by Nathan Howe
She wiped the foggy mirror clean after a shower to see how much the outfit, color, and cut changed her appearance. A new person stared at her. “Good,” she said to herself. The dark hair now stopped at her chin, no longer past her shoulders. She'd miss the length, but it would grow back in time.
Assassin packed up the few things she purchased today, loaded them up, and checked out of this rat trap of a hotel. She'd need to be closer to the Prince to finish her job. First stop, exchange the car. Assassin wanted something that would let her get away in a pinch and fit in without drawing attention. At the lot, there weren't a lot of options. She settled for the sporty convertible.
With that, she drove back downtown to the area where all the Prince’s activities would take place.
First, a new base of operations was required. After that, locating the Prince topped the list. Assassin drove around to several hotels on the strip. All booked solid. The Prince’s visit was a big deal. It was the first time someone this high in the Elven world had ever visited the country and made themselves available to the public.
She was about to give up, but with two places left at the edge of the Riverwalk, she found a room. The room didn't compare to the first one she had, but still, a vast improvement over the one across town. No mold or urine aroma. The bed wouldn't keep her up all night, a plus.
She left for the theater. Under yet another name, she had tickets waiting at will call. Just in case something like this happened. Assassin pulled up in front of the building.
The valet opened her door for her. “Madam.” He handed her the tag for her car as she exited.
She climbed the stairs, even in the evening, Johnstown's heat caused Assassin to sweat. She waved her hand in front of her face as she continued up the steps. Once inside, the air conditioning blasted.
She walked up to the ticket booth. A few people lined up before her. It didn't take long. “One ticket for Jessica Bishop.” She handed over her identification. The clerk checked her computer first, then slid to the back wall and rifled through a box. She walked back up to the window.
“Here you go, madam. I hope you have an excellent evening.”
Assassin nodded. “Thank you.”
With her ticket in hand, Assassin walked into the theater proper. An usher checked her ticket. “Your seat is on the lower level. On the left.”
“Thank you. About how long until the speech starts?”
“Promptly at the top of the hour.” He checked his watch. “Twenty minutes.”
“Thank you.” Assassin left and mingled with the crowd. She kept her eyes out for any Hero Coalition members. So far, she saw none. A lot of interesting people mingled in the crowd. Assassin even spotted a member of the Mechajunks gang doing his best to blend in, but his metal arm protruded from his jacket. He was way out of his traditional territory. Most of the gang worked in or around Azure City, mostly along the west coast of the country.
In the far corner, several members of Congress stood. There were even a few Fey and Phoenixes in the group who weren’t part of the Hero Coalition. A good sign for the Prince and the peace he hoped to keep.
Pleased she hadn't been spotted as the attacker from earlier, Assassin ventured to her seat. She wanted to get a good view of the area before the lights darkened.
The theater held under a thousand people. Back in Assassin's hometown, most of the theaters held double, a few tripled that. The narrow aisles didn't leave much room for walking. If she needed to escape here, it would be tough. Tonight, was a recon night again. She had to start over. She'd do her best not to draw attention as she tracked the Prince from the theater.
Her seat was located halfway up the lower level. With it being so cozy, it would have been a perfect place to take in a show. She settled in to listen to the Prince's speech. Over the next few minutes, more and more people filled the seats. An elderly couple sat on Assassin's right. On her left, a younger male sat down. He didn't appear comfortable in his suit. He leaned over to Assassin.
“I can't wait. This will be great. The Elf Prince is a great speaker.”
Assassin hoped not to converse with any of the guests tonight. “So, I've heard.”
He nodded. “Yup. I hope to learn more about the elves tonight. I'm studying them at the university.”
“That's interesting.” The lights dimmed. Ending the conversation as the curtains on stage opened to an empty podium. A minute later three Hero Coalition members in full uniform, not pretending anymore, strode on the stage. The Prince followed them. Assassin spooked them badly with her adventure in his room and the attack of the members. Neither of the two she dealt with appeared on the stage. Assassin had hoped to see them again. She liked toying with them. Both were clearly young and new to the Hero Coalition.
