The Wolf's Crowning

Chapter 1

 It was raining outside of the castle as Luana Jinks swaggered into the main hall to talk to the king. Her large hood blocking her features in its shadow as she smiled wickedly at Sam Merlo who only glared as she approached.

"You're late," he snarled "If you keep being late, he will make regret it, and you know that."

Sam fell into step with her as she continued down the hall to the council room. She really didn't care if she was late again and again, if they want something to change then they shouldn't tell her about the meetings 10 minutes before they start.

"You and I both know, Sam, that they won't do anything about me being late as long as I show up and do their dirty work for them," Luana sneered right as she was about to open the double doors of the meeting room.

Luana sauntered in and took her seat next to the king as if she weren't already 10 minutes late. Sam, on the other hand, walked over and stood by the king, looking as if ready for the king to explode.

The king just studied her for a moment, she is slightly above the average height of a women with long blonde hair that went slightly past her shoulder blades. He stopped at her eyes like most people did, they were as blue as the ocean with a ring of pale green around her pupil that made it look like an island.

"I see that you decided to show up last minute," he said as he gave a pointed glance at Sam. "We were just finishing up discussing the matter of a shortage in our trading goods. You all may leave I must speak with my victor." The nobles gave quick low bows and hurried out of the room.

The king sat there for a while as if to make her and Sam stew on what was about to be said. "I need you to run an errand for me. Some politicians and nobles of mine sent a message saying they were departing. They put this in after finding out about some...plans of mine for our companions in the East." The king gave a short feral grin but it didn't reach his eyes.

Luana pondered this for a while, she could reject the offer, it was part of her contract as being his greatest assassin. She fought for this title, she went through Hellians realm for this, but she wouldn't kill any children, that was her only agreement.

"What kind of plans?" she asked lazily, an irrelevant question if only to see what he would say. "I'm afraid that's classified, it's not ready anyway," he said a bit sharply. "If I do take the job," she carefully said, "What is to happen to their families?"

The king rubbed at his glass seal ring that sat tightly on his massive gnarled finger. "You can do as you please, I won't push to have them put to death. Leave them if you want," the king said lazily as he continued rubbing his ring as if he were off in some other worldly land.

"I will do the job, but leave the families, it would raise suspicion if they are dead." Luan sai as she got up and left her chair. Sam bristled as she got up, not yet being dismissed by the king.

"Sam, go help her. She could use the interaction," the king smiled but it didn't reach his ears. "You are dismissed, the both of you."

Sam followed Luana out of the room, once they were out of earshot he said bluntly "I'm not going am I?" "Not at all," she said as she waltzed down the hall to her chambers where she striped off her outer clothes and began putting on her favorite matte black outfit for tasks like this.

"And why is that, might I ask?" Sam said as he walked around the room. It was such a mess, books and clothes everywhere. "Don't you ever clean this dump?" he called as she walked into her bathing room. "No, I keep it like this because I know where everything is. Plus maybe you will trip on something and fall on your sword so I won't have to deal with you."

Luana walked out of her room and into the large hall that lead to the stairwell. "So if I can't go," Sam said as he followed her down the stairs, "Then who is supposed to save your hide when you get in trouble?"

"Oh Sam, how would I ever get in trouble or actually live my life if you are always following me?" she exclaimed. "You don't, that's the point. You can't go gallivanting around town as you please." 

She  stalked out into the main corridor, Sam still hot on her tail, and walked out of the front gates. "Why are you still here?" she asked, "I told you that you weren't coming."

"I'm coming and you can't stop that Luana." Sam said as he fell into step beside her, following her to where ever she was going. She lead him into the upper class sections, looking for her charge no doubt.

She nimbly climbed up the side of a house and onto the roof, "Are you coming or not?" she stated with thick annoyance. Sam climbed up the house and followed her. The night was silent save for their light footsteps on the roof and the small left over drizzle of rain. 

Luana paused and held up a hand for Sam to stop as well. The atmosphere seemed to shift, everything was still. Something shifted in the alley below, Luana had her concealed blades out a second later and Sam had his sword in hand. "What do you think it is?" Sam asked, barely above a whisper. "Someone followed us," she said with equal quiet, "Stay low."

They leaped to the next rooftop to be met by a hooded figure. He was tall and muscular but still lean enough to be lethally fast. Luana counted seven blades total, plus ones that were probably hidden in his clothes and boots. His features were hidden under his dark hood, all except his cruel mouth which was in a half smile.

  The hooded man lunged aiming his dagger at Luana's heart.