The Death Sparrow's Shadow: The Assassin of Acreage Book One

by R. L. McIntyre

  “What do we have here?” The Captain said. He stood with his jacket in his arm while his sleeves were pushed up past his elbows. She noticed his sweaty hair and the scent of myrrh again as he stared at her. Most likely he trained.

  He took a deep breath as he draped his jacket over the footboard of his bed. He leaned on it with his two hands, his muscles flexing as he looked at her, daring her to lie.

  “What are you doing here?” Serena remained mute, her eyes darting to the door and her escape. “If you thought you could seduce your way into my good graces, you are mistaken.”

  Stunned to silence, Serena stared at him before a grimace broke free.

  “I’d never!”

  “Then why else have you stolen into a man’s bedroom late at night?” He walked closer, blocking her exit with his body. Serena’s heart raced as he stood only a few inches away. Gently he pushed the hair back off her neck, holding her still with the look in his eyes.

  “You’re tempting. I’ll admit that” He softly moved his finger up to her lips and gently traced them. A flash of movement startled her as satin sheets flew over the top of her.

  “But I’m too smart for your games, Assassin.” His warm hands quickly snatched her and pushed her to the door before stepping back. Serena struggled under the massive sheets to get free and then glare at the Captain, who held back a chuckle.

  “If I wanted to tempt you, you wouldn’t be able to say no!” she snapped back with a huff, throwing the sheet at him. He caught it with a smile.

  “You can see yourself back. Be sure not to be spotted or the guards might bring you to me to be punished.” He grinned. Her glare darkened.

  “I won’t get caught.”

  “Oh and don’t expect to be able to leave again. I’ll make sure the guards don’t fall asleep, and I’ll have a word with Mary. That outfit doesn’t suit you.”

  She held up her middle finger at him and entered the maid’s halls. Taking a deep breath, she gritted her teeth as she walked further into the castle. She snorted in defiance. The night was still young for a little more snooping. The Captain’s warning hovered in the back of her mind, making her more cautious as she continued to explore.

  She decided to at least continue mapping the castle and send the page to Gwayne. She traveled upwards, finding her way to the pigeon coup. Once there, she walked through the lines of pigeons labeled for each of the major cities.

  Finding Klona she pulled out the page looking over the plan. Feeling confident she memorized it, she folded it up and jotted a note to Gwayne on the back. The plan was enough for now, unsure of what else to share with him. She nimbly pulled a pigeon and rolled the page tight and strapped it to the pigeon’s leg. A little bulky for the bird, but suitable. She released the bird and quickly set off back to her room.

  ◆◆◆

  Chapter Seven

  Mary sat across from Serena knitting as she ate her breakfast.

  “I heard you had an exciting evening. I would not have expected the Captain to catch you.” Mary commented, her eyes still on her stitches.

  “He’s lucky I wasn’t trying to kill him.”

  “Yes. I’m sure he’s aware.”

  Serena grumbled to herself, plagued by her thoughts. Luxurious baths and getting caught by the Captain felt like huge missteps. How could she call herself the Assassin of Acreage when she dressed up for the tyrant’s court? The illusion of a court life almost fooled her. She needed to refocus on the task ahead. Blend, but do not get lost in it. Never again get caught. Never forget they were the enemy.

  The Captain walked in and looked at Serena.

  “Mary,” he said in greeting. Mary looked over her shoulder at him before collecting her knitting and a handful of laundry and walking out.

  He turned to Serena and held out his hand. She looked at it and then at him, her eyebrows furrowed.

  “Hand it over.”

  “Hand over what?”

  “The dagger you stole from the guard. I don’t trust you with a blade, and being caught in my room doesn’t help you earn one.”

  Serena shrugged.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Fine. Raft, Ike search the room for the dagger.”

  Raft and Ike entered and began looking around the room. Serena continued eating the weight of the dagger tied to her leg comforting her. The Captain sat across from her watching her intently.

  “There’s no dagger in the room.”

  “Give it to me before I search your person. I doubt you want my hands touching you.”

  “You can try.”

  She glared, holding her fork tightly in her hand. The Captain sighed.

  “Get her arms.” Raft and Ike moved towards. She stood and pulled the dagger from her leg. They eyed the weapon before she threw it at the Captain’s feet.

  “There,”

  “I came to offer you some time in the training yard after our tea time. Since I’ll be transitioning you into a role in my guards, I need to assess your skills.” He picked up the dagger, handing it to Ike.

  “I’m your better. You don’t need to assess that.”

  He grinned walking closer, looking down at her from his height.

  “We’ll see about that.”

  She smirked, jabbing her elbow into his chest. An oof of air escaped his lips as he turned, glaring at her. She flicked her hair behind her back and walked over to Raft.

  “How’s your fiancé? Still sneaking out to see her?”

  Raft remained mute, looking to Ike.

  “Did Ike tell you not to talk to me? Worried I might give you the wrong idea?” Ike glared at her. “You’re in the Guards, are you not? We’re on the brink of an invasion. If you can’t parry a few words with an assassin, you won’t make it home to see your father or your fiancé.”

  “I’ll make it home.”

