The Shadow-man Read online

  A man like me? What does he mean?

  I knew I could not leave without hearing what they had to offer. Curiosity is one of my more troublesome character flaws. “All right,” I said. “Make your offer.”

  ***

  I did not return to my barracks—I had my own quarters after that. I was told that I would train with a Mentor every day, and I would be well cared for. In return, all I had to be able to do was keep to myself. I would be allowed to go abroad in the City, but I was advised to form no attachments—make no friends, in other words—and I could not speak of my profession to anyone, not even my sister. In fact, I was forbidden to see Salina.

  “If you accept our offer, you will have no family from now on,” said the Ministers. I had felt a pang of doubt. Give up ever seeing my sister? Surely they will relent. Besides…Salina had so much as told me she didn’t want to see me.

  One of the Ministers must have anticipated my momentary reluctance, but he knew just what to say to convince me. “You will serve the King in the highest capacity possible. You will be one who removes his fears, safeguards the City from her deadliest enemies, and promotes justice and peace. There is no higher calling in Orovar.”

  I recall the swelling of pride in my chest when I heard those words. Me. They have chosen me! Pride overwhelmed duty, and I brushed my sister aside. All I wanted, from that day forward, was to serve the King. I wanted to become a shadow-man.

  ***

  The first time I met my Mentor, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. I had been languishing happily on the soft blue velvet couch in my new quarters when he simply appeared standing next to me. Dressed entirely in grey, it was as though he had formed from the shadows themselves. He had made no sound.

  “Hello, Beltran. My name is Corvyn, but you will address me as ‘Master’ from now on. I will be your only companion—the only one in whom you may confide, anyway. How much have they told you?”

  “How did you get in here without my knowing it?”

  “I’ll ask the questions,” he said. “How much have they told you?”

  “Only that I have been chosen to serve King Darius, and that I may not reveal my profession to anyone. I have been expecting you. They told me I would train with a Mentor.” I looked him up and down, from his steely eyes to his soft-booted feet.

  “You think me ordinary. I can see it in your expression,” he said with a slight smile. “Never mind. You’ll soon learn otherwise.”

  “I don’t think you ordinary at all. You sneaked in here without a sound. Most people can’t surprise me the way you did.”

  He laughed. “Well, good. That’s the first step. It’s my job to teach you how to remain unseen and unheard. I’m getting older, and it’s time for me to mentor the next in line. If you pass all my tests, it will be you.”

  “And what if I don’t pass them?”

  “We shouldn’t speak of such things now,” he said.

  “But…” I started to protest, but the only thing I remember after that is lying paralyzed on the floor, trying to breathe. I had no idea what Corvyn had done to me, but it had been wicked fast and reasonably painful.

  “That’s how you immobilize a man without giving him a chance to speak,” said Corvyn. “I can show you how to do that, and I will, but you must follow every order I give you. You may neither argue nor protest. Is that clear?”

  The only sound I could make was a feeble “aahhhhhhh.”

  “Oh, very well. Nod if you can.”

  I did.

  “Very good,” said Corvyn, drawing a blade from beneath the folds of his robe. He looked down at me with an expression of pure disdain. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, don’t worry. I won’t hurt you yet. It’s my job to train you, not kill you.” He began cleaning his nails with the point of the blade. “First, I’ll show you how to surprise a man. Then, how to render him helpless. Finally, I’ll teach you to kill.” With those words, he replaced his blade. “We start tomorrow.”

  I closed my eyes and nodded. When I opened them again, he was gone. As the feeling began to come back to my arms and legs, I was aware of three things: that my body was most unhappy, that I hated my new mentor, and that I wanted to be just like him.

  ***

  I trained with Corvyn each day. It was a real exercise in discipline for me, as I dared not ever speak without permission. Other than “yes, Master,” or “no, Master,” I said very little. Occasionally I forgot myself, to my great regret. Corvyn made a mark on me for every transgression—just a little scratch with the tip of his blade—saying that the day I bore no mark, I would be rewarded. This would prove to be a lot harder than it sounded. It meant that I could not acquire any new marks for the length of time required to heal the old ones.

