The Shadow's Executioners

by MageTrollpatrol

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Alternate Universe
Length: 3272

A guild of assassins are on Harvest, where they take the colts(and sometimes fillies)of families and train them to become assassins themselves

Equestria is in a time a peace as it has been for the last century. Fifty years ago, the land was split into six dynasties. Dyn Sparkle, Dyn Dash, Dyn Shy, Dyn Pie, Dyn Jack, and Dyn Rare. These six dynasties were ruled by Lady Sparkle, Lady Dash, Lady Fluttershy, Lady Pinkamina Pie, Lady Applejack, and Lady Rarity. Two guilds exist the ensure a balance of power in the land. The Shadow Guild and the Mirror Guild. The Mirror Guild is a guild of healers, scholars, and scientists. The Shadow Guild on the other hand, is a guild of assassins. Their purpose is to catch and kill criminals who have broken the law. Both guilds vowed to stay out of any war, but with rumors shifting around about the dynast leaders and a war seemingly imminent, will they be able to stay out of this conflict?

Cover Art taken from heventyce.deviantart.com

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-07-11 05:53:58 UTC

The Harvest

Daggerfall ran his hoof across the fence board. 'I think this is good enough'. His father had assigned him the task of putting the new fencing up. Tedious work but it needed to be done. He wasn't doing a perfect job for his mind wandered on other things. Just one more year. One more year and he would have his apprenticeship with Grammond the livestock master. Daggerfall had already shown his aptitude for caring for animals when he brought a severely wounded talon back from the brink of death. A talon is a cross-breed between a winged dragon and a Komodo Dragon. They have slick, smooth scales and a serpentine neck. Talons have wings they can use to fly for short periods of time and they have battle rings that flip up when agitated or during an engagement. They are often trained to be ridden for combat. Tek, Daggerfall's talon that he had saved, whistled at him from the barn. Daggerfall sighed, for he so desperately wanted to ride Tek and let his mind be free, but he had work to do. He then poured himself into his work, focusing on the task at hand. While he was busy working, his father walked over to him.

"These boards aren't straight." Father put his hoof on Daggerfall's shoulder. "What's on your mind?" His father had an uncanny ability to sense when something wasn't right. There was no point in hiding it, he had nothing to be ashamed of.

"Only one more year dad. Just one more year. Then I'll have my apprenticeship. I'll finish my training then start my own livestock farm. I'll make real money and finally make a name for myself." Daggerfall was giddy with excitement just thinking about it.

"Let's not look too far ahead. You know what today is. Pray to Cayn that you don't get harvested." Father said grimly.

'Oh no. I completely forgot about that!' The Harvest is something that happens every year in the six dynasties. The Shadow Guild "harvests" children to train them to be assassins. In the case of Dyn Jack, it happened every four years. This was their year.

"Why does it have to happen father? Why can't they just leave us alone?"

"Well son, the guild needs to exist. While I don't like the Shadow Guild, it is a necessity. If they even come here they probably won't take anyone. They're either too old or too young, at least for that Shadow Brother's taste. So you have nothing to worry about." Father ruffled his son's coal black mane. "Now, go tend to your talon. I can hear her from the fields, but first, what is graal?"

"Graal is a blood trait that dynast families have. All Fae with colored eyes had them until the mixing disasters. There are six main graals, with many bastard graals and deviations of the originals. The Jack graal speaks for truth. The Dash graal speaks for the dead. The Rare graal speaks for the animals. The Sparkle graal speaks for Time. The Pie graal speaks for direction. The Shy graal speaks for the blood and it's mending."

"Very good Daggerfall. Now, what are the marks on my arm called and what do they mean?"

"The marks on your arm are called dav'ha. They are a symbol to show that you have a sacred bond with someone. Everyone who serves Guard Duty to the Dynasty earns their dav'ha marks. Anyone who has made dav'ha with another can call upon it in their time of need."

"I'm proud of you Daggerfall. My children are a wealth I won't surrender. I love you son." Wolf Jack, father of Daggerfall Jack, was tearing up.

