Yay! Part Two! I'm not giving up 'Travel to the Past' - I just haven't
been very inspired by the story recently, and this one just keeps jumping out at
me. There's some language in here, so it's still keeping it's PG-13 rating. And
you'll recognize some scenes from Through the Unknown. Enjoy! ~ Sara, Shabonmerc@aol.com
Annabelle found the training she was put through as an agent not only harder and more demanding, but far more meaningful as well. Unlike the pointless, repetitive drills of the knight program that never truly taught anything about real life combat, the drills the agents participated in used several different scenarios, each with a different possible outcome. Annabelle found herself having to make split second decisions that, in a real life situation, would ultimately be the choice between life and death. Although she saw that many of the people who had started on the white team quit within the first few weeks because of this, Annie found the mental stimulation exciting, rather than deathly frightening.
She watched with pride as her movements became faster and more precise, her tactics more intricate and less open to mistakes and hazards. The leader of the green team, a mid-thirties man named Mason Alexander, was incredibly pleased with her work and told her so on a regular basis. All in all, Annabelle was very pleased with her line of work.
Annabelle had been working with the agency for only a few short months when she received a message from Hakim, calling her in for an urgent meeting.
Urgent meeting. Greaat. I bet I know what this is about..
Her mind on the earlier requests of Hakim, she tidied herself up slightly and knocked on his office door. A strange man opened the door. He was several inches taller than Annie, and strongly built, making her feel nervous. Light blond hair was neatly kept and tied back in a tight horsetail at the base of his neck. His eyes were darker than Hakim's and glittered with a wickedness that Annie wasn't sure if she liked. He was clothed all in black, only making him more intimidating. He nodded slightly, acknowledging her.
"Come on in, Annabelle," he said, his tone light and almost playful. Annie relaxed slightly. Annabelle nodded back and entered, taking a seat in front of Hakim's next. The stranger sat down next to her. Hakim gathered several papers that were strewed upon his desk, placing them in a neat pile in the center.
"Annabelle, you've been called in here because you are needed for a mission.." Hakim was still talking, but Annie wasn't listening.
A mission? A real, honest to Goddess mission? Yes! Yes! Yes! Ahh! Mithros bless, I never thought this would happen! I mean, sure, I've been on some team specific missions in the past few months, with Mason and everyone.. but a real mission! With people from other teams! And I might even be leaving the country! I might..I might.. I might even get a bscar! Wow.
"..kill him," Hakim was finishing. Again, Annabelle had missed the entire lecture, and again, this had been a particularly important one.
Crap.
The man sitting next to her didn't seem to notice that she hadn't been paying one bit of attention, and relayed nothing to Hakim. Hakim nodded approvingly.
"Alright then. Annabelle, I'd like to meet Stephen Richardson, leader of the black team. And Stephen, this is Annabelle Corganne, one of the newest recruits to the green team. You're aware of the circumstances of her case, I'm sure," Hakim said, looking to the man who was apparently named Stephen. Stephen nodded, and stood up.
"Thanks for the information, Hakim. I'll take Annabelle and get all that stuff out of the way now, all right?" Hakim nodded his approval once more, and Annabelle took that as her cue to stand up and leave. She walked out with Stephen in silence, waiting until they were out of Hakim's office to admit that she hadn't been listening to a single word of what he had said. He shut the door behind them, and Annabelle coughed, clearing her throat.
"So, Stephen," she began, still feeling uncomfortable next to this hulking man. A smirk danced on his lips as he looked down at her.
"So, Annabelle," he replied. She rolled her eyes. Why should she be nervous around someone who did nothing but play with words and joke?
"Okay, look. I got excited in there.. I'm prone to daydreaming.. I.. didn'thearasinglewordofwhatHakimsaid," she told him, rushing to get it all out before her voice cracked or something equally as embarrassing. His reply was more than enough to make her turn red as a tomato, though. He was laughing heartily, and it was her turn to scowl. He patted her back with one of his monstrous hands.
