him, he could see three others in the background. Two of them were holding Markus, and the other was pressing his heel down hard on Jonas’ chest. There was no sign of Kat anywhere.
“Don’t move, boy,” he was told. This order was punctuated with another swift kick.
He looked at Markus, but his friend’s eyes were wide and fixed on something else. Risking another blow, Ethan shifted his head to see what could be affecting him so. A few yards away stood a cloaked figure with its hood pulled down low. Although it was impossible to distinguish its face, the ghostly pale hand gripping a long curved blade was all too visible.
Rakasa, he thought.
The thing move forward with unnaturally even strides and stood beside Jonas.
“It’s been a long time…Jonas,” it said.
As Kat had described, its voice was hollow, yet bore an unnatural resonance that sent waves of fear into Ethan’s heart.
Jonas looked up. “Who are you?”
The Rakasa bent down and grasped his left ankle, raising the pant leg sufficiently to expose a ring of pink scar tissue – the mark of a whip. “It really has only been a few weeks for you, hasn’t it?” the hollow voice uttered.
Jonas’ eyes shot wide as realization dawned. “General Hronso,” he gasped.
Hronso hissed a sinister laugh. “Yes. And I see you have brought the young Dragonvein with you.” Releasing Jonas’ leg, he looked across at Ethan. “I must admit, he’s not what I expected.”
“How can you be here?” Jonas demanded, his voice a mixture of terror and confusion.
“You were always clever,” Hronso replied. “Too clever for your own good, as I recall. Clever enough to elude me. And clever enough to escape with the Emperor’s prize. Surely you can figure it out.”
He paused, but Jonas said nothing. “No? Well, I’m sure the Emperor will be more than happy to explain it to you. Though I must admit, I think he should just let me kill the lot of you right now. But he’s always been a bit sentimental. Why he wants to see you again, I just don’t know.”
“What are you talking about?” asked Jonas. “I’ve never met Shinzan.”
Hronso’s laugh this time sounded more natural…almost human. “Is that right? He seems to think you have. And I do not question my master’s word.” He cast his gaze upon Markus. “However, he made no mention of this one. So at least we will have some sport today.”
Markus glared defiantly. “I’m not afraid of you.”
With inhuman speed, Hronso spanned the distance between them. Ethan saw his friend’s hands ball up into tight fists, suppressing his fear.
“Of course you’re afraid,” the general told him. He touched Markus’ facial scars with a pale finger. “A very fine piece of handiwork if you don’t mind me saying so. It gives you character.”
Markus curled his lip. “Don’t toy with me. If you’re going to kill me, get it over with.”
“Ah. It seems that the great and terrible Specter has courage. A pity that you cast your lot in with this rabble. You were a useful tool.” He turned to Ethan. “But alas. All things have their time.” He waved his hands casually. “Cut Specter’s throat, then bind the other two.”
“No!” Ethan scrambled to get up. The soldier tried to kick him down again, but he rolled away and managed to gain one knee.
His guard took a step toward him, but Ethan had already drawn the dagger from his belt. Seeing the steel thrusting at his gullet, the soldier attempted to back away but was too late. Ethan threw himself forward. His dagger found flesh and sank in deep.
He tried to pull the blade free, but a crushing blow to the head sent him sprawling. The Rakasa was standing over him, his fist clenched.
“That’s quite enough out of you, young Dragonvein,” Hronso chided.
He turned away to briefly regard the wounded soldier. “Careless,” he murmured, raising his sword with effortless skill. Only the whistle of the deadly steel cutting the air told that he had actually struck.
Ethan stared in amazement. Hronso was so fast, he appeared not to have moved at all.
For a moment the soldier remained utterly still, as if unaffected by the strike. Then, in an almost graceful movement, his head rolled slowly from his shoulders and bounced onto the forest turf. Even now, with blood spurting from its neck, the body continued to remain upright for a few seconds longer before finally collapsing in a heap.
“I can’t abide carelessness,” Hronso said without a trace of emotion. He glared at