Twas a moonlit night in the cobblestone alley that the young silver haired servant met his reaper. The cloaked figure stood before him, gripping the knife with both ferocity and grace. His blonde mane was clean and smoothed against his head with only one stray strand. The glow from the servant's lantern creeped upon the stranger's face revealing a scar that crossed over his left eye.

"A good evening to you sir." The servant placed his gloved right hand over the satin jacket on his chest as he bowed. "Are you the one to steal my soul from me?"

"You know why I'm here?" The stranger's grim voice rumbled off of the brick buildings surrounding them.

"Of course sir. I knew who you were the moment I saw your scar and therefore knew what you came for. I was warned about the Scarred Lion who prowls the London streets at night as his jungle." The servant smiled. "I have heard of you, but I am not afraid."

"So you believe you can beat me?" The shadowed man responded not entirely surprised. He had faced others who thought they were better than him before.

"No. I do not plan to best you at your own skill and game. I merely accept it as the consequence to my actions." He carefully set the lantern on the stone path and began straightening his jacket and hair. "My only request is that you can accept the consequences for your own. You see my mistress will be most distressed about my absence. She has grown fond of me through our time together and even still I owe her a great debt. The poor girl has lost enough as it is and shouldn't lose more because of my crime."

"Then I shall find a way to repay her." The stranger truthfully swore as he walked closer to his target.

"That is very kind of you sir. Her name is Nora Litwin. You can find her in the gray mansion at the end of the eastern road. I pray this doesn't break her heart entirely." The servant stood straight with his arms at his sides. "Keep it quick and clean please. I should look handsome for my funeral; given that my mistress doesn't learn of my wrongdoings she'll surely give me a proper service."

"Of course." In one quick burst the blade slipped through the suit and into the servant's heart. As smooth and quickly as it went in, it slipped out, allowing a small stream of blood to roll down and stain the white cotton shirt. The servant slowly dropped to his knees.

"Thank you." His voice was quiet. After whispering his final words to the man who killed him, he let go and allowed his body to rest on the cold stone.

BANG!

The grand mahogany doors were thrown open as two guards, wearing basic leather armor, dragged the cloaked man into a sitting room. A young woman in a red dress jumped up from the chair she had been sitting in. She brushed her red long hair behind her ears.

"I have told you many times not to bother me so late! Have I not?! Yet here you are dragging strange men into my home at such an hour!" She yelled at the guards, seemingly one in particular. Her tired and swollen amber eyes gave only a single glance to the hooded man.

"My Lady, I apologize for the intrusion but this man carried Sinley to the front doors and wouldn't explain himself unless he saw you." One guard spoke as he nearly ripped the stranger's hood from his head. The guard was taller and slightly older than the other. His hair was black and his eyes were a light green. His chest piece was decorated with a simple green leaf trim.

"I'm sure he was just bringing the man home from the tavern. You should be more than capable of offering a reward to him, or are you just so simple minded?" The woman gave a small smirk.

"Sinley is dead, My Lady." The guard's voice was stern. The woman lost her smile and became stiff. The room was silenced with the dark realization.

"He has been stabbed in the chest. We couldn't find any sign of life. Miss Mirielle is taking care of his body as we speak." His grip on the stranger's shoulders tightened. The lady wiped away a single tear and straightened her posture.

"Have you come to tell me what happened?" Her voice trembled slightly. The stranger didn't flinch or move in any way.

"I killed him." The stranger admitted as easy as it was for anyone to breathe. The guards behind him immediately drew their swords and pressed them into his spine and neck. The stranger didn't react towards the threat. He knew he could kill them before they would think to scratch him. The Lady quickly drew to anger and slapped the scarred man, earning the first surprised reaction from him in years.

"You must have lost all sense to come here and declare that!" She glared into his silver eyes as he stared back into hers. "You might as well explain your motive!"

"He was my target. Although, before he accepted his fate, he made it clear that he was worried about you. I promised that I would repay you for your loss. I came here to fulfill that very promise and then be on my way." He stood firm and emotionless again as the woman before him processed his response. After a short while she took a deep breath and stepped away from him.

"Then I have no choice but to accept. You will serve me in Sinley Youngmay's place until my twenty-first birthday." She cupped her hands together as she walked back to her chair. "Tobias and Kedrick, you are excused for the night."

"But My Lady-" Kedrick the green guard began to retort.

"I said you are excused. I can handle myself around him and there is no other threat and so no other reason for you to be here." The young woman turned to the guard and looked at him with stern eyes. "Now please refrain from angering me. I bid you a goodnight." The guards begrudgingly returned their swords to their sheaths and retired to their chambers.

"Now, whether you gather so much by now or not, my name is Nora Litwin; you may call me Mistress Litwin or the obvious 'my lady'. I am the daughter of the house; you will meet the Lord and Lady along with my young brother another time." Lady Litwin seemed too braced for an introduction even when addressing a murderer. "What is your name?"

"I am known as Garren, My Lady." He still refused to show any emotion but noticed that Nora was relaxing and breathing easier after explaining her name and house status.

"Follow me please. I will give you a quick tour of your stations and main chores." Nora left the room and showed him the kitchen, dining room, and cleaning closets. "You will be responsible for preparing lunch, tea, and dinner. Keep the kitchen stocked. You will also attend me during my lessons and visits away from the house. You will be responsible for greeting guests and keeping them happy and entertained. When you aren't required for any of the above you will clean each room and make sure everything is in its place."

Nora lead him up the stairs and pointed to three doors; a grand bedroom, a smaller bedroom, and an office.

"Under no circumstance, but from my direct command, will you enter any of these rooms. Understood?" Nora's fierce eyes glared into Garren's once again.

"Yes My Lady." He replied swift but clear. Only a slight curiosity grew inside but he knew the rooms must belong to her family and are personal.

"Good. Now if you head through the kitchen, the door in the back will lead you to the servant's quarters. Your room is the first on the right; do NOT touch the room on the left. Tomorrow I will take you to be fitted and given proper clothes for your new position. I bid you goodnight Garren." Nora bowed her head lightly towards him before she made her way down the hall and around the corner. Garren went back down the stairs and through to the kitchen. He opened the door Nora mentioned and saw a door to his right. The door to his left bore a metal label with 'Sinley Youngmay' carved into it.

That's why she doesn't wish me to enter. Garren opened the door to his room and closed it softly behind him. Before him was a small and almost empty room. It was given a simple bed with white sheets, bed stand, candle, coat rack, wash basin, tiny closet, basic desk and chair, and a single small window. Garren sighed before taking off his black cloak and hanging it on the rack, revealing a gray vest and white buttoned shirt with long sleeves. He collapsed onto the bed combing over the events of that evening. I wasn't supposed to be caught up in servitude. I wonder what Donatello will think. I know Greyson will most certainly be upset with me. I'll have to handle it later.

Garren soon fell asleep.