Northern_Lights_2016

32 “As long as we need to, we’re hired to protect and will do so until we’re no longer needed. Now go get some rest,” the other one ordered. His friend nodded, turned and disappeared down a small hallway. I heard a door open and close, then silence. I turned my attention to the other mercenary. He stood there a moment staring after his friend, then turned and disappeared from my line of sight. Soon enough I heard another door opening and closing. I waited a few minutes more before pushing my way into the basement, making sure the door shut and locked behind me. It was full of crates and boxes, but no one was on guard. I stayed low to the ground and slinked across the basement to the stairs on the opposite side, careful to avoid loose floorboards. I climbed the stairs and picked the lock of the door at the top and slipped onto the main floor, again making sure it was shut, not wanting anyone alerted to my presence. The basement door was under the stairs, so all I had to do was book it up the stairs and make my way to the mas- ter bedroom. A quick glance around showed no signs of movement, but footsteps echoed through the manor, sounding far off, but getting closer. I moved up the stairs, pausing at the top as a mercenary, wearing the same gear as the ones downstairs, walked into the entry way of the house and straight through the archway on the other side, disappearing into another part of the manor. I rolled my eyes at his sloppiness before moving on. I snuck down the hallway, past three doors before finding myself at a set of double doors that led to the master bedroom. I tried the door and found it locked. I pulled out my picks and easily picked the lock. I slipped inside, making sure to shut and lock the door behind me and glanced around. Only one person was in the room: the target, who was sound asleep on the bed. I went to the side of the bed closest to him and pulled out my dagger, the moonlight glinting off the silver blade. I carefully placed my hand over his mouth, knowing it would wake him: his eyes flew open and landed on me, his screams muffled behind my hand. He made as if to move, but I held the blade to his throat. He stilled and I leaned in. “If you try and call for help I will kill you,” I whispered. “Nod if you understand.” His head nodded furiously, and after a moment I removed my hand. “I’m here on behalf of a client, the sister of the girl you raped and murdered,” I stated, and his eyes widened, filling with guilt. I knew it was him; the client would be pleased that her hunch was right. “You’re with them, aren’t you?” He almost shouted, but I waved the blade and his voice dropped a few degrees, “The Blood Lilies.” I gave a swift nod and his eyes filled with terror, “I didn’t mean to kill her! It was an accident. I told her to stop moving, she wouldn’t listen, and then she started screaming. I had to silence her.” “And I’ve been sent here to silence you,” I stated before I lashed out, swiping my blade across his throat in one swift movement. For a moment, he just stared at me as if nothing happened, then the blood started pouring from his throat and he reached up as if to stop it, choking on his own blood, unable to scream. I watched as he suffered, staying until well after the light drained from his eyes. I glanced around the room, swiping a few pieces of gold that were left on the night table and leaving a blood red calla lily, or blood lily as they are usually called — a rare flower in the world but not unheard of, most were in the possession of my guild because no one wanted to see them in their homes — in their place before moving to the window. I slipped out of it and shut it behind me, landing on the roof and moving across it, making sure the men below didn’t see me. I walked along the roof until I reached the edge, which at this part of the manor met with a tree that grew from the other side of the fence. I climbed into the tree and made my way down the trunk, landing on the ground outside the fence. I smiled at the easy success of the contract and moved through the streets, returning to the inn. I climbed the lattice by the door and slipped onto the awning and squeezed myself back through the window of my room. I quickly changed out of my blood-soaked clothes and dressed in my earlier clothes, a red tunic and brown soft leather pants with boots of the same material with a three inch heel. I washed my clothes in the basin and draped them on the dresser so they would dry and stretched out on the bed, allowing sleep to claim me, dreams plaguing my restful sleep. I walked out of the sleeping area that all the assassins shared when they were home, and moved towards Tyrael, figuring we would train some more, but he shook his head when he noticed me approaching. “Vanya wants to see you,” he stated, and I froze. Was it time for me to get my first contract? I nodded and followed the path that would lead me to Vanya’s chambers. The door was closed and I lifted my hand as if to knock, but the door swung open and Vanya stood on the other side. “Good, I was just about to come look for you,” Vanya stated before retreating back into her room, leaving the door open, an invitation to enter. I moved into the room and Vanya was sitting at her desk, her quill scratching across the paper before her. “I have a contract for you. Are you ready?” All I could do was nod, it was finally happening. The scratching stopped and Vanya glanced up, her right eyebrow raised in silent question. “It would be my honor,” I stated and she studied me for a moment before giving a swift nod. “Good,” she smiled at me before setting down the quill and picking up a sealed envelope, “This is the contract.” She held out the envelope and after only a slight hesitation I reached out and took it from her. “You may discuss your contract with anyone in the Blood Lilies, to gain helpful insight.” She picked up her quill and began writing again, a clear dismissal. I ducked out of her chambers and began my first contract kill. No one in the Blood Lilies could ever claim their first con- tract kill was their first kill. The only way an invitation to the Blood Lilies was offered was after a murder was committed. Most had a choice. No one was forced into this lifestyle, except me. I woke to sunlight in my eyes. Squinting, I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The dream faded to the back of my mind, but I knew I would never forget my first contract. It had been years ago, but I still remembered it like it was yesterday. I shook off the memory before it could take hold, knowing I didn’t have time to reminisce.