian Era 1714, 20th day of the 1st month*

Rima could do nothing but stare, wide eyed, at Ziga's body on the ground before her. His throat cut, his eyes wide in shock, dead. Seven Gods in the High Realm, she'd never even seen a blade drawn. Had not heard it clutter anywhere. She did not see who had thrown or wielded it. It was as if the Gods themselves had reached down to aid her and Tigin.

It was about damn time too. They'd been struggling to keep that which they stole for themselves and not have it stolen from them by the various groups for the last three months. They were lucky to get a meal a day at the rate they were going. No matter what route they took, or where they hid this score, it was nearly always found and raided.

Still, Rima's celebration was short lived as another brush of wind blew past her, and Reni went sailing back into the shadows with a shout of surprise. Next was Harris, then Yato. Finally, shivering in shock and fear, and the acidic smell of urine filling the small back alley, Kessen turned and ran for the exit. Rima and Tigin watched him go, three metres before a figure in a black coat seemed to appear beside him, his arm outstretched with a blade that cut Kessen's throat so quickly that his body had barely started falling when the blade was sheathed and out of sight once more.

Then his red gaze turned to look at Rima and Tigin.

He looked to be perhaps in his early twenties. He had short brown hair on his head, and the start of a goatee below lips. He was wearing good clothes, so he certainly was not from this part of the city. But what would a Middle Sector be doing out here so late? He wore a long sleeve, tan coloured shirt beneath a dark brown leather jacket, and a strange scarf that was large enough to fall over his shoulders and come up to nearly his chin. As he shifted, Rima noticed the hood dangling at the back. He wore not apparent adornments or jewelry though, which made his business here all the more confusing. Was he here to see the Reishin? But at this hour? And how had he just appeared like that? Was he a shadow magician?

He tilted his head whilst he looked at Rima and Tigin before he spoke, ”Little girls shouldn't be out this late”.

Rima blanched. She'd hidden as a boy for a decade without so much as a peep from anyone. How had he known?

”I'm..I'm not a girl,” Rima huffed.

He took a second glance at Rima, then at Tigin, ”Want to tell me why I had to save you just now? Why are you out here?”

Tigin, still frowning from the girl comment, looked down at Rima, then at the young man, ”Forgive us for disturbing you, Areishin, how can we repay you?”

The young man scoffed, taking a few steps to the side before he reached down behind a pile of old ropes and lifted up Reni. An unconscious Reni, but not dead by the way he g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

”No need, just get home will you?” he asked.

It was then that Rima and Tigin both noticed the chain hanging off his hip. The insignia on it. They immediately dropped to their knees, ”Great Warrior Bloodthorn, we are terribly sorry to have disturbed you this night. We promise never to do so again, please, let us live!”

The young man paused, Reni half lifted off the ground. Then he dropped Reni like a sack of potatoes.

”What did you just call me?”

There was no anger in the tone, only curiosity.

Rima glanced out of the corner of her eye at Tigin who spoke up slowly for them both, ”Great...Warrior...Bloodthorn”.

The man's eyes narrowed, and his tone dropped, ”Who did you hear that name from?”

Rima and Tigin both bowed their heads closer to the cobblestones, ”Your name is famous throughout the city. You have sworn loyalty to Reishin Irons. You are owed respect and status by your deeds, O Great Warrior”.

”How did you-”

”The chain, at your hip,” Rima stated, ”It is the symbol of Reishin Irons' highest and most loyal subordinates”.

Rima risked a glance up as she watched the young warrior take the chain in his hand, looking at it closely, then ripping it away from his pants. The young warrior crushed it in his palm for a moment in a barely contained anger before he released a breath, then pocketed the chain and walked over to Tigin and Rima. Rima made to move back but he was there before she could, putting a surprisingly light hand on both hers and Tigin's shoulders.