Yanoku City, Guild District, Alistair’s Study: Summer of the Red Moon.

Alistair’s study was located on top of the highest tower in the guild. One could easily see the Athagar Castle from its windows, erected high atop the Administrative District. “The chancellor’s got too comfortable in that luxurious palace of his,” Zedd started. He was in a bad mood, his thoughts in shambles.

“Have you come here to complain Zedd?” Alistair asked.

“Did you know that a band of thieves has taken residence in the slums? They’ve taken up more than half of the district.”

“I’m not the custodians.” Alistair was busy preparing for the Great Hunt. Applicants from the Kozagan desert had to be sorted and pre-selected based on their merits. Only the best would be allowed to go into the Gate.

“There was a time when the Three Headed Dragon kept the peace in the Guild District and the slums. What changed all of that?”

“Politics friend,” Alistair said as he sorted out applicants. He’d sign some and put them to his right, or stamp others and sort them to his left.

Zedd strode through Alistair’s office, inspecting one artifact after the other. “That’s a strange one, is this Abrath’s plume?”

Alistair lifted his eyes from the pile of papers he had to sort out. “You’re a very knowledgeable man my friend. How do you know about Abrath?”

“I know everything about that vicious beast.” Zedd started humming a familiar melody. Alistair smiled then put his pen down.

“In the dark forest he lies,

Light shining through his eyes,

Our hero, the crestfallen knight,

Approached the beast in the darkest night,

What do you want?

The beast asked,

His fur white as snow.

His face threatening with a fearful, gaping maw

A despicable beast he was,

Sharp fangs, tail and claws.

My wife aches, pleaded the knight,

Your venom would cure her blight,

Very well, said the beast,

Offer your light, for I need no feast

The man spoke, rising the ritual keg

Take my arm, take my leg.

Take the job my family’d never favor

For my wife, my light, my savior.

It is so that our hero lost his drive,

He wouldn’t dream, hope or thrive.

In the end, our hero regained his wife,

Together, they lived in constant strife.”

Zedd finished and contemplated the great castle from the window. “I’m surprised you know this song,” Al said after a moment’s silence.

“I was born here. If it weren’t for some unfortunate events, I would never have left this city.”

“Most would be glad to leave these dry lands,”

“Most don’t know what awaits them in the lush and green world outside this desert they deem heartless,” Zedd turned from the window, anger apparent from his knitted brows.

“What did you see that makes you so angry friend?”

“I saw what it’s like to fight the empire, and its automata.”

“Is it as bad as they say?”

“They have large structures, as big as our ships. They look like golems, but no magic powers them. If they descend upon a city, only ash and rubble will remain. We don’t stand a chance Al. Your master did the wisest thing, negotiating peace with them.”

“And you’ve gone and brought a witch to our city, under imperial eyes,” Alistair wasn’t too happy about Zedd bringing the Purple witch along.

“She’ll be discreet. She doesn’t want to lose her life to those imperialists. When are they due to arrive?”

“In two days’ time, they’ll come aboard Viraldo’s ship.”

“Speaking of which, have you spoken to him yet?” Zedd asked. He was anxious to know if Alistair had secured him a spot for the Hunt.

“Not to him per se, but I’ve secured you an entry ticket to the Hunt,” Alistair replied.

“I smell trouble,” Zedd said.

“You know how vulnerable our master is, don’t you?” Alistair asked.

“Well, he’s nothing like his father if that’s what you mean,” Zedd replied. “I bet Viraldo’s little endeavor didn’t sit well with the Chancellor.”

“If the king hears of this, Yanoku will pay a heavy price. It’s High Treason,” Alistair got up from his chair then approached Zedd. “Some people feel that Viraldo acted rashly. They don’t like the idea of imperials getting into Yanoku.”

“What does this have to do with me Al? Get to the point.”

“I have secured you an entry ticket to the Hunt, but I’d like something in return.” Alistair looked his friend right into his black eyes.

“You want me to deal with the imperialists before the Second Phase starts,” Zedd said. “You want to make it look like an accident.”

“As usual friend, you get straight to the point,” Alistair went back to his seat, crossed his arms then looked at his friend. “So, what do you say?”

