Chapter four! I know that my faithful readers (thanks guys!) have waited for this chapter so here it is:) Last chapter, Legault and Katida were sprinting through forest brush when they're stopped by a sword wielder. But who is he? Isadora, how can we forget, was just proposed to be Harken, her previous love. To add to the drama, a little paper-cut sized wound is still bleeding after some time after. But let's go back to Legault! After all, he's going to encounter a whole lot of perfidy and sedition… Read and enjoy!

Previous Chapter:

On the dusty floor, there were dark splotches decorating the ground. I was bleeding this entire time. Harken looked concerned.

"You look a little pale…Isadora. Isadora?"

This was no normal wound.

So what does that mean for the dagger who gave me this wound?

All For One and None For All

I dodged in time—twisting my body in midair while still managing to land on my feet. Katida had her claws attached and ready for battle, her eyes already lusted. It's scary when she gets like this… It's almost as if she turns into a different person. Nonetheless, she always turns back into the sweet girl she portrays. I'm just lucky that I'm not dead yet.

"Ah, Legault! It's been some time, has it not? I thought you had abandoned this bunch… Or have you come to reclaim?" he growled softly. He swung his blade expertly and with more skill than he possessed earlier. I'm glad that everyone's been training since I've left… First Katida, now Alaric. I wonder who else has been training lately… This is going to make everything a bit more interesting though—and harder. Hm, I'm always up for a challenge.

I noticed with some alarm that Alaric was looking at my satchel.

"Alaric… I see time hasn't changed you one bit. Still bitter…?" I countered trying to keep his eyes off of my bag and onto my face instead.

It didn't work. What does he know about that dagger? What don't I know about that dagger?

Katida, sensing an opening, lunged at Alaric. Her hand ripped down his sword arm, creating five jagged gashes before she leapt away. He lashed at her too late; she was already out of reach. He's gotten skilled, but is still as slow as ever…good.

I noticed that Katida was toying with him. If she wanted to, she could have killed him twice already, why is she holding back? Unless…he knows something that Tamesis does not.

"Dearest Alaric, how is it that you don't die? Maybe you're the Black Cat with nine lives… Though, haven't I tried to kill you more than that? But alas, you're still standing… Which means I must try harder," Katida purred while flexing her claws. So she does want to know something. Katida never wastes time talking to her victims without good reason—or a direct order.

"Try as you will, but Death isn't here for me. I do know who Death is waiting for though…as you do, my Katida," Alaric whispered. Who is he talking about? And why do I get this feeling I know who this person is?

Whoever the person is, she is quite upset by him or her. Picture a cat arching its back and bearing its fangs then translate it into human form—you now have Katida who's just a bit more dangerous than a kitty.

"Are we just going to talk or should we keep our blades pointed at each other's throats?" I asked conversationally. Katida didn't look my way but Alaric did. I noticed that Katida's anger hadn't slowed its rise.

"Heh, still the same it seems. How's the family? I hear they're doing well," Alaric responded casually. I noticed that his grip shifted on his blade to one that he could wield offensively.

"I wouldn't know, though I'm curious to know why you do."

"Curiosity killed the cat," Alaric sneered as he swung his blade faster than before. So he was hiding his skill after all.

"I'm insulted!" Katida replied as she joined in, countering his attack by tripping him with a graceful kick. She whistled twice.

She wants him alive.

I sheathed my sword and opted for twin daggers. It'll be easier to maneuver this way and besides, I'm faster now. Though, it's been some time since I've fought like this…assassin style, that is.

Katida had scored many more marks upon him, slowly wearing him down. I hid a grin. Alaric could never measure up to her no matter how he tried. And he tried, oh, did he try.

I saw that she kept on eyeing his sheath meanwhile. What's so special about his sheath? Hm…what's this? Is that parchment I see? Yellowish paper was sticking out from it, just enough to pilfer—perfect.

I signaled to her that I saw the paper and she nodded, keeping Alaric preoccupied. I realized, with some discomfort, that the wound on her leg was bothering me more than it bothered her. It's just a wound, why am I so concerned about it? It's just a shallow gash. She'll heal fine… So why am I troubled by it?

I shook my head and focused at the task at hand. No need to tackle two things at once when both can kill you. Let's see if I remember how to properly steal something right from under someone's nose…

I ran up swiftly and craftily, without making one sound. With nimble fingers I grasped the parchment and stuffed it into my satchel. I replaced the missing prize with a plain old piece—he'd never know the difference until it'd be too late.

I've still got it, it seems. I smirked and signaled a job well done. She smiled and landed a well aimed kick across his head, twisting his neck.

