This is a story that I have been writing for quite some, still a long way to finish it. I started a lot of different stories but I rarely finish one. Some doesn't even pass the first chapter.

This one is the one i intend to finish. Mind that this story is not written in English and was translated by a machine.

Chapter 01


The night is inexorably approaching with the rising darkness. The last rays of sun could be seen far away on the horizon between the huge buildings that permeated the vision, like a flame that insists on not delete a candle against the wind incessant murmur. The day had been a day of good weather, mild temperatures and clear sky, and the night promised to continue the pattern shown by the day. It would be a quiet night of clear skies and no clouds. In the streets and avenues convolute the great city of Startham, workers began to slowly disappear from the streets and to return to their homes after another probably hard day's work. Soon the streets were totally deserted and no one, bearer of good conscience have the courage to venture to walk the streets with the curfew in activity.
By virtue of the role, some had official permission to violate it, just to be able to make it be fulfilled, so were the members of Startham guard while on duty. More also violating the curfew not by foolish courage or civic duty, but because of the need required by their shady activities. Max Kruz not belong to any of these groups, but there he was on top of one of the buildings to observe the orderly displaced people to their homes or restrooms.
The place where Max was, was a tall building in relation to the surrounding buildings, but far from impressive as some of the really impressive buildings in the city. The vast majority of immense buildings was located scattered to other parts of the city, especially in its central region. All neighborhoods, however, had some of these huge buildings. For this reason, Startham was the biggest city in the world by merchants.
At this very moment, Max found himself covered by the huge shadow of the nearest one of these buildings, a huge construction designed to practice religious events. The shadow helped to hide it from the view of passers-by in the street below and possible observers in nearby buildings. He found himself kneeling next to the corner of the building posted behind a human life-size statue, hiding from possible observers view.
His attitude was clearly suspect. Fortunately very few could see it in that place behind the statue and covered by the shadow; and those who could see were more concerned to return to their homes before the curfew to realize its presence. To help hide it from prying eyes even more, he was wearing a huge hooded dark gray color that covered almost entirely from head to toe. It did not seem nervous. His attention was directed to the local movement, but sometimes seemed to fall on a building located almost directly in front of that which was in the opposite corner.
The building in question was a large house with three floors located on the opposite corner of the block in front, across the huge avenue separating the buildings. A similar construction building in which he was at the time. Separating the buildings, there was an avenue, which was one of the main avenues of Startham, but not the main one, and served to link the city center to the suburbs. An incredibly wide avenue, called the Civility Avenue, with wide sidewalks paved with clear red tiles on both sides. In the center of a broad avenue site with medium-sized green trees framed by more sidewalks on both sides. Each via the avenue should allow the passage of at least four carriages simultaneously. Black poles broke out at regular intervals the sidewalks.
The building, probably because of its size, belonged to a merchant of utmost importance. Not by its size itself, which was quite impressive, but as it is located in the middle of the Grey District, by its main avenue, that is, in the most privileged area of ​​this district. This is better known by the locals as the Merchant Quarter, even that of gray there was more left over anything in relation to its original name, given to time have a right as much as distant.
In terms of aesthetics was a typical construction of the wealthy merchants of the region. The ground had a wide door and framed input leafy arc carved with tree shapes carved to perfection, but with walls that were completely smooth, without windows of any kind on the ground, with only small cracks in its uppermost part. The upper floors were something different, with long and wide framed windows in the same pattern as the front door and even small balconies with colorful flowers hanging from their balustrades.
The day was over and the night had come when at last the motion ceased altogether. There was not any more this passerby on the street. And the silence was almost full, contrasting well with the bedlam of a few hours ago. The black poles began connecting gradually, starting to shed its bluish white light from all sides, causing the appearance of misshapen shadows on the buildings.
Max's eyes had first to get used to the darkness of night to notice a person partially hidden high in the corner of a nearby building in whose interest was. This wore a hood whose color in the darkness could not be precisely defined. This person made a sign with his hand toward her. It was the signal that Max was hoping to start acting.
Max went down the staircase of the building where he was and went out the back door, but instead of going straight to where he was hiding his touch. He followed in the opposite direction in order to get around the block where he was and followed by the longest way to get to the desired location. This path would keep her hidden intentions of those who could spot him from the residence of the noble, since it does not allow it to be seen from this location.
He had spent all day near the site, now in one place now in another, watching the movement in the house and had not seen any movement all day, then chances were slim that someone expose. It cost nothing to be cautious and walk some more.
