Virs first stop after exiting the sewers was the inn. He did his best to ignore the scowls and disgusted stares as he trudged his way up to the receptionist to order a bath. In fact, he ordered two ti slots.
Only after an hour of scrubbing and soaking did he finally feel clean again. It was with great satisfaction that he threw his old rags away; Vir had had his fill of sewers for a lifeti.
His second stop was the Brotherhood Sanctum, whose doors remained open at all hours of the day and night, out of consideration for the more special contracts that could only be completed at odd hours. That ant Vir didnt have to wait until dawn to turn in his Jatucurrently rotting within his rucksack.
The sky was dark as Vir stepped out of the inn, and it wasnt just because of the Vimana. Dahas city lights had the odd effect of occluding the stars.
Intent? the veiled Brotherhood greeter asked the mont Vir stepped inside the Sanctums enormous doors.
Vir held up his Jatu. Im here to complete my initiation task.
Follow , the greeter said, starting down the hallway. Though Vir initially found their brevity disconcerting, he was starting to appreciate it. They certainly didnt waste any ti.
Upon scanning the greeter, he was unsurprised to discover that this persons prana signature differed from the one whod greeted him on his first visit.
Vir entered the room with the array of Executor booths, and this ti, a deep male voice called out to him right away.
Avi booth. Enter.
Vir obeyed, shutting the booths door upon entering. He placed the Jatu corpse on the table, expecting the veiled Executor to say sothing. But when the silence stretched on for half a minute, Vir suspected sothing was off.
Is this not what you wanted? he asked.
What was your task? the Executor asked.
To bring you the eyes of that which sees without eyesoh. Do you seriously want to pluck its eyes out?
The Executor remained silent.
Are you sure? Vir pressed. This might soil your desk, you know?
The veiled man chuckled. The Brotherhood is no stranger to blood.
With a sigh, Vir retrieved his knife from his waistbelt and did the nasty deed, gingerly pushing the eyes over to the Executor with his blade.
Well done, Apramor, the Executor said, collecting the eyes with his bare hands.
How do you know my na? Vir asked.
The Executor tilted his head and said, I am the Executor, as if that explained everything.
The person I talked to the other day was a woman. Youre clearly soone else, Vir replied. I thought the Brotherhood was supposed to keep secrets?
You misunderstand, friend. The Executors are many, and yet we are one. When you speak with one of us, you speak with all of us. Within a branch, you may treat us as one and the sa.
Vir couldnt possibly understand how that worked. Were their minds sohow linked? Or was the man just trying to say that they worked as close colleagues, sharing information about each candidate they encountered? Vir suspected it was the latter, though he couldnt understand the need for such lodrama.
You completed your task in ti, and neither did you use outside help.
Vir wondered whether getting help from Amin counted as help, but the Brotherhood didnt seem to mind. Or maybe they didnt even know?
No, your sewer rat friend does not qualify. The eting was borne from fate and chance. They offered you their knowledge and were compensated for services rendered.
Virs eyes went wide. You had soone tail in the sewers!?
The veiled man left the question hang unanswered.
I never even noticed! And Im supposed to be good at stealth, Vir thought. Did they see put my face paint on? Did they see use Dance of the Shadow Demon?
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Despite his stealth skills, he was still a small fish in a vast ocean.
Though we were sowhat amused at your cartography exploits, Executor said with a chuckle.
Cold sweat ran down Virs back. Wait. That ans you saw
Saw you use your very unique Talent? Yes. We did. But fear not, Initiate. Your business is your own, and your secrets are safe with us. Neither will the rchant Guild ever learn of your little hustle. Records of your exploits during your trial have already been purged. No trace of evidence exists. It is only during the initiation trial that we monitor our operatives.
Thats good, Vir replied, placing the silvers needed for his initiation fee on the counter. Id like my deposit back.
The Executor reached under the table and produced his silver and Rudviks coppers, in a separate sack. It wasnt the silver he cared about, but the coppers. Vir pocketed it, feeling whole again.
Vir let out a slow breath. The Executor hadnt ntioned his face paint. Either they hadnt seen him apply ithe was fairly certain no one had broken into his roomor they simply didnt care. Either way, Vir wasnt about to broach the topic.
Tell , Initiate, are you familiar with the Brotherhoods system? No? Brotherhood rcenaries take on contracts assigned by us, the Executors.
Wait, I dont get to choose? Vir asked.
You do not. Executors have full control over what missions you receive.
Whys that? Vir asked. Being assigned a mission didnt sit right with him.
