CHAPTER NINE: THE FOE

  Cassius was frozen for a moment, staring upon the murderer with the bloody sword before he could move. He brought his shield around as he shuffled his spear to his free hand, falling into a fighting position even as the figure burst forward in a blur of flapping cloak as the sword thrust forward, the tight confines of the building prevented it from slashing.

  Cassius [Reinforced] his shield at the last moment, red energy painted the wood just as a blue glow formed around the enemy’s sword point. The two colors met and Cassius was thrown back in a blast of purple light. Metal clanged loudly as he landed on his back, battered shield on his chest, tendrils of smoke rising from it. A cough rattled out of his chest as he looked at the hooded figure which had only taken a single step back.

  Its hood had been thrown back to reveal dark features, cat-like orange eyes and fang filled teeth as it snarled, a low rumble that shook the air as it stalked forward. Cassius cursed as he drew his legs beneath him, lunged upward and shifted his shield to stop the next, skilless, blow just in time. Bronze metal cut through the wood before it bit into one of the steel bands.

  The creature’s strength was enormous, it threatened to pull Cassius off his feet as it yowled and pulled on the blade. Cassius stabbed awkwardly with his spear, the angles all wrong, and the creature leaned to the side to let the steel point pass by its face.

  In that moment it stopped pulling as hard and Cassius twisted and pulled, using his hips as a pivot, to wrench the blade out of the killer’s hand. The motion pulled his shield out of position and the killer didn’t hesitate as it hopped forward on one foot to kick Cassius in the chest.

  Metal groaned and dented as Cassius was tossed down the hall again, sliding this time in a louder clatter as he swore and cursed. The mangled shield held him back and Cassius pulled his forearm free of it as he got to his feet just as the assassin started back toward him.

  “Strong bastard,” Cassius spat as he stabbed at it again. A long knife appeared in its hand and it slapped the spear point away contemptuously as it got within the spear’s reach. Metal screeched as the knife cut across the steel of Cassius’ chest armor, sparks flew as he hopped back and drew his sword out in as fast as he could, trying to disembowel the killer in the smooth draw. Again the assassin was able to easily dodge and Cassius was forced to admit that this thing was far beyond him, even with his newly strengthened body.

  A chill ran down his spine as he realized the cat-eyed man was faster and stronger than the veteran legionnaires he’d trained with. The only thing he could do was hope that help would come, the sounds of their fight had to have echoed out to the Agricola guards or even to one of the nobles themselves.

  “Just have to keep you busy,” Cassius muttered. The killer paused and head turned to the side as its mouth widened further to reveal more teeth.

  “Is that what you think?” It hissed, voice hoarse and throaty as it chuckled. It was a deeply unpleasant sound which caused the hairs on Cassius’ neck to rise as he winced.

  “Weak fleshed fools. Not even worthy of the sacrificial stones,” the killer said as it stepped back, eyes locked on Cassius as it grabbed the sword’s handle, booted foot on the shield, and pulled it free in a burst of wood splinters. A thick knot formed in Cassius' throat as the killer slunk forward, low to the ground, in a blur of speed. Danger screamed in his mind as Cassius swung his sword up to meet the enemy’s. Sparks flashed as metal clashed, the strength of every blow threatened to rip Cassius’ sword from his hand, but he held on, pushed back constantly.

  Blood flowed as the knife snuck through his guard and cleaved a line across his jaw, slipped across a bicep, and scratched his armor even further. Around the class stone the killer drove him, only his constant retreat allowed Cassius to stay alive beneath the barrage of blows.

  “Weak. Inferior. Prey.” The killer spoke each word like a death sentence, its predatory smile never leaving as Cassius cursed as another line of fire was etched across his other arm. Horror dawned as he realized he was being toyed with, the killer not truly struggling to pierce his defenses but merely enjoying the struggle Cassius gave.

  Fury erupted in his chest as Cassius stopped retreating and attacked. The smooth transition caught the killer off guard for a moment and that was all Cassius needed as he grabbed his mana and commanded it into a [Thrust], mana around the edge of his sword and he lunged. It was stronger than any blow he’d summoned before, newfound strength helped him as he slid past the assassin’s guard and tore a bloody strip along its chest.

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  It screamed in rage, more animal than man, before it threw itself back. It landed on the far side of the room, back to the hallway as red-black blood flowed across its mottled robes and pooled around its boots. Cassius lifted his blade, stained with its lifeblood, a smile on his face as he started to advance toward it.