“I’m not a hired thug,” Zedd dryly said.

“No you’re not. But you have a purpose from entering Ulmir’s domain. I won’t ask what your motives are. All I ask is for you to rid us of six imperials. Given your set of skills, I don’t think it would be a problem for you Zedd.” Alistair was still looking at his friend expectantly.

“Yes I have something to gain from entering Ulmir’s domain. But if the condition to get what I want is to become your assassin, then I’d better forget about my plans and leave this city at once.” Zedd looked at the Hunters’ Commander with his black eyes. His facial expressions didn’t change one bit.

The Hunters’ Commander felt naked, like the man in front of him was analyzing every thought that ever passed through his mind. He felt like an open book. The man with black eyes knew of all his little tricks.

“What if I throw in Lord Dismas’ offer?” Alistair finally asked.

“What offer?”

“He said he has a location on your target. He says you’ll know what he means.”

“Even that old rascal is part of the conspiracy eh? Tell him I prefer to get paid in advance. I won’t endanger myself on the base of a promise.”

“Very well, I’ll deliver the message.”

“As soon as you have it,” Zedd said then fumbled in his bag. “Here’s my candle. I trust you know what to do with this.” Zedd handed the strange black candle to Al. “I’ll come see you as soon as you have news for me.”

“Thanks friend, you’re doing this city a great favor,” Alistair said after receiving the candle.

“From this day onwards, we are no longer friends. Friends don’t ask friends to kill for them. You know that the empire won’t let go of this matter.” Zedd looked at Alistair with his black eyes.

The latter couldn’t know what the mysterious man felt or thought. His calm demeanor changed into one with a dreary facial expression. His black irises and golden pupils fixed the Hunters’ Commander, his mouth drew a cynical smile. Alistair felt like Zedd pitied him.

“I didn’t know you’d feel this way Zedd.” Alistair sounded apologetic.

“What if I asked you to kill the Chancellor? How would you have reacted I wonder. Would you have accepted?” Zedd asked.

Alistair thought for a while. “It depends on why you want the Chancellor dead. If you’re in a bind, I’d feel obligated to help in any way I can.”

“There it is. The cunning diplomacy of an educated man,” Zedd exclaimed, loud enough for his voice to be heard outside Alistair’s study. “You take me for a fool Al. Minutes ago you were dismissing my plea against that gang in the slums.”

“You were merely expressing your concern,” Alistair interjected.

“A genuine concern mind you!” Zedd continued shouting. “If you were the friend you claim to be, you would’ve addressed my concern, not dismiss it for the sake of your selfish desires.”

“Selfish?” Alistair said. His tone was calm. One could feel he was trying to diffuse the situation. “How is thinking of the future of Yanoku, our city, selfish?”

“We both know your primary concern is the position of Master. I’ll take care of those imperials while the Chancellor and his band of merry Samaritans dispose of the treacherous Viraldo. Thanks to your help in the matter, the city will appoint you Master for the duration of the Festival,” Zedd slowly approached Al’s desk, his eyes still fixated on his friend’s.

“By the time most hunters who hate your guts come back from the Hunt, you’ll have won the majority of votes allowing you to officially claim the position of Master. Am I getting this right friend?” Zedd emphasized the last word.

Alistair was at a loss for words. He looked at Zedd, his mouth agape, but couldn’t mutter a word.

“You’ve backed me into a corner Al,” Zedd said. “I don’t like being used. But I need what your Lord has for me. After this is over, don’t contact me ever again.”

“Everyone has a hidden agenda Zedd. You’re using other people to fulfill your selfish desires. I do the same. We’re both rotten to the core. What makes you think you’re better than me?”

“Because I, dear friend.” With a single step, Zedd was behind Alistair.

He pressed his hunting knife against Al’s throat until the Guild Commander could feel the cold steel against his skin.

“I take care of my own dirty business. I don’t send others to do it for me then take credit for it. I despise people like you Al.” Zedd let go of the terrified old hunter.

“You’ve grown soft Al. That will be the end of you.” Zedd disappeared then reappeared next to the door. “Goodbye for now. Light that candle when you have Dismas’ answer. I’ll only make my move if the answer is positive.”

