Short Story - Initiation
Author’s Note: I wrote this story in October 2022 and is my first attempt at fantasy. While it is not a terrible attempt, it does leave me wanting. I enjoyed the attempt and may dive back into this world at a later date. I have apprehensions about writing fantasy, mostly about world building and keeping tabs on all the places, people, etc. I am not one for note taking at this juncture but I do feel the urge to continue writing in some capacity from the perspective of a rogue, whether that be this character or another.
Having reread this piece again after almost six months away, I see the rough stilted nature of my current writing. One interesting thing that happens when you begin writing is you start to pay more attention to the authors’s you read and how they lay out their story. My writing feels constricted in some ways and I look forward to experimenting on how I can breathe more life into a scene. For now, I take my writing as it comes and once I finish the novella, I will read a book or two on writing craft. I fear dipping too far into this well as I want to find my own voice, not be trapped under guidance or rules that could suffocate.
Enough dribble for now, please enjoy the story for what it is. Thank you.
I waited with my back against the ancient oak, just inside the forest line. My ears pricked, my breath slow and shallow as I waited for them to arrive. Late yesterday I received correspondence that members of The District would be coming to this spot for an initiation rite and I was to eliminate them. District members in my home village? It would be my pleasure to accomplish this task for The Outsiders. This was just the break I was looking for as part of my own initiation into the group. It also meant keeping my sister and village safe from any expansion of The District near our village. I never wanted to be a rogue or become a participant in the underground war. In fact, all I wanted was to be left alone to my land with my wife, children, and my kid sister.
A noise to my right snapped my attention back to the mission at hand. I patted my leather tunic and felt for the vials I had hidden in my inner pocket. I knew they were there, but I had a compulsion to double and triple check they were still there. I could hear the group making their way toward the cave that was to be their grave. I kept still and maintained my controlled breathing to keep noise to a minimum. I knew they would be on edge until they set up their perimeter and began their initiation inside the cave. The trick was finding the weak links in that protection before it was too late. If the initiation reached its third act, my hopes of joining The Outsiders would surely evaporate.
The sound of the crunching leaves and grass told me they were almost here. The voices went from an indecipherable din to almost audible. I could only pick out a few words and not in consistent flow to make sense of. A few more steps and they would be within range of my newly enhanced hearing. Magick potions were things I had read about in my fantasy books, not something that existed in reality. There is a lot more Magick in this world than I was ever led to believe, and even with what I have already seen, I was only standing at the doorstep of what was possible as a potential initiate of The Outsiders. Once I became a full initiate, I would begin training in the various specialties based on my interests and skill level.
“You! Begin the preparations for the perimeter” an authoritative voice said.
“We musn’t be disturbed.” The mysterious person continued.
“Yes, Lord Delvin” one of the men said. He and another man walked off to begin preparations.
There should be a total of 6 people, if the letter was to be trusted. Due to the nature of this assignment, I didn’t have much choice. That letter made it very clear that I should set up a stakeout point until the signal or else I would risk being found and ruining everything. This would be the only opportunity so I didn’t want to take any chances, I would trust the information and follow the instructions to the letter. So far, things have lined up perfectly, let’s see if everything else follows the expected script. With the initiation team arriving, they were due to put up their guard perimeter, a mixture of magick and personnel. Once that was operational, they would relax, having complete faith in their spellcraft. From there my job was simple, eliminate the guards and stop the initiation. I again checked my pockets for the supplies and continued my shallow breathing.
“We are ready for you m’lord.”
“Good”, he replied.
Lord Delvin walked towards the first man and waved his hands over the post that had been installed. He spoke quietly to himself, performing the protective incantation. He again waved his hands over the post and a green flame appeared over at its top. He walked over to the other post and performed the same actions. With both posts aflame the perimeter was complete.
“Keep watch, we will return when it is complete.” Lord Delvin said.