The Prince stood at the podium and cleared his throat. He dressed again in one of the finest tailored suits Assassin had ever seen. The crowd completely silent, waiting for him to speak.
“Thank you all for coming,” the Prince said. His voice was thick and smooth. “I come here at a time of need. A time of reflection. A time for help. For elves are dwindling. We are few compared to our past.”
Assassin wasn't here for the speech, she tuned him out and kept her eyes on the Hero Coalition and the audience trying to spot the hiding guards. She was certain there had to be a few.
The speech lasted an hour and a half. He did have an air about him. Pleading for help. The Prince begged for aid without actually asking for it. His whole speech aimed to keep the treaty in place between the Elves and the Fey. Elves and Fey battled for hundreds of years. Both sides lost many lives in the war, the Elves were on the losing end. Since they signed the treaty almost fifty years ago, the Elves recovered. Soon the peace might end. The Prince did his best to urge those here to help extend the agreement. They needed Ardents and humans to help keep the agreement in place. That was the mission of this trip.
Assassin strolled through the crowd. She hoped to get out and find a place to hide so she would be able to follow the Prince back to his hotel or wherever he went after. At the bottom of the step, she paused and handed an attendant her ticket. “Leaving so soon?”
Assassin wanted to say a smartass response but held her tongue. “Long day already.”
“Okay, madam. But so you know you are missing out on a gathering in the lower levels with a meet and greet.”
“Really? That wasn't on the schedule I had.”
“No. The Prince added it this morning.”
The thought of attending crossed her mind momentarily. She figured it would be a trap. One that she had to pass on, but she thought long and hard before passing on the opportunity. The Prince would be there but adding this had the Hero Coalition’s mark written all over it. “That's okay. Maybe I'll have another chance to meet him up close.” The attendant shrugged and left to get her car.
A few minutes later, Assassin parked down the street doing her best to stay concealed in the darkness. She quickly changed clothes into something that allowed her to both be hidden but not look dangerous. Instead of black, she wore a dark maroon shirt that hugged her body with dark blue jeans and a pair of dark, beaten-up sneakers. With the car parked, she exited and made her way back to the theater, the back side of it. The Prince wouldn't be leaving through the front.
Assassin paused a block away. She took out a pair of goggles that would let her see in the dark. Along the roof of the building, she spotted three figures patrolling, one with wings. Certainly, all members of the Hero Coalition, and Assassin guessed they all could fly. One was a Phoenix, maybe even Wildfire. They'd have bodies on the ground too. Assassin couldn't risk getting any closer without being spotted. She settled in. The meet and greet would be half over at this point. Hopefully, the Prince would leave immediately after the party ended.
Assassin's stomach rumbled. The wait for the Prince to leave lasted longer than she anticipated. He didn't leave right away. The after party ended over an hour ago. People no longer filed out of the thea
ter. But the Hero Coalition members remained. Vigilant in their duty.
Even with the heroes, Assassin decided to get a closer look. With so few people around, they may not keep as keen an eye on the shadows she lurked in.
She made it across the street with no one noticing. She was at the rear of the building when the door opened, and the Prince exited. Assassin hugged the wall. She was close enough to hear him speak but not enough to strike. He'd get away with his Elf reflexes. They moved faster and quicker than humans.
Wildfire landed next to him. She had been the Phoenix on the roof.
“Take me back to the hotel,” he said. “This day has exhausted me.”
“I understand,” Wildfire said. “I still think you should change hotels. Or at least rooms.”
“You took care of this would-be attacker once. I trust you can do it again.”
Wildfire growled. “It would be easier if they didn't know where you stayed.”
“I'm sure they'd find me.” He's correct. Assassin would locate him. In her long career in both black ops and freelancing, she never failed.
