Seeds of Virtue, Dark Descent, Book I

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  As Willowsmin was leaving to inform his superiors where Druzeel was going, another figure was creeping through the darkness near the wizard, listening to every word. After the young wizard left, the darkly clad character skulked through the shadows, making his way to a nearby alley. He had his own superior to report to and that man did not like to wait.

  The man in black used the shadows as cover and since night had blanketed the city, there was an abundant supply. He ducked under awnings and sneaked by stacked boxes or barrels standing by the dozens of buildings that lined the street. Soon he was in the alley, racing to a large building located only a few hundred yards from the center of the city. No Pillars came from the shadows to stop him and no beggars or vagabonds moved to hinder his movements. To do so would invite death and murder was not on the agenda. Yet.

  He quickly came to a large warehouse, looking to everyone that passed as a simple building that stored various types of cloth and textiles. The man in black knew it to be anything but and made his way around the side, where a hidden trap door lay. After ducking through the door, he moved down a dark hallway, filled with murder holes and traps meant to bring all sorts of unpleasantries to those who did not belong, but he was expected and the way was clear.

  After moving through two more doors, all watched by unseen eyes, the man entered the large warehouse, where over two dozen figures, similarly dressed, resided, participating in various activities and involved in other businesses different from his own.

  No eyes rose to meet him and no hands came forward to offer greetings. Everyone in the room minded their own business. They never watched as he climbed the two sets of stairs leading to the third level. No one even glanced in his direction as he knocked–two times then four–on the large steel door at the top of the stairs. As the door opened and he slipped inside, the men below still remained uninterested, concentrating on their tasks instead.

  Inside the large room was dark, with the only light coming from two torches on each side, hardly enough for anyone to see. All the man in black could make out was a few pieces of furniture, two small chests off to his right, and a large desk in the center of the room. Much like Xavdak’s, the desk’s surface was covered with parchment, books, and scrolls. Even men dealing in dark deeds had records to keep.

  The man in black glanced around the room, seeing nothing but emptiness, but the man had been part of this organization for too long to think his employer was not here. The shadows held more than just the dark.

  “Silzezar,” came a smooth, silky voice. The sound came from all around him, filling the entire room. Though a bit shaken, he had been expecting this, so he waited for his employer to show himself. He had probably been behind the desk the whole time. The darkness was just hiding him, embracing him like a long lost lover.

  The shadows in front of Silzezar parted, revealing a figure dressed completely in black, matching his own style of clothing, but instead of plain leather, this man’s armor was covered in studs, offering a little more protection than his own. Silzezar knew the protection extended beyond those simple studs for the man in front of him was layered in magics of all kinds. They kept him shielded from various forms of attack, including physical, magical, and even mental. Even without the armor, one would be hard pressed to harm him.

  A black cloak, almost blending seamlessly into the darkness behind him, hung from his shoulders and a hood was pulled up over his head, slightly shading his features. A black mask, something he always wore and never seemed to take off, covered half his face, keeping his true features a mystery. Only the top half of his face was uncovered, revealing eyes composed of nothing but black. The only reason Silzezar could see them at all was because the skin around them was as white as skeleton bones and appeared just as lifeless. The color of those eyes was so dark that Silzezar felt he was looking into the end of everything. The sight of his employer always unnerved him but he kept his composure and addressed the man as he always had.

  “Lord Mazik,” he said, bowing his head slightly but never taking his eyes off the man. To do so was both dangerous and stupid. Though he was employed by this man, one never took their eyes off someone so menacing.

  “You have news,” Mazik said.

  “The wizard has broken away from the others,” Silzezar reported. “He goes to see the archmage Piyus the Magnificent. I feel he will ask the archmage’s help in locating you.”

  For several moments, Mazik said nothing. He just stood as still as a statue and stared into Silzezar’s eyes. Silzezar met his gaze but had to look away only after a couple of seconds. That dead gaze, so like a corpse staring into the sky, was not something he enjoyed. He was willing to give up a certain amount of pride and strength to avoid meeting those black orbs for too long.

  “Keep watching,” Mazik finally said. The only indication that he was actually talking was the smallest of movements from the mask he wore.

  “The others?” Silzezar then asked, referring to the halfling and fighter. As far as he knew, he had been one of two sent to watch the party. When they broke up, he had followed the wizard and the other two, but after that, he had only gone after the wizard. For some reason, Mazik had said he was the most important member of the group and should be watched no matter what happened with the others. Silzezar didn’t see why the kid was so important but obeyed. It was what he was being paid to do after all.

  “They are watched,” Mazik answered without emotion. When no further response came, Silzezar realized the meeting was over.

  He turned and left, leaving Mazik alone with the darkness. When the steel door shut behind him, he shivered ever so slightly to get the creepiness off him. He was thankful that Mazik’s answers had been short for he had no desire to spend any unnecessary time in his presence. The less time he spent with him, the better, but he knew he would eventually be back in front of the man, if he could be called a man. The wizard still needed to be watched and unfortunately, that job had been given to him.

  With a deep breath, he walked down the stairs and headed to the streets, to once again find the young wizard that Mazik had so oddly taken an interest in.

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