Shadow Ravena
Paladin of Shadows
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The next morning I woke up and dressed. My clothes smelled a little, but there was little I could do about that. I did not waste space for a spare. Besides, today I would be away from humanity. I looked at the room. In it was, as I expected, a town-area guide. Most hotels had these, and fortunately this motel was geared towards travelers. I flipped through it, looking for a safe area to start cutting into the mountains. Luck was still on my side, apparently there was a hiking place not too many miles away. I would walk there, and start out from there. If anyone saw me in the woods, I could say I was simply diverting from the path to see nature. Granted, suitcase was a little odd. I did have the foresight to put my backpack, folded up, inside it though. I would exchange bags once away from this place. I went to the front desk, asked if I needed to pay for anything else, left. I grabbed a bagel from a coffee shop, as well as a bottle of water, then set out walking.
Once I was outside the town limits, I switched bags. The suitcase could be folded up easily, which is why I picked it. Now I appeared like a typical drifter traveler. The smell helped, I think. The fact that my backpack was a sportsy kind, with places to attach hiking gear, helped immensely with the hiking place look. I stuck to a few feet away from the road, but out of the woods. It seemed just a tad too sketchy. Few cars passed me, and those that did didn't even slow down for a second look. I paid them no heed, knowing it would seem suspicious. The sun rose higher, prompting me to finish off my water. I walked doggedly on, trying to ignore my aching legs.
It was noon before I reached the place. I gratefully took advantage of the facilities there, and got another bottle to replace my old one. The place, of course, had maps of the trails and surrounding woods. Looking them over, I saw a potential area. It seemed like there was some structure away from the beaten trail, though the map didn't say what it was. At the very least, it would be a good stopping place. I realized that spoiled as I was, I would need a house to stay in. Preferably one with plumbing. How exactly to do that without drawing attention to myself was a good question. A summer getaway cabin, perhaps? Until I could figure out a way to jerry-rig my own system. I knew it was possible to do, though getting the parts would be difficult once I was on a wanted list. I shrugged. For now, I needed shelter. I put the map in my backpack and headed out. The trails were fairly easy to climb, since I took the easiest one. It wasn't the closest to the cabin, but I could hardly do real climbing in my outfit. Diverting from the trail would soon be a necessity.
As I started out, I saw a few other hikers, who looked at me oddly. I really didn't have the usual outfit! And I was alone. I simply ignored them, and walked past. I was no hiker, but my home had very steep hills near it, and I was used to scrambling a bit. At least, I could pass anyone else on the trail. Soon, I started to reach climbing parts. I studied the rock, trying to figure how others did this. This was a hiking trail, but not a mountain-climbing one. Gear, besides good shoes and a buddy, was not needed. So this relied on hand and feet strength. I had done a trail before, and it insanely took us along a little lip overlooking a twenty foot drop, on the easy trail. I would have fallen but for my experienced friends. At least this time, no one was rushing me. I could go as slow as I needed to.
I sighed, and allowed my mind to slowly snap into the necessary mode. If anyone tried to talk to me, they would be greeted with silence. But with my concentration fully on the task at hand, I could accomplish it. Looking at the rock, I noticed places where hands and feet could fit, and lift. Slowly, I pulled myself up the face. Once on the top, I saw it was all boulders from here on for a bit. I walked on hands and feet, slowly making my way through the field. It may have been unusual, but it worked. I noted I looked a bit like a spider, or a cat, walking like this, but I could keep my balance much easier like this, especially with my heavy pack. Once I crossed the field, the trail was flat and I could walk normal again. I went along, until I spotted a dark shape in the distance. The structure. Checking the map, I made sure it lined up with where I was. It did. Peering ahead and wishing for my binoculars, I could tell it was a cabin of some sort. The area around it was so covered in brush though, it appeared to be truly abandoned. I decided here was good enough to strike out for the place. Since I was on a rise, I slid down to the forest floor, half-standing, half-sitting. The cabin was also on a rise, across this valley. On the floor, I looked for a landmark to keep my path straight. I tall rock outcrop at my back would be the guide forward. I struck out through the brush, heading as straight as I could.
