Prologue
"How could you POSSIBLY let him slip AGAIN!"
A small gathering of people were huddled inside a small room, which stank heavily of old fish and rotten fruit. One was standing, facing the group, face red with anger as he yelled at the top of his lungs.
"This CANNOT keep happening! One of you lousy gnats will have to catch him! He cannot get away again! If he does, then by Elune, I will watch you perish myself. Do you understand!"
The others remained silent; only after he repeated the last three words did they nod silently. The man sighed and pressed his fingertips into his temples, rubbing them in small circles. "Very well…you're all dismissed. Except you."
An arm stretched itself out as he pointed at another male, one of the younger members. The others filed out the creaky wooden door, the last of them almost taking it off as he shut it loudly. It made the leader grunt in anger before sitting down in his seat, beckoning for the other to do the same.
"I'm most angry with you," the older man said while glaring at the other, "since you were personally assigned this case. Hmm…perhaps angered is the wrong word. I'm more…disappointed than angered. You showed such potential in your training, and then you flunk your first task." He shook his head in dismay, reaching into his pocket and pulling out what appeared to be a bag of peacebloom and small strips of paper. He started crafting a cigar for himself, letting out a sigh as he continued.
"However, since it is only your first, I'm willing to give you another chance. But as I said, you best complete it this time…"
The young man nodded, his hair bouncing a bit as he watched his leader's fingers work nimbly, rolling the paper together into a thick bundle before lighting a stick of wood with the fireplace behind him. "I understand…"
"Good…it's important that you do. This man is a menace to us, to our order. He's at the top of our list; he's quick and cunning. He'd probably see you before you saw him." He put the lit cigar in his mouth and inhaled, savoring the bittersweet taste of the burning peacebloom before blowing out the white smoke.
"I understand…"
"Very well…" The man pulled a map out of his pack and laid it out on the table. "Last we heard, he was headed for Stormwind City to resupply. You need to find out which store he's going to and take him down before he can leave. And son…" The man stood, cigar between his thick fingers as he stared at the younger man intently, making him sweat. "…you better succeed this time.