The Chronicles of Jonathon Postlethwaite: The Seed of Corruption by David S Denny

small, hunched, sharp featured man was intensely excited, he knew that something big was in the offing, promotions were rife he had heard, perhaps advancement  was  a  prospect  for   him   too.   He entered Flax's hall and approached his master, eyes upon the ground and  humbled  by  his  master's presence. Flax indicated that he sit and he  did,  but Amaril never dared look at him.
                                Flax spoke, looking at the flaky, bald patch on the top of Caldecott’s otherwise dreadlocked head.
    “There is my Amaril, a young man in this city who threatens our very existence, our future. He lives, I am told, on top of the Castle of Lepers. There are others there too, but I only want him, the others can die, this boy has eluded my pleasure before - I want him here, alive. Look at me Amaril!"
    Amaril raised his eyes nervously to Flax. The assassin grinned. Flax's stared at him and the grin vanished.
    “Do you understand me Amaril? Not dead in a sack in pieces. A-L-I-V-E. Do you understand me? "
    Amaril hesitated, this was abduction, not a killing, it was not his usual  work and he was slightly confused. Finally he answered.
    " Alive..........Alive not dead, not dead. Seek and return.... alive."
    Flax nodded as Amaril scratched the black, hairy mole on the end of his sharp, rodent-like nose. He decided to repeat the order for good measure; Amaril was good as an assassin but a little dim generally.
    “Alive Amaril. If he's dead then I'll kill YOU and eat you myself or perhaps I'll not bother with the killing part. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!"
    Amaril nodded vigorously.
    “Alive.  Alive,  your  mightiness"  he  squeaked, forgetting  how              he              should              properly              address              Dubh's future              emperor and knowing that Flax's last statement was a promise, not a mere threat.
                                The rat of a man began to vocally run over the novel idea of finding someone and returning them alive instead of killing them. He concentrated hard on the idea, staring at Flax's boots.
    “Alive, boy, Leper Castle by the river. ” he sort of chanted. Flax nodded.
    “It will be difficult, I know Amaril, the Tans gave up on the roof dwellers years ago. But I know you are a resourceful man and the reward will be great. Complete this mission Amaril and I will not forget you."
                                For a moment Silus Flax smiled, but quickly it faded, his intense, bottomless eyes drilling into his faithful servant. Amaril giggled like some manic child, his eyes shining with glee, overcome with excitement.
    “Reward will be great. Never forget me." he slobbered.
                                For a moment Flax's felt his confidence in Amaril Caldecott seemed to be in error. He seemed like a complete idiot now, but looks were deceptive Flax reassured himself, he had never failed him before. He laughed with Amaril, who relaxed and bounced up and down like a five year old, on his seat. Abruptly Flax ceased laughing, his cold, iron gaze paralysing Amaril Caldecott.
    “Start today imbecile!" he howled. Amaril Caldecott scuttled quickly from Flax's presence.
                                Flax sighed and leaned  back  in  his  great  chair as the  doors  closed  behind  Caldecott   and   studied the  dimension   door’s   increasing   width.   Just   a three days, he  thought. The door would be fully open and the 'boy' in his hands to become part of his own personal celebrations before the next and crucial stage of his plans. When he had obtained the weapons technology he knew was there beyond this dimension door, he could sweep the Tans out of existence. Then the Tallmen.