Dark translucent clouds stretched a thin film over the moon as it looked down on the flooded warehouse. The river rushed nearby, giving full voice to its powerful current. The sound of water echoed off the stone walls as Jake crouched in the bushes in the lee of the warehouse. His nose was full of mildew, but he dared not sneeze. His pointed ears practically vibrated as he listened to the hushed voices above.

“Maldu wouldn’t be this late. He knows better.” The man’s voice had a harsh tenor edge to it.

“Things happen,” another man with a deeper voice replied.

“He’ll be here.” A woman whispered confidently.

Jake leaned out from the protection of the bush with great care. The dark clothing and cap he’d donned for the mission allowed him to blend in with the night. He could see the three speakers along with a fourth figure, standing on the roof of the dilapidated warehouse. They were in a tight cluster, keeping watch in all directions. All directions but straight down.

Jake created a portal and rolled through it, somersaulting to his feet atop the building. The assassins reacted well, showing their training. By the time the portal had dissipated each had drawn a dagger, and they spread out, hemming the half elf in on the middle of the roof.

“You’re not Maldu,” the man with the tenor voice said, smiling.

“No, and he won’t be coming. And you won’t be leaving!” Jake lunged and struck, cutting the assassin’s arm with his crystal blade. The man cursed and dropped his dagger but maintained position. The foursome surrounding Jake pressed closer.

“You’re going to tell us who you are, and who sent you here,” the leader seethed, “either now, or after we torture it out of you.”

“Torture?” Jake said, swinging his sword to keep them at bay, “that doesn’t sound like much fun.”

The largest of the men crept up behind him and grabbed him in an overarm bearhug. Jake stifled his conditioned response to escape and retaliate. Instead he drew on the Eternal Tap.

A portal opened up under their feet and swallowed him and the large man whole.

“After them!” Roared the man with the bleeding arm. He picked up his dagger in his left hand and lunged into the hole in the roof. The others swiftly followed, and then the portal winked shut.

The assassins found themselves in a dark, dank space with their large compatriot. The half elf had slipped away, and was nowhere to be found.

“Where is he?” The woman wondered. The foursome spread out slightly, backs together, daggers prepared. “Mind yourselves, this could be a-”

An electric hum filled the room, and the powerful lights flickered on. The assassins threw up their arms to block out the brilliance, finding themselves facing a wall of rifles when their eyes adjusted.

One by one, their daggers clattered to the ground.

“There, now.” Jake said, stepping out from behind the firing squad, “I believe someone mentioned torture?” His green eyes hardened poisonously. “Or you could just tell us where to find your master.”