Secrets from the Past - Part 4

The memories faded and Saldir starred at Genos.  “My childhood is lost in the distance of the past.  Now, tell me of this job before I change my mind.”1

Genos nodded his head in an understanding way.  “Alright, well, down to business, I guess?”  He took a breath before continuing.  “Something has been stolen from me that is of great value to me.  My request is simple.  Return the item to me and you will be rewarded heavily.”  He threw a bag down onto the floor that landed with a jingle infront of Saldir.  The opening showed slightly, showing a good amount of gold coins inside.  “You’ll receive the rest when you finish.”2

Saldir leaned down to pick up the bag of gold and when he stood back up, he was alone.  He picked his way through the bag, making sure if was genuine gold, and he found a note.  It read: “I’ll give you further instructions in a days time. Be ready by then.”  Saldir put the golden into a pouch around his waste.  He quickly felt the effects of staying awake for so long, 2 days to be exact. He slouched down into the chair and quickly fell into a deep sleep.3

4

Saldir awoke to the silence of night. He quickly stood up and observed his surroundings, making sure he was safe.  He often did this ever since… ever since….  He yawned and stretched and then he strapped his sheath and sword back onto his waste and crept out of the gutter.5

The street was deserted, mainly because few ever went out at night.  At nights is when the thieves and criminals came out. Saldir wasn’t scared.  Saldir feared nothing and no one.  He dashed along the back alleyways, his feet as silent as the breeze of the night.  Suddenly, a piercing scream was let out, shattering the silence of the night.  Saldir stopped in his tracks and began running towards where the sound had come from.  He heard another scream and then as quickly as he had been running, he grabbed hold of a latter and shot up it.6

On the roof, he spotted a young woman, no older than 20, being assaulted by 3 big guys in an alley way right near where Saldir was positioned.  He made the drop to below, landing between the thugs and the woman.  All 4 people were startled from the sudden entrance. Saldir kept his swords hidden and stood in an authoritive stance. The biggest of the guys stepped forward and said, “Step aside. This doesn’t concern you. We wouldn’t want you to be hurt.” They all laughed and then as quickly as the laugh had come, they looked serious again.7

Saldir didn’t move a muscle, standing firm in place. “What business do you have with her?”8

“She owes our boss money, a lot of money. She’s out of time and now we own her.”9

Saldir replied, “If I pay you the debt, will you leave her alone?”10

“She owes us a lot of money.”11

Saldir pulled out his bag of gold and tossed it to the ground infront of them. They picked it up and looked through it. “Now leave.”12

They smirked and shook their heads. “You’re very foolish for paying for this worthless piece of trash, but you may do with your money as you wish.” Then one of the other thugs looked at the girl. “You got off easy this time. Next time, luck won’t be on your side.” They started walking away, but within a split second, the sound of an unsheathing sword could be hurt and all 3 thugs lay flat on their face. Blood spilled onto the ground from their legs. All 6 legs had been cut off with a clean cut.13

Saldir leaned down and took the bag of gold. “No one calls me foolish.” He breathed deeply as his two swords dripped with blood. They all screamed in pain, still wondering what had happened. He kicked the bodies, rolling them over onto their backs. He stood over the middle thug, who was also the leader, spitting down into his face with each word. “I gave you the chance to just walk away, but rather you were foolish and choose to speak when you were not told to. Now you have suffered the consequence.”14

Saldir turned to the woman who was huddled in a ball crying in a corner. He walked over to her, his swords dripping with blood. He tall muscular form was very dark, making himself seem very scary. He just stood there starring at her.15

All of a sudden she began to scream at him. “Go ahead and kill me! Get it over with! Don’t make me wait!” She was silent again, sobbing. The tears rushed out of her, splashing on the ground creating a small puddle.16

Saldir wiped his blades off with a clean piece of linen. He then sheathed his swords and tossed the cloth onto the ground. “Cry no more for I shall not harm you.” He reached down and gently picked her up by her arm. “Come on; let’s go to a safer place.” She seemed to be resistant, but let him pick her up and carry her on his back. He began to ascend to the rooftop again, climbing on top of some crates and then going up a ladder.17

“Where are we going?” she asked in a quiet voice. She was very lightweight for her size, but then when she heard no answer, she became silent. After reaching the top of the roofs, Saldir crept along the wood as he had done thousands of times before. He could tell that the light was growing in the east and it would soon be morning. He climbed up another ladder and stopped on a tall roof. “Where are we?”18

Saldir gently lowered her to the cement floor. Then he walked over to the edge and looked out towards the horizon. “Don’t worry; you’re safe here.” She walked up near him, her arm brushing by his. They stood there for a while, just looking out at the peaceful scene before them.19

“Who are you? Why did you save me?” Her green eyes turned towards him, gazing into his own pupils.20

For a moment they seemed lost in each other’s eyes and then he looked away. “My name is Saldir. I am the light in the darkness, the man without the mask, the one who says little. I often go out at night in search of strangers like yourself who could use a hand in their troubles. Those men won’t be bothering you anymore.”21

“You’re very kind… Thank you…”22

“The pleasure was all mine.”23

As the girl turned to ask him another question, he was gone. She looked around, wondering how someone could disappear so quickly. Then she sat down on the ledge, looking out, wondering what the new day would bring.24

By: Sharcu(Tim)*25