Chapter 2: Vow of Silence

“The seas are calm today.” Kiyoshi leaned against a wave of jade, the shade defending him against the hot sun. Years ago such a phrase meant something entirely different.

“Good news, I suppose. Bet you wish the Kurzicks would do somethin’ for once.” A man crouched on the crest of the wave over Kiyoshi. He was wrapped in black cloth, while Kiyoshi wore blue garbs customary for young assassins. He had been on patrol for a month at the young age of 16. Most assassins at his level were still going through basic with daggers, while Kiyoshi already mastered the Shadow Arts and had a firm grasp on the Deadly Arts, though he hardly ever dabbled in them.

“Whatever happens, happens. I’m simply trying to do my duty for the Turtle Clan.” He spun around the daggers in his hands. They were cheaply made for the graduates. Most of his free time was spent hunting down outcasts and Kurzicks so he could find a better pair.

“Yeah yeah. I suppose you’ve never tasted blood yet. Once you do, trust me, you don’t turn your back on it. If you aren’t jumping from one helpless target to another, Grenth kill the time. I’ll be gone for a while. You’ll need hold your own.”

“Where to?”

“Echovald Forest. All I can tell you ‘bout location. I’m the first strike of an assault. Three assassins followed by a full armament, turtles and all.” Kiyoshi knew his mentor enough to understand at the thought of such a mission the man’s lips were curling in a crooked grin. He heard the slight sound of shadows consuming someone’s form and looked up to see the shadows swirl, purple and black. His master was gone, and Kiyoshi was on his own for a while.

There was a lot of time to think while out on the Jade Sea. No one was bothering Kiyoshi with countless drills, though he spent the majority of the morning working out and practicing, and then meditated when the sun first touched the horizon up until it fully disappeared. His master at least kept him company once a week to see how his progress was going.

He Shadowstepped to a piece of land a bit above the seas. It was a windy when the Jade Winds blew over, creating a rough terrain. He was east of Cavalon, his home, where the waves were the smallest. Now and then he would find small ponds as well, especially near the area where the Jade Sea would have once emptied out into the ocean. Now and then Luxon ships would still sail out from there, though most such ships went far away to pirate.

Below the island he found traders walked back and forth. Guards kept clear kappas and oni. Families made their way from one city to the next in search of a place more suiting for them to live. A few war bands walked about for the three clans.

He watched a Serpent clan group harass a group of merchants. One Shadowstep and he was with in earshot. He listened intently to the haggling of a new fee to walk through these lands because they were owned by the Serpent clan. Such wasn’t the case, but Kiyoshi had no need to intervene.

Metal was unsheathed and soon he heard the wet sound of flesh being penetrated and blood lubricating a blade. There was a cry out for help, and Kiyoshi put himself in the open for a better view. The clan killed the merchants, and was looking through the goods, three men and their wives lifeless on the ground.

“Grenth does not wish such things. This is dishonorable.” Kiyoshi stepped forward, towards the six men. Three were warriors, two were monks, and a final was an elementalist.

“And what’ll you do, ‘sassin? Kill us all? You couldn’t kill on o’ us. Git lost.” The man caught the sigil on Kiyoshi’s arm band. “Ah, Turtle clan. Crawl into your shell and leave these matters to us. You got no need to be here.”

“I will report this. Such pointless bloodshed will not be allowed, especially on our land. This area belongs to the Turtle clan.” One shadowstep took him out of range of the group.

The elder of the village Kiyoshi was assigned to, was willing to see him. Kiyoshi took a knee, one fist behind his back, the other holding him up as if punching the ground. “Elder, the Serpent clan oversteps their bounds and kills our merchants. I witnessed it and they threatened me. Grenth and Lyssa would both be behind us. I could lead a group of….”

“Kiyoshi, slow down. Such is to be expected. They are placing raids upon us, and what good is it if we place raids upon them? There is a great conflict coming up, we don’t need to add to the troubles.”

“We’re to sit here and take it? Hide in our shell? What sort of way is that?”

“Kiyo, stand down. This is not your place. Captain Juno knows, and she’ll decide what to do. Not you. Now go back to your patrol. Your keen eye is sorely missed to protect us from the monsters.”

“If this is the barbaric way we treat our own, I must be gone. I’m going to Cavalon to be stationed with the Empire.” The elder shook his head, but Kiyoshi gave him no time to respond. He bowed quickly and Shadowstepped out of the hut, packing and making his way to Cavalon.

Kiyoshi wore his regular clothing desiring not to bring attention to himself. He went about the huts, looking for his family’s quarters among the other Turtle clan quarters. They were not high officials, but they were well respected and it was understood they would do their job well. They had a daughter and son significantly older than Kiyoshi, who took up the front line against the Kurzicks. Neither had been heard from in a few months, but such was expected.

His parents had moved, which was common since location depended upon prestige in the society. They were taking care of laundry and food when Kiyoshi approached them. “Mom, dad.” He bowed to them both respectively.

“Kiyo!” His mother hugged him tightly. On the battlefield she was fierce, but at home she was kind. The father was gruff either way, and stood their, arms crossed.

“Why are you back already? Don’t you have a patrol?”

“I’m leaving for Kaineng. I witnessed the slaughter of Turtle merchants by Serpent warriors, and the elder was unwilling to do anything. I couldn’t do anything. I have no power here. In Kaineng….”

“Excellent, go. They need to have a few more sign up anyway. Recruiter’s in town from the Fire Ministry. Go talk to him and get going.” His father was dismissive of this being any sort of dishonorable act. The city brought many opportunities for young assassins with all of the political maneuvering that went on. One of the factions had little chance of truly progressing in the ranks of a house, but they could still find themselves paid well.

Kiyoshi looked at his mother, but she also nodded her approval. “Kiyo, honey, wherever you go, call yourself Kiyoshi no Cavalon. You are our son, and we are all children of Cavalon and the Luxons. Don’t forget your way.” She hugged him once more and helped him back his possessions. “They arm you better. If you’re to go on a mission ask for more equipment. The Luxons are so harsh on their students, not like the Empire.”

Kiyoshi finished packing and bowed to both of them, finding the recruiter and making his way to Kaineng.