  “How old are you? Fifteen, sixteen? Lived in Meta your whole life? You know nothing about life. I doubt you’d last more than a minute against me. You should be begging to learn anything I could teach you.”

  The Captain grinned.

  “Thank you for volunteering. Since you seem to get bored in your room, why don’t you train Raft? He could use it and Ike can supervise.”

  Ike’s face dropped.

  “Captain,”

  The Captain held up his hand. Training Raft would be a distraction, but it could offer more mobility on the castle grounds. Not to mention Raft might be able to give her, even more, intel about the inner workings of the castle. She nodded.

  “Fine,”

  “Good. Let’s go to tea with Helen. After I’ll test you and tomorrow you begin training Raft.”

  Serena nodded and walked out the doors, deciding to lead down the halls and test her ability to navigate them. The Captain followed behind, watching her and correcting her only twice before they finally exited the castle.

  They walked down the cobblestone path towards the Duke’s housing. Large cottage-like houses stood on palace grounds in their little community, protected by the King but also far enough away. Serena wondered if they lived so far away to prevent them from rebelling. From the rumors, she heard as a child too many initial attempts on the King’s life threatened to unseat him. So naturally, nobles began going missing. Now this village gave an illusion of separation and freedom. Like the phoenix engraved on each door, none lived here free. Concessions were made and lived with. On her next late-night adventure, she decided to find the royal quarters. She needed to observe more of what went on with the royal family.

  Her eyes traced the stonework, surprised they used Acreage techniques to make the buildings look like they belonged.

  The Captain and Serena walked up the path to the front door of what seemed to be an identical cottage to all the others. The wooden door branded with the phoenix seemed old and hardly cared for. She wondered if Helen purposely let the Phoenix on the front decay.

  A rustling could be heard from inside as a muffled voice drew close
r to the door. It slammed open as Helen dressed in a bright green dress smile at Serena.

  “They’re here!” she announced to Henry inside before grabbing Serena’s arm and pulling her in. Helen’s quick steps forced Serena to match her as she whisked her further inside. Serena noticed the décor was full of flowers and white marble. A clean design too easily ruined for an assassin but fit the nature of Helen. She rushed to a table where a pot of tea sat steeping checking it and putting it on the tray with the set of cups.

  "Hello Wesley,” Henry said, taking his arm in greeting. The Captain smiled back. “Coffee?”

  “Please,” The Captain found a seat on the armchair.

  “Long night?”

  “Yes,” The Captain stole a look at Serena. She glared back before Helen snatched her arm, pulling her from the main room to a set of white doors to the side.

  “You seemed to be rather annoyed by the Prince’s choice in dance partner,” Henry began. Serena hovered by the door, listening.

  “Any dance partner he chooses is a problem. The court loves to make up rumors.”

  “Yes, but you seemed particularly interested in the beautiful Lady Serena. What about her has you watching her with such fervor?” The Captain coughed on his coffee and Serena smirked. Henry laughed as Helen turned to her.

  “Stop eavesdropping,”

  “Henry, you’re as bad as Helen.” The Captain returned coughing out the last of the liquid.

  “You wouldn’t protest so eagerly unless there was something you’re hiding. So, tell me, Wesley. What is it?”

  Helen pulled Serena inside and shut the door before she could hear the Captain’s response.

  “I want to hear what he has to say.” Serena grinned, enjoying the Captain’s discomfort.

  “No good comes of hearing a man’s heart before he’s made up his mind. Now sit,” Helen returned, leading her to a small table set up for tea.

  “What? I don’t care about his heart. I want to know about other things.” Serena said, following to the table. She looked around the room, taking in the small parlor. A white loveseat with pink flowers stood facing a set of chairs that surrounded the small table. Two small bookshelves full of novels stood on either side of the large windows. Plants hung above, the green foliage giving the room a warmth as it outlined the white curtains.

  “Come on, we have much to discuss. Get settled,” Helen poured her a cup of tea. Serena sat and looked at the tea, noting the color. A soft brown, the right color. She picked it up and sniffed. It smelled herbal, but there was something mixed in that didn’t seem to fit. She looked at Helen questioningly.

  “What’s in it?”

  Helen smirked and took a sip of her own cup, a gleam in her eyes. Serena wondered if Helen was playing a trick and skeptically took a sip. The sweet liquid rolled over her tongue, but a warmth quickly settled in along with the unmistakable burn of alcohol. Shocked, she nearly spat it out.

  “What-”

  “It’s an elderberry tea mixed with a little mead. You know, to relax just a little without all the formalities of court.” Helen grinned, taking another sip.

  “And how does a Lady of the Court procure mead for tea?”

  “Easily when you know the right people. Now drink up,” Helen put her cup down.

  Serena admitted she admired Helen’s audacity. Court norms would never allow this, and yet she dared. As unlikely as it felt, she found a man who accepted her rebellious nature.

  “So, what were you hoping to learn from the Captain’s response? Do you fancy him?”

  “Is this why you’re trying to get me drunk? To see who I am crushing on at court?” Serena felt almost proud of Helen’s cunning ways. Helen shrugged.