It was slow going. The think brush was hard to walk through. Soon enough, I came across a deer trail though. It took me roughly forward,
and as I walked along, I continued to find walk able areas separated by thick brush. The rock as my guide, I finally made it to through the valley. Now to scale the cliff. I walked along its side until the slope was flat enough to scramble. It was no worse than home, though it had to be a 70 degree incline. Plants on the way up worked as an anchor, and eventually, I made it to the summit. From here, I could see I was a bit too far to the left of my destination, but no matter. It would be a simple matter to walk across the cliff-top. The sun would be setting soon, so I needed shelter, and fast. I quickly walked along, keeping my eyes peeled for the cabin, and any defenses it might have. Whoever built it was a loner, and might have set traps.
The light was fading, but my eyes were better at darkness than light anyways. I soon spotted my trap. I wire, chest high, stretched across a section of wood. It was humming ever so slightly, but enough for me to notice. An electric fence. The owner had electricity at least, probably solar or water if it ran without his aid. Jackpot. Now to get past the wire. Cutting it was extremely foolish I knew. I looked around for a tree. I doubt the owner would think anyone would try and climb a tree and jump down on the other side. Mostly because of the fall. I spotted a tree with plenty of low branches, that entwined with another over the fence. That one led off to one I could climb down from reasonably. Taking a breath and removing my gloves, I started up the tree. Unfortunately, I had no experience climbing trees and could not climb the trunk. Fortunately, there were enough branches to heave myself upwards. I soon got high enough to crawl across the entwined branches. This next tree, a pine, had no branches below me, but the tree next to it did. I went over to that tree, quickly dropping down to a safer branch. This high up, the short tree didn't have sturdy branches. From the secure one, I looked down at my route down, as well as around for any more traps. I didn't see any, until... my eyes were drawn to a little light at the bottom of the pine. A trap! The area below was crossed with tripwires. I soon saw what they activated. A firing device. Whatever it fired couldn't be good. I scanned the other trees, and forest floor, for any more traps. The trees surrounding this one had little lights on them, on connector branches. However, the floor from here on out was clear. I understood the logic quickly. The fool would jump down the pine, and be tricked. If they went over to this tree, they would continue through the trees. Trap two. The observant one would take the route down this tree.
"This is all a test," I muttered aloud. "However owns this place set it up to test invaders." I paused to think. "Only a runaway or a criminal would seek out a place this far away. Runaways are usually stupid enough to fall for all these traps. Crooks as well, but only a few of them would make it." I looked towards where the cabin was in the distance. "A recruiter, perhaps? Hmm. That could be placed well. I have no want to partner up, but the experience might be nice. Obviously, I left only crime open on my list of things I can do." I had thought about that before. The life of a criminal was not fun, I knew. But, if the cash it could bring would allow me to set up my own place, then so be it. I would find a way to get anything I wanted, without the authorities tracking me down. Then I could just live peacefully. Sounded good to me.
"But first, I need to get out of here." I looked down the trunk of this tree. The moon, now risen, revealed little wires on the bottommost branches. Of course, too weed out weaklings. I climbed down as far as I could, then threw my pack down to test the ground, then jumped down next to it, and quickly scurried away from the impact sight. As expected, a light scanned over the region. No weaklings. Looking around the woods, I could see no more traps. I walked along, keeping my eyes peeled. As I walked I thought, and soon realized something. This place could only be conquered in the dead of night. The time of crime. But that meant the ending probably had to be done during the day. Because, if you are sneaking around somewhere all night, a person would be suspicious. I would leave tracks to be sure. Waiting, then, would be necessary to trick them. People assume safety during the day. Thus, they would be caught off-guard. This place was remote, or this would be a hasty assumption. Day, here, would conceal more than night. But getting up to the house probably needed to be completed at night, when darkness could hide me from preying eyes. My dark outfit helped. Well, not the jacket, but the red wasn't that bright anymore. Dirt stains did help.
