The Assassin

by Trudie Collins

  She called to it and it spiralled down, landing on her arm and digging its claws painfully into her flesh. When she complained it apologised, but did not release its grip until it had delivered Dean’s reply.

  “Well?” Tor asked when she was not forthcoming.

  “He thanks us for the warning, but will remain in Yallend. Hurst feels the same. Dean is very pleased about what happened to Fajfar.” Dean had travelled with the half-dwarf for a long time and had considered him a friend. As a result, he had taken it very badly when it turned out Fajfar was just using them to track down Oak.

  “Anything else?” Brin could not help asking when he and Sam were far enough behind the others not to be overheard.

  “Just a message for Hawk,” she informed him. When the group had split into two, Sam and Dean had kept in contact using animals and Brin was aware that every message had contained something personal. He had no way of knowing if this was still the case, but he trusted Sam not to lie to him so he did not question her further. He did, however, make sure he was present when Sam gave Hawk his message once night had fallen. Sam could not help glancing his way when she spoke to the vampire.

  “Do you remember the first time you met Dean?” Sam asked Hawk, who nodded. “You informed him that you had once threatened Brin that you would kill him if he ever hurt me and that threat now applied to Dean.” Again Hawk nodded, unsure where this was heading. “Dean has requested that you remember your original threat and make good on it should the need arise.”

  “No problem,” Hawk told her.

  It took Brin a moment to realise what that meant and he smiled once he had worked it out. “Nothing for me to worry about then,” he announced, “because that is never going to happen.”

  Early the next morning, they arrived at the woodland where River’s family lived and were greeted by friendly water sprites the moment they entered. Like River, they were all small and slim, with a hint of blue in their skin, even the males. Tor asked after River and Grimmel and was directed to a small wooden house close to the water. They were a trusting race, none of them asking who the visitors were or what they wanted.

  Leaving their horses to wander down to the river bank, everyone dismounted outside of River’s home and Tor knocked on the door. River opened it and upon seeing who had knocked, threw herself into Tor’s arms.

  “It is so good to see you,” she said, her sapphire blue eyes shining with delight.

  “It is good to see you as well,” the Prince responded. “How are you and Grimmel?”

  “Good. Great. Could not be better,” she said as she moved out of the doorway so he could enter. He had to duck in order not to bang his head and the low ceiling prevented him from fully straightening once he was inside. “This is not going to work,” she said, frowning at him. “We had better go back outside.”

  Once they were out of the building once more, she noticed that Tor was not alone and ran towards the other visitors, her long navy hair flowing behind her. She hugged them all in turn, especially Brin, who she had not expected to see again.

  “Are you able to stay for long?” she asked. “Grimmel is not here and I know he would be disappointed to have missed you.”

  “Where is he?” Tor enquired.

  “My father has given permission for us to marry so he has gone to his home city to speak with his family.”

  “And you did not go with him?” Ria asked, finding this strange.

  “No,” River said. “His family are very old fashioned and do not believe in inter-species relationships so he thought it best to approach the subject on his own. He will come and get me when he has won them round.”

  “We may not be able to wait until he returns,” Tor informed her. “We have a lot to tell you.”

  River insisted on playing host and they made themselves comfortable on the riverbank while she prepared drinks. Sam, Ria and Ellen helped her, all three of them being small enough to fit into her house without ducking. They returned with trays of drinks and a plate of nut cakes, which River had just finished baking.

  While they ate and drank, Tor explained to River the reason for their visit. She was deeply saddened to hear of the deaths and more than a little frightened at the thought of being hunted down by an assassin.

  “We must leave at once,” she said when she heard that Grimmel also was being hunted. “He has gone to Zwerc, the capital city of Zitwerc. I will go and pack.”

  “Slow down,” Tor said gently. “While I agree that there is a sense of urgency, we have been travelling all night and will need to get some sleep before we can depart.”

  River started to protest, but Ellen placed her arms around her, instructing her to calm down. “You should go and see your father,” she told her. “I am sure he will be very upset if you just disappear without an explanation. While you do that, we will get some sleep and I promise we will leave before nightfall. Is there somewhere we can go?”

  None of the buildings would be large enough to accommodate them, so River led them to a meadow not far from her house where they made themselves comfortable and were soon asleep.

  As promised, it was still light when they awoke and prepared for their departure. River had already packed a bag and was waiting impatiently in the wagon, having gotten her father and brothers to hitch the horse to it so they would be able to leave as quickly as possible. Her father was extremely concerned for her safety and insisted on obtaining a promise from Tor that he would do all he could to keep her safe, but he understood the need for her to go and gave his blessing.

  Darkness had yet to fully descend when they crossed the border into dwarf territory and they were soon accosted by a number of heavily armed dwarves demanding to know their reason for entering their lands. Once Prince Tor had completed the introductions and shown them his royal seal, they were given permission to travel unescorted. Tor neglected to mention that there may well be a killer following them; there was no need to cause alarm unnecessarily.