  Then, one day, he appeared at the corner table near my balcony, a big tray of very fine food and wine balanced on one hand. “It seems you bear no mark today,” he said, smiling. “As promised, you may have your reward. There will be no training today.” He set the tray down on the table. Eat, drink, and enjoy your leisure time,” he said. “Tomorrow we start afresh…and I believe you’ll find this new level somewhat taxing. However, the rest of your reward will be here after sundown.”

  I bowed. “Yes, Master.”

  Corvyn chuckled. “You may speak freely for now,” he said.

  I drew a deep breath, eyeing the delicacies on the tray with anticipation. They had fed me well enough, but with little consideration of my palate. “Thank you, Master,” I said, and meant it.

  “You’ve earned it,” he replied. “As for the rest of your reward, well…I have a very special token for you.” He drew close, reaching under his robe again. I was always amazed by the quantity and variety of items he could conceal there. This time he drew forth a small bottle made of blue glass. “If you experience any feelings of…shyness…tonight, drink this. You’ll feel no fear.”

  I took the bottle. “Fear? What should I fear?” I asked.

  “I’m not saying you will, but just in case you do,” he said. “Goodnight, Beltran. Save some of your strength for tomorrow.”

  That evening, at sundown, I understood what he meant. I had gone out into the City to take the air, and when I returned there was someone else in my chamber. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever beheld. I swallowed hard, realizing what she was there for…a thing I had never done before. Almost without thinking, I reached into my pocket, drew forth the little blue bottle, and swallowed every drop of the liquid fire inside it.

  From that day on, I was given women whenever I asked for them—provided Corvyn allowed it. He would allow it whenever I performed well in training, which was nearly every session. My abilities were increasing, and he was pleased.

  “You have mastered the art of stealth, and you have become formidable,” he said. “Now it is time to learn to kill.”

  “I already know how to do that,” I said. “I killed a man when I was eleven.”

  Corvyn shook his head. “Anyone can kill like a beast, hacking and stabbing and bludgeoning. You will learn the art of murder—to kill so that no one suspects malfeasance. You will be like the small grey spider that bites, kills, and leaves unnoticed. Your victims will be assumed to have died naturally, or by their own hand. This is difficult—and very important!”

  “How does such a skill serve the King?” I asked.

  “Because if you succeed, you will become a shadow-man. It will be your job to make certain the King’s enemies—enemies of peace and justice—are no longer there to threaten the City. And you must do it without bringing suspicion upon the King. All your prior training has led to this very specialized duty. Has it really taken you so long to realize this?”

  “You’re a shadow-man, aren’t you? How many people have you killed?” I asked.

  “As many as required of me and no more. A shadow-man does not ask “why.” He simply does his duty according to his training. I swear a very special oath each day—one which confirms my devotion to the King and commitment to
my duty. Should you prove worthy, you will swear the same oath. You have acquitted yourself well in your training so far. Today we begin to find out whether you are truly worthy. ”

  Corvyn taught me many things. I could not possibly recount all of them, but the rest of my tale requires that I reveal at least a few of our secrets. By the time I was ready for my first real test, I had learned how to paralyze a man by striking him in a certain spot, I could stop the flow of blood to his brain without leaving a mark on him, and I could use any one of a number of poisons that would kill quickly or slowly, but would mimic other illness such as afflictions of the heart and lungs, or the bowels and blood. We had physicians in the City, of course, but they would labor in vain. Corvyn’s poisons were undeniably lethal.

  “Do you think you can kill a man?” he asked me one day after a particularly gruesome demonstration of a suffocating technique. He used animals, usually monkeys, for such demonstrations, and this one had not gone quietly.

  “I would rather they not resist so much,” I said, shuddering at the memory of the monkey’s terrified, rolling eyes.