I walked along until I came to a wide stream. Ah, trouble here. The small log bridge was way too obvious for safety. The trees? Bugged, of course. The water? It smelled wrong. It was too sluggish and murky. Either trapped, poisoned, or most likely, both. A breeze brought a bit of spicy and salty smell. My mouth watered, against my wishes, reminding me of my thirst. No way was I falling for that one. I looked along the bank for any help. Did this person expect me to have the equipment to get across? Or was this a test of resourcefulness? It seemed like the latter. That means potential tools would be around. Looking, I spotted an old vine on a tree. Making sure it wasn't trapped, and my gloves covered my hands, I pulled it down. It smelled funny- probably poisonous to the touch. However, it was covered in something. Using dirt, as who knows what was in the water, I rubbed the gunk off. I also used some large leaves from a nearby tree, probably there in case the person lacked gloves. I also smeared my gloves to get the gunk off them. Once the rope, for that was what is was, was clean, I looked for something to attach it to. Farther down the bank, there was a branch that stuck out nearly across the river. Too easy. On the other side was one that barely made it halfway. Walking over to the tree, I saw it wasn't bugged. I tied one end of the rope loosely to the trunk, and climbed holding the other. I tied the end to the end of the outstretched branch, and then climbed back. Untying the loose knot, I tested the strength of rope and branch. They would hold. Now where to aim for when swinging across. Not the direct opposite bank, too obvious. The clean bank to the right? I wasn't sure, but it looked... too nice. Almost cleared away. The right side meant I would certainly hit a tree, but maybe that was the intent. In any case, it was the least suspicious. I went for that side. Running back, I gained momentum, then dashed forward and jumped. The rope carried me most of the way, before snapping. Way too easy. I should have known it wouldn't last. However, my momentum carried me through the air, to the tree. Then I saw it. A branch stuck out right above the bank, and in line for where I would land. I quickly grabbed it, swinging a bit from the force. My hands hurt as well, but I was safe. The bank, I could see, would have collapsed had I sprawled there. The inched my way along the branch, through the tree, and onto the ground on the other side. I took a moment to catch my breath as I looked around. The woods were dark, but seemed empty of everything, including little lights for traps, or wires. Looking at my watch, I saw it was 4am. I hadn't realized how long it took me to walk along. There could be no more traps if I was to get to the cabin my dawn, and find a place to hide. I quickly strode along, keeping half an eye peeled for more traps, but mostly trying to move quickly. This paid off, as I covered ground much faster, and by 5am, made it in sight of the cabin. I grinned in triumph, but then sobered as I remember the last test. I could not see any traps, but something told me this was too easy. Maybe only light could reveal them? Or maybe, the test could only be started during the day? That felt true. I had beaten circumstances, but a criminal needed to beat the human mind as well. The test would be the owner of this place. And he could only be confronted during the day.
Satisfied in my thinking, I looked around. The little half-cave was begging to be searched. Up a tree? No, they were all too thinly leafed. The cabin grounds were too close, and could be easily searched. Gazing around, I spotted a fern thicket. Ferns, this time of year? Apparently. Under them was a ditch, the perfect watching point. The area someone who made it this far would assume was correct. Which was why it was the wrong choice. At this point, I needed to help myself, not just determine the wrong areas. However, the person would check here. So I needed somewhere where I could watch him. I looked at the trees around the ferns. None were bugged. Something told me traps were gone now, it was wit I was battling. Above the ferns was a pine tree, the only one with remotely thick foliage. I could hide in there, and wait for my prey to try and find me. I looked around for the trees I would need to get up the pine. Twenty feet away was a tree low enough to the ground for the job, and several trees would make the pathway over. Shouldering my pack, I ascended the first tree.
Getting over and into position at this point in time was easy. I swung my way into the pine tree, then got on a study branch mostly hidden from the ground, on the other side of the tree. I would have to twist around to see the fern patch or the house, but on the flip side no one could see me. I settled down on the broad branch and started to doze. I would need all my wits about me later, and being sleepy wouldn't help. Besides, I had been awake for 24 hours, and I was exhausted.
