as three stories – were every bit as beautiful as the English manors he had seen during his time there.
When they were only a few blocks from the main avenue leading to the gate, three men who at first they thought to be city guards approached from the opposite direction.
“Imperials,” hissed Kat as they drew near. She slowed her pace and fell in behind Ethan.
Ethan’s heart immediately began to race. He reached back to take her hand, but discovered that she was gone. He quickly scanned the area but couldn’t see her anywhere. The soldiers were already upon them and blocking their path. They were clad in chain mail jerkins and polished black greaves. Atop their heads were black leather helms crowned with a crimson raven.
The soldier in the center glared at them. “Destination?”
“Nowhere in particular,” Jonas replied. “Just out for a walk.”
“Papers,” he demanded, thrusting out a gauntleted hand.
Jonas and Ethan produced their false documents at once. Beads of sweat were beginning to form on Ethan’s brow as the soldier examined them.
He handed the papers to the man on his left. “And now you can tell me why you are carrying these forgeries.” His hand shot to the hilt of his sword.
“They’re not…” Jonas began.
He was cut short. “They’re good enough to fool those idiots at the gate, but not me. Now tell me where you are going and who you really are…now.”
The other two soldiers also placed their hands threateningly on their weapons.
As Jonas struggled to find some authentic sounding story, a voice called out from across the street, cutting through the tension.
“Ah! There you are.”
All eyes turned to see a tall, broad shouldered man in black leather armor and with a long sword at his side trotting over to them. He had dark curly hair and a close cropped beard. What could be seen of his face was terribly scarred and weathered, giving him an imposing and somewhat sinister appearance.
“Get back, citizen,” shouted the guard.
The man halted in the middle of the street to regard Jonas and Ethan. “Did you try passing off those ridiculous papers to these men?” He shook his head and clicked his tongue. “You are a couple of fools, for certain.”
“You know these two?” asked the soldier.
“Of course,” he replied. “They are wanted by the Hareesh for questioning.”
The soldier spat on the ground. “I should have guessed that by the very look of you. Well, you can tell the Hareesh that they’re coming with us. And if they don’t like it, they can go to hell.”
The man chuckled. “I was afraid you might say that.”
The newcomer’s hand was a blur as he reached for his belt. Before any of the soldiers could react, a small dagger whipped through the air and sank into the middle soldier’s exposed throat. The other two stared at their dying comrade, momentarily stunned.
By the time they had recovered, the man was already across the street with sword drawn. Frantically, they reached for their own weapons, but two swift blows opened up massive wounds in their necks – the second one of these very nearly removing the head completely.
The man stepped back and watched the bodies fall. “You’ve got to love Imperial arrogance.”
Utterly astonished, Ethan and Jonas simply stood there, unable to move or speak.
“Snap out of it,” the man told them. His eyes swept around. “Where is the girl who was with you?”
The mention of Kat brought Ethan back to his senses. “What girl?”
The newcomer sniffed. “It doesn’t matter. Come with me unless you want to end up in an Imperial prison.”
Jonas planted his feet firmly. “We’re not going anywhere with you.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. But you won’t get far with the Hareesh on your trail.”
“I…I thought –” stuttered Ethan.
“Not a good time to be thinking,” said the man. “Someone is bound to walk by here soon. And you don’t want to be anywhere near these bodies when they’re discovered.”
After a few seconds impatiently waiting, he sheathed his weapon and threw up his hands. “Fine. Stay here then.”
He strode off with Jonas making no move to follow. Ethan took another look around, hoping to see Kat.
“I think we should go with him,” he said.
“Are you insane?” Jonas responded, then quickly shook his head. “Don’t answer that.”
Ethan glared at him for a second or two. “I’ll go on my own then,” he said, setting off after what he hoped was their rescuer. Letting out an exasperated grunt, Jonas followed.
“Who are you?” Ethan asked after catching up.
“They call me Specter,”