The Epic of Dalen Grey

I practiced throwing daggers all morning. I tried every technique I could think of. There must be something wrong the the knives themselves. I thought they were meant for throwing and I hate to be cheated. I tried so often I thought I would cut a hole in the wall. I might have cut a whole if I were able to stick them into the wall proberly. I even hit the three foot wide target a couple times as well. I was beginning to think it was impossible. I trained for years with a and I can't throw a dagger. The academy veiwed ranged weapons the tools of theives and cowards, or for cheap palor tricks. I could not stand to try any harder.

I went to the heart of the market district. I had equipment I needed to check on. He was still working on it when I arrived. It seemed done to me, but he was still working with it.

"How is it coming along?"

"Love a challenge, never did one like this. Want to try on?"

I strapped it to my back. It really felt heavier in my hands then on my body. I could barely feel it. It was more like tight clothing then armor. I rotated my body and it moved with me. I drew my sword and dueled my shadow and my movement was very slightly hindered. The old man interrupted my test.

"Not done, needs work."

"How soon, I'm gonna need it?"

"Didn't sleep. Need rest soon. Fragile work, takes focus."

"One more hour, then you bring back tomorrow, then I finish."

"Then you will have it tomorrow."

I could do very little but wonder the market and check the progress as I passed by. In little time he seemed to be finished. To my eye, there was little different. I trust he knows what he is doing, and perhaps better then expected.

I had little time to waste. I wore against my body my other clothes hung smoothly over it. It contour to my body in such a way, it was hard to notice I had it there at all. I had gotten more then I asked for, and yet paid less then it was worth. During most occassions I would be suspicious, but I was focused on a mission.

I checked out the building where the meeting was suppose to take place. It was a sturdy brick building. I saw no windows and a front and rear exit. It was a fair size, about that of a small church. It was right along the outer wall of the city and the back door opened to a narrow ally behind the building. A few sticks wedged between the door and the wall should prevent an escape.

I saw a few people enter the building, but I didn't see my target. If I stopped on, the rest would find out and I would miss my chance. As I waited more people entered. There was nothing I could do but watch the odds stack against me.

The people all came in a steady stream and ended abruptly. I stood and waited for him to come but I didn't see him. The inside had settled down and I heard what sounded like a discussion. I wonder if I was betrayed, if I had been too trusting. I had come too far to turn back now. I needed to investigate further.

I peaked into the door and watched. They faced foward and in front was Brick as best as I could tell. There was a small hall ahead of me with a room on either side. It opened up to a large open area and another two rooms to the back. There might have been twenty people in there and I couldn't face them all. I needed to think.

I pulled out my dagger and aimed it at the nearest member, there was too many obstacles to reach my target. It flew left and high and hit the floor beneath Bricks feet and stuck. I quickly closed the door and ran around the corner as any imitimidation efford had failed. I Jumped into an empty crate beside the building and pulled the lid shut. It seemed odd place for it. I stayed in there as I heard people scattering and yelling.

"Kelis, take four men south, Ondre, take your troops to the north, you and you stand guard, the rest of you with me."

I heard them leaving and tried to break out of the crate I was in. I must have nudged a level because the back of the crate fell open and led inside. I moved in the room and looked around the corner. Brick and three men remained. I moved the latch on the door to keep them from coming back in.

"Brick, you are under arrest, I suggest you come willingly."

The three men came after me and he tried and tried to beat down the door. The first man lunged at me and I deflected its force into the wall and it stuck. As I pulled back I ran my blade against his thighs and he quickly flew to the floor. The next guy swung over his shoulder in a long slow swoop like an amatuer. I counter by Jumping back and swinging my sword over head dropping down on his shoulder. He fell lifeless. I heard the door break open. That man was larger then I thought. He rammed the door enough times part of the wall came down with it. I couldn't let him go. I kicked out the last guys knee and proceeded to follow.

I ran and noticed his friends where following after me, about four or five of them. I notice that they must have gotten lost, I could no longer see them. I had soon lost him. He was fat and slow, but he also had a head start on me.

I proceeded to travel back home. I saw the guard I spared yesterday running toward me with a dagger in his hand. I reached for my sword as I felt pressure against my back. He threw the dagger Just around my body and I heard a scream Just behind me. I swung the sword around and through his gut. He fell to the ground. He made not another sound.

"We must leave here. There is much I have to say, but there are more men coming."

We fled to the market district to hide out for a moment. He slept in my house in the district and I returned to the slums. He said there is much to discuss in the morning. I tried to keep unnoticed, and I had to think of a new plan.