  It took them many days to ride to the centre of Gitwerc and they passed numerous small villages on their way. All of the buildings were small and made of stone and, though the local population were friendly and willing to sell supplies to the strangers, none offered them any sort of hospitality, preferring to keep to themselves.

  Eventually they reached the city of Zwerc and were surprised by the extent of it. Compared to the villages they had passed, which had contained no more than a few dozen houses each, Zwerc was huge. It was just like any human city, though much shorter.

  “Any idea where Grimmel’s family lives?” Tor asked River as they rode down the streets.

  “None,” she confessed. “He did not speak about them much.”

  “Maybe we should split up and ask around,” Patrick suggested. “Meet back here in an hour?”

  Tor approved the suggestion, so they all went in different directions, questioning every dwarf willing to speak with them. It was early morning, the sun not having been up long, so there were not many dwarves on the streets yet. Surprisingly, everyone managed to arrive back at the allotted time without any of them getting lost.

  “That building there is where the official records are kept, I have been informed,” Nosmas said, pointing to a building opposite. “We should try there first, though we may want to wait until after breakfast.”

  As nobody had any better suggestions, they made their way to a building down a side street that Patrick had been told about. It was an inn built to accommodate humans so they were all able to enter it without stooping. Once everyone had eaten their fill, Tor took River to the records building and was pleased to return a short while later with directions to Grimmel’s home.

  It did not take them long to reach and almost as soon as Tor knocked on the door, it was opened by a rosy cheeked dwarf wearing an apron with what appeared to be flour down it. “May I help you?” she asked.

  “I am Prince Tor from Remeny,” Tor introduced himself, “and I am looking for Grimmel. Do I have the right place?�
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  “Indeed you do, your Highness,” the female told him. “I am delighted to meet you. Grimmel has told me so much about you. Do you and your companions wish to come in? It may be a bit crowded, and you will have to stoop, but you are more than welcome. Grimmel is not at home right now, but he is due back shortly if you would like to wait.”

  “You are very kind,” Tor said, “but it may be better if we remain out here. Who are you, if you do not mind me asking?”

  “How silly of me, I forgot to tell you. I am Edda, his wife.”

  Chapter 9

  Everyone standing outside the door heard the announcement. River started to hyperventilate as her legs gave way and she collapsed onto the floor. “Get her out of here,” Tor ordered and Brin picked her up and carried her over to the wagon. Sam jumped into the seat and Brin passed the sobbing sprite to her. She was so light Sam felt she was holding a child not a grown woman.

  Tor turned to Seth. “Take them out of the city and find somewhere to make camp. The rest of us will find you.” The young man nodded, jumped into the driver’s seat and instructed the horse to start moving. Most of the others took their horses and followed, leaving only Ria and Patrick with Tor.

  “My apologies,” Tor said to Edda, who was staring at the departing figures in confusion. “Grimmel never mentioned he was married. It has taken us by surprise. I think we had better come in after all.”

  Edda led them into the kitchen, where they sat on the floor next to a wooden table. A delicious smell was wafting from the oven and the dwarf explained that she was baking bread. She apologised for looking a mess and offered to make tea. They all accepted and by the time it was prepared, the loaf was ready to take out of the oven and was placed on a tray to cool.

  “So what brings you here?” Edda asked conversationally as she handed round the mugs.

  Tor opened his mouth, but closed it again when he heard the door to the house open. All eyes turned to the doorway of the kitchen as Grimmel walked in. He took one look at his visitors seated on the floor and swore. “Frack.”

  “It is nice to see you too,” Patrick told him. “Your lovely wife has been making us feel at home while we waited for you.” He emphasised the word ‘wife’.

  “I guess I have some explaining to do. Edda, please leave us alone for a few minutes.”

  Ria had been expecting her to meekly leave the room and was surprised to see her fold her arms. “No. We have never kept anything from each other in the past and I do not see why we should start now.”

  Grimmel shrugged his shoulders. He knew better than to argue. “Then make yourself useful and start cutting the bread. I am starving.”

  While they ate, Grimmel explained the situation. Tor told him there was no need, but he felt obliged to as they were his friends and, while he had not exactly lied to them, he had not told them the full truth. He and Edda had been friends since birth, having grown up living next door to each other. Her mother died in childbirth and her father was not good with money, so they were very poor. Edda often ate with Grimmel’s family as there was no food available at her own house. Her father died when she had just become of marrying age, leaving her homeless and penniless. Grimmel’s parents agreed to take her in, but it was considered a sin for an unmarried lady to live under the same roof as an unmarried man if they were not related by blood, so Grimmel married her.

  “It is a marriage of convenience,” Edda explained. “Grimmel takes good care of me and I take care of his household and investments, almost like a combination of a housekeeper and a secretary. It has always been agreed that we would be able to date other dwarves and will divorce should either of us wish it.”

  “That is why I came back here,” Grimmel continued. “I am in the process of signing over half of my property and businesses to Edda so that she will be financially independent. I have also initiated divorce proceedings so I can marry River.”

  “He has told me all about her,” Edda took over once more. “I am sure they will be very happy together.” Then she suddenly put her hand to her mouth. “Oh no,” she gasped. “Please tell me she was not the young lady who ran off.”

