Like the thief she was, Maraye dropped stealthily from the ceiling and into a slightly dark room. Blending with the shadows, she moved swiftly, not even stirring the air.
She could see her target now, and he sat unbothered despite the darkness threatening to close in on him as the single candle stick slowly dulled.
Grasping her knife tightly she wasted no time, without making a single sound, she was already behind him.
Her dagger pressing on his neck.
"Make a single sound, and this knife bites deep into your neck"
She threatened, her hands ready to render him unconscious.
"The same goes for you" A cold voice whispered behind her and immediately a cold long steel pressed against her neck.
She stilled. 'A mage'
A long silence stretched into the night, the candle minutes away from being snuffed out.
Hands tightened around hilts, a move that showed both parties were extremely prepared.
"One of Mali's men, aren't you?" the seated young man questioned.
No answer.
The sharp edge of the knife dug into his skin, drawing blood.
The man with the sword squinted, his sword still yet ready.
"Make your choice carefully, I could waste you in seconds!" His voice was low but it vibrated through the room, making the candle shadow tremble.
Maraye's heart raced like never before, slowly lowering her hands and the weapon away from the young man's neck.
She felt the sword move away from her neck too.
"A wise choice you've made. Now If you dare to tell me exactly what you are here for."
The young man slowly stood up picking a small handkerchief and pressing it against his neck.
Maraye glanced over at the mage with the sword. He just stepped into the shadows without sparing her a glance and then she didn't see him again.
A powerful mage
Maraye panicked.
"You are yet to give me an answer" she heard the smooth yet firm voice of the man before her.
She didn't say anything, just stood watching him and his scary calmness.
A deep realisation hitting her out of nowhere.
"You are not the merchant!"
Colour drained from her face.
He flashed a knowing slow smile, fangs peeking out.
Stretching to his full height, with his afro casting a shadow on his face, he walked towards her.
"And this is what you are looking for." He waved the red file in his hands, dropping it on the marble table.
Her eyes lingered on the files, a neutral expression on her face, but it still felt as though he could read her, like he knew what she was thinking.
Another second of silence befell the room.
Their eyes met.
The candle flickered. Slowly dimming as it reached its last leg.
As darkness slowly swallowed them in the room, Maraye moved.
Flicking a sliver blade towards his neck. He dodged it, but it was enough time for her to act.
Grabbing the files, she made a dash for the window. A strong arm grabbed her mask pulling her backwards and tearing the mask in the process.
Maraye gasped, fear getting the best of her. She twisted, launching a deadly kick to his face. He successfully blocked it, but both parties staggered backwards from impact.
Maraye buried her face in one arm, clutching the files with the other. She could hear her own heart pounding.
He couldn't see her face, else her life was as good as wasted.
"You won't get far with those" The young man threatened, slowly walking towards her again.
Backing away, she quickly tucked the file into her sleeve, bringing out her knife.
The young man didn't stop approaching. He grabbed her hands wanting to see her face, as she struggled in his grip. Maraye raised her knife and aimed for his neck.
CLANG!
Her knife clashed with a familiar terrifying sword. The wave burst sending her crashing to the wall.
The Mage was back again!
Maraye cursed and immediately ran towards the window. Her escape route.
She wasn't fast enough, the sword swished like lightening, tearing her skin open.
"Arghhh!" She cried, gripping her injured arm.
She didn't wait, she climbed immediately, ready to jump but the young man stopped her again.
Her back already leaning down into the air ready to fall. But the young man had grabbed her arm, the one she was using to cover her face.
It was only for a second but their eyes met and time seemed to slow down.
Although there wasn't a single source of light, his sight wasn't something to take lightly. He could still make out an outline in the dark.
There was a swirling confusion, deep in his black eyes.
"You are a woman!" He whispered, his eyes deepened in realisation.
Maraye stilled in the air, breathless.Heart pounding.
Her mind trying to fathom the expression on his face.
She forcefully released her hand from his grip resuming her graceless fall.
He just stood on the window, arms still outstretched, his eyes solely on the falling figure as she got swallowed by the deep misty darkness.
His gaze shifted, deepening as though in thoughts of something dangerous yet unknown.
A faint thud attracted the patrolling mages nearby.
Pouncing through the air as light as a feather, they rushed towards the noise.
"What?!" Grim faces of gathered mages was what appeared as the fog around cleared.
They were all staring at a particular spot.
"Inform the merchant now!" A tall mage barked, as everyone left the spot leaving him just staring something strange on the floor.
It was blood, and rough marks of impact on the dry ground.
The problem was…there was no one there. Neither was there any trace of a scent.
This wasn't good! An intruder!
A thin, sharp whistle resounded throughout the whole estate. The kind of whistle that sent chills down the enemies spine. A call for all the Mages…
Deep in the forest, outside the merchant's estate, laid a small figure.
Somewhere between reality and a dream too good to just a memory.
"Maraye! You are a disappointment! Go and confess what you did!" An older woman shouted from within a mud kitchen. The kitchen fire cast a dark shadow, shielding her face.
"Mama please!" She pleaded and immediately, a sharp whistle pierced her ears. She cringed in pain closing her ears.
With a gasp Maraye jumped awake. Sweat made her dark skin glisten, her allback braids clinging to her cheeks.
The whistle didn't stop and she doubled in pain.
How did I get here?
She clearly remembered falling to her death.
Unease swirled in her chest as soon as she realised.
…. I failed.
She stilled. Not to mention that…young man. How had he known?
The whistle cut through the air again, almost destroying her ears and she jumped, startled. Realising she wasn't far from the estate.
She stood up, her insides burning, and her bones threatening to fall apart from excruciating pain.
She groaned, sweating harder, and forced herself to take the first step.
Before she could take the second step she froze.
Feeling something behind her.
Maraye turned around, her legs swollen and heavy. At the brink of collapse, she saw five figures standing before her.
The big five!
Of course, they were the ones who saved her.
She bowed in appreciation, even though she had failed they still saved her.
Maraye slowly rose again, the searing pain drowned out by the dread creeping in.
The five shadow men…they didn't return the bow.
Their swords were unsheathed, as though ready for a slaughter.
Maraye's hands shook, tears gathering at the rim of her eyes.
This is it?…