"I love you too father." Daggerfall Jack, son of Wolf Jack, was fighting back tears of his own. "Now, I must tend to Tek. After I'm done here, can we have a meditation session? I'd like to go through the Veil before Harvest, so if they do come, I can be calm."

Wolf replied, "Yes, I think that would do us both some good. I'll leave you to it."

Going through the Veil, as it's called, is a Fae term for a place where you are at a state of total peace. One can speed the process of healing and can find clarity in the mind. Also, if a pony were to have a Dynast blood trait, they could practice it here more freely.

Tek whistled as Daggerfall approached. She couldn't wait to be fed and cleaned. Daggerfall took his time as he ran his hoof up and down the scales of his talon. Tek was small for a talon, but easily twice the size of a fully grown stallion.

"I love you Tek, they won't take me away from you. I promise. Here, have a treat." Daggerfall tossed a goat leg towards Tek. She snatched it up and scarfed it down. She then whistled loud and butted Daggerfall's hoof playfully. "Not now girl, I gotta clean you. We'll play after Harvest is over." Tek lowered her head and reluctantly let Daggerfall wash her. "I'm sorry, other things take precedence. I'll be back soon okay?" At this, Tek leaped up and gave a pitiful whistle.

Daggerfall walked into their family's meditation room. The smell of incense was strong and his father was sitting on one side of the Jack crest. The crest was located at the center of the room. It was an apple with claws around it.

"Hello father." Daggerfall said in a low tone.

"Hello son. Shall we begin?" Wolf Jack said, matching his son's tone.

"Yes, we shall."

"Now remember to just clear your mind. You cannot force your way through the Veil. Get to it and ask for entry. Feel every fiber of your being relax and synchronize in harmony. Hear the hum of your cells and blood run through you. Become one with the world around you. See your problem and just let it melt away." Wolf's  words rang out through Daggerfall's head. He did what he was told and cleared his mind. He was just about through the Veil when he heard his mother call out to them.

"Two stallions on talons with a colt driving a wagon are coming! Wolf, come out here! You too Daggerfall!."

The two stallions were dressed in all black, as well as the colt. They were Shadow Brothers. They had come for Harvest.

The Reaper's Benefits

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.

The First Night's Rest.

The company moved at a very quick pace. Dust kept being flung into Daggerfall's face and eyes. The bindings kept cutting into his hoofs and his mouth was like cotton. They hadn't stopped all day and night was about to fall. 'Foolish.' Thought Daggerfall. 'Don't they know what these forests hold at night?' It didn't matter, he hoped that they didn't. They wouldn't know about the Rock Cats and Mockers. They wouldn't know about the Maynes. The monsters would kill them and he could take Tek and escape. Escape from being a Shadow. But...if they died, where would he go? He wasn't welcome at his home anymore, he couldn't get an apprenticeship anymore, for he was counted as a Shadow. Daggerfall thought about it, but soon cleared his head. He didn't want to think about his old life too much, after all, it wasn't there anymore.

On and on they went, with the sun setting fast. 'There had better be a shelter up ahead.' Daggerfall worried that they would get attacked. They were prime targets to Rock Cats and Mockers. He tried his best to put those thoughts from his mind, however satisfying it may have been to think about the deaths of the Shadow Brother's. The bumps of the road and the breathing of Tek started to synchronize. Daggerfall latched onto this and tried to lull himself into The Veil. Closer and closer he got, and eventually he made it through. He felt as if he was floating. Floating above himself, seeing around him. He tried to see into the forest. He saw a Rock Cat climbing a tree, as to sleep for the night. He saw a Shadow Brother's Harvest group lighting a Tallow Circle at a camp site. Right as he was settling into the Veil, Stormbreaker shouted.

"We are arriving at a camp site! We shall bed here for the night!" His voice boomed like thunder. The company started to slow down and eventually to a stop. Stormbreaker called Daggerfall's name.