  “What?” Grimmel exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “River was here?” Tor nodded his head. “Where did she go? I have to find her.”

  “Hold your horses,” Patrick said, grabbing the dwarf as he tried to run past him. “She is perfectly safe. The others are with her and you might want to think about letting her calm down before you see her.”

  “Besides,” Tor took over, “we have something very serious we have to discuss with you.”

  Reluctantly, Grimmel returned to his seat and listened intently as Tor told him everything they knew about the assassin and what had happened to their friends and others who had taken part in the quest. He listened in silence, his face turning grimmer and grimmer.

  “So what happens now?” Edda asked when Tor had finished.

  “If someone is planning on killing me, the sooner I get away from you the better,” Grimmel told her. “I do not want to put you in any danger. We get our divorce today and I leave with Tor tonight. I have signed everything I need to as far as my property is concerned. Will you explain to my father for me once I am gone?”

  “Of course,” she said. “But is it safe for you to go?”

  “He will be safer with us than staying here,” Ria assured her.

  “We will be camping just outside of the city,” Tor told Grimmel. “I will send Hawk to you as soon as it is dark.”

  Grimmel thanked him then showed his guests out. They retraced their steps, exiting the city via the same road they had entered, and soon found their friends.

  “How is River?” Tor asked Ellen as soon as he had dismounted.

  “Asleep,” she informed him. “I gave her a potion and she will not wake up again until tomorrow night, if we are lucky. Did you see Grimmel?”

  “Yes,” Tor confirmed. “He and Edda explained that their marriage is in name only. He is here organising a divorce so he can marry River.”

  “From the things she was saying before I drugged her, that may no longer be an option.”

  “Is Grimmel going to join us?” Dal asked as Tor sat down beside the fire Seth had made. Tor nodded his head as he was handed a bowl of stew. Dal sighed sadly. “I am not sure that is going to go down well with River. She was talking about tying him to a tree and leaving him for the assassin to find.”

  “Do not worry,” her husband said. “We will not let that happen.”

  Sam and Brin volunteered for first watch so everyone else made themselves as comfortable as they could on the hard ground and tried to get to sleep. The sun was high in the sky so they would not be able to rest for long as Tor wished to depart as soon as Grimmel joined them.

  A few hours later, Patrick and Ellen took over guard duty, allowing Sam and Brin to get some well needed sleep. The sun was just beginning to set when Sam awoke once more and found that Brin had gone.

  “He went hunting with Seth, Dal and Tor,” Ria informed her when Sam asked her if she knew where he was. “Hawk will be waking up soon, but will be sent immediately to find Grimmel and Tor wants a good supply of meat to take with us.”

  They did not have to wait long before the sound of a moving coffin lid could be heard and Hawk landed softly beside the two ladies. Ria passed on Tor’s instructions, as well as directions to Grimmel’s house, and the vampire took to the air, returning a surprisingly short time later with a disgruntled dwarf in his arms.

  “I said I could walk,” he snapped at the vampire as he was lowered to the ground.

  “Sorry,” Hawk said, sounding like he was not sorry at all. “But Tor said we are in a hurry.”

  “Then where is he?” Grimmel growled.

  “Right here,” a voice sounded behind them. “Put your bag in the wagon and we can head off.”

  “Not so fast,” the dwarf said. “I must see River first and explain myself to her.”

  “Not yet,” Ellen said gently. “I ha
d to put her to sleep. She was very upset.”

  “Shit,” Grimmel muttered. “I have really messed this up. How am I going to talk my way out of this one?”

  His only response was a laugh from Sam. “Sorry,” she said when Grimmel glared at her. “I was not laughing at you. Where I come from, putting something to sleep means killing it, putting it out of its misery. It usually applies to sick or injured animals. I just found Ellen’s comment about putting River to sleep amusing.”

  Grimmel stared at her, muttered something unintelligible and stomped off towards the wagon.

  “Hasn’t changed much has he?” Sam observed as she watched his retreating back.

  Everything was back in the wagon and Tor was about to give the order to leave when Patrick asked a sensible question. “Where exactly are we going?”

  Tor, who was about to mount his horse, paused and looked at Patrick. “I have absolutely no idea,” he admitted.

  “Then do you not think it might be a good idea to discuss it before we leave?” he suggested sarcastically.

  Tor shook his head. “No. I want to put as much distance between River and Grimmel’s wife as I can before she wakes up. We should head towards Emvale for now and discuss our next destination when we stop some time before dawn.”

  It was still dark when they stopped for a meal break so Hawk was able to join in the discussions. As there were no other companions for them to collect, their next task had to be to try to find the assassin, but they had no idea where to even start. They knew where he had been and had worked out in which order his victims had died, but this did not help to ascertain his current location. They could not even guess who his next intended victim would have been had they not found out what was happening and had joined forces; it might even be a member of one of the other teams. The assassin could be in any village, city or even country.

  “Any suggestions?” Tor asked. Blank faces stared back at him.

  “I have one, but you are not going to like it,” Patrick said.