So far so good. The signal will be coming soon. I felt my heartbeat tick up in anticipation of things to come. A slight sweat developed in my palms. I quietly wiped them against my tunic. The sun completed its setting and darkness had taken over. Nothing good ever happens at night I thought to myself. A women’s scream pierced the virgin night air, my queue. I turned, facing the tree, and peered around each edge to mark the two guards. With the magickal barrier in place, the guards were less on edge than they should’ve been. This allowed me to make a bit more noise as I started my ascent up the tree. I had prepped my work and I had a black rope attached to a few pulleys to guide my ascent.
The barrier that was set up was one of their basic spells. It provides a shielding from bullets and other magick spells but does have one weakness, no roof. A higher level spell would allow for full domed roof protection but being out here in the hinterlands, they didn’t have anything to worry about. I will take luck anywhere I can get it. Once I was twenty feet up the tree I walked along one of the branches that led towards the first guard. The guards straddled the opening of the cave about forty feet apart. I stopped about ten feet short of the guard, sliding my hand into my leather tunic and removed one of the vials along with a dart. Poison may be the domain of the fairer sex, but I never bothered myself with caring. I used what tools were best suited to get the job done and tonight stealth prevailed. I took out my small crossbow and pulled back the string and set it in its latch. I dipped the tip of the dart into the vial, lacing it with the fast acting poison and notched it into place.
I laid down onto the branch, removing an unnecessary five feet of travel I would need to account for. The guard was calmly looking out into the darkness, scanning the forest for any signs of trouble. I steadied myself, taking a few slow deep breaths to steel myself. I lowered my arm below the branch and took aim at the nape of the mans neck. I had a clear shot and I took it. I had to be quick applying the poison to the next dart and getting it loaded. It may be a poison that acts quickly, but it is not instantaneous. The first thing it does is constrict the local muscles, which is why I chose the neck. This keeps the dying guard from interrupting the ritual inside, but doesn’t stop the other guard from noticing during his final struggle.
“Marc? Are you ok?” he cautiously asks in a hushed yell as he rushes over away from his post.
Marc responds with a wheeze and indecipherable noises as his hands predictably reach for his throat. As the other guard approaches he takes in his surroundings, realizing the obviousness of the situation, someone has attacked his companion. He looks everywhere but up.
“Idiots” I mumble to myself.
The second man kneels down to check on his now fallen friend looking to assist him. He leaves his neck completely exposed as he bends over to check his pulse. I easily dispatch him and survey the surroundings myself before I descend the oak. I checked that my two victims are dead and rummage for anything worthwhile in their pockets. With that done, I set my sights on the cave and the next part of my mission. I rise to my feet and calmly stride into the darkness.
I close my eyes just as I entered the cave and reopen them once inside, the quickest way I’ve found to adjust my vision to the near black. There is just enough of a lingering glow from the wizard’s light spell that I can see with a bit of focused intention. The mouth of the cave had ample room for five people abreast and tall enough for most to walk without ducking. The room was short and in the back was a quick corner that almost blends into the background, giving the room an appearance of a small nook useful for avoiding a sudden fit of bad weather or travel during the cold winters, rather than the extended cave it was. I made my way through the first bend and into the first hallway where the walls came in to a comfortable two person width. The height of the room came down slightly but well within my height, so I was able to walk with a normal stride. There are some advantages to being short I thought to myself.
The hallway meandered in a loose arc away from the entrance and could be described as mostly flat. This is a well weathered cave that has seen its fair share of traffic. Located not too far from my home village, this cave is a place I have been many times. The length was not too long but there were a few chambers I will be passing before the antechamber I was expecting the ritual to be taking place. I tread carefully and thanked the gods for the silt that lined the floor, masking the sounds of my footfalls. I was cognizant to take full steps and not shuffle my feet in the excitement of the chase. I make it to the second chamber but it is not much bigger than a storage closet. I pause just long enough to look behind me and listen ahead of me for any sign of the remaining District disciples. Nothing on both fronts.
I venture forward through the next hall and feel a rising change in temperature. The ritual has reached its second phase, the victim already lying on the intricate symbols laid down by the arcanist, who would already be deep into his spellcasting.
“Damnit” I uttered.
