Chapter Three The Youngest Assassin

 The First Kill

It had been a whole year since Strena had been a bounty hunter. Zaryb had trained and pushed her further than she knew he should have done. She would also be taught by him so she knew her literary skills and numeracy too. Every day her body would twitch as her head hurt after learning all that he taught her. Over the course of that time she became stronger and more intelligent than a normal seven year old. She could do more too, yet she knew that she had less freedom to do it and she knew it.

She was eating her breakfast, enjoying the sound of the sea and the strange silence of the shore when Zaryb joined her. He ordered his food and his usual beer. She had noticed that he hardly drank anything else and he drank far too much of it too. She had wanted to ask about that but she was still far too afraid of doing so.

"Now, Strena, we will be going to go to another guild." He said. "I think that you're ready for that place. Though it is a very violent place."

Her eyes widened as she could feel the dread built in her gut. She tried not to show it and nodded. After all, she knew that wherever he took her, she had no choice but to follow. She had learnt that over the past year, as he took her on his missions and he put her on missions too.

"I'll keep that in mind. So should I pack my bags?"

"Yes, and keep in mind to guard them." He said, warningly. "After all, if you don't, you will lose more than just a sword."

She kept eating and was soon finished. She packed her things which were just clothes. Nothing personal, after all, Zaryb never gave her anything, but the necklace around her neck, that was deemed remotely to her likening. Though she did keep her nightgown that was still stained with her parent's blood. Which, she knew, that she would have to keep it well hidden. She then waited at the door which he soon followed. They soon set off and were on the public carriage within minutes.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Jotellen, the one that's spelt with a j and not a y." He said.

He frowned.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"You do realise that they'll tear your girl apart!"

"She's able to take care of herself." He said with a tone of pride.

The driver raised his eyebrow.

"Suit yourself!" He said. "Freaking fool."

At that Strena closed her eyes in dread as Zaryb's cruel face returned as he pulled out a blade and dug it into his side. He leaned in closer to him.

"Care to say that again?" He said, dangerously.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I won't say that again!" He pleaded.

"Good man!" He said as he quickly pulled the blade out and patted his head.

Then with the crack of the whip the horses were off. They were soon in the small city that was busy but it stunk and the crowds were loud. As soon as they got out Strena noticed how the women looked at Zaryb with horror on their faces and worry when they looked at her. Then all the men looked at him with concern but they too looked at him fear but they were better at making it.

She then heard a woman scream. Strena was about to try to see where it was coming from and she saw a woman fight in vain as she was being dragged into a narrow alley by a group of well built men. They were looking at her with cruel smiles on their sweaty faces. She was about to help her but her body walked away from her.

"Master Zaryb, where are we?" She asked, trying to distract her thoughts.

"Jotellen." 

"I mean, what is this pace?" 

"Ahh… Asking the right questions. Good!" He sang with a sly smile.

"J-just answer the question." 

He smirked.

"Well, this is a town of assassins."

She looked at him horrified.

"A-and w-why have you brought me here?" She asked. "You're not planning on killing me? Now, of all times!"

"No. I don't want you dead. No, you're going to become an assassin!" He declared.

She would have taken a step back in horror if she could.

"No! You can't do that! I don't want to be an assassin! Never mind that, I don't want to kill anyone, let alone becoming an assassin!"

He smirked as he placed his finger tips on the Artemis necklace he then patted her bracelet. He then looked at her in the eye.

"I can't, can I?" He said, chillingly, putting an arm around her. "Come, time for me to introduce you to the rest."

She just looked at him in anger as she was forced to follow him. He had no right to do this but she was helpless as they came to a tavern painted red and white. She looked up. The Bloody Pig it was called. Her eyes landed on the plaque with a dead pig with its guts all over the lower half. It was covered in blood with red eyes and white pupils. She looked away trying not to throw up. There was a strain glass window in the door. There was a man covered in blood, with long black hair with tips reaching the floor with eyes like the pig.

"Who's that?"

"Lok. God of assassins and murder."

"Is that why he's covered in blood?"

"Yes, in fact none knows the colour of his skin as it is always covered by blood." He said, as he walked in. "Which has been the subject of many lively arguments which sometimes lead to a death or two."

"Well, well, well ain't we a sight that I ain't seen for a long time!" Said a big man as he looked down to see her. "Who's this?"

"Strena Az." She said, trying not to look too vulnerable.

"'Arry"

"Harry." 

"You know she looks quite like you!"

"What? No I don't!" She snapped back.

He giggled.

"She gonna be an assassin?" He asked.

"That's why she's here!" He sighed.

"Well, Strena Azlok, does sound good. You gonna get a job?"

"Yes. She is."

"So you gonna get a good one?" He said. "Why don't I get a good one?"

"Harry,  please keep in mind of who she is and who I want her to become." He said.