The neighboring buildings varied greatly in size, if not in style, but kept a resemblance to each other, were all impressive. As buildings moved away from the main avenue, however, little by little they became increasingly modest. The streets in their surroundings were no longer straight to become increasingly chaotic.
Max went through several distinct buildings, bypassing the wide block that was. Always so as to avoid exposing yourself unnecessarily light of scarce lampposts in the street or the light that indirectly came from the few lighted windows.
Few of the buildings showed some sign of life inside as lights or higher conversations. The Grey Town, after all, was not a neighborhood considered a residential neighborhood. Most of the buildings were commercial establishments, except those near the main avenue, with a predominance residential establishments. Only the most wealthy merchants and their personal servants lived in this region, relegated as a region of second class for the nobles. However much prized as place of residence by the merchant class, especially for the most successful, and such merchants could keep an eye on their business as long as possible.
Max, walking at a slow pace so as not to attract attention and always looking for the shadows of the buildings, was finished around the corner of the block to return the Avenue of Civility, when he noticed a light source slowly approaching to about fifty steps coming away from the opposite direction. At this time, in this place, in a side street of the Grey District, the light source could only come from one source possible, a patrol of the city guard.
His heart immediately fired to recognize the magnitude of the problem, but instead of letting despair with the situation, he decided to approach it differently. He used the split second that had to think of a possible solution to the impending problem.
The adrenaline injected into circulation, the same that caused the sudden acceleration of his heart, helped his brain to get to what he thought was the best solution, before he could even release the inspired air at the time of taking note of the problem. According to his reasoning, there were two possible courses of action to follow. The weather was extremely short to make a more established decisions on actual facts, and with that, probably more right. Should use that option that seemed at the time to be the right one. Then he exhaled from the lungs and acted.
Max slowly not to show their position with an uncontrolled movement, turned the corner to enter the street access to Avenida da Civility, darker than the one in which he found himself. Once out of what he thought was the keeper of the group's field of vision, began to walk with quick steps toward an alley in the middle of the block. He was sure that would not arrive in time.
The group consists of eleven guards continued to walk in cadenced steps toward him. They were arranged in little organized in two rows of five, and the first row of each carried a lamp. They all wore a uniform of blue fabric, the color guard of the city of Stratham, and above the uniform, one tanned leather armor. All patrol members who held the ranks were hands-free, but carried on easy access in case of use, sword and shield. One of the components was walking in the middle of two rows a little behind those who carried the lamps. This was not carrying a shield on his back as the others. Obviously he was the senior patrol, a sergeant by the insignia on his uniform. Only this seemed strive to seem aware of task it should perform.
The light of the group's lamps entered once in the street where Max was once the guardian group exceeded the corner of the block. The light was not enough to illuminate Max directly, but would be enough to see his silhouette against the night darkness. First, however, that the light had increased, Max had predicted correctly the time available to it and had returned to the slow steps.
The military went through the corner talking casually quietly about something he could not hear where I was. They seemed to be very calm. It could not be different, a long time elapsed since the curfew had been imposed. It was only natural that in time his accuracy was reduced, perhaps that was why the sergeant did not complain of the evident lack of discipline of their subordinates.
Max managed to win the last steps that separated him from the alley, when finally one of the guards turned her face toward him. Right now he really thought it would be discovered. However the military went ahead and without any of the eleven members of the group had taken his knowledge. Soon after the brightness of the lamp disappeared completely and Max returned to his way toward the Avenue of Civility.
The setback having passed made the heart of Max quickly slow down as it approached the avenue. Here his course of action would have been impossible to make, because the light was much higher. He crossed the avenue, passing beneath the shady trees of central reservation and went to the opposite side street where it should be hidden his companions.
In a dark alley, there was an open door as if waiting for him. Max wasted no time and went for it in an equally dark room. A faint light soon arose inside and Max found himself inside a small room with four individuals also hooded. The door was locked, and finally they removed their hoods to hide their faces. Max Kruz was a tall, stocky man with harmonious and joyful features on a very short black hair. The man nearest him was called Zoltan Ramos, was a little higher and slightly less stocky, with youthful features and an apparent lack of concern on his face intense blue eyes and blond hair. The taller man was called Eidon Oliver and found himself farther from the door, his height was really impressive and their physical size even more, and when combined with his height was really scary. His face was angular and apparently inflexible, marked by a huge scar that crossed his upper lip's face right up above the left eyebrow being buried in the place where the scar had crossed the nose giving a certain brutal aspect to their appearance. He was the oldest among those present, yet not more than forty years, although sparse white hair between his black hair. The lower and also the youngest man called Julius Kurt seemed to be the weakest of the present, but his sly look and determined, seemed to go a completely different idea. His blond and long hair framed her thin, sharp face like an eagle. The fifth component was called Leo Kand and despite not excel in anything like the others, had a topping physique and seemed an air of calm and competence. He was not the youngest of the group, but it was the novice, having been built a few months ago.