  “Of course you wouldn’t. Here’s how you do it with finesse.” Corvyn led me to a darkened chamber and gently drew the cover from a large cage. A second monkey, curled up in a pile of blankets, was fast asleep.

  “Don’t worry,” said Corvyn. “This one won’t wake up easily. I’ve given it a sleeping-draught. Now…first, you must ensure your victim feels nothing.” He carefully opened the cage door. Then he reached inside, a dropper in his gloved right hand, and squeezed a small amount of liquid into the monkey’s mouth.

  The animal’s breathing quickened, and it licked its lips, but did not awaken. Another few moments and its eyelids sagged open. “See how glassy-eyed it is?” said Corvyn. “It’s ready to kill.” He drew forth a small pillow—a special one filled with a jelly-like material made from seaweed—and pressed it over the monkey’s face. Other than a brief stiffening of the monkey’s limbs, there was no struggle at all. The body went flaccid after a couple of minutes. “There,” said Corvyn. “It’s done. Now, wasn’t that better?”

  “I have to agree,” I said, looking at the now-dead animal in wonder.

  “You can arrange for people to literally die peacefully in their beds if you so choose. But you can only use this method when you’re sure you will have the time to carry it out. Usually it’s just safer to introduce a poison and leave. Now, I’ll ask again…are you ready to kill?”

  “Yes,” I said. “I believe I am.” Such an easy thing to say.

  Corvyn withdrew the monkey from the cage and handed it to me. “Get rid of that, will you? Tomorrow, we’ll see.”

  ***

  I spent the whole next day wondering what Corvyn meant by “we’ll see.” By the time he appeared, twilight had fallen over the tall towers of Orovar, including mine. I recall standing and looking out over the dusky horizon when my mentor appeared beside me. I jumped in spite of myself.

  “Sorry,” I muttered. “I should be used to your comings and goings by now.”

  “Woe befalls the day I can’t startle an apprentice,” he said, looking me up and down. “You’re sweating. You’ve been fretting all day, haven’t you?” There was just a little contempt in the smile he wore.

  “Yes, I have been fretting, and one can hardly blame me, what with your mysterious, doom-laden pronouncements. Now, what is it that you want, Master? This day is nearly over.”

  Corvyn chuckled. “Yes, yes, it is nearly over. But the night is just beginning, and it will be long. Shadow-men work in darkness, Beltran. It’s time you went to work.”

  He reached into his robes and brought out a small slip of paper. I took it, examining the words printed there. “Eldric the Traitor? Who is Eldric the Traitor?” I asked.

  “The man you are going to kill tonight. If you succeed, you will have proven your worth to the King,” said Corvyn. I will tell you of his crime, and where you may find him, but nothing more. Do not return until your task is done.”

  Standing there, holding the paper with the doomed man’s name on it, I felt the blood drain from my face. My training had led to this, as I had known it would, but it was…it was so soon. Can I do this? Do I have the strength?

  Corvyn, who was quite possibly the most perceptive man I have ever met, put a strong hand on my shoulder. I glanced over at it, wondering how many lives he had taken with his strong hands. “Eldric’s crime is treason,” he said. “The traitor has plotted to overthrow good King Darius and take the throne for himself. Now, does that help you?”

  I nodded, swallowing hard.

  “Good. I’ll leave you to it, then. You will find Eldric in the fourth chamber on the third level of the Ministers’ Tower, at least I expect you will. He is usually there after nightfall. Here is the elixir you will need.” He handed me a small phial of amber-colored fluid. “This will stop his heart. It will appear as though he has died naturally. Make sure you give him all of it.” He turned to leave, but turned back just before he disappeared into the shadows. “Remember, Beltran—you must not fail. Once the elixir starts to take effect, get out of there. Don’t wait. If you are discovered, it is you who will be branded a traitor. No one will even claim to know your name. Do you understand?”

  “I understand. But, Master…if Eldric is a traitor, why don’t they just lop off his head in the City Square? Why send me?”

  “A shadow-man does not question! He obeys the King’s commands,” said Corvyn with a steely edge to his voice.

