Raz'Kul knew Theanis like the back of his hand and the Militia didn't have a hope of catching him. Even after hearing the responding whistles from several other groups and knowing he was surrounded, he wouldn't normally be concerned.

However the dogs were a serious problem.

The distraction from the scramble had no doubt saved him from capture, and between breaths he whispered. “I'm sure you had a hand in that Genie. Thank you!”

But once more he could hear the dogs, and knowing they had his scent, he had no chance of outrunning them.

Raz'Kul veered into a two story high dead end alley, then accelerated to an incredible speed. 

A beggar startled in surprise upon seeing this night black figure streaking down the alley, then realised with relief the man wasn't heading for him. He cringed at the sight of the blurred shadow aimed with such speed straight towards a brick wall - imagining the broken bones from the resulting collision.

At the last second Raz'Kul's knees bent, and he launched himself at the wall with his right foot extended. The toes of his boot gripped the wall, converting all his horizontal momentum to vertical. Shortly afterwards his left foot followed, further increasing his speed.

His outstretched hands caught the edge of the roof - not to grab on, but to alter his trajectory and pull himself in.

Raz'Kul kept going right over the edge into a tumble, before rolling neatly to his feet on the roof top.

“Impossible!” was all the beggar could mutter as he sat down in amazement.

Raz'Kul relaxed knowing the dogs and the Militia would never be able to follow him or track his scent up here. He doubled over and took a few seconds to grab ragged breaths and control his breathing.

However a cheery voice to the side of Raz'Kul caused him to spin round sharply. “My, that was impressive! You know I barely caught the edge and had to haul myself up. You however? You just kept on going!” 

“Tell me just how high do you think you could jump? Do you think you could make three floors?”

Raz'Kul looked at the man standing before him with trepidation. He was dressed almost identically to Raz'Kul, entirely in black. The notable differences were that this figure was taller, broader, and had no cloak. A black mask covered his nose and mouth - leaving only his deep brown eyes revealed. 

Raz'Kul had one visible dagger, two others at his back, one in each boot, and 6 throwing knifes concealed around his person. And that didn't include his 12 throwing stars.

This dark figure however had at least 12 knives Raz'Kul could see from the front (and no doubt many more he couldn't) with the pommel of a sword visible over his shoulder.

The man also had two empty sheaths at his waist, and one fire blackened dagger in each hand.

Assassins Guild!

Raz'Kul took all this in whilst catching his breath.

The assassin continued in a cheery voice. “And where did you get those beautiful boots? What size are your feet if you don't mind me asking? I do hope they'll fit me, or perhaps you'll tell me who made them for you before you die?”

The assassin finished with a friendly. “I'd really appreciate it!”

Raz'Kul smiled to himself. Most assassins would have taken him out silently. This one was obviously arrogant, and if there's one thing Raz'Kul knew about - it was arrogance.

Raz'Kul said warily. “Seriously? Even I didn't know which route I was taking, or that I'd take this roof. How did you know I'd be here?”

The assassin winked at Raz'Kul and replied in a mock secretive whisper. “Oh I didn't for sure! Though of course I'll claim that I've been studying you for weeks and I knew exactly which route you would take.”

“But truthfully? I made a guess and suspected you'd head for the docks. However pretty much any route you took, you'd run into one of us. It seems however, I hit the jackpot!”

Raz'Kul pleaded. “Look, I have shards. What's your cut of the bounty? 70% to you, 30% to the guild?”

The assassin cursed. “64% can you believe it? Inflation apparently! Insurance, pension, taxes? Can you believe we actually pay taxes now as well? It's ludicrous!”

Raz'Kul continued. “I have a stash! There's 9,000 in shards, and another 11,000 in rubies, emeralds and diamonds. You can have my boots, and the name of the leather worker who crafted them. There's also enough Netherite to replace two of your daggers, with a Ghast Tear in each.”

The assassin paused at the mention of Ghast Tears as Raz'Kul fully suspected he would, so he continued. “To someone in your line of business the Ghast Tears alone would be worth more than the shards you'd get from the bounty? They're valued at 10,000 each but realistically, have you ever tried to buy one?”

“Since the portals were destroyed they are so rare nobody would actually sell you one. Even for five times that amount.”

The assassin was intrigued. “Twin Netherite daggers, each with a Ghast Tear? Now that would indeed be incredible!”

“The others would be so jealous. If it wasn't forbidden for assassins to kill each other, they'd try to kill me for them. And regardless of that, they still might try. I know I definitely would!”

Raz'Kul smiled as he bent down to take off his prized boots. “So we have a deal then. Here's my boots...”

The assassin replied harshly, all traces of his previous cheer abandoned. “Oh no Raz'Kul. No deals! Even if your stash exists, and I suspect it might, you'll tell me the location before you die. I'll get both the bounty and your stash.”

The assassin laughed. “I could retire in luxury! Well if I didn't love my job so much of course...”

Chapter 7