The five hooded men were members of the military corps of the city of Startham, though not conventional military and therefore were not there to enforce the curfew. As previously mentioned, the function was quite another. They belonged to called the Order of the Sacred Shield, and had the primary duty curb the illegal use of magic in the city area. Were better known by the nickname given by the citizens themselves, of inquisitors. A name improperly allocated to them, since they do not interrogate anyone, just investigating, bound or in extreme cases eliminated those responsible for crimes committed in their area of ​​jurisdiction. Anyway, the name had fallen into the popular taste was no time, and try to change it would be a waste of time.
- All right for the mission. There was no sign of movement in our goal. I looked me of a patrol before coming here not to cause fanfare ahead of time, but the captain assured me that strengthening would be present on site. - Max reported to his companions. As the senior member, he would not do this, but keep your companions informed, helped not create distrust the mission.
- Any change in the plan, captain? - Asked Zoltan.
Zoltan was a companion of Max class. Both had been recruited at the same time and reached the rank of lieutenant at the same time. They knew each other well and had made great friends during the learning period. Only with the passage of time, despite their ability, Zoltan stayed behind in priority promotion by Max consideration by the upper and better able to command.
- No, remains the same as before. We split into two groups, I, Zoltan and the freshman'll start rummaging through the upper floors, while Eidon and Julius will go directly to the main entrance to allow increased access. After re force him to have access to the residence, they will be directed to the basement to investigate whether there is any kind of risk there. We will try to find on the ground in about 15 minutes, in case of any group encounter problems, immediately send a warning sign for others to receive reinforcement.
- I have my doubts about this mission, Captain. - Said Julius, the youngest, breaking the solemn silence. - We should not spend more time studying the situation to ensure the validity of the mission? And if there really is something there, we should not draw more reinforcements to join the mission?
Just for a change, Julius had questioned his decision again. He was still young, but his ambition and ability would certainly be rewarded with a promotion when the right time came. Julius was also a lieutenant, but of a later class to Max and Zoltan, but Max was sure that it would reach captain before his friend. Pena was that Julius capacity was as big as his willingness to question orders of superiors. This could also hurt your career, especially when he was under the command of someone less lenient.
- The mission was handed over to the commander. And the commander appointed a contingent deemed necessary for mission. It is for us just do it now. - Max replied calmly, while agreeing with Julius. Max thought it should have ribs of another grouping of inquisitors, in addition to conventional soldiers. If their predictions were correct, this would not be an easy mission. Extremely vile would be hiding in that house. The commander, but found no need to send more reinforcements.
You could see the looks of men standing there that this explanation was insufficient to assuage the fear that had crept into their minds. After all it was their lives that were at stake, not the life of the commander who would be comfortably installed in the castle that served as headquarters. Max thought he should say something encouraging at this time or the mission could start with bad weather, and it was half a step toward that something went wrong.
- All I know is that this mission was ordered me and therefore strive my best to you to accomplish. I trust my men and if there is anyone who can fulfill this mission, you are. - Max said, doubting his own words, but wishing truly believe them.
- We set off this mission! - Zoltan shouted with his usual playfulness. The other nodded as if to agree with his statement.
- If there really is a mission to be detonated. - Leo muttered. He took a slight nudge of Eidon, blatantly reminding him that it was not his role to challenge orders. Leo looked at this as one who did not understand the message.
Slowly, one by one of the men present in the room, recolou dark gray hood over their heads and out the door into the alley as if in procession. At the end of the alley, a sergeant with the blue uniform of the city guard expected anchored along the wall. Max nodded to this, and even put in motion toward the place where the rest of his squad was positioned to support. The mission would begin soon.
Max sincerely hoped he was wrong this time, but he hardly engava on this type of subject. If he was right, the situation could become really critical. And the worst of the situation was that simply no one really believed that he could be right, not even their commander. This was the real problem to be faced in this mission.
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