The crystal skull - chapter 1
Issashu took a look at the blade going all the way through the husky's chest. It was forged deep inside the caves below Ankh'ahn and they had to pay a fortune to acquire it. All he hoped now was that it wasn't in vain. Otherwise the shaman, who gave him the idea would have to pay with his pathetic life.
"I am sorry, dear friend! It had to be done!"
The husky felt the life sipping out of him with every drop of blood soaking itself magically inside the blade. The blade's magic was so strong not even a drop was wasted or soaked into his clothes. He didn't know what was going on or why...he just knew he was betrayed by someone whom he trusted. Niro smiled to himself. He won't do the same mistake twice.
The sun was almost half way through its daily path, slowly climbing the same sky trail as it did for countless ages. Soon it would reach the peak once more and start its descent into Arun, where it will be chained for the night. The streets were buzzing with the usual market noise. Traders were promoting their wares, buyers were trying to get some bargain prices and occasionally guards could be heard trying to settle some dispute around the taverns. It seemed as a usual day in town.
"Stop him! Stop the thief!"
Niro turned around a corner into a darker side alley just to find a solid brick wall blocking his escape route. He smiled, while activating the small devices attached to the back of his paws. With a sharp "click" a pair of metal claws jumped forth from his fingers. There was no obstacle that could prove too difficult for the famous black husky of Ankh'ahn. The nickname he got due to the black leather armour and mask he was wearing, besides his fur being black and white coloured too. His armour was specially crafted once he has proven himself in service of the local thief lord. The special type of leather used allowed its wearer to sneak almost without making any noise. Only the most elite cat-guards from the Monarch's personal guard stood a chance to actually hear anyone using such armour. Niro has added a few improvements here and there over the years too. Some were purely cosmetic - he never liked his pants too loose around his tail, not being able to show his pride. Other modifications were actually made to help him during his missions. He was especially proud of his holding pockets. Small enchanted pouches attached just above his kneels, allowing him to deposit a lot more than normally would fit in. On his back he was always wearing his trusted silver and onyx daggers. Those weapons he stole from an assassin sent after him. Both were enchanted to protect against magic and were always sharp, the level of maintenance needed being the absolutely minimum.
With his slim and perfectly trained for such getaways body Niro climbed the wall to the rooftops in a matter of moments landing high above the town fuss, where, at least for now, he was safe. The husky stretched real quick, his muscles feeling good from the sudden exercise. He had a perfect body due to the years of athletic training he had undergone, with well-defined muscles, flexible and with healthy looking, soft fur. Adding to his good looks were his deep blue-greyish eyes. He was well aware of his looks and the way they caused people to react around him and actually used this knowledge in his advantage, whenever possible. Quite a few of his victims were left smiling after their encounter with him, even though they were also left broke.
Niro opened one of the enchanted pouches and emptied the contents on the ground in front of him. There wasn't much loot today. Just a few small items, which might not have been worth all the trouble. The memories of the earlier events made him feel a little pain on his cheek. He rubbed it with his paw. How was he supposed to know that the appearance of a male husky in the ladies dormitory of Lord Vanomous mansion would cause such a drama. After all it was a common knowledge what a brothel the mansion has become. It was normal for complete strangers to just walk in and enjoy themselves. But due to the Lord's influence in the blacksmith's guild, the Church was powerless to stop this directly. They kept trying though through other means...more subtle and shady ones. Niro was still confused what caused the fuss. He was decently dressed, after all how many ladies would complain about a well-fit men with tight leather clothes; he didn't touch even one of them, didn't say anything to make them mad and most of all, they presented absolutely no interest for him. But even so, after some screaming, which led to alarming the whole mansion of his presence, one of them decided to fight for her honour. Unfortunately for him lady Iksha, the name she revealed to him later when he defeated her, actually knew enough combat arts to manage and land a sound slap on his cheek. For a whole five minutes after that his ears were ringing from the hit. He had to use some tricks learned during the frequent visits at the town's taverns to make her stop. Perhaps in another situation or even life, he would have said that the outcome was favourable, but right now he was glad she stopped. The only good thing from the whole situation was a newly acquired contact inside one of the noble houses. Niro shook his head to get rid of the thoughts about his little adventure and concentrated on the contents of the pouch. Some small Jewry objects, a few coins and some strange black pearl-sized stone. Letting out a small sight, Niro put everything back in the pouch. It should net him enough coins for a few days. Lately his luck wasn't the same as it used to be. Standing up, he took a look at his clothes and cleaned the dust from his black leather pants and tunic. Looking at the sun watch he was carrying in his pocket, Niro turned around and headed in the direction of his own hideout. It was time to visit a couple of friends and have some quality time together by disobeying the Church orders.
"There he is. Right to the left of us, some 3 or 4 buildings away." - A cat soldier, dressed in a scout's uniform handed the long-range sight device to a heavily armoured bear sitting next to him - "I see him, Sash. Leave this husky to me!" "Very well, first inquisitor Issashu. I will notify my troops to stand down and only offer support if needed." - a hint of hesitation could be sensed in the cat's voice - "Though are you sure, this chase won't lead to further bystanders getting harmed? You remember what happened with the last heretic we chased. Shouldn't we just..."
