7 Abrath, The Venomous King

Yanoku City, Guild District, Alistair's Study: Summer of the Red Moon. 

Alistair's study was located on top of the highest tower in the guild. One could easily see the Athagar Castle from its windows, erected high atop the Administrative District.

"The chancellor's got too comfortable in that luxurious palace of his…" Zedd was pacing back and forth before Al's desk. 

"Have you come here to complain, Zedd?" Alistair asked. He had his nose buried in paperwork.

"Did you know that a band of thieves has taken residence in the slums? They've taken up more than half of the district." Zedd was fuming. 

"I'm not the custodians." Alistair swiftly brushed off Zedd's concerns. He was busy sorting applicants from the Kozagan Desert to participate in the Hunt. Only the best would be allowed to go into the Gate. 

"There was a time when the Three Headed Dragon kept peace in the Guild District and the slums. What changed all of that?" 

"Politics friend," Alistair said. He'd sign some parchments and put them to his right, or stamp others and sort them to his left. 

Zedd took a deep breath. He started walking around Alistair's office, inspecting one artifact after the other. "Is this Abrath's plume?" He was holding a feather as long as his arm. When turned from one side to the other, the feather will change colors depending on the angle of the light that reflected on it. 

Alistair lifted his eyes from his work for the first time. "You're a very knowledgeable man my friend. How do you know about Abrath?" 

"I know everything about that vicious beast." 

Zedd started humming a sad melody. Alistair immediately recognized it. He smiled then put his pen down. 

"In the dark forest he lies,

Light shining through his eyes, 

Our hero, the crestfallen knight, 

Approached the beast in the darkest night,

What do you want? 

The beast asked,

His fur white as snow. 

His face threatening with a fearful, gaping maw 

A despicable beast he was, 

Sharp fangs, tail and claws.

My wife aches, pleaded the knight, 

Your venom would cure her blight, 

Very well, said the beast,

Offer your light, for I need no feast

The man spoke, rising the ritual keg

Take my arm, take my leg. 

Take the role my family'd never favor

For my wife, my light, my savior.

It is so that our hero lost his drive,

He wouldn't dream, hope or thrive.

In the end, our hero regained his wife,

Together, they lived in constant strife." 

Zedd finished and contemplated the great castle from the window. His thoughts seemed to have carried him to a far away land, farther than the castle, farther than the Kozagan Desert itself. If it weren't for his peculiar eyes, one would easily detect sorrow in the man's face. 

"I'm surprised you know this song," Al said after a moment's silence. 

"I was born here. If it weren't for some unfortunate events, I would never have left this city." 

"Most would be glad to leave these harsh lands," Alistair retorted in an amused tone.

"Most don't know what awaits them in the lush and green world outside this desert they deem heartless," Zedd turned from the window, anger apparent from his knitted brows. 

"What did you see that makes you so angry friend?" 

"I saw what it's like to fight the empire, and its automata." 

"Is it as bad as they say?" 

Zedd let out a wry smile. "They have large structures, as big as our ships. They look like golems, but no magic powers them. If they descend upon a city, only ash and rubble will remain. We don't stand a chance Al. Your master did the wisest thing, negotiating peace with them." 

"And you've gone and brought a witch to our city, under imperial eyes," Alistair wasn't too happy about Zedd bringing the Purple witch along. 

"She'll be discreet. She doesn't want to lose her life to those imperials. When are they due to arrive?" 

"In two days' time, they'll come aboard Viraldo's ship." Alistair opened his mouth to say something else but Zedd spoke first. 

"Speaking of Viraldo, have you spoken to him yet?" He was anxious to know if Alistair had secured him a spot for the Hunt. 

"Not to him per se, but I've secured you an entry ticket to the Hunt," Alistair replied.

Zedd's eyes narrowed. Alistair caught a glimpse of the man's internal eyelids and it reminded him that he was addressing a demon in human form.

"You know how vulnerable our master is, don't you?" Alistair asked. He had to choose his words carefully. Many people relied on him. 

"Well, he's nothing like his father if that's what you mean. I bet Viraldo's little endeavor didn't sit well with the Chancellor." 

As always, Zedd was quick to grasp the situation. This fact alone frightened the old hunter more than the man's appearance. Not only was he strong and very resourceful, but he also knew too much about this city and its internal affairs.

"If King Utu hears of this, Yanoku will pay a heavy price. It's High Treason," Alistair got up from his chair then approached Zedd. "Some people feel that Viraldo acted rashly. They don't like the idea of imperials getting into Yanoku." 

"What does this have to do with me Al?" Zedd asked with narrowed eyes. 

"I have secured you an entry ticket to the Hunt, but I'd like something in return." Alistair looked his friend right into his black eyes. 

He couldn't keep the eye contact for more than a second. It felt like looking into the dark abyss, and the light at the center was but a trap, set to lure those thinking it was a beacon. The man before him didn't have feelings, Alistair was sure. He couldn't play a tune that would move his heart strings. He had to be practical. 

"You want me to deal with the imperials before the Second Phase starts. You want to make it look like an accident," Zedd said with great confidence. Alistair was looking at the collection of books in his library, anything to avoid looking into his eyes…

"As usual friend, you get straight to the point," Alistair went back to his seat, crossed his arms then looked at his friend, although this time he made sure not to make eye contact. "So, what do you say?"

"I'm not a hired thug," Zedd dryly said. 

"No you're not," Alistair casually replied. His heart was pounding against his chest, however. He was one bad move away from blowing this whole thing up. "But you have a purpose from entering Ulmir's domain. I won't ask what your reasons are. All I ask is for you to rid us of six imperials." 

Zedd scoffed. He searched for his host's eyes, but the latter did a good job at evading him. "Yes I have something to gain from entering Ulmir's domain. But if the condition to get what I want is to become your assassin, then forget it."

 "What if I throw in Lord Dismas's offer?" Alistair finally asked. 

"What offer?" Zedd didn't like where this was heading. 

"He said he has a location on your target. He says you'll know what he means." 

"Even that old rascal is part of the conspiracy eh?" Zedd said with a wry smile. He started pacing around the office. Alistair got back to his paperwork as his guest made up his mind. "Tell him I prefer to get paid in advance. I won't endanger myself on the base of a promise." 

"Very well, I'll deliver the message." 

"As soon as you have it," Zedd said then fumbled in his bag. "Here's my candle. I trust you know what to do with this." Zedd handed the strange black candle to Al. "I'll come see you as soon as you have news for me." 

Zedd left Alistair's office with a grin plastered on his face. 'If killing six imperials can get me a location on Smith…' he thought as he walked toward the Commercial District. 'What are six Mortals compared to a Celestial?'