I have always been fascinated with Chinese history and culture. I also love fantasy. So I decided to combine these two loves into the story that you are about to read.

I kneel in the center of the Chamber of Shadows. This place is well named. Light, defused by crystal prisms embedded in the ceiling and walls, casts a well-directed shroud of gloom about the room. Countless dancing illusions with both substance and movement cavort upon its walls, doors, and benches. The intricate symbol chiseled on the chamber's vast tile floor adds to the confusion of shadows and shades populating the room. I bow lightly, touching my forehead to the floor. In this potion I wait to be acknowledged.

“Xia Min.” My name echoes in the gloom. “Xia Min, stand and be recognized in this sacred place.” I slowly get to my feet. “Why have you come to the chamber of shadows? What brings you before the Council of Knives?”

The stomping of feet and the pounding of my heart is deafening. I wait until my voice can be heard above both. “I seek nemrosa claduran venshhen, the blood hunt!” My voice is strong as I speak the name of the ancient rite of revenge. The steel in my tone silences the room.

“Xia Min, your family order is in good standing with the Guild of Knives. Who do you wish to slay?” Again the words hang in the air about me. I feel all the eyes of the room boring into my flesh.

“She who has wronged my kin and my kind!” I answer as I stare around the dim room, challenging those shadowy figures about me. “The killer of the Order of the Bloody Hand. My order! And the slayer of my father!” This time the silence is almost as deafening as the pounding I had first encountered, a reaction I had not counted on. In most cases a call for vengeance against a slayer of one's order is met with cheers—not this tone of silence.

“She who has turned renegade and would break from the order!” I continue, “My sister and flesh, known to me and mine as Ming Lu Min! Known to the Guild of Knives as Death Has Green Eyes!”

A low murmur vibrates in the air. I feel a twinge of confusion within the Council of Knives, almost as if I have asked a question with no answer. I do not understand their reaction. I am not the first to invoke the nemrosa claduran venshhen. Nor will I be the last. Why does the council hesitate? They could not be afraid of Ming Lu, could they? What a foolish thought! This is the Council of Knives—the deadliest assassins this world has to offer. Even the strongest lord in the most powerful land would feel a chill at the mention of their name. And I have only asked what is right of an order of a guild in good standing. Why the hesitation? Why the concern?

“Xia Min,” speaks the voice of Silver Knife, Guide of the Guild of Knives, silencing all other voices in the room. “You who are known to the guild as Silent Scream, your claim is just and you have observed all the forms and manors of the request for nemrosa claduran venshhen. Yet as you say, Death Has Green Eyes is of your flesh. Your sister, as you have stated. Would you not wish to appoint another of the guild to end Green Eyes's life? Just speak a name and that person will be sent.”

“No,” I bow once more, touching my head to the floor as before. “I am only of the tenth circle of learning,” I stand once more. “unlike Ming Lu Min, whose learning is equal to the rings of an ancient oak tree. And it is true that until my sister turned on our order I held little interest in changing my life or entering my father’s service. But I feel deep in my soul that my hand and my hand alone is the only one capable of taking Green Eyes's heart. She has turned on our family and held my father's heart in her hand. I will do the same to her when next we meet!”

“When next you meet?” Silver Knife's question seems odd to me.

“Yes! When next we stand side by side I will have her heart!” I pull my father's dagger from it sheath and hold it in the air. “I can sense her movements; I know which direction she now travels. Grant me what I ask. Let me bring honor back to the order of the Bloody Hand.” The room is silent, as am I. I feel all the eyes, including my own, turn to Silver Knife.

“Very well, Silent Scream. You will have what you ask for.”

That uneasy murmur throughout the room again. I do not understand their concern. I still do not believe that they fear Ming Lu Min...Perhaps it is the difference in our skills. She, as I, will not have taken their granting this request personally. They risk nothing! Why the hesitation?

“Nemrosa claduran venshhen is granted to you and you alone,” Silver Knife concludes. “The blood hunt is yours to begin, and ends when Ming Lu Min known to the guild as Death Has Green Eyes heart beats in your open palm. So let it be recorded.”

“I thank you, Council of Knives!” I put my father's dagger away and bow a third time. “Her heart is mine!” I shout, ending the ritual. Turning, I walk wordlessly from the room.