Hidden in Plain Sight

Chapter 2: A New Apprentice

Aaron's POV

I looked at the young Alexander, and sighed deeply. Everyone knew that I was a tough mentor to young men and boys, and usually they would assign me them to see if they had what it takes to work as the guard, and duty caller of the king.

I turned my back on Elliot and walked away, I didn't like training new boys, it was difficult and time consuming. I could have been planning an important attack on the enemy or cloud be the kings shadow, but no I had to train him.

I heard footsteps behind me and I turned around, my eyes met with the gaze of Alexander. I didn't know what it was, but something seemed odd about him. I pushed the thought away from my mind, he would still have to work hard despite my feeling.

"Tell me Alexander, are you only able to use a bow?" I asked, raising a brow at the boy.

He nodded. "Yes sir, I have not tried my hand at swordplay many times, I prefer the bow."

"Then we will start with sword practice. Tomorrow we will then begin stealth training. You may think you are silent in the shadows, but any enemy assassin would have seen and heard you. You need to be quick and quiet, and I am here to teach you this."

I motioned for him to follow, and he did without a word. That was odd, usually the boys would be so excited they would be jumping around. I guess he's more mature.

I shook my head, and led the way out and into another training area where swords were only used. I grabbed one that I would fit the smaller male and tossed it to him. He caught it, and balanced it in his hands before gripping the hilt and swinging it around.

I let him go at it for a while before pulling off the black cloak and throwing it on the nearby bench, and unsheathing my own sword. I turned back to him. "Alright, let training begin."

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"That is enough for today," I said, as I swung my sword up and down, saluting. I then sheathed it. I looked back up at Alexander, and saw he was out of breath, but not as much as I thought he would be. It honestly surprised me that he wasn't, which made me earn a bit of respect for the boy; I didn't tell him though.

I walked over and grabbed my cloak, remembering that I had to be the king's shadow again that night. I turned around and met eye contact with the boy. "Look for a man named Curt, he will lead you to your chambers."

Alexander gave me a look of surprise, and I sighed. "Now that you are a member of our guild, you have to stay here."

I turned before he could reply, if he could anyways. During the whole practice session he would only nod at my instructions. Is he mute? No... he replied when Elliot talked... I assume talking is something he does not do often...

I pondered at the thought of the boy. He was so different from the rest, he wasn't as over confident as the others, and he listened to what he was told to do, no matter what it was. Usually they would get distracted with anything especially their pride and that was part of the reason I didn't like to take apprentices. They were to confident in themselves, and that usually resulted in their downfall.

I looked up when I reached the castle which sheltered the king I jumped up easily to climb up the castle, using the nooks and crannies to climb, before entering through a small hole on the top, which I closed off after I entered. That was the only way in from the top and most others didn't usually like taking the hard way in, I on the other hand preferred it.

I climbed around the top, and watched the king move about freely. I stayed in the shadows, watching all who came in, and all who went out. I balanced along the beams, when I heard a low thud from above me. I looked up, and dodged just in time as a dagger was thrown at me, and went deeply into the wood where I once stood.

I glowered at my attacker as the white cloaked assassin descended from the tops of the castle, and down upon me. Knowing that I needed to keep the king safe, I moved to a more empty part of the room, where the king wasn't was.

I then jumped and met my attacker head on. Metal hit metal in a clang that echoed through the tall room. I heard a slight scream, which distracted me slightly. This then made the opportunity for my attacker to off-balance me and send me crashing down to the floor.

The breath was knocked out of me as I hit the stone floor. However, with screaming muscles, I jumped back up and dodged as another dagger was thrown at me. I heard the feet of the white assassin hit the floor, I almost missed it. I threw my dagger at him, and caught him right in the chest as he was standing.

I heard his breath get caught in his throat, before I run up and lashed at his neck, killing him. He made a gurgling sound as his body hit the floor and a pool of blood was made from his slit throat. I looked down, and crouched, closing the eyes of the enemy, before standing again. I turned around, the king was there.

I knelt down, bowing my head at his Majesty. He grunted, signaling for me to stand, I did so and an instant later I returned to the ceiling in a flash. I cursed under my breath at myself, it had been a while since the king had seen me, and it was definitely not a good image on my part. Finally dawn appeared, and my good friend took my place.

Carol was a bit taller than I was, and more broad shouldered. His red hair was a red color, which he hid underneath a black cloth. I nodded, and smiled lightly before returning back to the guild.

I made it to my room, and saw Alexander. He was outside his door, and... Looked like he was waiting for me.

"We will start training at midday," I told him, before entering my room and closing the door behind me.

I threw myself on the mattress face down. I needed sleep. Before I could do so, I felt the probing of a finger against my back. "Sir Aaron," I heard my roommate say my name. "Sir Aaron." I groaned, showing him that I had heard.

"What is it?" I said, not looking up at the man.

"You are back late, what took you so long?" he asked.

"Cecil, I cannot be late every once and a while?" I asked, looking up at the brunette. He had piercing green eyes with short brown hair.

He shrugged. "It is not like you to be late."

I rolled my eyes. "Let me rest, it was a long night," I said, turning over so my back was facing him. I heard him sigh then leave, finally letting me sleep.