Free City of Masks by Kevin Harkness Page A

Bangt, so I don’t really know.”
    “Well, what did you use to kill demons there?”
    “Hmm. Well, if you really have to know, I killed my first demon with a copper pot and a fireplace poker!”
    Even Forlinect joined in the laughter then. Hand on his side, he pointed at the newly dried rope-hammer coiled from its hook at Garet’s waist.
    “We won’t ask you to demonstrate those weapons, but maybe you could show them something of that?”
    He cleared the others back, and Garet took the loops of wire-reinforced leather rope in his hands. Holding it so the line would play out without tangling, he flipped the spiked end out and hit the nearest sand bag dead centre. A bit of sand flowed out when he jerked the rope back and caught it nearer the incoming metal ball, letting it swing harmlessly past his head. Then he showed them the strikes one could make with both sides of the pick-hammer end.
    When he was done, Allifur put a finger in the hole torn in the bag.
    “I wish I could use that,” she said.
    Corfin nodded.
    “You wouldn’t if you knew the number of bruises I got learning it,” Garet said. He put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll find you a way to kill demons. I’ve promised, haven’t I?”
    She nodded, and Forlinect dismissed the class. Before Garet left, the Red asked him an odd question.
    “After the Snake Demon—and good job on that, well-killed Bane—you didn’t see anything strange on your way back to the Hall, did you?”
    Garet shook his head, and Forlinect smiled and waved him away.
     
    AFTER DINNER , Garet retreated to his room to rest, forgetting that Marick would be waiting for him with his wild story of masked demon killers wandering the streets.
    “Can’t this wait until tomorrow? I have patrols tonight with Tarix’s Golds, Ratal and Kesla.”
    “But this is important, Garet!” Marick said. The small Bane was almost dancing in his irritation.
    “Leave him be with your rumours and foolishness,” Dorict said from where he was curled up on his bed with a book angled to catch the last light of the day coming in through the window.
    There was a knock on the door, and Garet opened it to find Salick waiting outside.
    She came in and sat on the edge of Garet’s bed. That something was bothering her was clear from the way she fiddled with the end of one braid.
    “Garet, have you heard anything about a second demon last night?” she said.
    Before he could answer, Marick exploded.
    “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell him, Salick! There’s something strange going on, and nobody is admitting it.”
    Salick stared at the little Bane and raised one eyebrow, a trick all Golds seemed to practice in hopes of becoming Masters.
    “Oh, and I suppose you know all about it, as usual,” she said.
    Marick smirked. “Of course. No one steals secrets better than I. Remember, I knew you two were in love before either one of you did!”
    He dodged a slap from Salick, a kick from an equally mortified Garet, and ended up beside Dorict, who hit him with his book.
    “Ouch! Stop playing around, and I’ll tell you. The girl who survived the attack said men and women in black clothing slew the demon with sword, spear, and bow.”
    “Bow?” Garet scoffed. “No one, not even a Bane could send an arrow straight when a demon is near! The girl is too upset to remember clearly.”
    Salick held up her hand. “Perhaps not. I saw Master Relict come back in some haste last night when Master Bandat and I were returning from Patrols. He said nothing to us, which was strange, and even stranger were the arrows he carried in his hand, their points still bloody.”
    “And it was his Golds who borrowed a cart and dragged the beast, a big Catcher Demon, to the repository. Salar was one of them, and he let slip that the jewel was already cut out,” Marick added.
    Garet thought this over. “Perhaps the Banes who did it haven’t recorded the kill yet. Or old Arict forgot to write it down.”
    “