When the Last Moon Sets ch. 4

When the Last Moon Sets ch. 4

Chapter 4

Zetsumei, feeling nostalgic went to visit where Anlhwen’s friends had died, the ruined temple where they used to live. He sat on a fallen pillar in the temple. Although the area held no resemblance to the day his friends died Zetsumei still felt the chill from seeing them and the cold burning sensation in his hands when he held Sonya’s lifeless hand. He couldn’t help but let a tear slide down his cheek.

He wore strange black clothes: his shirt had a baggy right sleeve that had an open shoulder. The shirt didn’t have a left sleeve. On his left arm he had a white shoulder pad that attached to the shirt. His left hand had a fingerless glove while his right hand had the fingers from the glove. He wore snug gray pants that went down almost covering his off-white boots that had black buckles. Around his neck he wore a dark red scarf that he pulled over his mouth as a mask. His hair started getting darker, and was no longer the same blonde it had been. Bags grew under eyes from sleepless nights and hard days. He pulled a hood from the back of his shirt over his head.

A rat scurried along the floor of the temple in the moonlight. It was finally time for Zetsumei to start his first official assignment. His master’s best informant had told them about Jebb Roox, a powerful man that had information about everything the city. Every assassin around wanted him dead. He had hired some elite soldiers and assassins to guard him but he never paid them, they quit and he had them executed on a false accusations. With his connections he’d pushed their dates forward. He’s pretty much untouchable now.

Zetsumei had followed Roox to the docks, the water reflected moonlight in a beautiful pattern. Roox was walking a board ship, one that had belonged to pirates but he probably paid them off, or had them killed. Roox went below deck to see the cargo of his new ship.

‘Alright, time to move.’ Zetsumei thought. He ran out from the shadows of a building and went onto the dock then ran up to the deck of the ship. He saw faint lights below in the cargo area and heard two men talking.

“Just great, I have to be careful not to leave any loose ends.” He breathed in a whisper too quiet to hear. He saw someone coming up from below deck he silently moved for cover behind a crate. He was careful not be seen as he watched Roox and someone else walking into the captains quarters. He thought he heard one of them mention the slave trade. The door closed behind them.

“Damn, I have to get in there.” He pulled a small pouch from his on of his pockets, he held it in his hand with the glove, and he put his index finger of the hand with the gloves fingers. The tip of his finger had a green powder on it and he rubbed it on the door handle and on the lock. He backed away from the door before turning and going below deck.

There was a sleeping guard sitting in a wooden chair. Barrels stood behind him and beyond that Zetsumei was able to make out iron bars, most likely a holding cell for prisoners or captives. He silently moved over to the guard, he pulled a knife from his sleeve and slit the guard’s throat then immediately returned to the knife to its sheath in his sleeve after wiping it clean on his scarf. He kept walking, careful not to touch the barrels. As he got closer he peered into the cell beyond the bars. He made out three figures passed out on the floor. They were tied up and gagged. He got closer still and saw that the figures were women, they were naked and bruised from being beaten. His face grew hot as he got closer still to the bars.

One of the women woke up and began breathing heavy out of fear, she backed up to the back wall and watched as Zetsumei slowly picked the lock.

“Please, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.” He held his hands up as a gesture of peace and took a step. “If I untie do you promise not to scream?” The woman’s look of fear changed to one of confusion, she nodded. He took cautious steps toward the woman. He knelt down next to her and pulled out his knife. He cut the ropes that bound her hands then the ones that held her legs.

“Alright, remember: don’t scream.” He told her gently, he pulled the cloth from her mouth. Almost immediately she brought him down on his back and straddled his body and wrestled him to get to the zipper of his pants. Her breathing excited, she was no longer fearful.

“Hold up, stop!” He said grabbing her wrists and standing with her. His voice was nervous and full of shock. “You’re free now. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“This is all I know.” The woman said breathlessly, her hazel eyes staring deep into Zetsumei’s icy blue eyes. Her dark hair was frayed and crazy.

“But it doesn’t have to be. Now, can you help get the other two out of here?”

“No, the only thing any of us know is pleasing our masters.”

“I promise that you can find a better life. I’ll help you, all of you.”

“We can’t do anything else. We--.”

“I can’t is only an excuse for I won’t… I swear I’ll help you, but first we need to get you and the other two off of this ship. What do you say?” He asked tenderly. They stared into each other’s eyes for what felt like a long time but was only for a few seconds. He pulled the woman close to him and kissed her on her lips. He pulled away slowly and asked: “Will you let me help you?” She nodded.

Zetsumei let her go and handed her a knife. They separated and went to the other girls. The girl Zetsumei was untying had short blond hair that looked like she tried keeping it neat and clean. He cut the ropes and woke her up. He whispered something in her ear and pulled the cloth from her mouth. He held the woman away from him.

“Okay, let’s get you out of here. Stay hidden.” He told them. The dark hair woman followed a few steps behind him, behind her was a woman with red hair and behind her was the blond woman.

Zetsumei got on deck and looked around so far no one had spotted him. One of the men kicked open the door to the captains quarters. The man was big with a powerful build. He held a giant sword in his left hand. Jebb Roox followed the giant, cowering behind him.

“The three of you stay down there. I’ll come get you when up here is clear.”