A Heart of Ice and Shadows

Chapter 1 ~ A New Mission (Part 2)

Jupiter began clapping. "Bravo!" he exclaimed. "That was brilliant! And yes, there are others out there."

"Why are we not trying to recruit him instead?" Dawn inquired.

"His name's Kaimu," Jupiter explained. "And he's Lady Evarista's prime torturer."

"Wow..." she murmured faintly, although she seemed nowhere near disgusted. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"Kaimu is supposedly a blood-thirsty killer. No one knows exactly how he tortures his subjects, only that it is painful and lethal. Lady Evarista keeps him hidden away, either by choice or by force, we do not know," Jupiter replied.

Dawn's eyes lit up. "Finally, a challenge!" she exclaimed, her hand straying to her hidden switch blades.

"One more thing before you go," Jupiter announced. "Tell me the strengths and weaknesses of each Sect."

The young assassin groaned. "Not again," she muttered under her breath.

"Well?"

"Pyros are superior fighters, but lack intelligence. Aquas are as smart as pyros are strong, but lack strength in anything physical. They are, however, almost impossible to defeat underwater, because of their gifts.

"Tinkerers and Spellbinders live together. Tinkerers can create wonders with mechanics and Spellbinders can imbue said mechanics with magic. Luckily, their magic takes time to perform, but pre-made items can pose a danger.

"Riders are largely seclusive and don't pose much of a threat. They mostly ignore the other Sects. Vanishers, on the other hand, are quite involved with other Sects, whether they are trading or forging peace treaties. This gives them a wide range of weapons.

"Thieves will slit your throat or the string to your money bag, whichever seems closest. Never trust them, out of all the Sects. A little money and they will follow you like dogs and do your bidding, but never trust one.

"Seers that are gifted with mind-sight are merely informants, since they can't bear to attack another person. Those with future-sight aren't much better, since their power is quite useless in battle. And finally, the ice mages are also quite seclusive, and almost completely stay out of out way. It is best just to ignore them and continue onward." Dawn breathed in deeply, impatient to get going.

"Excellent, my dear!" Jupiter stated. "Now, remember to stop by the Viper's to collect supplies."

"Yes, Father," Dawn replied. "Shall I get going?"

"Of course!" Jupiter remarked. "Off you go!"

Dawn started walking backwards, and as soon as she reached the cover of the heavy underbrush, began full out sprinting.

Her mission awaited.

                                                          ~+~+~+~

A full day later, Dawn found herself within sight of Cobra Oasis, home of the Viper.

The Thief territory was huge, but sparsely populated. Only four or five oasis remained, due to the hatred most Sects had for them. Attacks were frequent, but the Thieves were a hardy bunch, surviving against all odds.

Cobra Oasis was by far the biggest oasis city, and also the most heavily guarded. Lookouts surrounded each of the four gates into the town, demanding IDs from all the travelers. Luckily, Dawn already had one, given to her (indirectly, of course) by the Viper himself.

"ID?" a guard asked as she neared the western gate.

Dawn held up a small card with an image of her face on it, alongside her name and a silvery-green rectangle that shimmered in the desert heat. If the guard noticed that her Sect name was missing, he didn't mention it.