Chapter 1A Chapter by Ace D PortgasIt is the crack of
dawn…A few adults are outside tending to their cattle or walking around…Kids
are running around, playing on the grass…Hawks are flying in the sky…Everything
seems to be right in the land of Samaria. Inside a house you can
see that it is a pig-sty. Clothes are lying everywhere, a cracked table and another flipped upside down,
spilled water all over the floor. Sitting at the edge of a bed is a man that
looks to be in his early-mid twenties. He has a hood over his face so it’s hard
to see his eyes. You can see that he has a mustache and chinstrap for facial
hair. He appears to be wearing a tunic that covers him from top to bottom.
Suddenly the man starts to speak. Man: “Sigh” The man gets
up from his bed and walks through his messy clothes, kicking them along the
way and stops by his fridge. He opens the fridge to find nothing in it.
Suddenly the man starts to speak. Man: “Sigh” The man shuts the
refrigerator door and returns to his bed. Before he gets in, he looks up at
the wall and stares at what appears to be pouches that hold swords. There are
three pouches, but two are empty. The only sword that is in a pouch is pretty
small; it could probably be considered a knife rather than a sword. Suddenly the
man starts to speak. Man: “Sigh” The man gets in his
bed and starts to lie down. He gets under the covers and turns to face the wall
when someone comes rushing in. “Tazir-Senpai! Tazir-Senpai! Master wants to see you!” the person says. Tazir remains motionless. Tazir begins to think to himself “He doesn't see me. He doesn't know I’m in the bed” “Tazir, I can see you,
I know you’re in the bed.” The person says innocently. Tazir lazily rolls over
and stands up at the edge of his bed again. Tazir: “Nadir. Would it have been hard to knock?” Nadir: “Sorry Senpai. I just know that it was urgent that Master see you.” Tazir: “You don’t have to be formal with me Nadir. It’s fine to call Master his real name: Grey-Haired B*****d.” Nadir lets out a laugh
and asks Tazir a question. Nadir: “Do you know what it is he wants?” Tazir: “To nag me about something.” Nadir: “Well Senpai, I know he is still furious about that blaze incident.” This seems to strike a
nerve in Tazir. He slams his hand on his bed. Tazir: “Damnit! That could have happened to anyone! I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Nadir: “You almost burned the city down Tazir-Senpai.” Tazir: “I stopped it! By the way, why aren’t you training with the other rooks?” Nadir: “I already finished. I’ve been doing great since I’ve been learning from you. The other members don’t have someone great to teach me like you.” Tazir: “Just remember, Nadir. Practicing against the fellow Brotherhood is nothing like going against those Teutonic Knights. Hermann and his Order aren't exactly the kindest of people” Nadir: “I’ll remember that Senpai” Tazir: “Good. Then that means you’re not finished with training. Now get going. I have to see what the old man wants” Nadir: “Yes Senpai!” Nadir rushes out of the
house and back to the training grounds. Tazir gets up and prepares to go see
what the Master wants. He puts on his shoes and heads outside. He looks up
north to where the Master’s tower is located. He starts talking aloud. Tazir: “I could take the long route. But then that would be a longer walk. I could use the buildings and walls to get there quicker. But then that would be too much of a workout. It’s a lose-lose situation. Why can’t that old fool just come see me?” Tazir looks at the
long route and notices a middle-aged lady. She is talking to another elderly
lady. Tazir: “Hmph. That old lady is always asking me to do something. I wonder what those two are talking about. Time to use the bat ears” Tazir closes his eyes
and holds his breath for several seconds. He hones in on the conversation. Elderly lady #1: “Have you seen Tazir? I wanted to ask him if he could deliver a letter for me” Elderly Lady #2: “I think that’s him over there. He looks like he is headed this way. Ask him when he comes over here” Tazir opens his eyes
and starts to breathe again. He waves over at the ladies. They wave back. “I
guess I know which way I’m going” Tazir thinks to himself. He starts running
towards a house and jumps and grabs the roof. He pulls himself up. Then he runs
into a wall and starts to scale it to the top and after he gets to the top, he
balances himself on top and looks down. He sees another house and jumps down, and when he lands, he rolls to absorb the impact. He then starts running some
more and jumps on top of some crates and then grabs a ledge and starts swinging
himself from it. He lets go and grabs a wall that was close by. He looks up and
sees a piece of brick that is standing out a bit. He grabs that and pulls
himself up. Now he is standing a few feet in front of where the Master resides.