He then looked scared for a moment and nodded. He looked at her slightly concerned but there was another look that he gave her that she did not like whatsoever. Which was underneath this strange concerned look.

"Alright."

"Come on, I will get you a job." He said, commandingly.

He walked to the board. She followed and he picked one. She looked down.

Kill the Sheriff of Roboh

The Sheriff of Roboh had been taking advantage of

his position by taking children of parents that fail

to pay his overly large taxes, which he has been

slowly increasing for a long time.

She sighed as she felt relieved.

Good. Nothing too bad.

"Thank you." She said guarded. "But why do you want to kill him?"

"Well, I thought that it would be a good one to start you off with. Now, I would like for you to think, what do you think that he does to those children that he collects?"

She frowned.

"I, don't…"

"Well, what do you know or think?"

"Nothing good?"

"Yes, so I think you ought to take this one." He said as he winked at her. "Come on!"

They left and they were soon on their way. She soon caught a glance of that woman that was being dragged earlier. She was dead and her clothes were torn, with her body filled with cuts and bruises. This shocked her and she felt sick.

Why are her clothes torn? She wondered. You know, it doesn't matter…

She shook her head and she followed Zaryb. She then felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked back to see Harry looking at her with a knife in his hand.

"Now that he's not looking, you want to come with me?" He said as he put the sharp end at her throat. "You know I've never had a little princess."

She tried to step back but the blade dripped. His head followed.

"Don't get sidetracked."

She nodded.

"Why? Would I be killed?" 

"Sometimes worse." He said as she remembered the woman. 

She ran closer to him and held his hand, knowing that she would be safer if she did.

"Now, where is Roboh?" She asked.

"Just let me guide you."

"Thank you."

He smiled. They were soon hidden in a pile of hay. She closed her eyes and woke up when they stopped. They got out. She soon saw the sheriff. He looked at her, pulling a boy with dead eyes alongside him like a dog.

He then turned to the soldiers and whispered something in his ear and they soon came to them. They looked down at her and the sheriff crouched to get a better look at her. She took a step back as she did not like his smile. He then got up and turned to Zaryb.

"Tell me, do you know that there's a tax for visitors like yourself?" He asked.

"No."

He rubbed his barely visible chin.

"Well, you're going to have to pay."

"How much?"

"One philosopher's stone." He said, with a more confident look on his face.

"Well, I'm sorry. I don't have one." He said as he shrugged. "And it appears that you ought to know that none have anything of worth."

He then crouched back down to her.

"Then I'm going to have to take something important from you until you can." He said as he cupped her cheek with a malicious look on his face. "Like this. She looks quite innocent. I wonder if you can get her back before she doesn't."

Zaryb let out a sigh.

"Kill him." 

"What was that?"

Before she could process she saw her hand swipe left and with a counting of blood he fell. She then dropped the blade and let out a scream. She looked at her shaking hand which was called in blood. They all looked at her equally shocked. They then looked at the girl and then at the boy and unbound him. He ran as he started crying as Strena looked at Zaryb as he touched the Artemis necklace. Suddenly she understood with complete horror as he smirked.

"You will be a great assassin. Whether you like or want to or not."

He then went to collect the money as she was forced to follow, crying for the first time.

"What did I say about crying?"

"What do you expect? I'm only seven years old and you're making me do things that I know are wrong! And it's all your fault!"

This earned her a punch in the gut and then everything went black.

"Learned your lesson?"

She huffed and looked away.

"How can you do this to me? You killed my parents and kidnapped me! What right do you have turning me into you? Why? What's it all for?" She screamed outraged.

He then hit her.

"You will know when the time comes."

The Second Kill

It was the following day. Strena was woken, from a restless sleep, by the sound of a noisy street. She lipped out of bed feeling very numb. She, robotically, walked over to the window and drew back the black curtain. Her eyes greeted a bunch of people fighting in the street. She saw the crowd cheering and clapping as the loser was killed. Zaryb was the victor. 

She drew back the curtain and got dressed. She tried to take off the Artemis necklace but she could not. Not even after her fingers and neck bled. So she stopped trying. She was going to be an assassin. She was now nothing but completely Zarybs's puppet. 

The killing of that man was still fresh in her mind. She sat on the bed, crying. She longed to feel her mother's arms around her. She longed to hear her father's voice singing her to sleep yet she was not going to have either. No, she was going to have Zaryb's fists and taunts as he flaunted his power over her, almost like he was rubbing it in. Then after hearing him hum the tune that her father hummed to her, that tune had become completely ruined.

She quickly dried her tears so that he would not see them. She then took out her money bag and walked down the stairs. She soon greeted a room where most people were asleep and some in each other's arms. She let out a bitter laugh seeing that it was funny, yet she could not enjoy it as much as she could have done twenty four hours ago.

