"The Black Rose Part 2 - Bakator" by Andrew Law

The Black Rose

Part 2

The barn was filled with the sound of cooking utensils clanging and cutlery clashing as Asalria’s underworld gang ate the evening meal. The barn had been modified to act as a food hall ever since Kasta and Asalria had taken up residence. Kasta had had to place a concealment charm over the building to hide not only the noise, but the rich aroma of the various dishes that the cooking staff produced. The best thing, Asalria decided, about this whole thing is the food. Parshi was a real find for the kitchen. Asalria was looking down over the meal from her quarters in what used to be a storage bay, once again modified to suit her needs. She began pacing, a habit she usually found tiresomely annoying and utterly pointless. She was anxious to get going tonight, even if it wasn’t a raid. Kasta had wanted to go and check some information in the libraries. He said he had some theories he wanted to confirm. He hadn’t elaborated on that, but she had agreed to go along.

“Well, aren’t we dressed up this evening! Kasta taking you somewhere?”

Asalria turned and smiled at the strawberry blonde girl who had climbed to her quarters.

“What?” she said, her face the image of innocence “These are the clothes I always wear, Creta” trying to hide the fact that she had put effort into her appearance.

“Oh, come on!” Creta laughed “Not your clothes you fool. Your hair! And do I detect a hint of makeup?” she feigned shock. Asalria went a light shade of pink. Her dark hair, usually tied back, had been let loose. It curled a little as it fell around her shoulders and framed her face. And it was true that she had put a little makeup on. Not as much as those single noblewomen who thought they’d look prettier if they caked their face in it, but enough to enhance her looks a bit.

“Ahh, so we are going somewhere then!” said Creta triumphantly “Where? The river? The lookout? I hear that that’s rather popular with couples at the moment” she gossiped

Asalria sighed at the word ‘couples’. Was that her relationship with Kasta? Her actions a few days earlier had been heat of the moment, and she wasn’t sure if she’d have acted the same way or not if it were another of the group fighting for her.

“No, I’m afraid its only business tonight. Kasta wants to check out some stuff at the library” she said, trying to keep her voice jovial.

Creta sighed “Oh well. You might finish early though! Tell me if you do!” she laughed.

“Do what?” both girls started, reaching for hidden knives.

“Easy girl!” laughed Kasta, blocking a knife thrown with deadly accuracy by Asalria with a staff.

“Sorry!” Asalria apologized quickly “Are you ok?”

“Fine. Hi Creta. Look, you didn’t even make a mark!” he laughed light heartedly. Asalria was surprised that he was carrying it. He didn’t usually, he usually tried to hide his magic until the last moment, by which stage he didn’t need the staff to perform it anyway. He had gone the whole way on the sorcerer thing though. His boots were soft leather and styled, not the usual hard-wearing plain ones. He still wore loose fitting pants, but it was topped with a sleeveless shirt. Both were well made, and probably silk. She suspected that he had put a shield enchantment on them. He also had a long cloak, which he was now hanging over the railing. All his clothes were black. Now his staff, here was a piece of art. Only on the closest inspection would reveal that it was in fact carved, not naturally formed. The top was like a gnarled hand, which was, at the present moment, housing a large deep blue sapphire.

“Impressive” said Creta, her eyes betraying the calm voice in which she said it. She was practically drooling over him “Nice gem there to”

“That was the idea. You can go anywhere dressed like this” he said, with a hint of mocking self importance and a smile “And it’s not like we’ll be noticed. There’s plenty of us around at the moment”

“You mean sorcerers, right?” asked Asalria

“And sorceress’s”

“Well, no complaints with the look, Kasta” she said.

“Well, you’d better go” said Creta, getting hold of herself again “But I want her home before midnight” she imitated a parent

Asalria laughed “This is Kasta we’re talking about. We’ll be lucky to be back by morning”

Kasta put his cloak on, and drew the hood over his face “Let’s go” he said in a dark voice.

They all laughed. Creta winked at Asalria as she and Kasta descended to the food hall, which was slowly emptying, and out into the warm spring night.

Kasta strode swiftly and confidently through the darkening streets. He said a word into his sapphire, and the ground in front was bathed in a soft blue light. Asalria kept rather close to Kasta, perhaps closer than necessary, but after what had happened the other day, she thought she’d just see what he’d do. He didn’t react. This meant he didn’t flinch, which was good, but he didn’t look at her or anything. He just kept walking.

He was right though. None challenged their right to be walking the streets at this hour. Moving through the city had never been easier. He ducked down an alleyway which was just round the corner from the library.

“Wha..?” Asalria started

Kasta motioned for her to be quiet. He dropped his hood, and raised the sapphire to his face. He said another word, but Asalria couldn’t pick it up. It was like another language. She watched, slightly sickened, as Kasta’s young face melted into that of an old sorcerer, with that wizened apple sort of look. Even his hands had gone all wrinkly and gnarled.

“Now” he growled, in a voice that wasn’t his “Lets go”

They rounded the corner, Kasta leaning heavily on his staff, and slowly climbed the stairs that lead to the library. The guards began to block their path, but then saw Kasta’s staff.

“Powerful Bakator. Welcome” they said in awe.

“Give them a coin, apprentice” Kasta said in the old sorcerer voice. Asalria decided not to question, because that would mean the guards would question them and their purpose here, but to trust his judgment. They were admitted immediately. Once inside, Kasta dispelled the illusion, and a look of triumph mixed with delirious lust crossed his face.

“At last” he whispered “All the information we have ever needed or wanted at our fingertips, waiting to be discovered” his face broke into a grin “And all it took was a stick and a cloak!”