It resembles a tower. He walks towards it and there are two guards standing by
the door. They have spears in their hands. Tazir walks up to the door. One of
the guards stop him from going any further. Guard #1: “Tazir, what is your business with the Master?” Tazir: “I have no business with him. It’s his business with me. Why do we go through this every time?” Guard #1: “We just wish to protect the Master from harm” Tazir: “I know for a fact that old guy can take care of himself. Just let me in” Tazir and the guards
are still arguing when the words “STOP THIS NONSENSE!” can be heard from atop
the tower. A man can be seen from a window at the top of the tower. He has on a
robe and is an elderly man with a full beard that’s gray-white. Tazir looks up
and starts to speak. Tazir: “Hey Master! What did you want with me?” Master: “Come up here Tazir, and I will tell you.” Tazir: “It’s tiresome either taking the stairs or scaling this huge wall. Can’t you just jump down? Roll when you land to absorb the blow” Master: “Enough, Tazir. Come up here” The Master walks away
from the window and can’t been seen anymore Tazir: “Sigh” The guards let Tazir
pass and he starts running up the stairs to the Master’s room. Once he enters, he catches his breath. Tazir: “You have all this space Hanshi. You ever thought about getting something lower? So I wouldn’t have to break a sweat every time I see you?” Master: “Think of it as training. Do you know why I called you here Tazir?” Tazir: “Maybe” Master: “Do you know what the creed is Tazir?” Tazir: “Yes” Master: “Speak it” Tazir: “Do you know what the Creed is?” Master: “Of course” Tazir: “Then if we both know it, is there any reason to bring it up?” Master: “To remind us what the Brotherhood is. Now, tell me what the Creed is.” Tazir mumbles
something under his breath. He finally speaks. Tazir: "We are resilient like steel, our unwavering faith in our beliefs. The Brotherhood is the subsistence of our true nature: To hunt, and to hunt with undying precision. Like family, the virtue of bonding is precious. To watch over and protect our fellow brothers is the fundamental core of the Brotherhood, the unbreakable shield to our unfailing sword. We will take up this sword and this shield, and we will bestow upon those who are worthy these tools of our credence, and with these weapons, slay those who stand in our path without mercy and without regret. Let this creed be water to those who are worthy and poison to those who are not." Master: “See, now was that so hard??” Tazir: “A little. Why did you want me to say the Creed anyway?” Master: “Because I know you very well Tazir. Even if we are supposed to protect one another, don’t do anything drastic that foolishly puts you in that situation” Tazir is starting to
get a little angry. He already knows what the Master is talking about. Tazir: “Hanshi, that was long ago. I learned my lesson.” Master: “I know how close you and Kalam were.” Tazir: “Can this matter please be dropped? I won’t put myself or any of my fellow brothers in danger for the sake of revenge.” Master: “Remember, revenge is not our realm of authority.” Tazir: “Yeah, yeah.” The Master takes some
alcohol and pours it in a glass. He hands the glass to Tazir. Tazir takes the
glass from him. He seems to have cooled down a little Tazir: “Is there any reason to drink right now?” Master: “You don’t need a reason to drink” Tazir: “Sounds like a true alcoholic to me. How many drinks have you had, Hanshi?” Master: “The student should not ask the teacher questions” Tazir: “That was years ago. I have some of my own to train now” Master: “When a child grows up and leaves the household their still their parents kid.” Tazir: “Well how about you be a good teacher and return my damn shamshir to me. You know I use the Niten Ichi-ryū style. Just having my kilij is terrible” Master: “After your little blaze incident I think its best you stick to one for now” Tazir starts to get
angry again Tazir: “That could have happened to anyone! I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!” Master: “You almost burned Tazir: “I stopped it!” Master: “You should be able to finish what you started. I taught you that. Now drink! You know it’s rude not to drink when someone offers one to you?” Tazir just mumbles
something under his breath and starts to drink the alcohol. He finishes it in a
couple gulps. Tazir: “Geez, you can feel that in the chest. Now anyway Hanshi, I know you didn’t call me to drink or to remind me of the Creed. And I’m not getting my shamshir back right now it seems. What was it that you wanted from me?” Master: “Well, Tazir. What is it assassins do? I want you to go on a mission” © 2011 Ace D PortgasAuthor's Note
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StatsAuthorAce D PortgasMIAboutMy name is Patrick and I'm currently working on a comic/manga entitled "So Called Heroes". My dream one day is for this to hit the shelves so everyone can get a look at it...Cause I Just Gotta Make It.. more..Writing
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