Dawn broke over Descarith, and the village woke with it. Villagers filled the streets, boots and cart wheels setting the rhythm of the morning. Some hurried off to work, others were already deep in it. A few marked the new day in the local tavern, trading tales over tankards of ale. But today was different. Today the women of the village had a reason of their own to come.
Razor sat easy among them and set his empty glass down on the worn counter. Vladamir, who owned the tavern and worked the bar, came over with a knowing look. "Rough night again, Razor? You should be resting, lad. Word on the street is Rize is sending you south."
Razor smiled and leaned in, keeping his voice low. "I've had my share of rough nights, Vlad. And I don't blame Rize for the order. Her heart's in the right place. She just cares too much about all of us."
Vlad nodded, his weathered face heavy with everything he knew. "The way I hear it, south is a death march. Even your shadow hunters keep clear of those ruins. No outposts down there to resupply your weapons, and the last troop that went in never came back. All Grade S, every one of them, and not a soul returned. It's as if the shadow beasts are guarding something. That's when Rize put it off-limits. Speaking of weapons, though. Is it true you found a new one?"
Razor kept his smile and leaned closer. "That place is dangerous, yes. Dark as night even at noon. As for weapons, let's say we found another way."
Vlad dropped his voice to a whisper. "So the rumors about the shadow beasts are true."
Razor nodded. Vlad always knew things. "You never miss much, Vlad. Who talked this time?"
Vlad chuckled, a glint in his eye. "You'd be amazed how loose a tongue gets after a drink or two, lad. Knowing things is my business."
Razor set three gold coins on the tavern table. "I should get moving. It's always a pleasure being here."
Vlad looked at the coins, then at him, disappointed. "Keep your money, lad. You know I don't take it from you. Hunters like you are the reason I have a tavern at all. Ellem wouldn't be safe without its guardians."
Razor grinned and headed for the door, and the women inside broke into sighs and whispers. "Just keep it, old man. What good is money to a man walking into the shadows?"
Vlad watched him go, admiration and affection mixed in his eyes. Outside, the village went on with its morning, and the pull of Razor's presence lingered behind him.
Razor walked to the guild's outpost, a place that held most of his life in Descarith. As he came up, he spotted Max crouched beside the shadow beast, patting its head and tapping its nose, studying it like a puzzle.
Razor couldn't resist. "It's not a dog, Max."
Max straightened up fast, red in the face. "I was studying the beast, Razor. He's crucial to our mission."
"Our mission?" Razor raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know it's a he?"
Max didn't flinch. "Yes, I'm coming with you. I already told Rize, and she agreed."
Razor's face went serious. "It's a dangerous mission, Max. I don't want any of you at risk. When Rize told the members they could join if they wished, I was relieved. It meant nobody else had to."
Max held his ground. "I'm a commander too, Razor, and my mind is made up. Besides, Rize gave you the mission in the first place."
Razor heard him, but the worry stayed in his voice. "I know you're loyal, and I'm grateful. But it's dark as night down there even in daylight. The last troop went in full of Grade S hunters and never came out. The beasts are guarding something. That's why the south has been off-limits ever since."
Max shrugged it off. "I know the risks, Razor, and I'll take them. We're a team. We watch each other's backs. That's what makes us shadow hunters."
Razor sighed and gave in to Max's stubbornness. "Very well, Max. But I'm not deciding this lightly. This guild has lost too many already."
Max nodded, steady. "I know, Razor. And I'm ready for whatever's waiting."
As they talked, Max handed him a sealed scroll. Razor broke the seal and read.
The words were their guild leader's, Rize's:
"You can still walk away from this. Have the beast destroyed and forget the blue trail. Descarith cares nothing for what happens in the south, and I don't want to see you hurt. I don't expect you to bleed for this guild.
But I know how stubborn you are, and I know you'd go south with that beast whether I ordered it or not. That's why the mission is yours. Max asked to join you after you left the hall, and I couldn't tell him no. He's as stubborn as you are about keeping you alive. He's a true friend, and I couldn't refuse him.
I'm sending a cart of supplies, enough rations, weapons, and fuel for a month on the road. Let your beast carry it. None of this means you can't change your mind. But if you go, take it as my parting gift.
With all my warmth,
Rize"
Razor rolled the scroll shut. Gratitude, resolve, and something close to grief moved through him at once. He burned the letter and let the ash scatter on the wind. "Did the supplies from the guild arrive?" he asked Max.
Max nodded. "Yes, Razor. They're ready by the stables."
Razor shook his head. "Horses won't get us through this. This fellow is carrying our provisions." He patted the shadow beast.
Max couldn't help himself. "You know that's not a horse, right?"
Razor laughed under his breath. "I'm aware."
They finished readying the cart and turned south, into the shadows, where neither of them had ever set foot and neither knew what waited.