Valas waited apprehensively in the large training room as he had been bid. He was always somewhat disconcerted by Talice, but curiously he looked forward to their sessions. He had learned many of the dark skills he now possessed from his master of assassins. A few pensive minutes more passed. Valas was beginning to have a peculiar feeling, like he was being watched. “Be more aware of your surroundings.” Talice’s voice whispered in his head. He moved to the center of the room warily surveying the shadows. The flicker of candlelight played tricks on the eye giving the illusion of movement. As he rotated slowly he continued his search for some unseen threat. Talice moved quickly, the training dagger flashed and stabbed. Valas sidestepped as the weapon glanced off his armor.

“Well done. You are becoming more perceptive. It does an assassin no favors to only focus on the target. You must learn to see everything else around as well.” Talice continued the lesson discussing the observation of a target, how to find the vulnerable points and choosing how to exploit any found weakness. “While it is exhilarating to plunge your sword into your victim’s back and watch the blade explode from his chest there are equally effective means of delivering the ‘gift’, though less dramatic. Talice took Valas by his left hand. “Here.” she said placing it on her right shoulder. Now should you find yourself in a position where the underarm is exposed, and understand most armor doesn’t protect the armpit, you could strike here.” With remarkable speed Talice rotated the training dagger in her hand and jabbed the hilt under Valas’s arm into the soft of the pit. Valas lurched in pain and fell back a step. “See…. effective. Oh and Valas. One other piece of advice. Not all kills are instant. Once you have landed your death blow it is time to move away. It does you no good to be killed by a dying man.”  

Valas recovered quickly, still in obvious discomfort from the strike. Talice offered, “We are done for today Valas. If you’d like, visit Miz’ri. She can give you something for the pain.”

“No. My pain is my own. I accept it as a reminder of important lessons. It makes me who I am. I don’t need nor do I want it dulled.”

Talice nodded her approval.

“If I may Mistress Talice, I have recently been made aware that one or more of my brothers could be cavorting with demons. I know their kind are not unknown to us and would like to learn what I can about them and other extra planar entities, perhaps even speak their tongue. Who would I seek for such training.

“Demons are a fickle and petty race of creatures. They are also quite dangerous. If what you say is true then you would do well to arm yourself with such knowledge. Seek Mistress Innarei for the training you desire.”

Valas bowed, “Thank you Mistress Talice.”

He knew of Mistress Innarei but had yet to meet her. She was the keeper of lore and records for the guild. Innarei could be found in the library… at least that’s what he was told. As he walked the halls he passed the guild’s temple. The stained glass depicted a cloak shrouded over a short sword, the sigil of their goddess Zinzarena. The corridor bent around a turn to where the library was housed. The library had heavy adamantite doors etched with the sigil of the goddess of assassins. He forced them open and was greeted by the glow of faerie fire outlining walls and shelves full of books. In the center of room a table had been set with chairs. A stack of books lay atop and ink wells sat next to quills. There was an open manuscript but no one to be found.

Valas took a few steps in. “Mistress Innarei?” he called out.

“Who asking?” came reply. Innarei stepped out from behind the shadow of a bookcase and into dim light of the faerie fire. Valas was unprepared for what he saw. Innarei had the look of a drow but her skin was a pale dusty red. The points of her ears sat behind horns that curved back in the shape of a half heart before curling forward to sharp points. Her lips were painted black and her eyes glowed sickly yellow. Innarei was buxom and hardly modest as the tight leather dress she wore barely supported her breasts and was cut open far below her navel. She had arcane runes tattooed around her shoulders and navel. Innarei stood arms crossed, a barbed tail resting lazily in her left hand. The talons of her right hand clicked impatiently as waited for Valas to respond. Though the offspring of a demon, Mistress Innarei was beautiful.

“I do not mean to disturb you Mistress. I am Valas Vandree. Mistress Talice advised me to seek you out for training.”

“Training you say?” Mistress Innarei looked amused. “And what training do you require?” She eyed Valas up and down. “Tantric arts perhaps? Are you to be her whore?”

Anger welled inside Valas and he could feel the heat rise from his chest to his face. Instinctively his hand slid toward his long knife. “Valas Vandree is no whore.” he spit with venom in his tone.

Innarei half grinned, half sneered in return. The tail that had rested so peacefully in her hand whipped out striking his sword hand and knocking it away from the hilt. The barbs drew blood as they bit deep into flesh. “And they told me you were smart…” Innarei shook her head in disappointment. “Draw that blade if you dare but I’d advise you reconsider.” Her tone was threatening. It cooled as she continued. “There is no need for you to throw your life away over wounded pride or imagined insult. Let’s begin again. What training do you seek apprentice?”

Valas considered her words carefully then felt embarrassed that he was so easily baited. He let his hand fall to his side, the blood flowing freely, dripping on the polished stone floor and calmly replied. “Mistress Innarei, I seek to study the lore of demons and the planes. If you would teach me, I wish to learn to speak the tongue of the abyss.

Innarei smiled. “And what would you sacrifice for this knowledge?”

“I am no stranger to pain or suffering. I will do what is necessary.”

Innarei walked forward and stepped close to Valas. She placed her hands around his shoulders and curled her tail around his waist jerking him close so that their bodies pressed together. “And if I require your favor?”

Valas smiled, “Then I would only ask table or floor?”

Innarei plunged her tongue into Valas’s mouth and kissed him hard before releasing him. “I am satisfied you will be a good apprentice. You will learn the alphabet of demons first.” Her tail swept backward to the desk behind her and retrieved a book. “Study this tome. You will translate and rewrite all manuscripts I leave for you from the Abyssal tongue to the language of the Drow and when you see me, you shall speak only in the tongue of demons. You will come here 4 hours every day until I am satisfied. Mistakes will be punished.”

Valas nodded, “Of course Mistress.”

“Return here tomorrow ready to work.”

Valas bowed and left. He tucked the book under his arm and made his way back to the inn above the guild. As he approached the bar Evony pushed a glass of wine in front of him.

“Tough day?” she asked.

Valas placed the book carefully on the bartop and drank deep of the wine and smiled, Evony always provoked a smile from him. “I think Talice nearly killed me with a wooden training dagger.” Evony giggled. “And I met Mistress Innarei today.”

Evony grabbed Valas by the top collar of his armor pulling him close and smelling him. “You stink of wild rose and jasmine. What kind of training did you receive?” she asked accusingly as she released him.

“What? Wait…. No…” Valas was stammering. I didn’t.”

Evony laughed, “Got ya. I know you didn’t. There are no burns, bite marks or bruises.”

Valas sighed with relief as Charwyn approached and greeted them both.

“Valas. Master T’sith would have words with you.”  He looked at Evony…”In private.”

Evony scowled at Charwyn. “Whatever.” She turned toward Valas. “He’s in the parlor. Visit me tomorrow. I see you have studying to do tonight.” She passed Valas the book Innarei had given him.

“Of course.” He glared at Charwyn. “Shall we?” Valas stood and left to meet his guildmaster..