"So, you're going to get a job." Zaryb said, almost like he was telling her.

"No."

"That wasn't a question."

She, knowing that she had not a choice, looked at the board. She did not want to pick a job but she knew that she had no choice. After all, she knew that the moment that she did, she would be sentencing a person to death, even worse, it would be by her hand. So, even though she did not want to kill, she knew that she did not have a choice.

"After breakfast." She said, hoping that she could stall as much as she could.

He smiled and nodded.

"Alright, then I will pick one for you." He said as she left to get her breakfast.

She nodded, easing up slightly. She ordered her food and sat down as she waited for Zaryb to return with the name of her next victim. As she ate, she felt the dread build as she questioned, who will Zaryb make her kill? She even started to feel intensely nauseous but she knew that this was not out of any kind of illness. When he came and gave her the poster. She let out a long sigh to relieve her stress as she took it and looked at it.

Kill The Actress Roje

The actress Roje has been a disruptive

influence on the traveling shows that she

has been on and has been giving fellow

actors and actresses a bad experience.

She lives in the coast town of Ressoh.

He then saw her pale face and smiled.

"I hope that I will not have to force you this time." 

She looked aside as she knew that he would have to. She also knew that he would have to do it for some time. However, she knew that there would come a time when she would do it on her own. After all, there may come a time when he would train her to do it.

"Ohh! I see." He said with a smile. "After I've had my breakfast we will be off."

She nodded. She walked up to the room like a zombie and packed her things. She then walked back down and waited for Zaryb at the door. He soon joined her and they were soon off on their way. She caught a glimpse of the man that Zaryb had killed. It seemed that none were bothering to remove the body. None even bat an eyelid as the birds and the mice and rats are up the body. 

She then looked on, trying not to think about it and focused upon what was to come.

Looks like I'm going to get used to this. She thought as she tried to do all not to throw up.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yeah, just feeling sick of seeing dead bodies."

He shook his head as he smiled.

"Then move on and don't worry. It'll be fully eaten by the time we get back." He said.

She suddenly remembered that woman she saw, she wondered if she too was eaten. 

Probably so, yes. 

She felt even more ill as she pictured the mice and rats eating her body. She knew that there would be more creatures that would join in, like dogs, wolves or foxes. Yet she just did not wish to think about it however as much as she tried not to.

She followed him to the road. There they found a farmer just leaving town. Zaryb pulled out a small knife and pressed it to his throat.

"Could you do us a favour and take us to Ressoh?"

He looked at the two, terrified and nodded without a sound. Yet it was all too clear that he was used to this. He continued until they came to a split in the road he then turned right. They descended and soon came to a crossroads. They continued on and she soon heard the soothing sound of the sea. She lost track of time and when they stopped and saw Jotellen in the far distance.

"Alright." He said.

"Thank you." She said, almost like a dead person.

"Don't thank him!"

"I'm not going to take it back!"

He smiled.

"Tell me, do you know where Roje lives?"

"Ro ssh!" Corrected the farmer. 

"And yes. She lives in the small hut with the four on." He said, pointing to the hut.

She nodded.

"Thank you."

"That better not have been on purpose."

"Could have been."

He rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Good girl."

They looked for an hour before they saw it.

"Do you think she's in?" She asked, suddenly hoping that she was not.

He knocked on the door. Her heart sank as a woman, with white curly hair and pale skin and green eyes, greeted them. 

"Yeah?" She asked. 

"Are you one of my fans?" She asked, putting her hand on her chest. "Because if so I am very honoured and I can tell that you are so ever good!"

"Yes!" Zaryb said with a false smile. "In fact I quite liked your portrayal of the fallen king's brother. In The Tyrant Emperor Of The Desert Planes I must say, you were far too accurate. I must admit that it gave me chills!"

She smiled as she sighed.

"Yeah. Well I must admit it was that brother I was interested in the most." She said with a smile. "I mean I just wonder what it must have been for him… Just imagine if your brother did that to you?"

He laughed.

"Yeah. Now let's get this over with, girl!" He called.

She looked at her, pale and scared as she realised what he meant. This was the moment, but she was innocent. She had nothing to do with this, yet she was going to kill her and she had no choice but to do it and get it over with. She hoped to find some way to save her, yet she knew that she could not. She was going to kill her regardless of whether or not she wanted to.

"Kill her." He declared.

She ran to her and drove something into her heart. She felt the blood in her hands. She then threw up immediately after.

"Looks like she found out."

She looked up and frowned.

"What are you on about?"

"Hardly masters. Now clean up." He said, far too quickly.

She soon did. She then saw an apple and suddenly felt her stomach settle and she became hungry. She took the crimson fruit and bit into it, as she did she felt a tear fall. She wiped it away hoping that Zaryb did not see it.