"Before you die, I just have one question: do you regret any of your impetuosity? Are you wishing that you had never left?" Katida snarled. I had to admit, it was a sorry sight. I never did like Alaric; there was always something…off with him. He was always very fickle, too much so.

He was as fickle as a thief. How fitting… My thoughts were suddenly cut off by arrows skimming by my face.

"Alaric, we've got to go. Now," the archer said briskly. I looked at him and gasped, knowing who he was instantaneously…

…and denying that he was standing in front of me, arrows raised and directed at me.

"Liam…is that…is that really you? I never would have thought…you too?" Of all the people, to desert Tamesis and then join Alaric of all people…? Never would I have thought Liam. The man whom everyone owed a great debt, the man who taught us all that we know today. The teacher of almost all assassins country wide.

"Liam?" Even Katida seemed shocked. The girl who always knows who's been murdered, killed, or sentenced a traitor—knew nothing. That was a feat in itself. As he spoke, I noticed no real change in the old man. Same grayish eyes that seemed to storm when he was angry or excited, the same dark hair streaked with silver, the same leathery old skin. He hadn't changed at all.

Except for his logic, his logic has clearly suffered.

"Don't look so surprised, Legault. You knew that this would happen someday. That's why you left, isn't it? To escape the inevitable fate of she who rules…? Smart as ever, my boy, smart as ever…" He smiled, as if content with me. Hm, talk about normalcy. Liam never smiles without having something underhanded to say. So what is his proposition this time around? Last time I almost didn't come out of it alive…

"But unfortunately, you are here and you now must choose: fall with them…or rise with the new order. Alaric didn't want to give you this chance, but I stood up for you, my student. This chance is rare. Katida does not have the same choices. I know you will choose well," he said carefully. He's planning to kill Tamesis?! He's joking, right? Either that or he's clearly lost every bit of sanity he had left. There's no way he'll go through with this. There's no way he'll survive through this. Tamesis doesn't take well to traitors.

"What did you know, Legault? Care to explain?" Katida hissed as Alaric regained his footing. I saw her eyes flick to the side and I realized her partner was missing—until now. I wonder where he's been hiding all this time… And I wonder why he's been hiding all this time.

"You wench! My neck hurts like hell…," Alaric cursed. Katida smirked as only she could in a situation such as this.

"Is it broken?" Katida asked innocently.

"No… You'd die if it was though!" Alaric snapped. Katida pouted and curtly replied, "Then stop complaining and actually follow through with your threats—real assassins don't give empty ones. When I say I'm going to kill someone, I will. Alaric, my dear, I'm going to kill you slowly and excruciatingly."

"Kat—" I started before I felt the tip of a dagger in my back. So that's why he's been hiding…of course, I should have known. I made the sign for a traitor with my hand. Katida hissed furiously, like a kitty that got really wet.

"Now, now, Legault, let's not ruin any plans. If Katida wants to run headfirst into an arrow from Liam's bow, then let her be. Though, it'd truly be a shame…what a pretty face to lose…" Katida glared. If looks were lethal, we'd all be dead, including myself.

Good thing they aren't.

"Did you find it, Thane?" Liam asked eagerly. Elimine, have all the thieves gone mad? Why so much trouble for one dagger? What's so special about it? It seemed ordinary enough when I…uh…borrowed it from those nobles. Those etchings looked familiar however… Where have I seen it before? Have I seen it before?

"No, I didn't. He must have it on him…should I check?" I could hear the thief grinning as his hands wandered to my satchel.

No way I'd let him know I didn't have it.

I grabbed his hand and yanked it forward, causing him to lurch. I knew Liam would have an arrow coming for me someday; guess that day came sooner than I thought.

Pushing Thane in front of me, I saw Katida launch herself upon Alaric. There's no way he's going to survive a second attack from Katida—she rarely deals out a second attack. Not because she doesn't want to, she never needs to. I heard the betraying scream of cold silver meeting pulsing blood, then the sound of a body collapsing on dry dirt.

Thane was dead.

Katida had wasted no time in attacking Alaric, but I was surprised to see him still alive. Bleeding and panting, but alive. Curious, a victim of Katida is still breathing? What does she want? I noticed that Alaric had a hidden dagger in his sleeve that was pointed towards her heart. I also realized that Liam had Katida pinpointed as well. Oh, so that's why he's still breathing.

