Chapter 9: Reunion & Initiation

We walked through the doors of the hall and looked around. As the doors closed behind us, we saw long tables; fire pits; bookshelves; guards; the king; and doors to other rooms. The hall was so big that our footsteps echoed a little. “Wow, this place is amazing!” Azzvyn exclaimed with joy as he looked at everything in the room. The king looked at us with a smile as he stood up. “Welcome back Akh’hur, glad to see you made it back.” I smiled and walked up to him. He looked over at the mage, “I see you have a friend, what’s his name?” “He is called Azzvyn, my king.” He nodded and opened his arms for a hug. I hugged, “great to see you.”

“Great to see you too Akh’hur. So Azzvyn, how is it up in Winterhold?” “It’s cold, doesn’t have many residences, and I was scared to death. I’m glad I came here with Akh’hur.” He raises his eyebrows, “wow, sounds like you hate it there.” “I do, I was hiding for my life.” “Sounds horrible, you’re welcome here any time.” “Thank you, my king.” “Come with me now guys, I’ll show you to your rooms.”

He started walking to the rooms as we followed. He opened one that said ‘guest room’ on it and walked inside. “This will be your room guys. You got two beds, 2 bookshelves, two chests, and a side table with two chairs. I’ll let you two get settled in, I have to attend something at the moment.” He left the room and we looked at each other. “I’m just going to drop off my bow, then I’m going to the bathroom.” He nodded and started unpacking his stuff. I put my bow and arrows on my bed then walk out the room.

. . .

He walked into his war room and saw a bunch of mini flags on a map. A bunch of weapons surround the room as well as armor. A man was standing, hunched over the map with his hands on the table. He was staring at the map, studying it. Brian walked up to the man and he looked up from the map. “Good day, my liege.” “Good day General Drake. Do you have any news regarding my brother?” “Scouts say that they’ve seen him in cities making speeches to the people. We think he’s trying to get them to join his legion.” The king growls in frustration and slams his fists on the table. “I can’t let this happen to my people, they will be pulled into the orbit of a life filled with suffering.” “we’ll put a stop to his masquerade.” “I hope so Drake... I hope so.”

…

Azzvyn had all of his stuff unpacked by the time Akh’hur came back. When the cat walked through the door, he was laying in bed reading a book. “hey bud, you ready to go see the king once more?” He sat up quickly, placed his book on the bed-side table, and stood up. “Of course!” I nod as he walks out of the room, and I close the door behind me. As we head down the hall, we bump into the king. “hey there boys, where are you heading off to?” “we were actually out to find you.” “Oh really? Well you found me.” “Yes and I was wondering if the thing would start soon.” He understood exactly what I meant and nodded. “yes, come with me Akh’hur. As for you Azzvyn, you need to go for now. We will come get you when we’re done.” His excited expression turned to a face of slight sadness. “A-alright, I’ll just go back and read.” He heads back to the room and I turn to Brian. “Shall we go?” He nods, “yes.”

He leads me to a room below the floor. It looks like an underground sanctuary with all the torches, big shrine, many tables and chairs, many beds, and other things. We see people in unknown uniforms looking back at us as we walk to the middle of the room. King Brian calls everyone and they surround us. I look at them all with astonishment to see how many are actually in the guild. As I look around Brian starts to speak, “hello everyone, this is our new initiate Akh’hur. He has finally arrived for his initiation.” I waved to them slightly and smiled, “hi, sorry for prolonging the ceremony.” One of them says, “it’s alright, we’re glad to see you’re here now.” They lead me to the shrine and Brian pulls out a book. “Now Akh’hur, you will have to recite the assassin’s oath while raising your right hand.” I nod and raise my right hand. He opens the book to a page with the oath and I start reading. “I am an assassin. I shall protect my brethren in battle and they will do the same for me. I will undergo my contracts with no complaints and stealthy skills. I swear my life to the guild and will never stab my brethren in the back. I will come when I am called and I shall be in the shadows of day and the darkness of night. I am an assassin.”

A couple assassins come up holding a folded uniform, a ring, and a small pouch of money. I grab them all and Brian leads me to my room with Azzvyn reading on his bed. I put my uniform in the provided chest and I put on the ring. I leave the money pouch in the table next to my bed and look over at the mage. “hey, how’s the book?” He looks up and closes it, “it’s good, I’ve read better though.” “it’s getting late, you two should get some rest, I have an assignment for you tomorrow Akh’hur.” We nod and he leaves as we get into bed. We turn off our lamps and say goodnight to each other, then we fall asleep.