I slept without interruption, or dreams. I was awoken by a slight sound below. Cautiously, I peered out around the trunk. The door to the cabin crept slowly open, and a dark shape peered out. I stayed stock-still, knowing movement would be more conspicuous than my black clothes, daylight or no. The shape seemed to be checking an item in his palm, and on the forest floor, I steadily head some snaps. Roving my eyes around, I saw what the moonlight hid: bear traps, or their thin black cousin. I was correct in assuming that the obvious hiding places were not the correct answer. Nothing happened to the trees, so I assumed the figure would check them himself. Indeed, he walked out of the cabin and started creeping around. First he checked the meager cabin property, then started with the low-branch trees. The figure himself was interesting. An older man, obviously in superb shape, all dressed in black and dark brown. An outfit very similar to my own, in fact. The main difference was a leather belt he had with several items and pouches attached, and a small knapsack on his back. He did not have any weapon drawn, which I found odd. I had made a point of getting my knife out before going to sleep, and I hid it in under my leg now. The gleam of the metal would give me away in an instant.
The man was nearing the proper hiding place. I already had a plan of attack. I would throw down my cape first when he stood under the tree, to trap him, then leap on his back. He would break my fall, and he would be badly injured. Taking a second glance at the man, the latter seemed less likely. Well, at least, he would be winded, and I would have time to use my knife. I would not kill him, not at first. He would not go to such effort to weed out candidates if he had nothing good to offer. If he simply wanted to keep everyone out, then the traps would not have an exit route. I knew the man didn't use that path himself, he had his own. The ground and traps were too undisturbed, no one had been that way in a long time.
The man was now inspecting the ferns. He was near enough I could hear him mutter. "Huh. Didn't make it. Must have been a squirrel setting off the sensors again." But he paused. That did not make sense and he knew it. He knew only something bulky would set off the sensors, and a deer would never have made it this far, without being stopped somewhere. Before he could think to look above his head, I tossed a rock back towards the cabin. Perfect distraction. He looked away, and I jumped. Pushing my pack off the trunk, I threw the cloth and simultaneously jumped out of the tree. The man didn't even have time to turn around before being enfolded in my cloak, and a moment later I was on top of him. I knocked him flat on his stomach, me kneeling on his back, the tip of my blade to the back of his neck. The cloak had fallen off his head in the commotion, and now entwined his body.
"Stay still and you shall live. Move, and you die. Understand?" I said, appling faint pressure to the tip.
The man feigned innocence. "Why would you attack a poor old hermit like me?" he whined, pitifully.
I gave a cold laugh. "Poor old hermit? One who has layered their property with death traps? Do you really expect me to fall for that?"
He still tried. The fool, I wouldn't fall for it. "Please, miss, I'm only an old man trying to get away from the world. I had a sign outsight my property, warning all against coming in!"
Just in time I saw his arm starting to move under the cloak. Drawing my small stiletto in my other hand, I pinned the arm down under the fabric.
"Not so fast there. Now cut this nonsense. I could hear you muttering about me not making it. The way you set up the traps, and solutions, make it obvious you meant for someone to make it through. But only someone skilled enough to. So, old hermit," I said mockingly, "Why did you want me to come?"
"Let me up and I will tell you." The man's voice changed, suddenly growing deeper and more menacing.
"Much better, but don't think I will let you get up that easily. First, arms out where I can see them."
The man did as I instructed, and I shifted off him so he could move, my knife still on his neck. I removed the cloak so I could get a better look at the man. "Handcuffs, how convenient. For me I presume? No matter. They'll do for you."
Trying to cuff him one handed was annoying, nigh impossible. After a minute, I figured out a solution. I placed the stiletto where the other blade was, and steadied it with my foot. Now I had both hands, and he still couldn't move, or I would sever his spine. He had the sense to not move a muscle. I quickly handcuffed him, and then grabbed my pack lying near us. In it I dug out my twine, and cutting some off, I tied the links of the cuffs around his neck, therefore forcing his arms in an odd and useless position. If he tried to break them he would only injure himself.
"Stand up," I ordered. He did so, though I had to help haul him upright. I circled around to his front, arm still on the back of his neck, long knife now in use. My right hand held the stiletto. Knowing his belt had most of his stuff, and having already removed his pack, I removed the belt as well. He didn't try to attack me, which I found odd. But at this point I didn't care. I was torn about opening and searching his stuff, but decided against it. More likely it was arranged in a way harmful to foreigners, and I doubted he would bring any timed device if he wanted me alive. Which I still wasn't sure of.