"Before we take care of the necessary precautions for safety, let me address some things. I am taking you as my apprentice. You will refer to me as High Master, and you will speak when spoken to. From this point forward, you will be called Frosteye. No longer will Daggerfall be part of your identity." As Stormbreaker finished, Rock Cat howls were heard. The other ponies outside started to finish putting their livestock in the barn shelter. Another howl was heard, and out of the darkness, a Rock Cat pounced and snagged a little filly. It shook her about like a rag doll.

Before Daggerfall could think, Stormbreaker was shouting orders to Zed. "Get the ponies inside NOW!!" Stormbreaker then drew his two razor-toothed broadswords, as did Windblown. Daggerfall counted how many Rock Cats that came out of the forest. 'Eleven...Twelve...Thirteen...Fourteen...Fifteen! Fifteen Rock Cats! One is enough to deal with.' Daggerfall's thoughts were interrupted by fierce bellowing. The shouting was coming from Stormbreaker and Windblown. He knew what they were doing. He had heard about how Shadow Brother's would let out fierce battle cries to goad their talons into a frenzy.

"Zed!" Windblown shouted. "Cut the boy loose and get the talon to safety!" Zed did as told and cut Daggerfall's hands loose with a silver dagger, he then put a dagger in his hands. "Cut yourself loose, take care of the talon."

A Rock Cat roared and pounced. Stormbreaker cut it down in one swift motion. Another pounced at Windblown, his talon snatched it up with his jaws and roared triumphantly. Stormbreaker leaped onto another Rock Cat and sliced it's head clean off. Windblown jumped on his talon, commanding it to jump. It landed and crushed one more Rock Cat. The smell of gore and excrement made Daggerfall gag. Stormbreaker jumped onto his talon, its jaws closing on one more Cat, his sword finding the heart of another. A Rock Cat started towards Tek and Daggerfall. As it leaped, Zed charged and jumped into it's side, roaring louder than any other had. The Cat and Zed tumbled into taller grass, leaving them out of sight. Two Cats jumped on each side of Windblown, his swords running both of them through. Daggerfall was hoping that the Shadow Brother's would be killed one minute, and cheering at the Rock Cat's deaths the next. Stormbreaker jumped off his talon, doing a flip and landing on a Cat. In a flash he decapitated it and stabbed another. Windblown's talon picked up a Rock Cat in it's claws and bit down on its head. He then slid off his talon and sliced open another one. Zed shouted victoriously. His robes were covered in blood, whether that was his or the Rock Cat's was yet to be seen.

Only two Rock Cats remained. Although, these looked bigger than the rest, almost deformed. Daggerfall shouted at the Shadow Brother's. "Mockers! They're Mockers!" At that, the would be Rock Cats morphed. One turned into an older man, with long sharp claws. The other, took on a more feminine form. Gossamer looking wings unfolded and it took flight. Daggerfall had a look of panic cross his face. 'Do they know that the winged ones can spit?'

Stormbreaker took a stab at the grounded Mocker, missing by an inch. It lashed out, almost slashing Stormbreaker's shoulder. Windblown hesitated when he saw his Mocker take flight. Daggerfall shouted once more. "She can spit! The winged one can spit!" True to his word, the winged Mocker spat out a bubbling acid. Windblown dodged it and the glob disintegrated the earth where it landed. Meanwhile, Stormbreaker had sliced off one of his Mocker's hands. It screeched at him and took a swipe with his other good hand. He smoothly dodged it and stabbed it through the chest. With a twist of his blade and an upward sweeping action, the Mocker was no more.

Windblown wasn't having as easy a time with his foe. Every attack he tried, it dodged easily. Daggerfall shouted for a third time. "Bring her down! Take out her wings!" Windblown didn't need a second invitation, he leaped high in the air and sliced off the gossamer wings. He then mounted his talon. Another battle phase ensued. Dodging and slicing, evading and stabbing. This went on for a few minutes until Daggerfall had an idea. He nudged Tek with his elbow, she let out a shrill whistle. The Mocker turned to face that direction, seizing the moment, Windblown had his talon jump in the air and land on the Mocker. The sickening crunching sound followed.

Thirteen Rock Cats and two Mockers. Only one casualty. The Shadow Brother's left their talons to feast on their prey. The battle, was over.