Initiate, Executors all have decades of experience in the Brotherhood. Our decision-making skills far outstrip that of those new to our organization. For a ti, the Brotherhood allowed its mbers to choose their own missions. Can you guess what happened?
It didnt go well?
The veiled man nodded. Many lives were squandered, and so the system was updated. As you rise through the ranks, you may be given choices of missions, but this is a privilege, not a right.
Vir said nothing. No doubt a bunch of overambitious fools had gone and gotten themselves killed, forcing the Brotherhoods hand. But this ant that he wouldnt be able to hide his skills when getting Balar tested.
If they assigned him missions based on his Balar rank, hed have to ensure he went all out to gain access to the best missionsthe ones that would let him quickly rise through the ranks. Besides, they already knew of Dance, so hiding it was pointless.
Successful completion of each contract awards karma within the Brotherhood, the Executor continued. Denying a contract has no penalty, but you forego the right to accept new contracts for a period. Failing a contract nets you a reputation penalty. Garner enough reputation, and you will be promoted.
What if I refuse a mission on moral grounds? Vir wasnt about to slaughter innocents.
As you complete missions, the Executor Collective will build an understanding of your particular tastes. The situation you describe is rare, but you are always free to refuse.
For a penalty, Vir thought. Maybe he wouldnt lose any reputation with the organization, but hed be barred from taking on contracts for so ti afterward.
If you accept these terms, then we may proceed to your ranking duel.
I accept, now? Vir asked. Its nightti.
We retain Balarian proctors on hand at all hours. Night or day makes no difference for us, but if you would prefer to fight during the day, we can make arrangents.
No, Vir said. This is fine. In fact, it was better. The night was his friend. Shadows abounded, allowing unrestricted use of Dance.
Excellent. Then, Initiate, leave this booth and soone will guide you to the arena.
Vir did as he was told, leaving the Jatu carcass on the table for the Executor to clean up. If the veiled figure minded, he didnt show it.
A veiled woman showed him down the hall to the courtyard from before. Now that Vir looked more closely, it wasnt a courtyard at all, but a stadium with stone benches placed all around the central pit.
Many Magic Lamps illuminated the area, and in the middle of the packed dirt arena floor stood two n.
One wore full black brigandine cuirass, gauntlets, and greaves. A full helm covered his face. In one hand, he gripped a large oval shield that covered everything from his chest to his knees, and in the other, he gripped a steel talwar. An arming sword rode on his hip. The weapons decorations reminded Vir of the knights talwars.
He wasnt able to lift a finger against the Brijs invaders. This tis gonna be different, he thought, eyeing the warrior.
The other man looked to be in his forties. A heavyset, clean shaven warrior whose tanned, scarred face reminded Vir of a jai battlefield. He was clad in a brown robe that reached to his knees.
One look at the man and Vir knew he was Riyans kindred spirit.
From the way he stood in his parade rest, to his powerful pecs, biceps, and calves which all rippled with muscle, to his utterly emotionless expression, Vir guessed the man to be the Kinjal proctor.
You must be the new Initiate, the warrior said, his voice coming muffled through his helm.
I am. Are you my opponent?
Indeed. Your actions during the first half of the exam have already qualified you for mbership into the Brotherhood, as Initiate. I am simply here to help gauge your Balar Ranking. The gentleman by my side is an anointed Kinjal Balarian examiner. He will bestow an official rank upon you, after judging your performance.
The Kinjal man nodded, remaining silent. Vir wondered whether the Kinjal stoic warrior stereotype was true after all. Prana Vision told him the man was an Apex Talent wielder, strong with Earth Affinity magic. The only thing out of character was his Greater Life Affinitythe man was a Life jai, and a better one than Riyan, based on his affinity. Which ant the sum of his affinities was higher than Riyans.
Makes sense they'd have a healer standing by, Vir thought. Injuries were likely common for bouts such as these.
If I do well, can I skip past Initiate to beco an Acolyte?
Ambitious! the unnad warrior bood. Good! But not so fast. Your rank is based on your contributions to the Brotherhood, as well as your ability to reliably complete tasks. rely placing high on this exam is no substitute for those. However! Should you attain a high Balar Rank, Executors may see fit to give you more demanding missions.
And those would help rise quicker?
Indeed. They also pay out more coin. Now, are you ready? the warrior said, leveling his poleax at Vir from twenty paces away.
Vir confird his strategy again. Hiding his true abilities would only hinder his progress. He wouldnt hold anything back; hed go all out to attain the highest rank he possibly could. Would he be able to break the Balar 30 that Riyan had predicted?
He couldnt wait to find out.
Lets begin.
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