The completion of phase I was faster than I anticipated. I lengthened my steps hoping to gain back some time on this Lord Delvin, whoever he was. I came to the corner of the hallway and placed my back against the wall. I knew I was getting close as the heat had picked up dramatically. I leaned out just enough to see what lay ahead of me. This was just a long straight hallway, but the main antechamber lay just passed that last corner. The corridor was empty save for a flickering of light coming from that last chamber. The energy of Delvin’s spell gathering intensity. The telltale soft whoosh of wind could be heard emanating around the room. I started to turn the corner and felt pressure against the shin of my leading leg and the sound of a click. I froze, realizing the error of my ways, cursing myself for being so foolish. I was not sure what trap I had just set off but I decided I would dive back behind the corner. As soon as I did I could hear a door opening in the side of the cave. Two familiars flapped out of their hiding spot and headed straight for me, a devilish cackle escaping their lips.
“Shit”
I jumped up and took a defensive posture while I formulated a plan.
“Hello to our special guest. Woobs isn’t it?” Delvin bellowed from the other room.
Confusion clouds my mind. How does he know my name? Was I expected? That split second lapse in concentration was all they needed, the two familiars quickly hooking an arm under each of my own. I struggled but they quickly lifted me off the ground, rendering my offense impotent and putting strain on my shoulder sockets. They flew down the corridor as if they were carrying nothing at all and dropped me off at the wizard’s feet. Inside the chamber, I see the symbols laid out on the floor, but no victim. I quickly realize it was all a ruse from the beginning. I fear my time as a rogue will end even before it begins. I need to think if I am going to make it out of here. I stood up, smiled at my executioner and started to walk around the room counterclockwise.
“Nice of you to have me, and yes, that is what my friend’s call me” I responded.
Lord Delvin chuckled and said, “Trying out hubris are we? I s’pose there’s no harm in letting you stall. I know all about you…Woobs. I gotta say, tough break drawing this assignment for your initiation.”
“Didn’t seem fair to be too easy. Very ornate work by the way, you have real talent for drawing symbols. I’m surprised though, considering your nick name. Lord Melvin, isn’t it?
Lord Delvin clenched his teeth, spun around, and threw his fists towards me and fired a lightning bolt. The concussive blast filled the room, the power flinging me against back of the room, knocking the air out of my lungs. I coughed and spit out a mouthful a blood. My body, ravaged by the electric surge, would not heed my call. I tried standing and quickly fell back down. Lord Delvin moved towards me and stopped in the center of the room, right in the middle of his spell ring. This was not looking good.
“Enough disrespect from you. Some farmboy with a vendetta because your family was murdered. Cry me a river. I will make this quick and painless.”
Suddenly, a rumble begins emanating through the cave, the flames simultaneously snuff out, the room falls into complete darkness. I brace myself for whatever devastating magic Lord Delvin is about to unleash. My final thoughts turn to my wife and two children. I have failed to avenge their deaths. Heat rushes to my face as I start to tear up. My eyes stinging, I blink to fight back the tears. One squirts out, the warm droplet rolls down my face. At least now I will be able to see them again.
The two familiars start to flap their wings and scream out. Lord Delvin gasps and starts to choke. What is going on? I hear Delvin struggle, the sound of his feet as they scuff the ground. He stumbles and hits the hard dirt with a loud thud. At the precise moment he hit the ground, the rumbling stopped too. All sound seems to have disappeared. It is eerily quiet. I scramble to my feet, bewildered but happy to have escaped for the time being. I look around but am enveloped in nothingness. I don’t remember the direction of the hallway. I reach out and touch the wall and keep it to my left, travelling clockwise this time.
A light begins to fill the room from the doorway. It is faint but with the absence of light it is almost blinding. I turn towards the center of the room and see Lord Delvins lifeless form. The lights strength continues growing and I begin to hear footsteps.
I call out, “Who’s there?”
A voice answers, “It is I, Septose”
Septose? What is the Reaver doing here?
The light blinds me as Septose enters the chamber. I kneel down before him and hold my head low.
“I see you have survived, Woobles McDoogles. Most impressive.”
“Barely, I owe my gratitude”
“It is I who owes you the gratitude. I have had my eye on Lord Delvin for quite some time. Stand up. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you into The Outsiders as an initiate.”