Disclaimer: Belongs to Maria V Snyder


I crept beside the wall, melting into the shadow. To any observer, I would be virtually invisible. As invisible as the night itself.

The only illumination to the endless blackness of the night was the crescent moon high above the castle's walls. The howling wind tore at my long, black hair, flicking it in front of my face, blurring my vision. But even that was a mild annoyance compared to the cramp that was threatening my right leg. I glanced around me, scanning the training yard for the sentries on duty.

Nobody was there.

I turned to my right where the poison taster's window lay. Oscove lay asleep on the small, single bed barely a meter away from the window. Without realizing it, my hand had drifted down to my favourite broadsword hidden in it's scabbard.

It was no secret that the commander's right hand man and the poison taster hated each other with a burning passion that could could light the castle's barn on fire. My reputation made sure of that. Oscove was constantly drawing unwanted attention AND he was leaking important, top secret information to the cook. Who, coincidently, happens to be the only other person in Ixia that I hated more than Oscove.

I removed my switchblade from it's hidden scabbard and opened it with a soft click. Surveying the training yard one more time, I slid the cold piece of metal under the window frame. The tip of the blade pressed against the hidden switch I had the carpenter install a few years back. The switch was designed to open the window with just a light touch of your finger.

Or knife.

I smiled grimly at the now-unlocked window. Not even a locked room would be enough to escape the wrath of Valek. Keeping my left side facing the yard, I opened the window.

I slipped into the room unnoticed. My still sheathed switchblade ready at my side. I creeped a few steps till I was at Oscoves' side. It would be to messy to slit his throat. Poisoning would be more reasonable. How ironic; the poison tester killed by poison. Although, he would only die if he didnt test his next meal for it. A surprise test of sorts. One designed to kill the taker.

I stepped away from the bed and walked to the side table. A bowl of fruit lay there. Probably a gift from Rand. I eased the vile of poison out of my pocket. It contained a poison named Filius. It smells sweet, but you can't taste it. Filius was made with pollen extracted from a Sitian flower found in the Zaltana's forest. It was the second deadliest poison alive. Only second to My Love. I wouldn't use My Love on Oscove. He already proved he could survive that. Better to use something brand new to him. Filus left the victim paralysed unable to use their voice or limbs. His death would be quick and painless, much to my annoyance. But it was the only deadly poison that killed someone quickly and disabled their ability to call for help so soon after ingestion.

I poured half of the vile on the apple, watching as the pale yellow dust melted into nothingness. I allowed myself a quick smile. A poisoned apple, how cliché.

I slipped the vile back into the confines of my sneak suit. Walking a few steps backwards, I turned around, crept out the window and allowed myself to be sucked up into the dark bleakness of the night.


Published 26/11/2012

Updated 11/11/2014