The Shadow's Executioners

As the company drew closer to the Jack family, the other family member's were called to present themselves in front of the house. A wind blew in, rustling the leaves of the trees in the nearby forests. The Scry, as it was called, is commonly used as a hunting ground. All manner of beasts dwell in the Scry's vast area. The company of Shadow Brother's drew closer, kicking up dust in their wake.

The eldest of the children, Sif, took up the scythe he was using to reap the fields with as a weapon, so as to challenge the Shadow Brother's.

"Sif, drop your scythe, they would cut you down in mere seconds. Don't try anything, just be emotionless. Do what they say, and be respectful. My children are a wealth I won't surrender."

As the company drew closer, Wolf arranged his children in a line, eldest to youngest. The two talon's that were in the company were leading. Followed by the colt and the cart. The two in front stopped ten feet away from the family. Rider's dismounting, Wolf Jack stepping to approach them.

"I am Wolf Jack of Jack, what are your name's Shadow Brother's?" Wolf Jack said plainly.

One of the Brother's spoke. "I am Dunstead Stormbreaker. My companions are Osfyd Windblown, the other talon rider, and Zed, the colt driving the wagon." Wolf could see the markings on Stormbreaker's face. He was a High Master. And one of the strongest. The black lines and swirls on his face indicated he was the Second High Master. He had shining emerald green eyes that looking cloudy, as if a storm was behind them. A white mane flowed from Stormbreaker's neck, a matching tail at his backside. He had a tan coat with a lightning bolt crossing a razor-toothed sword graced his flank. The black robes of Shadow were worn by all in company. Two broadswords crossed his back, along with silver daggers hidden in his clothing. He was in peak physical condition and extremely cunning no doubt. As were his companions.

"Would you like something to eat? Or are you here to bed for the night?" Wolf knew it was custom to offer food, and housing to a guild member. Especially Shadow Brother's on Harvest.

Stormbreaker replied flatly. "No, we have come for Harvest. As you know, it is the fourth year, so Jack will be Harvested. Where are your children?"

Wolf held back a scowl and a grimace. "They are lined by the house."

Stormbreaker and Windblown strode over the the family. Appraising each one, they found three to choose from. Daggerfall, and his two younger sisters. Maria, the youngest hid behind him. Stormbreaker took a cup and a bone-like dagger and placed it on the ground. He instructed Maria to hold her hoof out so he could test her blood. She further hid behind Daggerfall. Daggerfall held out his hoof and stepped completely in front of his sister.

Grunting, Stormbreaker took the dagger and sliced open his hoof. Blood poured into the cup. Stormbreaker motioned to Windblown, who tossed a vial his way. Catching the vial and taking the cork out, he poured a drop of the silvery liquid into the blood. The blood sizzled and hissed, producing a thick cloud of mist.

Stormbreaker donned a shocked look when he saw the volume and thickness of the mist. "The blood speaks. We have all we need here. We shall take him."

Wolf Jack stepped in between them. "No, you must be wrong. Daggerfall was announced Quiet at birth by the rector."

"The blood speaks. He comes with us. You would dare question the Harvest?

"No...I am not...but what of his talon? He has a female talon that only responds to his actions well. What of her?" Wolf was desperately trying to get his son back.

"We will take her with us, he will ride her. Zed, take the boy and fetch his talon."

"So, you are going to be the one that we Harvest. Well, you're lean, but you have a lot of work to do. I'm Zed by the way. I know you're going to be mad about us taking you away from your family, but it's not as bad as everyone says it is. You learn quite a bit actually, and you get weapons training, amazing food, and ensured safety." Zed tried to talk to Daggerfall as he put a saddle on Tek and took her out of her pen.

Daggerfall simply ingored him, as he took Tek out of the barn and back to his family.

"I see, I was the same when they took me. Well, you'll have to talk sometime." Zed trotted after Daggerfall as he went back to his family. Stormbreaker and Windblown had just finished paying for Daggerfall when he returned.

"So, the agreed upon price is ten sacks of grain, three jars of spices, 5 bushels of apples, and fifty-thousand bits. Plus twenty-thousand for the talon. Is this agreeable?" Stormbreaker said flatly, as if he felt nothing because of this.

Wolf thought for a moment and looked down. "Yes, I suppose." Wolf took a long breath. "Daggerfall Jack, a Jack of Jack, you belong to the Shadows now. You are an assassin now and forever, and my son no longer. If you should seek shelter or nourishment now or ever, I will turn you away, you are not welcome here." Wolf Jack of Jack had to fight back tears, he had to keep his composure.

Stormbreaker looked to Zed. "Bind him and put him on his Talon. We set out immediately."

And so the company set out, but as they approached the turn of the road, Stormbreaker stopped. He got off of his Talon and galloped towards Wolf Jack. Daggerfall watched as Stormbreaker explained something rather loudly, but he still couldn't make out the words. Stormbreaker pulled up his robe sleeve revealing dav' ha marks running all the way up his arm. He pointed to them and waved towards the Scry. Wolf then ran inside and ushered his family out toward the  barn. That was the last he saw of his family, for Stormbreaker had galloped back and was on his talon again before he saw anything else. His home was fading away as the company moved at a very rapid pace. Fading, until his former home, and life, was out of sight.