  “But I am not a shadow-man yet,” I said.

  “You’re right. Very well, then…there are those who would not agree with executing Eldric, and they have power. It’s better this way. You know nothing of the affairs of the King—it’s not our business to know. If you cannot grasp that simple truth, then all my efforts will have been in vain.”

  I didn’t care for the look in his eyes, and I knew I was in peril. Though I believed Corvyn had developed some fondness for me, I realized that he would kill me without a word. I had to say something, and it had to be right. “I understand, Master.”

  To my relief, his gaze softened. “Now, go on and do what you have been trained to do,” he said. “I will wait for you. And remember—leave no mark!”

  ***

  I had not realized how formidable my job would be. It’s a lot easier when there’s nothing at stake. I remember crouching in the shadows near the Ministers’ Tower, gazing up at the window of the fourth chamber, third level. Inside lay my victim, or so I hoped. Perhaps he would already be asleep. If not, I would lurk and wait until the time was right. I thought I knew how to get in—there was a ledge between the window and the balcony on the third level—but it wouldn’t be as easy as it had been in training.

  A short while later, I had managed to scale the wall to the third level using a hook and cord. I gave thanks for the moonless night as I worked my way from the balcony to Eldric’s window-ledge. Once there, I used a small hand-mirror to peer inside without showing my face. A man, presumably Eldric the Traitor, lay in his bed, an open book on his chest. I was in luck—I could hear him snoring softly. Now to open the window…

  Drat! It’s locked! Now what? I remembered the small metal tool Corvyn had given me. With a bit of skill, one could open most doors with it, but windows were another matter. They only had locks on the inside. I couldn’t break the window or use a cutting tool—the death had to appear natural.

  I would have to use the door. That meant sneaking in to the Ministers’ Tower, which was always heavily guarded, and then contending with the undoubtedly locked door to Eldric’s chamber. I glanced down at the second level. There was one open window, and I would make for it. I worked my way down, gloved hands on the slender cord that was my life-line, and balanced precariously on the window-ledge. Inside I saw a man and woman, apparently asleep, an empty wine-bottle on the floor beside the bed. I slipped in, crept to the door, and stood there for a few moments. How would I get out of here and get up to th
e fourth chamber without being seen? There were sure to be guards, weren’t there? I needed a diversion.

  I noticed a half-full bottle of spirits on the table, and I knew what I would do. I moved to the window, doused the draperies with spirits, and set them aflame, hoping to arouse the sleeping man and woman, who would then raise an alarm. I would easily get lost in the confusion and encounter no difficulty getting up to Eldric’s chamber. I waited near the door, knowing I would escape as soon as anyone opened it.

  I had underestimated the amount of wine the man and woman had consumed, for they didn’t even stir, but someone obviously saw smoke billowing from the window—I heard the alarm bells ring. The Tower was soon in relative chaos. When some men burst in to put out the fire, I left the chamber unnoticed, made my way to the third level, and hid in the shadows. I saw a man in a dressing-gown emerge from Eldric’s chamber, obviously distressed by the clamor.

  “What’s all the noise? Is there a danger?” he asked, grabbing a passing guard by the arm.

  “No, Minister...no danger, just a small fire on the second level. We’re making certain all is secure. You may go back to your bed. There’s nothing to fear.”

  Eldric’s eyes narrowed. “What caused the fire?”

  “Spilled liquor appears to be involved,” said the guard with a wink. “I’m sure you can probably guess who might have spilled it.”

  “Ah. Yes, I probably can. When are they going to remove all the flammables from Deputy-minister Pascal’s chamber? At least as long as his drunken wife is still with him…”

  “Indeed,” said the guard, chuckling. “You might bring it up in the next Council-meeting. Sleep well, Minister.”

  Once Eldric had gone back inside, I waited long enough for him to have fallen asleep again. This time I knew I could get inside, as I had my tool and I knew how to use it. Then the most difficult part of my task would begin.