"Are you crying again?"

"No, it was only one tear."

"How many times will I have to control you until you do it yourself?"

"I don't know, nor do I care." She then took out a green one and tossed it at him. "Here!"

They ate the apple and collected the bounty. They were back before it was dark.

The Third Kill

"Alright Strena!" Zaryb called. "Time to get up!"

She took a moment to stir.

"What?"

"I think we need to train." He said, as he clapped next to her ear to wake her up faster.

"What? At this time?"

"Yes."

He soon pulled her out of bed. She was soon dressed.

"What will you be training me to do now?" She asked, already knowing that she did not like the answer.

"Killing" He told her as they came to the market. 

Knew it.

She bit her lip as she followed him silently.

They soon came to a stall. The man at the stall was fat and had brown hair that barely covered his balding with yellow eyes.

"Zarry! Well, well, well, if it ain't my least favourite country! How've you been?" He asked, giving him a first bump.

"Not bad! I've been training this one!" He replied pointing at her.

He looked at her and raised his eyebrow and looked mildly surprised.

"Well, I heard the rumours but I never thought that they were true! Looks like I owe Ean a fair few emeralds." He chuckled. 

He chuckled with him.

"You don't. I killed him the other morning!" He laughed.

He let out a sigh of relief.

"So, how many this time?"

"Five it seven."

"You gonna kill 'em or keep 'em?'

"I'm sorry?" She asked, her eyes wide with horror.

"Oh, well this is an assassin's town. So all the meat you buy you must kill yourself!" Bellowed the man.

Suddenly she realised what Zaryb meant. She felt sick and she was worried. It upset her to know what he intended on making her do. Zaryb smiled as he saw what she had just worked out.

"Looks like she's brighter than I thought!" He said.

"Well I was the one who trained her, so you should expect that!" He boasted.

"Wait, how long?"

"Since she was five."

"And how old?"

"Seven."

"Ain't she too young?"

"Maybe, however you know I don't have that luxury. Not with what I have planned."

He looked at him with mild pity.

"Yeah… Now that you mention it. Does she know yet?"

"No."

"Will she?"

"No.. I don't think so."

"But-"

"I know."

Strena frowned.

"Now, come along!" 

He took his rabbits and he gave him the coins. She had noticed just how quiet the place was in the morning. She noticed the place was a dump and it stunk of urine and death, it was quiet all the same.

"Master Zaryb, what were you talking about back there?" She asked.

"I'll tell you if I tell you."

She frowned.

They then arrived at the tavern and they walked to the kitchens. He took out one of the rabbits and gave one of them to her. She was then given a knife. She looked at it and her heart sank as she knew that she was about to be the last thing that that rabbit would see.

"Now, I want you to know that this will come in handy later. This is why you will do this out of your own will."

No, no, don't make me do this!

She looked at him slightly pleadingly. He shook his head.

"Here's a tip, if you slit it here it will feel the least amount of pain." 

She looked at it. She raised the blade. She felt her hand shake as she looked at it in the eye. She drew it down, but she could not do it. She dropped her knife and she felt the tears coming. Zaryb sighed. He picked it up and gave it back to her. He then guided her hand to the rabbits eyes and covered them. He gave the now-do-it look. She nodded and then put the blade where Zaryb told her and or took all her will to slit it as fast as she could. It hardly gave a sound.

"Good, now do the same to the others and I'll skin them." He said.

She nodded. She took another one and covered its eyes. The second was easier for her. As she did each one her hand became steadier and easier.

"Right, now wash that blood away." He said and she did. For the next hour he taught her how to cook and then they ate it.

"Now, after this take a job." 

She nodded and she finished her food. She walked up and then came back with one. She then gave it to him.

Rorosh Shoreh

Of Thandrya

Rorosh Shoreh, also known as

the grim gangster, has been

known to kill young children and

women of his rivals and savillians for

fun. Please bring his reign of terror

over Thandrya to an end.

"Alright,  but be careful with this one. I heard this one had magic." He said, warningly.

"He does?" She asked, shocked.

She pressed her lips together.

"As the rumour goes."

Maybe I shouldn't take this one.

No, I took it, so I will do it!

"I hope that it is."

He was soon finished with his beer.

"Now, time for us to get going." He said as he stretched. "I hate getting up early."

She finished her meal and after packing they were on their way. They saw a carriage and he pulled her in and slipped under the carriage and gripped onto the rails. They hitch hiked until they were where they needed to get off. He fell and hugged her as he rolled out. When she got to her feet her eyes were greeted by a beautiful hill. She looked around and spotted that the men and women were keeping their children close to them, gripping tightly to their hands.

She tried to look away to divert her attention and her longing to be one of them. She tried to not focus on how much she missed hers.

"What?"

"N-nothing." She lied. "So how will we catch this one?"

