Hemlock

Chapter 1

Derrick

Derrick ran. He didn't know where he was going but he ran. The footsteps behind him got heavier and the foot falls were definitely closer. Crap. There would be hell to pay if he was late to the meeting. The spymaster wasn't known for being lenient. Especially with Derrick. Grinding his teeth, he ducked inside an alley. The walls were damp and falling apart, and the smell of decay was overpowering. He pulled out a handkerchief to cover his mouth, and waited. "Where did the lad run off to?" came a voice from not too far off.

"I'm not sure, but we 'ave to find him. No way in 'ell am I gonna risk 'avin me 'ead cut off because some beggar boy nicked me bag" answered another voice. 

Nonetheless, Derrick breathed a sigh of relief. They hadn't identified him yet. To a degree, he was still safe.

"C'mon, he can't 'ave made it far. Probably went to the nearest tavern to go buy himself some ale. Let's go. He's going to regret messing with us, he is." The first man replied. 

Their voices carried for a few minutes before he couldn't hear them. He waited another 5 minutes just to be sure they were gone. He then emptied out the bags to make sure he
had what he required. 

Spymaster William just needed the papers, and carrying the whole bag was going to be an extra load. Nestled at the bottom of the bag, was a stack of letters. Perfect. He quickly stuffed them in his coat pocket, and put the rest of the contents back in bag. He quietly stole away into the night.

*~*~*~*~*
"What took so long?" asked a cool, crisp voice as Derrick entered the hut. Each word was filled with icy disapproval. 

Derrick shivered. The spymaster wasn't the type of man who visibly displayed anger. Instead, he was cold and calculating. He had a reputation for being ruthless and his methods of getting information were cruel yet effective. The master reminded Derrick of a sleeping tiger: seemingly relaxed, but still very dangerous.

"I was being chased Master. I-I'm sorry, it won't happen again." He stuttered, then immediately cursed himself for it.

"Hm" said the spymaster as he took out his dagger, and began cleaning his fingernails. "See to it that it doesn't. After all you know the consequences you will face better than anyone." 

He tossed the knife back and forth in his hand. Despite the spymaster's seemingly casual manner, Derrick began to feel uncomfortable. His service to the spymaster was less than pleasant, and as much as he hated to admit it, the man scared him. 

"You did manage to get what I asked for, didn't you?" Inquired the spymaster. 

The question shook Derrick out of his reverie. He quickly stepped forward and took out the letters.

"Yes Master William. Here they are." 

He stepped forward and handed papers over to him, and stepped back again. Derrick coughed quietly into his handkerchief. The air in the hut was musty and stale. He wanted nothing more in the world, than to collect his payment and leave. The master flipped through the stack of letters, occasionally murmuring to himself. Abruptly, the spymaster stood up and crossed the room in less than 3 strides. Suddenly, his face was inches away from Derrick's. Instinctively, Derrick took a step back.

"Derrick?"

"Yes sir?"

"I have another assignment for you. Should you complete it successfully, I will pay you ten times your usual wage."