"Legault, don't move or she dies. And don't think I won't kill her either, you know me too well to think otherwise. I've never been too kind a soul and I'm not about to start now," Liam said. If I attack Liam, Alaric will slit her throat. If I attack Alaric, which I'm in no position to attempt, Liam will kill me. And I'm not quite ready to die yet. If I stand here and wait a while, we both might have a chance…I think I'll wait and see.

"Okay, okay, I'm not moving," I said as I held up my hands, dropping my dagger. I hoped he didn't see my set of six knives hidden in my sleeve.

But since he was the one who taught me that trick, I bet he did.

"Have you made your choice?"

"I have a few questions first," I said nonchalantly.

"Take your time, Legault, we're in no rush," Katida growled. I ignored her for the time being. She'd owe me big time if we got out of this alive.

"I'll answer any questions after you make your choice."

"Yes, well, that's not going to work for me. And since I've got the blade that everyone wants, I think you can at least spare some time to clear some things up for me," I replied casually. How many times has it been where I'd to bargain with someone's life in danger? Too many times…and now I get to add another—if we get out of here.

"I'll kill her, you fool," Alaric roared. I shrugged. Now here comes the tricky part of this. Let's see if I really have become rusty…

"Do you think I care? She found me, tried to kill me, and is currently bringing me to the Death's princess herself. You really think her living is doing me any good? Go ahead, kill her. Let me know if there's any way I can help," I said. I started to whistle for good measure. Katida glowered. I really hope we get out of here, otherwise, spending time with Katida in the afterlife looks extremely unpromising…

"When Tamesis finds out about all of this…she'll curse you all to a fiery hell—the pit that's especially reserved for traitors like you," she spat. Either Katida knows I'm playing a part and is acting as well, or she thinks I'm serious and she's seriously cursing me to hell.

"Hah, we're all headed towards hell, Katida, yourself included," Liam replied coolly. "But it seems that Legault won't budge on the matter and you, my dear, are just too fair a maiden to waste—yet. You have one question, Legault, just one." Best to make the statement as clear as possible, I won't allow any loopholes this time.

"Explain to me, in the most detail you know of, and don't lie to me, why this dagger is so sought after. Then I will tell you my answer to your question," I said carefully. "And swear on all of Elimine's treasures that you will tell the truth." Heh, if he swears on that, he's bound to tell the truth.

"…I swear on the holy treasures of Saint Elimine that I will tell the truth as I know it to be," Liam answered. Alaric's jaw dropped and Katida's eyes widened. Should he lie, we all know his fate will be most accommodating to his breach…

This is going to be good.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"I'm fine, I have to go. Excuse me," I said as I started in the direction of Legault's tent. I felt Harken's grip on my arm. Does he not know when to stop?

"Listen, Isadora. I am just concerned for you, that is all," he murmured near my ear. His hot breath sent shivers down my spine. He would do well to step farther from me…

"I know!" I said, sounding terser than I had intended. Harken seemed hurt.

"I just thought you mistook my concern for—" I yanked my arm away from him. Doesn't he know I need my space for now?

"I must go, Harken." I turned on my heel in an aimless direction just to get away from him. Why did I just get so angry all of a sudden? He didn't do anything too wrong… I must be stressed. Too much has happened today. Legault is…gone with no warning. Harken has just asked for my hand in marriage. And I've been inflicted by a dagger that is not rightfully mine. …Perhaps Priscilla has something to abate headaches.

Instead of leaving me be, Harken grabbed my bleeding hand and shoved me closer to him. That is it! Who does he think he is? Seizing me so—

I gasped, choking on my next words. Harken was holding my once flowing finger for me to see. It was no longer bleeding, but that wasn't the problem.

"Isadora. How exactly did you injure yourself? Tell me," he demanded. He shook my wrist violently. I couldn't speak. "Tell me!"

All I could do was stare, stare and gape.

The crescent curve of the wound was now darkened, as if someone had traced ink over it. It almost looked like a tattoo was painted onto my finger in the utmost detail. But I knew of no tattoos adorning my skin let alone any sealing a wound that was just open moments before. But it wasn't the fact that the wound had just stopped bleeding all of a sudden, nor was it that a dark line had replaced it. It also wasn't the fact that at the end of the line there was a snake's head, clearly defined with an open mouth and fangs protruding forebodingly. No, it wasn't that either.

What terrified me was that the serpent's eyes…were silver.

And so we end (for now)! Kind of freaky how Isadora just got a serpent tattooed on her finger, no? And what's weirder is that it has silver eyes… Anyway! Next chapter you're bound to find out some mysteries surrounding that curious dagger. (See, I told you guys to wait for chapter five!) Some secrets at least! Reviews make me happy:)