Chapter 8:We've been waiting for you

Adi returned to the Caidiz headquarters, his heart heavy with the weight of his first kill. He presented his report to the Head Master, a concise account of the mission, the execution, the details of Vasili's demise.

The Head Master, a man of few words, nodded, his eyes gleaming with a strange intensity. "Thank you for your report," he said. "We will wait on the results of the execution."

Days later, news spread through the city like wildfire. Vasili, the cruel nobleman, was dead. He had slipped and fallen, striking his head on the edge of his bed. A freak accident, people whispered. The guards, no longer on high alert, believed the official story.

The Head Master, his face a mask of satisfaction, summoned Adi. "You did it," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Mission successful. Killed like an accident. So, before you go back to Niziari, there is a letter for you. It was sent by the Elders, to be delivered only if you successfully completed your assignment."

Adi, his hands trembling slightly, took the letter. He sat down, his gaze fixed on the seal, a crescent moon etched in silver. He opened the letter, his heart pounding in his chest.

The message was short, to the point, written in a flowing script.

"Adi," it read, "if you read this message, it means you are successful in your first mission. I congratulate you. Your first kill is hard. We've been there. Your next task is for you to go to Marid. You are going to be part of the Niziari branch there. The Head Master there is the best Blender, but they lack an Executioner. Good luck, and welcome to the society, brother Adi."

Adi, his mind racing, reread the letter, the words sinking into his soul. He was a member of the society now, a shadow, a warrior, a part of something bigger than himself. He had tasted vengeance, but he knew that this was only the beginning. There were more missions, more targets, more lives to save.

He looked at the letter, his eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Marid. A new city, a new challenge, a new chapter in his life. He was ready. He was Adi, the Executioner, and he was ready to serve.

Adi, his horse a blur of muscle and motion, rode through the vast, sun-drenched plains, the wind whipping through his hair, carrying the scent of dust and freedom. Three days on horseback, a journey that stretched his endurance, tested his resolve, and brought him to the bustling city of Marid.

Marid was a different beast than the cities he had known before. It was larger, more sprawling, a labyrinth of narrow streets and grand avenues, teeming with people from all walks of life. He had been here once before, as a retainer, a shadow in the service of a noble. But now, he was a shadow of a different kind, a free agent, a warrior of the night.

He searched for the Niziari headquarters, following the map provided in the letter. He found it, nestled amidst the city's chaos, a seemingly ordinary traveler's inn. People came and went, their faces a blur of anonymity. But Adi, his senses sharp, knew that this was no ordinary inn. It was a perfect hiding place, a hub of information, a place where travelers from all corners of the world shared their stories, their secrets, their knowledge.

Adi approached the front desk, where a small girl, no older than eight, sat perched on a stool. "Is your mother or father here?" he asked, his voice low and gentle.

The child, her eyes sharp and intelligent, stared at him, her voice surprisingly commanding. "Why are you looking for my mother and father?" she asked. "Are you one of those people? Are you asking for money again?"

Adi, taken aback by her sharp tone, shook his head, confusion etched on his face. "No," he said. "I am a friend."

"I know Mom and Dad's friends," the child said, her voice unwavering. "But I don't know you."

Just then, a man emerged from behind a curtain, his eyes widening as he saw Adi and his daughter talking. "Ella!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with concern. "What are you doing?" He turned to Adi, his face apologetic. "I apologize for my daughter's behavior. I am Geoffrey. Who might you be?"

Adi, his instincts telling him that this man was no ordinary innkeeper, replied, "No problem." He then gave Geoffrey the secret password, a simple phrase, a whispered code.

Geoffrey's eyes, previously filled with concern, hardened instantly. He shook Adi's hand, his grip firm. "We've been waiting for you," he said.

He led Adi behind the curtain, into the kitchen. There, hidden behind a shelf of pots and pans, was a secret door. Geoffrey opened it, revealing a narrow passageway.

"Welcome," he said, his voice a low murmur, "to the Marid branch of the society."

Adi, his heart pounding with anticipation, stepped into the unknown, ready for his next mission, his next challenge, his next step into the world of shadows.