[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Isokla’s search led her outside. In truth, she wished for some time to think and to experience the morn’s fresh air. If the air in such a place could be called fresh. The girl wrinkled her nose in distaste; ‘Ugh, this town is filth. There are times I miss home. At least there everything was clean.’ she sighed; she would have to make do and really, just after dawn was her favourite time to think, that, and the still of the night. So, she found herself outside and walking down a street. Her musings filled her mind and she did not realise where she was; in one of the narrow back alley streets; the sort that no reputable girl ever found herself in, and never alone.

The stars had continued to fall and the people were in a fright. Like rising floodwaters driving all the rats from their holes, the towns few thugs had emerged. Rough, callous, ill-mannered brutes ruled their temperament, and it was a trio of ruffians that crossed Isokla’s path. Unsettled by the presence of the falling stars, superstition ruled the day and the sight of anyone so composed, let alone a young woman, was enough to anger them. That, and the fact the townsfolk were calling for a sacrifice. A young woman, garbed in a dress light in colour; blue in eye, silver in hair and fair of skin? Obviously an outlander – she was perfect.

As it so happened, Isokla turned down an even narrower alleyway; she subconsciously sought the river or as close to it as she could get and her sense of direction told her that this was the fastest way to the town gates. Had she been truly paying attention, she would have realised that it was not actually a street at all, but a shop – a warehouse – that was long, narrow, and held two sliding doors at either end. Both had been open, and so it was that the three thugs stepped in and closed the door behind them with a slam.

Wide eyed, the girl spun around. Inwardly, her mask of shock could not have been more wrong. ‘What now?!’ she thought irritably. Something akin to a vicious smile touched her mind’s eye but outwardly, she gasped. ‘Wonderful.’

The other door, now behind her, also slammed shut. A youth, no more than twenty turned a key in its lock and jerked his chin to indicate those behind her. Isokla did not turn, but she heard their words clearly…

“Well boys, look what we have ‘ere.”
“All alone in this part of town.”
“To proud ta look at us? I’d be scared too, lass. They’re calling for a sacrifice outside.”
“Ye goin’ ta com’ quietly with us.”
“Aye, but she’s all alone boys.” the louded laughed coarsely. “What say–”

He never finished his words. All he, and his two companions witnessed as their last breath was a glint of steel as the woman whirled – more calmly than any woman had a right to be under such circumstances – and a flash. A hollow ‘thunk’ rang through the warehouse, followed by a dull thud, as one after another, the trio of corpses struck the floor. Isokla had already whirled back around and met the youth’s eyes coldly. “Leave.” she spoke softly as she rounded on him.
Raising his club in fear, he stammered “ You... you witch!”

‘I warned you,’ A slight smile twitched at her lips, “Come now, I am unarmed. Will you really threaten a lady?”
“You… you killed them in cold blood!”
“With what?” her eyes widened, “Do I look like I carry weapons?”
“Then with magic!”
“You would have heard if I had incanted and wove the Art.”
“You’re lying! Men like that don’t just die!”
“Then inspect them.” she offered quietly, “I am of no danger to you.” Isokla stared at the ground, “They… they’d have torn me to shreds…”
“You’re lying!” he repeated, snarling at her and raising his club.
“You are too young for this, child. You’re not prepared to kill anyone, are you?” She stood tall, regal and errect as she stared him down proudly, “But come, prove me wrong and take your prize. Or are you not ‘man’ enough? Choose quickly; I tire of this.”
“You bit-!” he looked as though she had slapped him in the face, “I… I’ll kill you!”
‘Fool.’

He charged towards her swinging his club wildly. Almost disdainfully, Isokla stepped aside and pivoted. As he rushed past her, in a single, smooth action pulled loose one of her hair pins and plunged it through the back of his neck. Piercing the nerve, he shuddered once and collasped. Gracefully, the woman knelt beside him and murmured, “I’m growing rusty.” He gasped as she pulled the eight inch long pin from his neck. The action was like a whiplash; had he blinked, he’d have missed it. “You know,” she told as he lay there dying, “Back home, we call these ‘dagger pins’; do you want to know why? You see the top of it; it is flat. It can be held neatly between thumb and forefinger; thrown, stabbed – it can even cut and slash throats or eyes. Very versatile.” she sniffed approvingly, “You have another moment or so left, I think. Now, these pins can be placed in bracelets, in the hair, even in clothing, not to mention boots. I decided that I would save it for you; you should be honoured. It has been too long.” She rose, cleaned off the ‘dagger pin’ and placed it back in its sheath in her hair. She was careful of its side; it held an edge a razor would envy. Throughout this, her voice had been calm, composed; as though she were addressing a slow student, “Now, I had warned you you were not ready to kill, but you would not listen. You have no one to blame but yourself.”

Isokla stepped in front of him, “It’s a pity really, such a waste. I doubt you’ve even had your first kiss, have you?”
Weakly, he shook his head; already his vision was clouding over.
“Well, I suppose a kiss is the least I can do. After all, you cannot move.” The young woman leant down and pressed her lips to his. When she rose, he no longer twitched. “Fool,” Isokla sighed, her eyes coldly scanning the room. “How many more must I suffer before Fate stops taunting me?”

She retrieved her blades from the trio’s throats and carefully cleaned them.

Later on, (a few moments), people would believe that a star rock struck the warehouse and incinerated the building. They would never know it was actually torched by a young woman’s hands.

~~~

Isokla continued into the street, slipping away. She had had enough of her walk and towards the temple. It was time to pay her ‘respects’ to the Master.