"Now, where is the best place to talk?" I asked the man.
"Inside," he replied simply, and started walking forward. I followed him, always careful to keep the knife on his back. I also made sure to grab my pack and his items, leaving them out in the open seemed foolish. As we approached the door to the cabin, a light shot out. It scanned over the man, then beeped, and the door opened. As he was bigger than me, I was hidden from the beam being behind him. Hmm. If I wasn't, it would have triggered some security measure. Obviously, I was still being tested. Once inside, the man walked over to a couch in the room off the entranceway. It looked like a cross between a sitting room and a training room. I followed him, dumping his stuff near the doorway, while holding on to my own. Once at the couch, he easily broke both the handcuffs and the twine with a slim knife in his hand. I was surprise he was that flexible, given his age. But more so...
"You could have done that outside and easily overpowered me. Why didn't you?" I asked. There was times I wasn't quite on him with the knife, and a simple kick would have made me immobile.
"Because the circumstances were not the best," he replied. "In here, I have the advantage of knowing the surroundings, the potential weapons, and the closed environment. You are faster than me, and thus the wide open is your friend."
Did I fail the test? But no, the security was a test. I was supposed to get in here. Besides, did he really have the advantage? "You always had the home turf advantage. A closed environment gives me the advantage, as I have the knifes, which are deadlier than fists at close range. Outside you would be able to duck and weave, but in here it would be very close, and I have the longer range. Speed would not make much of a difference even outside. Thus, your circumstances were equal outside. In fact, they were better. So, again, why did you not try that trick outside?"
"Or perhaps," I said, stepping forward, "was it because it makes so little differences now that you are removed of your weapons and tools?
A small knife cannot match my blades. You knew you were beat," I said, "and still know it. That was simply a try to intimidate me.
However," I said, stepping right up to him now, "it was a failed ploy."
The man started to grin, then whipped his fist out. Faster, I grabbed his arm and applied the arm lock. "Try me. I can break your arm like this," I said, applying pressure downwards.
The man winced a little, and then said, "Enough. You win. I will not try that again."
I dropped his arm and took a step back. "You know when you are beat. Good. There is no point in harming you farther as long as that is clear. And now," I said, taking a seat on a chair opposite the couch, "will you please tell me the meaning of the trap system outside?"
The man sat down as well, breathing deeply. "You surmised it. It is a test system, to see if anyone worthy will make it here."
"Worthy of what? What is it you are seeking?"
"An apprentice." He replied simply. Seeing that I wanted the rest of the story, he began.
"I am, or was, a famous assassin by the code name Black Mamba, for my speed and poison specialty. In the underworld I was feared by all, and paid more than many crime lords. I was world renowned, sent from country to country to take out select individuals. Crime lords, high paying unscrupulous clients, even governments have all hired me and paid top dollar for my flawless work.
"But money cannot buy time. Despite the most advanced technology the world knows, and serums illegal all the entire known world, I have still grown old. I care not, for I do not fear death. But I do not wish my life-work to go wasted. The skills I have developed over the decades will be lost forever in my death. I have enough pride to wish to see my techniques live on. But, ah, only the worthy would learn my secrets. So I set up the cabin, and the traps. And I waited. For ten years I have waited for someone to make it this far. I know they would pick this location. New York is known for its crime world, it is the perfect place for a budding criminal. It has one of the biggest cities, and is only a few hours from the capital, other opportunity for hits. The east coast is rich, prime targets. So New York. But only a fool would start out in the city itself. It is too big and has too many gangs already for a newcomer to attempt. So a city nearby. But the closest city would have the same issues, or tighter security. So why here, you may ask? The town closest by is the only one in the state that is no information if you pay up front motel. The smartest decision, for it is untraceable. A beginner would start off outside civilization, in the woods. This also is wise, it gives them time for the authorities to die down. Besides," he chuckled," I have a soft spot for wood lovers. So the woods. But ah, a trail place is near the town, but far enough away to be inconspicuous. So I went through the woods on the trail, and picked this bluff for the abandoned house. Ten years I have waited for someone to come along.