  “I will find you and hunt you properly,” the assassin promised before Cassius could get halfway toward it. They spun and raced away, moving faster than Cassius could track and disappeared nearly as fast as they had arrived. Slowly Cassius blinked his eyes as he couldn’t believe that the killer had run at the first sight of blood.

  Then the sound of clattering armor came toward him and he realized it wasn’t the lucky wound he managed, but the guards that were coming to investigate. The killer was fast and strong, but the system stone was built into a vault that could be filled with guards until someone of significant strength was summoned.

  “Bless the [Guardsmen]” Cassius said as his newfound strength abandoned him and he sank to a knee. His own blood flowed easily around him, turning his once clean armor bright red as he breathed heavily. Pain was fast becoming his companion but it still burned and tore at him as the first wave of Agricola guards came into the room.

  “Drop the blade,” one of them shouted and Cassius didn’t feel like arguing, tossing his sword to the side as a woman in stately robes marched in behind the wall of guards. She was similar enough to Claudius that Cassius was certain she was the boy’s mother, quickly confirmed by the deference the guards gave her.

  “Summon a [Medicus] for the legionnaire. Alert all guards and sound the alarms. I want the streets cleared now,” the woman said as she headed directly to the stone. She touched it for a split second before withdrawing her fingers and sighed in relief.

  “There was no sabotage. Bless the holy stones,” the noblewoman said as she bowed her head for a moment before turning to look back at Cassius.

  “Tell me, quickly, who attacked you,” she ordered.

  “It wasn’t human, though it could speak our tongue. It was tall with stooped shoulders, orange cat eyes, and it was stronger than any man I've fought before,” Cassius said in panting breaths as the pain continued to grow.

  “I’ve never heard of a beast that could talk,” the noblewoman said suspiciously as she stepped closer to Cassius.

  “Didn’t say it was a beast. Or even a monster. It used a sword and knife better than most, it spoke and could reason. It ran when it heard you coming,” Cassius said as his face twisted in agony, slumping from one knee to sitting on his rear. Blood continued to seep from his wounds while the noblewoman looked down at him.

  “Foul works,” one of the guards muttered, the quiet of the room amplifying his words. The man paled before red blush filled his cheeks and he looked towards the ground as his mistress turned to look at him with a single raised eyebrow. No one else dared to speak as she turned back to look at Cassius.

  “But not a man?” she asked again.

  “Not a man.” That brought more silence from the rest of the group as they realized what he said.

  “A people from beyond the Shifting Walls. A hostile people,” the noblewoman finally said as she shook her head.

  “The [Medicus]?” Cassius asked as he began to grow light headed.

  “He’s coming. I will send runners to the rest of your party. I was going to meet them regardless, but I shall hasten my plans,” the woman said mostly to herself as she spun around the room as a man pushed his way through.

  “[Medicus]?” Cassius asked again and was delighted as the old man nodded his head, wispy hair floated around his mostly bald head as he sank down and grabbed Cassius arm.

  “Have you been healed before?” the man asked. He had a surprisingly strong voice for how old and frail he looked.

  “I wasn’t awake. Just a few days ago,” Cassius said.

  “You’ve had poor luck then. It will itch and burn as I heal with [Mend]. There will be discomfort in your chest when I apply [Replenish]. Please try to keep your thrashing and screaming to a minimum,” the old man said as earth tones formed around the man’s hand.

  Heat came instantly, burning sensation along each of the wounds, which was promptly accompanied by a persistent itch. Cassius bit the interior of his cheek as he suppressed the urge to scratch at the wounds. It lasted only a few moments before the man switched, the aura of mana around him growing darker and the pressure grew in his chest.

  “One of my better patients,” the old man admitted as he rose. The work had taken only a few minutes, but the lethargy remained just as when Geraldine had healed him.

  “They used that ability to get here quickly? And he has been blessed? The boy is tired and hungry. Take him to the kitchens and feed him till he stops eating. Fresh juice from the gardens watered down of course,” the [Medicus] told the noblewoman who nodded in agreement.

  “Runners are to find the centurion and my cousin. Bring all to me at once, rouse the guardhouses and any man or woman strong enough to wield a shield and spear. Our city is under attack,” the noblewoman ordered her guards as two of them reached over and plucked Cassius up from the ground before assisting him toward the central building in the estate.