Chapter 3.1

From the shadows he slung his bow over his back, picked up his bag and began walking silently through the alley.  The shot had been an easy one and he had not been waiting too long for his mark to appear, no more than an hour or so at most.  He had tracked him, and the traitor into the tavern and nested himself carefully in the alley to wait.  He had been following these two for a few days now and knew the local would be the first to leave.  His orders had come from high up in the guild which was the only source he received orders from really.  He was called in only when the work needed to be quick and sure.  

All he knew about the two was that they were to be taken out and left in such a way as they were a warning to anyone who sought to bring attention to themselves in a way not sanctioned by the guild.  He laughed at that play on words.  He liked it better this way, not that he cared really.  The thrill of the hunt was more than enough for him.  He would have done this for free, though he would never tell them that.  The pay was far too good.

He stood above the man studying him dispassionately.  The arrow had hit above the heart and to the right.  This disturbed him, that his aim could be off at such a close range, even if it was a dark alley.  He consoled himself though that this one, what was his name?  Yes, Roy, had very fast reactions.  No matter he looked dead nonetheless.  He reached down and planted a foot on Roy’s chest and grabbed the arrow breaking it off cleanly at the point it had entered.  No sound escaped the mans lips.  Yes definitely dead.  Normally he would have slit his throat too but on a whim he did not.  Even he could not have told us the reason.  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold sovereign and slid it between the mans lips.  This was the only part of the job that really mattered.  This was the calling card, the notice that this man had been assassinated by the Thiefs Guild.  

He laughed as he straightened up and admired his work.  Now to go and wait for the other.  What luck would it be if he could get the both of them in one evening?  The man walked away whistling.

How long had passed?  No idea, but it was still dark.  Incredible pain in his shoulder.  He spat something out of his mouth and heard it clink onto the alley beside him.  He tried to move and cried out again in pain.  “Roy, I’m not sure you’re going to get out of this one.” He whispered to himself.

~ by ridgewalker on March 8, 2008.