“Fine. Let's go.”
Assassin smiled. This little excursion was fruitful. The Prince was brazen and relied too much on the Hero Coalition. He'd regret that choice.
The next night, shadows surrounded Assassin. She sat in the empty room next to the Prince’s. The whole floor was empty. While that helped it also made it easier for her to hide and wait. She had her swords out and ready to strike. This time, there would be no playing around. If any of the Hero Coalition got in her way, they would pay the ultimate price. Assassin hoped it wouldn't come to that. She didn't mind taking lives, but not needlessly. The Prince had to die. Why, she didn't ask. But, she was paid to take him out, and she would. With little damage to those around her.
Assassin arrived in the room hours ago. Well before the Prince was set to be back for the night. That didn't mean his room was unattended. Several times she heard members of the Hero Coalition search the space, but none bothered to check the room next door.
With her eyes closed, Assassin sat on the ground in a lotus position. She rested her hands on her knees with the blades of her swords pointing in both directions. She slowed her breathing. Letting every sound in. Footsteps and voices occasionally drifted into the room. Many worried. Fearing another attack would come.
According to the numerous people talking, the Prince’s scheduled appearance ended soon. Assassin was tranquil and not uneasy. Her nerves ready to strike at a moment's notice. The calm before the storm.
The floor was suddenly alive with activity. Assassin heard several members of the Hero Coalition, talking about the Prince and his imminent arrival. Assassin tensed. The door to his room opened. “Make sure the room is clear,” one of the Ardents said. Assassin’s body was rigid with fear and tension.
Stomps rang from the room, followed by loud bangs and furniture sliding on the ground. “Clear.”
“Has anyone checked the other rooms on the floor?”
Assassin’s heart skipped a beat. She worried they might take that precaution, but hoped they’d skip it. Be overconfident in their abilities.
“Not since this morning.”
“Check them.”
Assassin gulped. She didn’t want to hurt them, but she would. She hated to harm people who weren’t part of the contract, but it was a necessary evil. One that caused her pain and heart ache.
“Why? They aren't connected.”
“Fine.”
Assassin exhaled. The whole floor had balconies. She'd use that as the point of entrance. A few more people sounded from the room. “Send him in.”
“Thank you. I'd like to be alone please.”
“Okay. You have an eight o'clock wake up.”
“I'll see you then.”
The door closed. Assassin concentrated. The Prince walked around talking to himself for a few minutes. This was his last night in town. He had one more public appearance before departing to Cynosure.
Assassin sat unmoving as she waited for him to settle in and sleep. That was when she'd strike. She should have done this the first night. She'd be gone, and no one would have known about the attack until too late. The way it should have been.
An hour of silence on the floor passed. It was nearly time. Assassin waited another thirty minutes before she was confident he slept. She stood and walked to the door of the balcony. She slid the door open. It squeaked. Assassin cringed at the loudness of it. She paused to see if it woke up the Prince. But no sounds emanated from his room. She continued out. The gap between the rooms on the outside wasn't wide, about five feet. But a fall from this height would take weeks to recover without something to protect her like yesterday. Her healing was good but not instantaneous when the damage was extreme. She could die, but not easily.
The railing appeared sturdy enough, but Assassin tested it by leaning against. It didn't budge. She stepped up and leapt to the other balcony doing her best to land as silently as possible. Once settled, she kneeled on one knee pausing to listen. The only sounds were those from below on the street. She tested the door, it slid open. Most figured they'd be safe this high up. The Prince rolled over in his sleep.
Assassin held her breath as she crept towards the Prince. She had her swords out ready to slice his head off. She moved as slow as possible limiting any sound she might make. Awake he'd be a tough kill. She reached his bed. He mumbled in his sleep. Assassin quickly placed her blades over his neck in an X pattern. If he moved, he'd slice himself. She stared at him. Soon he'd take his last breath. She reveled in this moment. The fact she could both save and kill him.