"I did debate, over time, whether to move my base to somewhere else. Perhaps have several bases and rotate them between seasons. But I wanted an apprentice after my own heart, someone who thought exactly like I did. When I first started out, I picked a small town not far from here. I was from Mid-West originally, but I reasoned out why NY was the best. My apprentice would have to be able to reason this out. So it would be pointless to move locations. Sooner or later, someone would come along. And I did have hope along the way. A few others have made it to this location, but they could not pass the final test. Of the few, only one even made it that far. They made the foolish error of picking the small cave. A fool like that would fall to any savvy cop, who knew the predictable criminal. I needed someone who could think outside the box.
"You know," he said, pausing for a moment, "the ferns were the right answer. Why did you not pick them?"
"Because it was the right answer," I replied."At this point, any right answer was obvious. I had to not fill in the test sheet, but think for myself. Think outside the box. So," I said, drawing a breath, "I decided the best thing to do was to ambush the trapper and press him for answers. Find out what all this was for, why he was weeding people out. See what he had to offer. And now I have."
Much to my surprise, he clapped slowly. "You passed the final test. I needed to see if you really were that crafty, or if you just were lucky. You have passed. You know can do with me, and my property, as you wish."
I sat and thought for a minute. Killing him would be a waste. I could learn much, and I was thinking of being an assassin, of all professions. I would need to stay here and learn. But I would be no apprentice. That implied he was my master, and I was subject to no one.
"You shall be my tutor," I said finally, "and teach me all you know. I will be your student for as long as I please, and do as I please. A tutor can be fired," I said, looking down at him slightly. "I will have no master. Is that clear?"
The man grinned ever so slightly. "Crystal. A wise answer. But one I expected. As your tutor, I will teach you. When I think you have mastered all I know, I will leave you to do as you please, and will end my days an old man on some island. But come now," he said, standing up. "You must be tired, and hungry. Why don't you eat, and then get some sleep. We'll begin when you wake up."
I sat still. "I wasn't finished. As well, during the entire time we are together, neither is to attempt to harm the other. I will not fall for faux training injury either. Is that agreed upon, and can I have your word?"
The man peered at me intently. "You are an odd one. First you try and kill me, then set a rule that neither of us can injure the other? Many would say simply that I cannot try and kill you."
"The death threat was convenience. This is as well. A person cannot learn or teach with death looming over them. Some trust is necessary in any respect. I do not wish to harm you, unless you try and harm me or get in my way. I also do not wish to waste energy watching for murder attempts every day."
The man nodded. "Sound thinking. I agree. I swear on my honor as an assassin, that I shall not harm you."
"Assassins have honor?" I quipped.
The man grew serious. "Yes, we do. Of all criminals, us, the bounty hunters and hired blades, have the most honor. It may be honor only we understand, for an outsider does not comprehend how hired blade can have honor. But we all have rules, personal and dear, we keep. Even if it is simply to compete a job, despite competing clients or a rich victim."
"I had heard such before, but needed confirmation. I take you oath. As for myself," I said, standing up, "There is nothing I hold to
that I would vow on. I will not swear on my life, it is too valuable for such a wager. Hmm... ah yes. I vow on my blade and on my life as an assassin, I will not harm you."
We walked together and shook hands, each seeing a little suspicion in the other's eyes. It would take a few days for us to get used to this arrangement. For now, I would have to trust him. I followed him as he walked into the kitchen, pocketing my knfie and wishing for a belt to carry them in. There, the man pointed several foodstuff I could eat or use to cook. He then set about making his own breakfast. I rummaged around for some meat, and then cooked some sausages up. Tired, I ate them, and then asked where I could sleep. The man asked how long it had been since I slept, and I replied, not counting my nap, since six yesterday morning. The man nodded, then led me back to the front room. From there I picked up my bag, and followed him through a partially-hidden door in the way. Behind it was a dark corridor, flanked on both sides with doors. The last one on the left he said was mine for as long as I stayed there. He then walked off, letting my explore it in peace.
It was a small room, but not uncomfortable. In it was a bed, lamp stand, chest, desk and chair. The far wall had a window door leading out to a small balcony, overlooking the mountains in the distance. Exhausted, I put my pack on the far side of the bed, then crashed on it and fell asleep instantly.
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