He looked around, his eyes narrowed as he thought. He did not give her an answer for a long time. She thought he had not heard her, however his eyes told her that he did.

"I think that we should wait for him to come to us."

"Why?"

"New comets always peak the interest of the morally bankrupt in every place."

She nodded.

They walked together for some time. She kept an eye out for anyone that was following them. She soon found that someone. He had sunburnt skin with hair as black as coal with his eyes hidden behind his long fringe.

She took hold of Zaryb's hand and tugged the sleeve of his coat. He let go and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked in the direction of the man. He rolled his eyes and turned her head away. He took her hand and walked on. They guided him to a secluded side of the town. Then they turned back and spotted that he was there.

"Tell me,  Rorosh Shereh, do you wish to die?" He asked.

He laughed.

"What and you think that you can kill me boy?" He mocked.

"No. She will. After all you are her job, not mine." 

He looked at her and his eyes widened as he laughed. He then pulled out a knife.

"Alright,  I'll humour you. Come at me kid!" He said smiling.

She then ran to him and he then let go of the knife. It fell and when it was at its lowest point, it then came up, just as she saw it rise up she blocked it with her own. She then drew it down. Which slid back and was about to slice her neck but she was able to dodge out of the way. She knew that the knife would only stop if Rorosh was dead. So she ignored the knife and ran to him.

"Look out!"

She turned back but as she raised her blade, it was too late and the blade embedded itself into her shoulder. Pain flared up and eclipsed her mind and focus. She had never felt such pain in her life. She was in a moment of shock and her ears rang but once her brain had processed it she screamed out in pain. She screamed and screamed. She couldn't stop screaming. She could not even stop herself from crying eather. She had not cried like this since her parents had died.

That was when Rorosh laughed as he looked at her.

"Ahhh! There it is! That sound I love so much. Honestly womens' screams and cries are one thing, but children… Now that sounds like music to my ears!" He laughed.

She looked at him. Soon she was filled with anger, anger that she had never felt before. She had never known the difference between being angry and being livid, not even when Zaryb killed her parents. That was until this moment. 

He's enjoying this? He's actually enjoying this! How can he? How can he enjoy this? I hurt and all he can do is laugh?

She was filled with a murderous rage. She had never wanted for someone to die in her whole life. She actually wanted to kill him with her whole heart. She felt something rise in her and surge throughout her body. She could feel it within every cell in her body. She knew that whatever this was was always part of her. It was just dormant like a sleeping dragon that has now women up who's fire was aiming for this man.

She then realised that he had stopped laughing. He clutched his heart. He coughed and blood came out of his mouth. The last thing he saw was her ice cold look that was filled with fire just as she slit his throat. He was still twitching long after his death. Suddenly Strena felt drained and collapsed.

When she woke up she felt her bandage over her shoulder.

"D-did I do that?" She asked, thinking of the strange event.

"I don't know." He said.

The Fourth Kill

Strena was walking down the hall like all the other times in her dreams. She killed that man again. She saw her kingdom, which she had not seen in three years, covered in blood again. She left it like she always did. Then she turned left and she came to a place in the desert where she saw a terrifying creature. 

It looked like a creature that looked like a humanoid cross between a wolf and a fox. It had large dragon-like wings. It had four scarlet horns and emerald claws. His eyes were strange, the place that was surpassed to be the colour were like parallel walls of fire that meet at the top and bottom, like a slit. It was the hight larger than a tree. It then roared and from its mouth erupted blue fire that was heading towards her. She woke up screaming

Zaryb came barging in and hit her in the head.

"Shut up!" He shouted. "Seriously! What is wrong with you?"

"Sorry,  it's just a nightmare."

"About?"

"I saw a giant creature that was a cross between a fox and wolf." She exclaimed as she could feel the lingering fear of the creature 

"Could it breathe blue fire?" He asked as he drew his arms in close.

"Yeah, how did you know?"

He looked at her both shocked and scared for a moment.

"You were talking in your sleep." He lied. "Now get up, you look like you can take on another job."

He smiled.

"Just think, only one more job until you make your vows to Lok."

She pressed his lips together as she looked outside. She tried to take her mind off how little she liked that.

"Yeah…"

"Now, come on! I'll leave you to get changed."

He then left the room, almost as if he was rushing to get out. She shook her head. Then his head came back.

"By the way, if you're not fast, you'll be doing your job in your nightgown." He said.

"Then get out!" She fired back.

She quickly changed into her clothes and packed her things. She took a small moment to look at her in the mirror. She saw her first scar, and shook her head, she did not have time to focus on that. When she was ready she raced down the stairs then got her breakfast. She then picked her job and passed it to Zaryb. He looked at it as he drank his beer.

Kill The Evil

King Rhogar

Of Morcher

King Rhogor had been known

to torture his subjects, nobles

and people under him. With

women and children being his 

favourite.