  “If not him, it must be the Prince. He did only dance with you.” Unease settled in, unsure of what Helen knew of the Prince’s fancies. Reading her face, Helen nodded.

  “So, you’ve heard. It’s a tragedy, really. Forced to pretend to be someone you’re not. Trying to convince yourself you’re someone else.” Helen sighed. “I pray for him. If his father ever found out and believed the rumors… we’d need a new heir.”

  “It’s a tragedy to not have a choice.” Serena sighed. Helen turned to her, interested.

  “And what choice do you not have?” Assassin. Witch. Acrean. None of those identities gave her safety. None protected her. There was no choice in who she was. The environment crafted her like an idol out of clay. Each strike of the whip, each spoken slur, each stab of a weapon chipped away at her identity, turning her into someone she never had the chance to create. She never thought about the person she wanted to be, only the person she had to be. Her heart raced at the anger of such a life. If it was another’s she might feel pity for them. What pity could she deserve? The Assassin of Acreage was smothered in the lives she took. The penance for such things was what she deserved. What happened to all idols crafted by the greedy fingers of others, destruction?

  “Serena?” Helen asked, pulling her attention. “Where did you go? You seemed lost?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “I hope you know you can trust me. Whatever it is, if I can help, I will.”

  “I appreciate that, but it was nothing.”

  “Alright then. When you’re ready.” She grabbed Serena’s hand and squeezed. “Us ladies have to stick together, otherwise the world might just eat us up.”

  Serena looked at Helen with newfound admiration. Helen destroyed all the notions Serena had regarding ladies of the court.

  “Could we return to the subject of Wesley? I can hardly say I know that much about him.” Helen looked at her curiously for a moment but did not ask a question.

  “I’ve known Wesley most of my life. I practically grew up with his sister, Amber. He isn’t known for being the most social individual.”

  “What happened with Orion?” Helen’s face dropped.

  “His father happened,” Helen commented, taking a long sip of tea. “The man’s a brute, a true psychopath. He made it very clear he thought Orion too low born for Wesley. Several attempts were made on her life with no one claiming the attacks, but everyone suspected his father. Not that it meant any of us could do anything. He’s been the General forever. He has more power than all the nobles combined. Orion dreadfully decided that a life with Wesley would be one full of hardships and the threat of death constantly around her. They were kids. I married Henry the summer before and we tried to help them, but we were so new to marriage. We could barely manage the cottage and court appearances. Orion left to go back to Templaria. Her father found a better match for her. A noble far enough from the court she would not have to be in Acreage. She accepted and broke his heart.”

  Serena took a sip, trying to wash away her own memories of a broken heart.

  “Sorry I asked.”

  “It’s alright. Orion was a sweet girl, just not able to survive at court. You seem much more adept to the danger that lives here.”

  “I’ve had my share of danger.”

  “So, Serena, let me be frank with you. You’re not Wesley’s new fancy and you’re not from a noble upbringing. You would at least know about these things. So, I ask this with the utmost respect, but who in the ancestor’s name are you?”

  Serena chuckled at the question.

  “I can’t answer that,” Serena said after a pause. “I could, but that would mean lying and I don’t want us to lie to one another.” Silence filled the room between them.

  “I respect that, but I do hope you can tell me the truth in time.”

  “In time. Now, the King is he often around?” Helen eyed her for a moment, as if unsure of the reason for the question.

  “He was less than excited to hear your choice of song, but he will not seek you out for retribution. He barely pays us any attention. He spends most of his time planning his siege on Samoria, which is an utter failure if you ask me. The General is off in the north licking his wounds after barely managing to hold back the riots there. Your countrymen have tr
ied to secede from the rest of us. The arrogance of the General was he could do both, but I assure you heard those sent to Samoria are all dead. Sent to slaughter like pigs.” Helen finished her cup and put it down with enough force Serena thought the cup would chip.

  “The General will stop here before continuing forwards. I pray you don’t meet him. He’ll see thru whatever is going on between you and Wesley and punish you both. Wesley has enough scars and the stupid impulse to protect everyone else but himself. I’m guessing whoever you are, you can at least share the weight of your decisions.”

  “We won’t get caught and if we are, I can take my share of any punishment.” Serena finished her cup and poured fresh cups for both of them.

  “I understand why Wesley favors you.” Helen grinned.

  “My charms-”

  “Your honesty.” Helen cut in, peering into her eyes. “It’s in your eyes. You speak with so much strength and conviction, but your eyes don’t lie. You’ve prepared to die for your beliefs.”

  Serena looked away. Her anxiety rose and her hand twitched for the comforting feel of a blade in it.

  “So has the Captain. Both of you are very similar. Crafted by pain and loneliness. You’d make a fine couple, someday.” Helen continued. Her kind eyes shined with compassion, and Serena felt herself almost gasp. Too easy. Too easy to trust her, who offered her more humanity than anyone else in her life. She was an assassin. This was just a mission. She stood walking over to the window, peering out at the ladies walking around in the day's light.

  “We don’t all get somedays, Helen. Today has to be enough, and I am not in the business of letting my heart rule my decisions.”

  “It doesn’t mean you don’t deserve happiness.