His eyes opened. Terror filled them. “Who sent you?”
Assassin shrugged. “Don't know. Don't care.”
“You're going to start a war.”
“So.”
“It will cost the lives of many people.”
“I've already killed too many to care.”
“Then get it over with.”
She nodded. She moved her blades. Cutting his neck open. Blood shot out all over Assassin and the room. To make sure completed her mission, she plunged a sword into his heart. She checked his pulse. Nothing. Good. She retracted her blades. And made for her exit.
The news of the Prince's death spread like wildfire. Assassin sat in a quaint coffee shop in Amaranthine, a small town out west. Felt like Johnstown without the people, hot and humid. Her waiter walked over to check on her. He was a tall, lanky guy in his late twenties or early thirties with blond hair. His name tag read George. Didn't look like a George to Assassin but she played along.
He bent over. “Would you like another cup?”
“No thanks.”
Assassin's patience wore thin. The contact that hired her for the assassination of the Prince set the meet for here at this time. She was due a lot of money. She needed it to get away for a while. If word spread, she was the one behind the death, the elves would send warriors after her. A risk she calculated in when she accepted the contract. But with the money, it was worth it. The contact was an hour late now. Assassin worried she was going to be set up.
She checked her watch again. Couldn't help it. When she glanced up, she saw him enter the shop and nod at her. He pulled out a linen handkerchief and patted his forehead. “This place is blistering,” he said. He sat across from Assassin.
“You have the rest of my money.”
“My master insisted on giving it to you himself.”
Great. “I don't want to meet him.”
“I know you don't like contact with too many people, but he won't pay you otherwise.”
Assassin sighed. “Fine.” She didn't like this one bit. “Let's go.”
She followed her contact a block down the street to a hotel. He led her to the third floor of the building, which happened to be the top level. They entered a room. A tall, thin man peered out the window. Assassin recognized him immediately. He was part of her research on the Prince. A complete shock. It took a
lot to surprise her, but this did it.
The man turned. “You know who I am?”
Assassin nodded. “The Prince's younger brother.”
“Yes. Thank you for eliminating him.” He pointed to the bed. “The briefcase has the rest of your money.”
She walked over and opened it. Sure enough, it held money, completely full. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you. I'm one step closer to the throne and to exterminating the vile Fey.”
She cringed. Part of her wished he failed, but war was good for her business. She might loathe the Elf’s motivation but it helped her in the long run. “Good luck with that.”
Assassin left the room. She had expected the Fey to be the ones who hired her. Not an Elf, let alone his own brother. Either way, she earned her money. Time for a little vacation.
Remy’s Aghast
One last line for the day and Remy would be done. While he enjoyed his job here at Carter Industries, the days were long. The code was at times tedious. It kept him away from his girls, but he had to do it in order to support them. As a single parent, he did his best. With the line of code complete on the newest project. Remy saved his work and turned his computer off. He stood to leave when he heard his boss, Hammer. He acted like one too, always pounding things in anger. Hammer cleared his throat, “Remy I need you in the conference room.”
A trip to the meeting room worried Remy. Nothing ever good happened in there besides birthday parties, and those occurred during lunch. “Okay. One second.”
“Don't take too long.”
Remy nodded. He gathered up his bag he brought his lunch in. With that in hand, Remy walked across the office. The silence as he walked caused him to sweat, his bag heavy in his hand. Usually, at least a few of his fellow coders would be still working. But not a single stroke of a keyboard sounded. No glare from any computers. Remy's heart raced.
He entered the room. Every single member of his department stood in the room filling it. They lined the walls of the room. Each person searched for an answer to why they were summoned. Nothing but fear in their eyes. Remy was the last to join them and took a spot next to the door. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. He waited for his boss to join them. Remy checked his watch. A minute had passed, felt longer. Everyone remained silent staring at the door wondering what was going on.