Master Mages Marriage - 20 Black Hand

Elya wasn’t sure what the inside of a brothel was supposed to look like, but this definitely appeared wrong. The pink motif continued into the interior columns and walkways cast in the same colour stone as the exterior had been. Patrons stepped in shamefully, hiding their features and walking to the reception, a few hushed whispers with the woman at the desk and they slipped behind a curtain to be led away by a woman or man.

The Rose building appeared different from the norm in their clientele. Even though they were hiding themselves, Elya was able to tell a lot by their clothes and behaviour. Nobles and commoners alike were entering, similar in their secretive actions. Suspicious of the presence of the Black Hand, she couldn’t help but wonder how many of the patrons were spies. Both men and women were entering to partake of the services that were offered which was rare. Generally separate structures would exist to separate them even if they were owned and operated by the same person or group.

Now that she was here Elya could spot the hints of Black Hand presence. While the Baroness had been accurate in her assessment of her inexperience in covert activities, when it came to perceiving threat, there were few who had the ability to surpass her. Slits dotted the entry hall, archers would be able to cut down an assault that came through the front door with ease. There were a few scuff marks and discolorations on the ceiling that could belong to traps and Elya eyed a painting that swayed strangely which she marked as a secret passageway.

She prodded Alexis when she caught sight of two men lounging in a waiting area. It was strange enough that they were sitting there without covering themselves like the other patrons, but their strong presences were easy to sense. It was a sign of threat. These were people who had seen combat and lived through it. Not the sort of street fights you would expect of brothel toughs, but the kind where you survived on the edge of a blade while surrounded by overwhelming odds.

It was easiest to determine that.

After all, she was the same.

The guard who had let them in gave a casual nod and returned to his position, deep eyes surveying them for threat. There were very few organisations that would keep people like this around.

They didn’t have to wait long before a delicate young woman came to lead them inside. The woman maintained her silence, refusing to answer any queries from them, just nodding silently to indicate her understanding. She led them to a small unmarked room hidden in the back of the building. Alexis drew her sword when the woman gestured them inside, fearing the dangers of coming so far away from the entrance. Escape would prove difficult if they were in trouble and they’d be forced to face a gauntlet of guards on their way out. Elya shook her head at the gesture though, indicating that she should keep her weapon sheathed.

The woman curtsied and left once they were inside and Elya took the chance to search the room alongside her friend to find any traps or dangers.

They found a lot.

The room was windowless and dim, only a few lanterns hung from the walls providing any light. A few chairs were placed around a small table and as they approached, they found the first concealed weapon. On closer inspection Alexis determined that arrows would shoot out of a slit in the wall if a certain tile was pushed. It was a simple technique but now that they had seen one; it was a simple exercise to spot at least another five of them, guarding every angle of the room.

Their search was interrupted as an aged, but a stunning woman swept in. She had seen better days but Elya could tell she would have been gorgeous in her youth and she found herself rubbing the scar on her face, insecure in the face of such beauty.

“So, the Baroness sent you.” The woman settled into one of the chairs and gestured for them to sit.

“Yes.” She hadn’t phrased it as a question but Elya didn’t want any confusion during this meeting.

“Do you know why you’re here?”

“To find the people after my life.”

“Is that what the Mistress told you?”

“No. She said that I needed to learn.”

“Learn what?”

“The Trade.” When the woman didn’t reply Elya considered the question once more and offered another response. “How to investigate.”

The woman gave a small smile of appreciation. “You are skilled enough for an amateur. Both of you.”

Alexis snorted and turned her face away, showing her displeasure at the assessment.

“But do you want to learn?” The woman leaned back and scratched her cheek. “You’re already a Knight. There’s no need for you to learn our skills.”

“That’s true.” The woman had a point.

“Then why are you here?”

“To utilise your abilities in finding my assailants.”

The woman closed her eyes in thought. She tapped her armrest, creating a drumming sound that grated at Elya’s ears. Alexis looked like she would lash out, but Elya grabbed her arm. They had to remain calm.

“It’s good that you have patience Elya.” It wasn’t a surprise that the woman knew her name, but she still flinched in surprise. “And you’re wrong. The Baroness did not ask you to come and learn how to investigate. Since you will be marrying into the Morales family she intends for you to take up her mantle as the next head of the coven.”

“What’s a coven?” Elya thought she had heard the word somewhere before but Alexis gave her a blank look and she was forced to ask the woman to explain.

“It’s what we call a group of the Black Hand.”

They hissed at the revelation despite their suspicions. It was one thing to assume or guess but confirmation was still shocking.

“I don’t want to be in direct control of any part of the Black Hand. I have little interest in spying.”

“Yet you’re here in search of our aid.”

“Because I was advised to be.”

“Elya. As the next Lady of House Morales, the Mistress will explain many things to you that aren’t known to most people but the deepest secret she has is her responsibility over us.”

“Why is she in charge?” That was the most troubling aspect of this. As far as she understood the woman, it didn’t require their skill set to be in control.

“You’ll come to know eventually but suffice it to say that there are more reasons for the Count’s success than his prodigious abilities.” The woman grinned at mention of her fiancée, but Elya couldn’t understand why.

“I still don’t see why I can’t just get the information from you.”

“It would… help the Count if his wife had access to those such as us.”

The woman made sense. People begged and gave out immense sums of money to have access to the Black Hand’s skills, but here they were just offering a position to her. Even though she held great distaste for the field of covert actions, it would be a necessity in protecting Nikolai and her House during this time of flux as the Princes vied for power.

There was little option. She couldn’t let things fall through. “Fine. I’ll learn.”

“Good!” The woman clapped her hands in satisfaction and stood to leave. “Come along.”

With a sway of her hips she’d already stood up, clearly expecting them to follow close behind.

“You both can call me Madame Rose. I own and run the Rose building.”