Deep, eerie shadows of a bloody sinking moon unnerved him with their ominous slow dance. Their almost undetectable movement creeped ever closer to the lone figure studying them. "Tell me, my love, I wonder what mysterious secrets you keep within your cloak?"
From atop a stone battlement he questioned the sky's decision not to answer in silence. Not feeling frustrated, but more of a sense of feeling ignored, he hopped backwards to the rampart. Soon the rising sun would be up before the moon could escape below the horizon. Cynethar, the Voyeur of the Night, would gaze upon the blazing beauty of his lover, Rathenya, the Caretaker of Day, and suffer the tortures no man could endure. He looked to Cynethar for guidance as few did, fearing the supposed evil nature of the night. Some accused Cynethar of looking in on their dealings or revealing their secrets.
Reality brushed its fingers across Makai's ear, making him return to the real world. Irritated at reality's cruelty, he looked around and noticed movement. Someone in dark clothing tried to cross the courtyard without being noticed.
With a sigh, he looked around for the soldiers that should be on the battlement. "Maybe I should find and tell the Sergeant Kroana.... Yes, I should tell him." He walked over to the edge of the wall overlooking the dark garden. The darkness hid the location of the guard that should be down there. However the night breeze did not hide the silent steps of the light stepping dark clothed invader. That quiet person walked along the stone wall immediately below its sensitive observer. Makai remained at the edge of the wall watching the suspicious activity develop.
Then he heard more of the silent steps up on the battlement to his right. He pretended to watch the activity below, but moved his hands slowly towards the twin longknives in his belt. He quickly stepped back from edge of the wall, bringing the knives up to ready. Two people dressed in black walked carefully towards him.
With their stealth compromised they charged, blades flashing and reflecting the orange moonlight. The outnumbered defender took several steps back, slowly retreating along the wall. He moved to the side of the charge and turned away one attack. The other knife lashed at the passing rear of his attacker but only sliced air. With his back to the stone battlement, he watched them separate to divide his attention. That was the first good look he got as his attackers and when he realized who the attackers were. "Sergeants Kroana and Pollin." he said.
"Very good, Makai! How could you tell?" Sergeant Krona on the right asked in a weak voice. Makai slipped his right knife into his belt and pointed at the sword Krona's hand.
"Who else carries the only non-royal blade forged by Pharil, the King's Guard?" Makai looked at the garden, then turned to look at the sergeants, but his face never completed the entire turn. Sharp pain lanced into his skull when something struck the back of his neck.
Suddenly on his knees, Makai struggled to return to his feet, but the second impact, this time in the stomach, put him on the ground. He flopped over onto his back, trying to draw air into his lungs, but somehow none it entered. "Kroana...," he gasped, searching wildly up into the darkness. Tears blurred his vision and the pounding of his heart distracted his ears.
Then he felt the horrible tingle that slipped through every part of his body. Only nerves of steel and intense concentration prevented him from experiencing it. The pain slowly faded during it until the pain seemed to have disappeared into nothingness.
Makai found himself lying on something soft, with a crackling sound coming from behind him. He opened his eyes to realize he was lying on the rug in the Great Hall of the Keep. Dragon, the lord's favorite wolfhound stared at him enviously and fearfully.
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