Zedd left the Hunters’ Guild then strode through the hot streets of Yanoku. It was early evening, the hottest time of the day. Apart from Zedd, nobody walked the streets at that time, save for some unfortunate guards who were on duty.

‘The chancellor has surrounded himself with fools,’ Zedd thought as he headed for his house. ‘They want to kill their guests. That’ll only pressure the emperor into pushing for that research to end. They don’t know who they’re messing with.’

His thoughts of the empire and their might accompanied him through the city’s streets. He was wandering aimlessly, lost in thought. When he came to, he was in the middle of Adle Plaza, a square in the middle of the Financial District.

‘How did I ever get to this place?’ he thought to himself.

“Zedd, stop daydreaming and bring your ass over here,” a female voice bellowed to him.

Zedd looked at the direction from which the voice emanated. He saw a woman with brown hair looking at him from a window on the first floor. The plaza was empty. The water from the fountain in the middle rippled a hypnotic sound.

“Audrey, how lovely of you to meet me here, in this hot, stinky city,” he shouted at the woman.

“Yes, pleased to see you well and all Zedd. Now would you get your pretty ass here already?” the woman called Audrey said.

“What is it?” Zedd asked as he instantly materialized behind the woman.

“Gods I hate it when you do that!” she shouted at the man that had just teleported behind her.

“There are no real Gods. So stop with your nonsense,” Zedd replied. “Why are you here?”

The young woman cast a puzzled look at the man with black eyes. “I just wanted to pay you a visit. What’s wrong with visiting my commander?”

“Audrey doesn’t pay social calls,” Zedd said.

“You think you know me very well, don’t you?” Audrey asked then chuckled.

“Good enough to know you’re here for a bloody good reason. Spill it!”

“Smith has been sighted near Cherza,” Audrey said after the pleasantries had been exchanged.

“Well, that complicates things. Where are we with the Gates of Mercy?” Zedd asked.

Audrey raised an eyebrow then said. “I though Tristan was on the job.”

“You haven’t come all the way here to tell me about Smith, Audrey.”

Audrey was Zedd’s intelligence officer. She was a young beautiful woman with brown hair, black eyes and olive skin. She was a tough warrior and an excellent spy. That day, she wore a long beige dress that covered the entirety of her body, save for her head. Nobody knew who she was. She loved operating in the dark; stalk her prey instead of using diplomatic connections.

“Rimbaldi’s the lead in the research facility at the Gates of Mercy. It’s only a matter of time before they find the Pathway,” Audrey reported.

“Then I’m still backed into a corner. I’ll provide a distraction. See if you can find where Smith is hiding. He’s the key to locking that passage,” Zedd ordered.

“What’s your distraction?” Audrey asked.

“You’ll see it soon enough. Follow the news on the Hunt once it starts,” Zedd suggested.

“I’ll be back at the empire when it starts airing,” Audrey said.

“Then you’ll report to me first-hand the emperor’s reaction.” Zedd mischievously smiled.

“What’re you planning Zedd?” Audrey was concerned

“It’s time for an old friend to acknowledge my existence,” Zedd answered.

“Are you sure you want him to know so soon?”

“What’s the point in hiding it?” Zedd’s question was rhetorical. “The moment I make my move during the Hunt, he’ll know something’s amiss. I’d rather go for a preemptive strike.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing Zedd,” Audrey said. Her tone was almost desperate.

“Worry about your tasks dear. Leave the tactics to me,” Zedd said in a dry tone.

“Forgive me, I overstepped my boundaries.” Audrey knelt then bowed her head.

“Rise child, you’ve only expressed your concern. I understand,” Zedd said with a calm, almost fatherly, voice. “Now, let us not talk about this anymore. Find out where Smith is hiding, and don’t let Rimbaldi out of your sight.”

Audrey nodded, her black eyes watery. “Where’d you get that?” Zedd asked. He was looking at the necklace that slipped from beneath her robe as she stood.

“A woman in Helton gave it to me. I helped her free her child from the empire’s clutch. It’s beautiful isn’t it?”

Zedd looked at the necklace. It was a silver coin with a fox with three tails engraved on it. “In some cultures, it’s said to bring luck. I hope it does,” Zedd said. “For all our sakes.”