Prologue
Whispers in the Night
The assassins dropped down from the canopy, four fleeting shadows against the trunk of the tree, the rough ridges of the bark scratching softly as each one landed onto the forest floor.
The full moon beat down upon the island, painting the entire landscape awash with a silvery sheen. Waves crashed into the sands of its beaches, lofty trees swayed their branches to the warm summer breeze, leaving their leaves fluttering and rustling; far away in the wilderness, wolves howled.
They crept soundlessly past the sleeping dragon curled up against a large white pine tree, tendrils of smoke still drifting up from its nostrils; past the two armoured figures standing by the crest of the hill, quietly whispering with one another. Past the third sentry, dozing peacefully underneath a majestic oak, his rounded shield draped across his body like a metal blanket.
They punctured through the invisible barriers surrounding the valley with methodical ease, like a hot knife cutting through butter.
Quickly they dashed across an open field, cloaks fluttering slightly in the ends, footfalls making slightly less sound than a whisper of wind, until they reached the cover of the trees. Imposing trunks rose around them, soaring up until their branches forked and spread out into broad canopies.
Although only a few beams of moonlight filtered through to the ground, pooling in scrubs of bush and the thick carpet of fallen leaves in the undergrowth; to the assassin's piercing gaze, the forest was as clear as day.
One made a halting motion with his black gloved hand and his three companions immediately crouched into a low position with a dexterity that resembled more insects than men. Their heavy black cloaks hung about their lithe frames, making them nearly invisible in the half light.
A low hiss came from underneath the lead assassins' cowl and the others responded in kind. A slight nod of affirmation, barely a tilt of a black cloth covered head, then, one by one; the Raz'ac drew shining daggers from sheaths on their thighs and crept into Camp Half-Blood.
A shadow flashed by the window of the Artemis cabin. In her bed, Thalia Grace woke with a start.
So, what do you think? Let me know :)