The Fifteen Gates - Prey

Location : Armads City , Delita Controlled Prefecture . Date : 12th of Sun's Peak , 354 - 3rd Era

" Wake up...... " 

His hands were shaking , the storm last night couldn't even wake him , the fever could be at fault , it's been running for over the past three days , slowly eating into his system , his throat was dry , his stomach was growling , his head was splitting him apart 

" Mephta , come on  , we have to move , " A voice said as he was slowly lifted up on someone's shoulders , he still couldn't open his eyes , he couldn't focus his mind to at least be awake 

" Sinbad ! get Mephta and the others to safety , I'll deal with the soldiers,take the western road and don't stop , The Living Tower should be halfway to Gelbor Falls by now " Another voice , Mephta couldn't make out who it was he was confused , why couldn't he wake up , he can hear them , but his eyes won't open .

The person carrying him was picking up the speed , Mephta felt each end every step he took , through the Market district , he could smell the Armani bread being baked , he could smell now .

" Please open........ I need to open my eyes ..... " the thought to himself ,the dread of what was happening around him felt like weights on his chest , being as useless as a corpse wont help the brotherhood , he needed to help , he needed to be of use at the very least 

" All of you ! get on the horses NOW ! Aziir is staying back to hold the Soldiers off, the Western Road NOW ! Don't bother packing we have supply trains nearby GO ! " The man carrying him ordered , the mass of boots rushing to the stables felt like gunshots to his ears .

" Come on Mephta...... wake up ... we need ye, I don't know how to do any of this  " Sinbad .... that was Sinbad's voice , he can remember the voices now , he can remember who they were , that's right , this is Sinbad , Aziir's scribe, why can't he open his eyes ?

He felt himself crash to the ground , the man carrying him must have fallen , the fires of Armads City , his eyes are reacting to the light ...... 

" Mephta ..... Spirits take me....... " Sinbad cursed as he tried to stand up , Mephta could hear the steel of his armor drag across the ground .

" I'll die before ye take him , ye Mancar B******s ! " Sinbad snarled , he could hear Sinbad trembling , he was a man of scripture , not combat , if these really are Mancar Soldiers he wont last a second .

" Do you want to fight ? Do you want to wake up that badly ? knowing full well what's waiting for you at the other side ? " 

" Be careful , these are former Silencers , Keep your weapons ready , shoot him if he fights back , The Councilor wants as many alive as possible " an unknown voice ordered , Mephta could hear Sinbad trembling , the clanking of steel around his legs was telling him Sinbad wasn't ready to fight .

" Very well ...... you chose to go on your journey , this is your choice , Open your eyes and relinquish all you have learned before , on this day your fate is your own " 

" STAY BACK ! " Sinbad threatened , the fires around him were drawing close , surrounded by Mancar soldiers , Sinbad wanted to run , but Aziir needed him to protect Mephta , he was a Silencer , Scribe or not he will protect every child of the Living Stone , no matter what .

Sinbad grit his teeth and took one step forward , he was going to protect Mephta with his life , no matter what , Valor in Darkness , Humility in Light , this is what a Silencer is . 

" ALL IN LIFE WILL BE DEALT AN EVEN HAND ! AND ALL THOSE IN DEATH WILL BE GIVEN HONOR ! " Sinbad screamed the creed of the Brotherhood . 

" FIRE !!!! " the unknown voice ordered , the sound of guns rang around Sinbad , yet after the volley , he was unscathed , he was ....... fine 

" And all those who disturb the slumber of the unwary , the peace of the meek , and the piety of the devout , will be mute , Silenced by my blade ......... " Mephta said as he stood between Sinbad and the bullets , all of the slugs suspended in mid air . 

" Lord Mephta...... " Sinbad said as his voice cracked , the tears in his eyes were of incomprehensible joy , Mephta was fine , the Assassin's poison failed . 

" Mephta ...... The Fourth Prince of the Living Tower ..... I guess our Agent's sacrifice was for nothing ... that Morris Root poison should have overtaken you by now " The Commander said as he raised his hand to signal a second volley .

" Your Lords have a chest worth of courage to attack Armads .... I will commend your assassin , I didn't expect the extract to be mixed into my bath , cunning and unexpected " Mephta said as the bullets all fell to the ground . 

" This was supposed to be an easy victory with you dead or at the very least incapacitated ....... nevertheless , you will at least die in the home of the Silencers " The commander arrogantly boasted .

" Burning my city , slaughtering my people , I will answer with a due response " Mephta said as he opened his eyes , the piercing eyes of a Silencer , turned into a dirty shade of purple due to them drinking the sap of a Delefin tree that had been poured over the Living Stone , most applicants die upon the first sip , however those who survive will be granted power beyond any normal mage .

The Eyes of A Silencer , the glare that would seep into the heart of whoever he makes eye contact with , and will reveal who they care about , and where they last saw them , the eyes of a Hunter looking for more prey to devour .

" Bad form Commander ...... coming to battle with Silencers and not protecting your eyes .... tsk... A Beautiful wife in Soresta City waiting for you , and daughter in Sindarion , Sindarion..... isn't that in Eastern Kalim ? , I might want to pay her a visit .... and check if she still has that birthmark on her upper thigh " Mephta smiled at him , the Commander quivered for only a second , that was all it took , that one pause of fear from his opponent , that one moment of hesitation .

The Portals appeared behind Mephta , and within a blink of an eye the soldiers cornering them were impaled before a single counter fire was released , Mephta walked over to the dying Commander and knelt down to whisper in his ear . 

" Listen to me commander because I'll be the last voice you hear , so allow me to put your mind at ease , I will not harm your family , however...... " Mephta stood up and looked down on the Commander 

" I really do want to make your Daughter squeal like a pig ..... " Mephta grinned before burying his heel down onto the Commander's skull .

" Lord Mephta .... you're fine ... thank the Spirits " Sinbad said as he bowed to him .

" Sinbad .... dear... the fires are about to come to this part of the stables , get on one of the horses and run , that's an order " Mephta said as he grabbed Sinbad by the arm and lifted him to his feet 

" Oh Of Course my lord , I'm sorry I was just so happy you were ..... " Sinbad was rambling on ,trying to convey how happy he was Mephta was alive 

" Sinbad .... if you get a horse in the next second I will promote you to knight for your bravery .... now GO AND GET TO SAFETY !!!! " Mephta ordered as the large Scribe ran towards the nearest available horse .

Mephta stood there looking at the flames consuming his city , the home of the Silencers for the past four hundred years , now reduced to fire and ash , this was his home , his people , his family . 

" Sor'aka in Gorashi , Mancarri , Son Imb , Mephtako Delita , Mor'ena, Borkuli " He whispered in old Altairian , the language of the Nomads , the people House Delita wish to protect , He spat on the ashes that gathered around his feet and rode the last horse out of Armads , not looking back , his eyes set for the Living Tower 

Author's Note

" Sor'aka in Gorashi , Mancarri , Son Imb , Mephtako Delita , Mor'ena Imb "

Death and Fear , Mancarri , I am Mephtako Delita , Wait for me