Chapter 256: Hei Sha and Glee

The ship slowly lazed into the port, as the shouts of hurried men and the stench of freshly caught fish assaulted our senses. None more so than Eve, who looked aghast before she then quickly schooled her expression, just as the final knots were tied to the pier.

The port of Hei Sha was not unclean. In fact it was rather proper, despite the bleak atmosphere that naturally seemed to settle over the area due to the black water and earth around them.

The avenues leading up from the main dock area into the expansive fish market were wide and well swept. The guards, those whom Khairrudin claimed to be corrupt officials who always hungered for a larger share of their accomplices ill begotten gains, lacked all the foulness you’d associate with such men.

They were organized, well armed and dressed, and appeared to be exceedingly diligent in their work. If anything, they did not look to be men who thirsted after tainted tribute from some second rate pirate ship. They looked to be hounds, well bred for the hunt, as they patrolled the area with keen eyes and and even keener ears. Their diligence in their tasks only rivalled by the pristine states of their pure white uniforms.

Yet looks could be deceiving, and I was no fool or new-born fawn, unknowledgeable in the ways true outliers of the law survived in such a grey domains. These men were not hounds but chameleons. Camouflaging within a pack of honourable men.

You could see it in the way their eyes that always flicked from side to side in their sockets, like a viper’s tongue searching the air for tastier prey.

"Your sister’s." I commented, as she and I continued monitoring the guards who were very clearly coming our way now.

"Must be." She whispered. "They’ve undoubtedly hidden their mark of servitude under their clothes."

"Let us not linger." I said, looking to my party of five, who all nodded, taking all their needs and weapons.

I then grabbed my own arms as well. A common halberd and sabre. The kind that would fail to invite any inquisitive eyes. Arms too poor to even dishonour my own master crafted blades, Dark Majesty and Fallen Nemesis, by calling them a mocking shadow of their magnificent selves.

We disembarked the ship then, finding Sinan coming to us after having done his shady dealings with the harbour master. A portly man who’s rotten teeth flashed proudly in his crooked grin at the sight of Darr was an eye watering sight.

"The old mule will stay docked here for the next two weeks, sire." Sinan said in a low tone. "As I’ve said before my liege, our business here can not be delayed more than that, or else we risk questions being asked. But rest assured sire that we will endeavour to remain should you require more time."

"No." I instantly shot down his offer. "Two weeks captain. If, in the highly unlikely chance, we should not return by then, you are to return as scheduled. We will find our own back, or simply await you back here again, for when you return."

"We will return post haste should that future unfold sire. However unlikely it proves to be." He stopped himself from habitually bowing at the end of his words, before then contenting himself with a simple nod and left.

"Let’s be off." I said then. "Or we’ll soon be late to our rendezvous point."

"Indeed sire." Nodded Isaac, who was gazing up at the quickly darkening sky.

We began to make our way through the wide, bustling streets, swiftly to make good on our appointment, yet undeniably cautiously as well.

We all did our best to hide or mask our features as well as we could, in addition to donning thick cloaks that completely obscured our features. Eve and Isaac had the least trouble in this, for the old assassin was a master of disguises, while my Eve simply melted into shadow.

Meanwhile Horus had to dye his striking silver hair an ordinary light brown. And on the other hand, Abraham and I had to wrap our faces tightly with thick scarfs, and conceal our bodies beneath long cloaks. Though keeping others from noticing Abraham’s hulking frame was a fool’s errand, so we simply rushed before the eyes could hopefully gaze long enough to preserve picture to memory.

Luckily nothing obstructed our path, as within minutes we were before a three story building. The site we were meant to meet up with our undercover men who would provide us transport into the Dynasty’s capital.

And not a moment too soon, for the door swung open before we even knocked, as we were then quickly ushered inside.

"It’s a pleasure to finally meet you my lords!" A small, stocky and jovial looking man, with a golden mask depicting a laughing infant welcomed us.

"Hello Glee." The old assassin greeted the man.

"Oh, lord Isaac. Always a pleasure!" He cried out, performing an elaborate bow as he did.

"A Gold Mask." Nizam whispered under his breath, his tone one of wonder and slight bewilderment at finally getting the chance to meet one of the legendary Gold Masks of the empire. A group of elites he’d only ever heard about, despite one of their ilk staying full time in Eklepsus.

"How come you are here Glee. Were you not supposed to remain in Yueliang until our arrival?" The old assassin sternly asked.

"I couldn’t possibly pass up the chance to welcome you in person to this place I have called home for the past century now could I, my lord?!" He seemed to be jokingly outraged as he spewed those words at Isaac, who merely began messaging his forehead with an exasperated sigh; seemingly quite used to this man’s antics.

"Our transport Glee?" I intruded upon their conversation then, bringing urgent reason back into the room. "Is it ready?"

"Most certainly my liege!" He jumped. "I will lead you there myself!" He then proudly declared, as he led us to the back of the building, where a trio of covered carts were waiting.

"The capital has been a hive of some very busy bees as of late." He said with his jovial tone. "And recently, they have been quadrupling security for anything entering or leaving the city. It’s quite the pain honestly. People have to sometimes wait from sun rise till sun down before they could travel through the gates." His tone then twisted to a different form of joy. One dripping with a conspiratorial nature, as he declared. "Luckily I am acquainted with a certain guard captain who mans one of the gates. And my good friend has never denied me a favour."

I had a feeling this ’acquaintance’ of his wasn’t so much a loyal friend, as he was an unwilling participant in Glee’s machinations. Not that I cared much, as I motioned to step into the carriages.

All three were packed to the brim with wooden barrels, crates and burlap sacks. Save with the exception of a small space in the back, where two people could easily sit across from one another.

Isaac and Glee took one. Horus and Nizam occupied the next. And I and Abraham squeezed into the last, before we both then sat down, at which point Eve materialized over my lap, looking quite content with her self.

And then with a lurching sensation, we felt the once stationary carriages begin to move.