This has led the kingdom to live

and breathe in fear. They dream

in vain for the day they can sleep

in peace.

Please can someone make that

dream into a reality?

He then placed it down. He looked like he was thinking about something, his eyes spoke of some strange nostalgia. He shook his head.

"Sounds like a challenge. Sure you can handle this one?"

"Should do, as long as he doesn't have magic." 

He smiled as he passed it back to her. She then ate her breakfast. She ate as fast as she could and quickly gathered her things. They were soon on the road and on the public carriage.

"We're going to Morcher, the one that's spelt c h, not the k." He said.

"You sure?" He said, looking at Strena.

"Yes." She said, giving him the coins.

"Alright! But you're making a big mistake!" He signed, as they set off.

They continued until they reached the next town. More people got on. They then turned a corner and down the road to the next town and more came on. By the time that they arrived it was midday.

"I'm hungry." She declared as she stretched.

"Then let's get to a bar!" 

"Why a bar?" She asked.

Then she thought about it for a second before coming to the real reason of why he wanted to go to a bar, specifically.

"Beer?"

"'Beer'!"

They soon came to the nearest bar called the Dead Sailor. They soon ordered their food and were eating it. As they were eating Strena saw a group of men and women, possibly their wives, come in. The fear was written on their faces.

"I can't believe he did that to you!" Said one, that looked like the brother of one of the women with a fresh cut and burn on her cheeks.

She cried in the arms of another man that must have been her husband.

"B-but h-he did!" She wept.

"Honestly, I've never seen or heard of this since the days of King Nazon!" Expelled another.

At the sound of her father's name a ripple was sent right through her mind. She looked at them, suddenly interested in what they were talking about.

Father doesn't sound like that. Maybe there was another King Nazon that they're talking about.

Then one saw her.

"Hold on, you see that girl over there." Said one.

"Yeah!"

"She looks like that kid of his!"

Zaryb got up and put his mug down. She knew what was going to happen before he even did it. Knowing that she could do nothing about it she turned away and by the time she finished her meal they were all dead. She got up and paid for her meal and followed him past the bodies.

"Did anyone see?"

"No, I was going too fast."

"How?"

"I'll tell you, if the time comes."

"You always say that." She said as they came to the castle.

"Hey, who're you two?" Asked a guard.

"Just passers by." She said, trying to look as innocent as she could. "Say, could you let us in? We wish to talk to the king."

He laughed at the girl. Then his laugh was cut short by Zarybs' blade to his throat. He looked slightly scared but he stayed as still as he could.

"Who are you?"

"Zaryb."

He looked at him and gulped.

"J-just this way!"

They were in front of King Rhogar before the hour was up. He was morbidly obese and his son had become green and yellow. His hair was long and unevenly cut. His beard was also long and uneven that grew in patches on his face with bald patches.

"Yes?" He said rebelling his yellow and black teeth. Some were almost liquid.

Strena curled her lip as she grimaced.

"Who are you?"

"Strena Az."

"Zaryb."

His lip curled.

"Grimnor, how dare you bring me these-"

Strena threw a small dagger into his throat. She was so disgusted at the appalling appearance of the man that she dared not to retrieve it. The guards and soldiers dared not stop them as they left. As she did she saw a boy that looked like the man in her dreams.

"Who's that?"

"Prince Rhogar the second." He said. "Why?"

"I was a man that looked like him in my dreams."

"What happened?"

"I killed him."

They were soon back in the assassin's tavern by the evening. 

The Fifth Kill

Strena woke up in the tavern. She had given herself a day off. During this day she spent training with Zaryb as per usual. She had even bought her own rabbits and killed and skinned them on their own. With Zaryb's permission, of course.

"Tell me, will you teach me how to do chickens next?" She asked.

He smirked, patting her head.

"Sure! Now go and pick a job. Make sure that it isn't too out of your depth!"

"I won't!"

She then went down and looked at the jobs and picked one. She then ordered her food and, when it was drought over to her, she passed the poster over to Zaryb to read as she dug into her food. He looked down and smiled.

Kill Lolyrenna

The Witch

She has been a known plague

over our small kingdom of Joré.

She arrived at Joré three years

ago. At first she helped us but

the moment we brought her to

our king, King Rolagh she showed

her true colours.

She started to take our sons and

daughters for magical expedients.

Some would come back, those of

fifteen and on, would come back

with multiple babies in their arms.

Meanwhile others would never

return.

Then they took our wives and

they have never returned.

He put the paper down as he had read enough. He looked at her.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, after all, I think that this would help give me more experience."

He nosed slowly.

"Yeah… I still think you would need more experience before you fight her." He signed, with a bitter chuckle.

"Why, do you know this Lolyrenna?" She asked.

