The Thirteenth Watcher: Epilogues

Donovan slid through the sandy dunes, his feet casting sand in every direction as he made his way from dune to dune. His breath came hot and heavy as the sun beat down on his forehead. He had to make good time, because he knew that the others would soon be hunting him down. What the hell was his purpose? To be an extra blade? That was it? “What….a ….waste of time…” he panted as he continued vaulting across the sands. He slid over the next dune and collapsed, panting and staring up at the burning brightness.

He lay there for some time thinking about his mission and how he had failed. Hadn’t he? He was supposed to kill the others..but…but doing that would have ruined everything. Besides, they had become part of the six….which meant they would be hard enough to kill without upsetting the balance and becoming the number one enemy of every bounty hunter and hero in the entire world. He sighed slowly. But there was the prophecy….and it had to come true because it was the word of the Watchers. Nine would stand and battle Baen and only two would survive in the end.

A shadow was soon over him and Donovan’s eyes opened to see Ermine Quoral standing over him. He screamed and stumbled backwards through the sand, staring at the figure who watched him intently. “Jesus, Ermine, you scared the crap out of me! Where the hell have you been? Is it true that you tried to kill Forte?”

“Yes.”

“Shit, man. You did a number on him…he had to flee back home with Shaw….Grail and I had to deal with that crazy demon bastard and I won’t tell you how close I was to dying!”

“But you succeeded.”

“In killing him, yeah….but Grail told me that we were to kill the others…but….but…but they’re blessed by the Watchers! That’s suicide…I couldn’t….I couldn’t do it,” Donovan panted waiting for the angered attack to come.

“You weren’t supposed to kill them, though Grail was conned into believing so.”

“What? Really? That’s good…but….what do you mean conned?”

“There had to be nine so that the prophecy would be fulfilled, and she would only go if she thought she had to kill the others. It is a long story about her psychology, something Forte would have to tell you.”

“I don’t plan on talking to him any time soon. But the thing is Ermine,” Donovan moved in conspiriatorally, “Two were supposed to stand.”

“And?” Ermine seemed to have counted only two left.

“Well…..six of them survived…then add me! That’s seven!”

“Seven were to be claimed, Donovan. That did not mean death.”

The dawn rose on Donovan’s brow. “Wait….that’s right. Blackheart and Laura were the only two who weren’t ordered to do new things. That’s it then? But wait….I wasn’t ordered to…..”

Ermine removed his hand from his cloak, revealing a small crossbow. He pulled the trigger and Donovan’s body hit against the sand. The mercenary stared up at him in shock. “You were nothing more than the final blade needed to fulfill the prophecy, Donovan. You and Grail were….expendable. Have a nice afterlife.” Ermine turned around and removed the orders that were distributed to all of the members of the Black Lotus and he reread them all:

Bring about the balance,

Eliminate all targets opposing our client’s goal.

Protect our client: The Thirteenth Watcher.

To do so, you must, when the time comes, shoot me. –Forte

Ermine shook his head. Forte was always willing to play games with his servants. Quoral didn’t mind so much, he knew exactly what that man was thinking and it was why he was the only one who figured out the little game the assassin was playing. He could expect a black tattoo for sure now. With that, he marched off across the sands, leaving The Poacher’s body to rot. And ages past.