The assassin wiped the indigo blood from his blade. The cold steel glinted in the azure-tinged moonlight of this planet. His blood, however, (a radiant lime), was not unspilled as well. He sprinted through the palace shadows, unsteady as he limped; his irregualar flight was so from the trident gashes in his leg. It did not matter to him, though, as his mission was done, the violet blood of royalty soaking a once-pure white feather as proof. Stumbling upon a lone guard, he did not procrastinate in re-immersing his blade in flesh. The guard's vibrant ruby glasses fell askew as her body hit the floor. He bent over, pulled out the blade, and wiped it clean of signs of violence. Suddenly, another guard entered the corridor. As the new arrival saw the body, his expression slowly changed from shock to rage. It was clear that he had known her personally. Hands shaking with anger, the guard drew his sickle and charged. Not hesitating for a second, the assassin pulled a knife from his belt and threw it in one seamless motion. It caught the guard at the base of his neck; he collapsed and slammed into the ground, the limp form skidding to a halt at the assassin's feet. Upon seeing the guard fall, he turned and ran, for his time was now more than ever at a premium. They would surely be coming to investigate. He leapt through the window at the end of the corridor, shattering the silence of the courtyard below along with the delicate panes of glass in his path. He rolled as he hit the ground, and dashed for the stables. The bells were ringing now, and all that mattered was the distance he could put between himself and them.The assassin quickly found a stallion, and mounted it. Brown pelt gleaming in the moonlight, he sped towards the palace gates. Upon seeing him, the guards yelled in alarm and began to lower the gate, but they did not in time. The assassin burst forth on a trail, escaping into the moonlight. He was free, mission successful, returning home.
Meanwhile, the second guard rose unsteadily. He gripped the handle of the knife, gritted his teeth, and wrenched it out. Specks of teal blood spattered the wall, and a gasp escaped him. He covered the wound with his hand and tossed the knife on the floor. He knelt beside his fallen friend. “Your death was not in vain, Redglare.” he murmured. “Justice will be wrought!”
Chapter 1
The assassin stood before Har’alin, head of the Assassins of Alternia. “It is done.” the assassin spoke, bringing out the feather. “The traitor has been slain.” Har’alin nodded, and stepped forward to receive the feather, black hair rippling in the midnight breeze. “You have done well. We are one step closer to wiping her blemish off Alternia.” He looked straight at the assassin. “For your crucial contributions to our cause, you have earned a new title, and new equipment.” From the folds of his robe, Har’alin brought forth a small blade. He attached it to the assassin’s right wrist, and said to him “This is a hidden blade. To release it, flex your wrist vertically.” The assassin did so, and the blade carved the air with brutal stabbing force. Har’alin spoke once more and told him “Go to the training pits. The trainer will be waiting. Once he sees you have mastered the weapon, he will give you your next target for me.” The assassin bowed slightly and said “Thank you, Har’alin.” He turned and left for the pits.
Meanwhile, the second guard from the palace was hacking away with grim enthusiasm at a training dummy he had outfitted with a white cloak. Slowly, another guard approached from the back of the training field. “Lakri.” The other guard spoke his name. Instead of answering, Lakri swung his sickle at the dummy’s neck. The wooden head flew a few feet and then landed, rolling in the mud. He put the sickle back on his back. and without turning said “What is it you require, Halec?” Halec pointed to where he came. “It is time to retire for dinner.” Lakri turned to face Halec. “Justice will be my sustenance. I will be sated when Redglare’s killer is dead.” He spun around and returned to slashing the dummy. Halec grimaced and said in a louder voice “You find none in the bowels of your target. Come, you will need your strength for the battle tomorrow.” Lakri stopped, and looked at Halec with confusion. “Our scouts are tracking the filth as we speak. We will know his treacherous abode by tomorrow.” Lakri looked down and said “I will eat.” They walked inside.