"Yeah… She was born in the Lower Isles that is now called Fireheart, I believe. She left when she was thirteen, she was apprenticed by a man known as the Dark Master Lord. She's been pulling kingdoms down ever since." 

Her eyes widened as she nodded slowly.

"Right, I think that I'll need to keep my wits about me." She said, still wanting to take it.

He smiled.

"Then we will do some training along the way."

"Yeah, it will be a long journey. So get a good night's sleep." He said. "I'll pack some food."

She smiled and nodded. The following day she was soon packing and they were on their way. They booked themselves into a tavern when night dawned. They then were on the next public carriage. She knew that after this she would make her vows to Lok. She looked at Zaryb and his scar, she knew that she would have one of those when she was a full fledged assassin. She didn't like the sound of that, since she had that knife in her shoulder, she liked that idea less.

She knew that this, what she was becoming, was what Zaryb wanted. Which was, by far, not what her father would have wanted. In fact, he would hate what she was becoming. What she was being forced to become  but for some reason, she did not mind as much as she used to. Which she found very shocking and disturbing.

Lunch soon came and they both ate their sandwiches. Within an hour of finishing they arrived in the next town. They got off and made their way to another street and caught another carriage. They spent another night in a tavern. They arrived in Joré and soon found the castle and circled it. They soon found an opening in the side of a cliff.

The first thing that hit her was the smell. She looked down and saw what the cave was used for. She had to stop herself from gagging and gritted her teeth as she climbed down and into the cave. They spent a long hour in that 'cave'. 

"Seriously! How do you handle that?" She asked.

He let out a chuckle.

"I'm used to the smell. You will after a long time."

They then walked to the nearest door. He slowly opened it. He then looked out in the hallway and looked left and right. When he gave the all clear they left. She followed him silently and they came to the nearest room next to the King's. 

They were able to see the king and a beautiful woman next to him. She had long white locks and light green eyes and her skin was as pale as death.

"Is that her?"

"Yes."

He then spotted that there was a door leading to the king's room. He then ushered her to him.

"I would like you to watch me." He said as he took out a few tools. 

"What are you doing?"

"Picking the lock. Someone taught me this when I was a teenager."

"Who taught him?"

"I don't know, he just tells me that an old friend taught him. Nothing more than that."

"Oh."

He then started to pick the lock. Then they opened the door as quietly as they could. They looked around and then Lolyrenna placed a hand on the king's head. She then stepped away from the king.

"About time you arrived!" She said as she stretched. "By both of your reputations, I thought you would come yesterday!"

Strena frowned.

"You were expecting us?" She asked.

"Yes, in fact little one, I have orders to kill you!"

"Oh?" She said as she threw a tiny blade at her, but the blade dropped. 

She then looked at her and Strena started to feel weak. She threw another at her and ran at her but she then slipped. Blade and girl landed at the same time. She could feel her body grow cold as the witch came closer and closer to her. 

Get up! Come on! Get up! She thought as she tried to get up but she could not. She tried to move, but she could not. She put her weight on her hand, she could do that. 

Come on! She's killing me! If I don't move she will kill me! It took all her will to pull herself up. She then slipped and hit her head. No! No! No! I am not dying here! Not as long as the monster that killed my mummy and daddy is still alive! 

At this moment she felt with all her will her determination to live. She felt conviction come as her strength flooded feet like a tsunami. She then got to her feet. 

She saw that she was weakened and threw a dagger at her that she dodged. She felt the hand of death return to her. She walked forward nevertheless. She did all that she could to not appear weak. She threw another at her and, as soon as she dodged she threw another at where she would be. In her shock as she dodged that one which skimmed her, she let her go. She then ran to her and threw dagger after dagger. The witch was about to back away when she pulled out a large dagger and dug it into her diaphragm and raised it up and right into her heart. 

She then dropped. Her face dropped as her face turned grey.

"I'm sorry my gods. I failed." She whispered in her last breath.

She was about to leave her and leave the castle when her eyes rested on a silver ring with a strange ruby in the centre of a circle with strange writing on it. She then pulled it off and looked at it. It looked far too clear for a normal ruby. She put it on her finger, it seemed too big. Then she felt something whisper to her,  telling her to will the ring to always fit her finger. She did and the ring shrank to her finger. Her eyes widened.

She smiled then they left. 

They booked themselves into a tavern that lay on the outskirts. When Strena fell asleep, her dream was more vivid and real. She could actually feel and smell her surroundings. It was as if she was actually there! She could even feel and smell the blood of that man. When she woke, her eyes dropped to the ring as she got out of bed. She would return soon and she would be known as Strena Azlok. Oh, how she wished that she could wait for that for an eternity! 