The inquisitor wasn't listening anymore, his mind flipping through memories and past emotions as it did a lot lately. Issashu remembered some events that happened a good 3 years ago. He was still not enlisted in the church's inquisitor order back then. He was living with a nice girl, somewhat older than him. Everything seemed fine until the day, she was executed as a heretic by the church. Issashu later discovered that even though she most probably loved him, she was actually trying to manipulate him for her own needs. His family tried to warn him, but he remained blind for their warnings. In the end his eyes were opened by some friends and her capturing allowed him to move on. After a couple more years of being alone and trying to sort through his life, Issashu joined the Hand of Hass. Due to his skills with the sword, he climbed up the ranks pretty quick, becoming a highest rank inquisitor. During this time he used his skills of both physical combat and mental tricks to subdue his targets and execute them. Many of his fellow inquisitors were actually considering him ruthless, due to the way he could just turn around on a person, while ordering their death with a cold heart. What very few knew was what he actually felt inside. His heart was far from being ice-cold, but duty and work have always comed first, while his own feelings were left in the dark. Maintaining this mask on taught him how to easily lie and bluff around people, while sounding completely honest. This helped him hide much of his true interests over the years, interests he was ashamed to admit even to himself. After all he felt things, which were against the church teachings. And it wasn't only his work etiquette. His family was another factor. They really loved him and supported him, while being proud of his accomplishments. Seeing the disappointment in their eyes, if they knew he was not all that perfect member of the order, would probably mean the end for him. He just couldn't bring himself to ruin others hopes and dreams.
"...Inquisitor? Are you alright?" - the soldier's voice brought Issashu back in the present. - "Yes, I am... ok...Right! Let's capture this heretic and go home!" The brown bear stood up and after rearranging his sword and shield on his back, turned and headed in the direction of his pray, his huge body easily dealing with the heavy equipment he was carrying. Issashu was heavily built even for a member of his own species, sporting some strong back and chest, with heavy arms, ideally built to swing the heavy weapons he preferred. Few could resist his charge, when he was attacking in an attempt to crush his opponent's bones in his arms. The first inquisitor's armour Issashu was wearing looked quite appropriate for this as well. The big gauntlets were fitted with retractable blades sharpened with magic to the level of being able to cut through stone, metal and flesh with the same ease. But the bear still preferred his old fashioned warhammer and huge shield. For him nothing compared to the feeling of bashing his enemies with his shield before crushing their skulls with the hammer. It was especially fun, when his enemies would try to run away. One such enemy was his current target - Niro. Elusive and proven impossible to catch. It was very rare that this professional thief would make a mistake and let himself being chased out in the open streets. This thought caused Issashu to hesitate for a few moments, when he crossed the first two rooftops. Might the clever husky be preparing some kind of trap for him? What were his real intentions, when he left himself spotted running out of the mansion? No matter! Even if the husky was currently leading him to a trap, he was going to jump in with pleasure and impose the church justice upon any non-believers! The hunt was on and he was going to be the winner.
Niro jumped over some wooden crates and yet another small gap between buildings wondering why he felt so nervous. He was high above the streets and until the town guards could reach the rooftops, he would be far away. Everything seemed perfect. Or maybe that was the reason why he felt so uneasy. He decided to take a look behind just in time to see the crates he just passed being smashed to pieces by a shining mass. It simply sent the massive crates and all their contents flying in all directions.
"What the ....?" - Niro couldn't see what was following him, but his legs instinctively increased the pace. It couldn't be the guards. Another bounty hunter? He had so many enemies in his shady business sector that it wouldn't be a surprise to be hunted. Another gap was approaching fast. This time it was quite big. "Hah, let me see you follow me through this one!" The husky jumped gracefully over the gap, landing softly on the other side. For his disappointment soon a loud crash signalled that his pursuer found the gap easy to jump too. Niro decided he could permit himself a quick peek behind.
"An Inquisitor!?!" - The husky eyes widened in a mix of surprise and primal fear. The symbol of the inquisitor order was visible now and Niro was very well aware what would happen, if his pursuer catches up.
He increased the speed, trying to find obstacles to slow down his pursuer. Why would the Church be after him? Nothing of what he did went out to the public. It was his little secret and doubtfully any of his partners would just go out and openly confess. Another jump between buildings; the hideout was just a bit further away. Niro smiled, he could actually make it. Once he gets to his place, they won't be able to find him. On the next rooftop, he swiftly climbed down the side of the building and with the help of his claw devices found himself in no time on the street level. "Right...Just around the corner." Niro smiled looking back up, where he saw the inquisitor bear standing on the ledge, not being able to follow him down. He did look impressive in his full-plate armour and his massive body structure seemed kind of attractive to Niro. "Too bad he is an inquisitor AND chasing after me!"- Niro told to himself, before turning around to continue towards his place.
Suddenly he felt how the world just fell apart around him, a pair of ethereal hands grabbing and pinning his body. His thoughts felt like being sucked out of his head and his mind started feeling empty. The last thing he saw before his mind gave up, was a black tiger with emerald green eyes standing abopve him. She was wearing tight black breeches and a loose brownish tunic, showing a bit more than decency would dictate: "No place to run thief! You are coming with us!"
The world around him ceased to exist, freeing a spot for the relaxing silence and darkness...