4
Cole appears from the darkness of the trees. The assassin, dressed in long white sleeping attire, is draped over his arms.
Her white clothes stand out against the darkness behind them as my commander walks further forward. I look down at her feet and can see unlaced boots there where Cole had obviously shoved them on before he left.
I turn and tell Desmond and Alistair to join the rest of my royal guard and ready the horses. Alistair stalks off, his blonde hair waving behind him as he does, while Desmond narrows his gaze towards the assassin.
“Is there a problem Desmond?” I demand.
He looks across to me, his dark eyes unflinching as the moon highlights the distrust written all over his features.
“No.” He grunts as he stalks off to join the rest of the guards.
I let him go, ignoring the issue he clearly has with the assassin. It doesn’t matter anyway, he has his orders.
And in the two decades I’ve known him, he’s never strayed from my orders or Cole’s commands.
I palm the artifact in my pocket before looking up at my commander and the assassin, now before me.
Cole has her tied up with her hands in front of her. The assassin’s green eyes now closed. She looks ever so peaceful with her soft freckles and her long brown hair that flows in the wind as she’s held in Cole’s arms.
A mere shadow of the fierce assassin I met hours ago.
She starts shivering, even her long sleeved clothes aren’t thick enough to block out tonight’s cold. I look to see the goosebumps forming on her neck. It's freezing out here tonight. Which almost makes me feel bad about taking her and the manner in which we did. Almost.
“About time.” I say crossing my arms.
“Next time, you kidnap the assassin and I’ll steal the artifact that can’t fight back.” He bites back, clearly exhausted.
I fight back a laugh. “What happened?”
“She woke just as I slipped her the tonic, she tried to fight me but I had my shields up, thank gods. Otherwise I’d have more knife wounds than fingers.”
Cole looks at me, eyes wild and I lose the battle, my laughter escaping me. My commander shoots me a lethal stare, not appreciating my reaction in the slightest.
“Once the tonic finally kicked in, she was out cold.”
I shrug, still laughing. “Could have been much worse.”
Cole throws me an exasperated look.
I clap him on the back as I walk past him, laughter settling.
“Let’s go.”
We approach our horses and Cole puts the assassin in front of him. Resting her body against his, so she doesn’t fall while she’s unconscious.
Our royal guards are already positioned in front and behind us, on their horses ready to depart.
Our ride home will take a couple of days. I had the alchemist at the front lines prepare a few extra tonics, in case the assassin decides to cause a problem on the way.
After a few hours of riding down the main dirt road that leads from the front lines to Erador, we rear off. Ready to find a place to rest until sunrise.
We enter the forest below the dirt path and find a small clearing, far enough away that no wandering fae should bother us.
“Finch.” I command one of my guards as we jump off our horses. “Get the fire started.”
Finch runs a hand through his short black hair that attaches to his matching beard below. Being his power is to wield fire, I try to bring him with us on our journeys or missions. It means we can travel lighter and of course, he can be useful if we engage in combat.
“Yes sir.” Finch replies and walks away, his sister Fray
following closely behind to help him. Her short black hair flowing ever so slightly in the soft breeze.
I had Finch join my royal guard mainly for her, Fray’s tracking powers are unmatched. However, I knew she wouldn’t join us unless her brother did. To be fair, Finch has proven useful regardless.
The other members of my guard, Desmond, Mannuel and Alistair, set up their own packs and get settled. I don’t miss the death glare from Desmond before he lays down.
Seemingly having not cooled off from before.
I grab my pack from my horse and fold out a piece of material to lay on. Before resting my head against my arm and looking up at the stars.
I feel someone shaking me much too soon and I open my eyes to find Cole grabbing my shoulder and saying my name.
I feel like I barely got any sleep, but I suppose it had almost been dawn by the time we set up camp.
“What’s going on?” I ask huskily, my voice rough from just waking up.
“She’s starting to wake, I wanted to make sure everyone was up and alert before she does.” My commander says matter of factly.
“Gods, you’re awfully scared of her.” I say, mocking Cole, while rubbing my eyes with my fists.
“Not scared, just not willingly to let my guard down. Same as you should be.” He warns.
I wave a hand to brush him off and get up slowly. Reaching for my pack, I grab my knife and sit with my arms over my knees.
Waiting patiently for the assassin to wake up.