Votes To Lok

After Strena had arrived back at the assassin's tavern she had a long night's sleep. When she woke up the next day she quickly put her clothes on. She then looked outside just in time to see Zaryb kill another man in a fight. She rolled her eyes as she drew the curtain out and walked down the stairs. She soon got her breakfast. She was in the middle of eating it when Zaryb came in laughing like a hyena. He cleaned his hands and soon got himself a beer and joined her.

"Are you ready to make your vows?" He asked.

Not really but I don't think that I have a choice.

"Only you can know!" She signed. "Tell me, how long will I have to do this?"

"As long as I say." He said. "But you don't need to worry about that."

She nodded as she looked aside to see someone kill a small creature.

"What is that all about?" she asked, pointing to them.

"The Slayers Guild. Even though you're well more advanced than most if not all your age."

"All thanks to your training."

His mouth twitched slightly.

"I can see that you're not ready to take down any dragons."

She opened her mouth to point out the wyvern that she was able to kill.

"I mean a real dragon. So until then, you'll be staying here and when I think it's time we'll be leaving here."

"And why is that?" She asked, guarded.

"Simple, because even though you have successfully killed a warlock and a witch, it is not the same as slaying a magical creature. In fact it's one of the most dangerous jobs!"

Yet, you still want me to become one?

She nodded as she felt something between pure fear and pure excitement.

He smiled.

"You like that don't you?"

"Maybe, but if you're gonna have me slaying dragons I'm gonna have to get more training in!"

"So finish that as soon as you can."

She nodded as she ate as much as she could. She was soon finished. They then walked out and went to a small field area. There, they trained as much as they could. She fort as much as she could until her arms and legs became like jelly. They soon last on the grass to rest. Soon they returned to the tavern. She saw another man kill someone in the street.

"Master Zaryb, what are they all about?" She asked.

"They are deathmatches. Want to try one eventually?"

"Nah! I think that I'll do that later! After all, I would like to get my vows over and done with."

"That's fair!"

"Yo! Zarry! Who's that girl you got there? She seems yummy." Said a man. 

She turned around and soon recognised him as the man that killed that woman in that alley. She looked in his eyes that were looking at her in a way that she did not care for. It made her feel somehow vulnerable. She was reminded of those rabbits that she killed and could sense that he was the predator that wanted to kill her.

"Well, why don't you come here to see how yummy I am!" She sang as she rested her hand on her knife.

He laughed as he crouched to her. He looked directly into her eyes and licked his lips. He leaned in closer to her. She could smell his foul breath on her.

"Girl, do you even know what you just said?" 

"I'm not sweet." She said as she quickly slit his throat. 

He fell completely stunned as he died. Zaryb looked at her with the same look as earlier. He soon suppressed the expression.

She then looked at Zaryb as he looked at her both shocked and impressed. She then frowned, feeling slightly confused.

"By the way, what did he mean by all that?"

"I'll tell you when you're older." He said, as he rubbed his eyes.

"Anyway, do you know that guy's gang?"

"Yes."

"I would like to find them to join in wherever they go when they die."

He laughed as they arrived at the door. She spotted that there was a ruby carving of the man with a knife in his hands.

"Now go up to him."

"What do I say?"

"You'll know when you take the blade."

She then walked up to it and took the knife. She looked at the man that she knew was Lok, she fell into a strange trance. Then his lips started to move.

"Strena Az, do you vow to be used as a tool to serve me?"

"Yes." She said, her voice felt like it was miles away.

"Now, I would like you to note that if you break this vow, I will come to kill you. Are you sure?"

"Yes"

"Good, now get your master to cut my mark on your face. All, from this moment on, your kills shall be sacrificed to me."

She took the knife to Zaryb and he clenched her jaw and exposed her right cheek to him. He then,  within the flicks of his wrists he cut a deep cut that was in the shape of an F under her brown eye. Then the cold sting of the pain sank in. She screamed in pain, yet she clenched her fist to stop herself from crying. She forced herself to calm down.

"Strena, give this back to Lok." He said.

She nodded as she bit her lip to stop herself from screaming again. She took it and gave it back to the statue. She then bowed and her blood fell into the hand and was absorbed.

"Now, leave this place as Strena Azlok."

She nodded and walked away. She then took her place next to Zaryb. He son cleaned her wound and they left the tavern. She did not want to celebrate with the rest. No,  she wanted to celebrate in a different way. With Zaryb's help she was able to find and quickly dispose of all of that man's gang. As they were both caught off guard and underestimating her, this was far too easy for her. 

She, on her way to returning to the tavern, bought a black leather journal. 

"Why did you buy that?"

"I just want to chronicle my life and the journey that I have been on. And, yes, I will be honest in this book, so the only one who should read this is me." She said. "After all, there must be at least one place where I can be honest."

He smiled.

"Alright!"

They then returned to the tavern and cleaned her weapons. She then joined the others for the celebration.