"It's all right, Annabelle. I'll fill you in on what you missed whilst you were daydreaming," Stephen told her, his tone friendly. She smiled at him, and he returned it.
"So," she said as they continued to walk. "What's it like being the leader of the black team?" Stephen laughed, slinging an arm around her shoulder.
"I'll tell you all about it over lunch," he replied, and they headed off to find food.
~*~
Annie opened the large mahogany door that stood between her and her brother Ethan's office, where the briefing for her mission would take place. She already knew all the details via Hakim and Stephen, but they insisted she attend anyway. She opened the door, and walked in.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Annie heard an annoyed groan. "I'm not taking her anywhere!" Annie scowled and looked to see who was talking. Sitting in a chair in front of Ethan's desk was a woman almost twice Annie's age, clad in brown breeches and a blue shirt, her dark hair pulled back severely. This, of course, was Annabelle's cousin, Alexandra Desjardins. She scowled. She thought she was going to be working with interesting people, not family members. Remembering her orders, she looked over at Ethan, looking as innocent as possible.
"Eth, why am I here?" She asked, sounding every inch the naive teenager. She had been explicitly instructed not to let anyone know that she already knew about the plans, and although she didn't understand why, she felt no need to do otherwise.
"She's 16!" Alex protested, her face an angry shade of red.
I'm 17, you prat.
"Sit down, Ann," Ethan told her, not allowing her the chance to correct her cousin. "Ignore Desjardins. How are you, dear? Been treating yourself well?" He continued with the questions.
"I'm okay," she told him, not awake enough to go into the full details of her life. She glanced over at Alex, who was still scowling. "Good morning, Alex." Annabelle talked with Ethan for several more minutes, telling him about her adventures in purchasing a pet - a small white cat named Polly - and several other unimportant aspects of her life. One of Annabelle's stories about Polly was interrupted by the door opening again. Looking up, she saw a unhappy looking Stephen enter. Ethan grinned broadly,
"Stephen, finally! You're late," he said, trying to sound stern, although he was failing miserably. For some reason, Annabelle thought that people had a hard time reprimanding Stephen. Looking back over at him, he winked discreetly at her, making her smile. As she settled back against her seat, she noticed with a smirk that he had caught Alex's eye. Stephen replied to Ethan with something that elicited a chuckle from her brother, but Annabelle wasn't paying any particular attention to what he said. Annie continued to daydream as Ethan began to explain what was going to happen. She didn't feel the need to have what she already knew explained to her again.
Besides, none of it was even particularly interesting.
"...been picking up from the Carthaki court that one of the king's advisors is threatening to take over the Carthaki throne," Ethan was saying as Annie found she had nothing interesting to daydream about, and decided to zone back into the conversation.
"As the peace accord states, we are obligated to protect the Emperor of Carthak from harm. We're going to infiltrate through the Carthaki court. This has been cleared with both the Emperor and King. You will each receive a profile on the suspect when I take you up to the chief commander's office, as well as a fourth member of your team. I do not have any information on that fourth member; the chief commander will explain his decision upon your final briefing. Desjardins, Richardson, you'll act as newlyweds on your honeymoon. Corganne, you'll be Desjardins' little sister, along for the ride. You're also of marriageable age, and you're going to go at the advisor from the sexual angle." Annie scowled.
It's no fun being attractive and violent. I can tell, I'm not going be a part of the real mission.
"The fourth member will be there to train you all in actions of the Carthaki court, because they're very different from Tortall's. You'll be leaving for Carthak in four days after your crash-course in court etiquette, and the fourth member will be going with you. Desjardins, Richardson, you're co-commanders. The point of this mission is to stop the perpetrator. Remember that."
Stephen has to be co-commanders with her? Mithros bless him, he's in for a loong ride..
"Now, introduce yourselves. You will be partners until this mission ends. There will be absolutely no transfers. Corganne, you first." Annie rolled her eyes. She hated it when her brother called her by her last name. Straightening up in her chair, Annie introduced herself.
"Sir Annabelle E. Corganne of Trebond, 17," she said, emphasizing her age in hopes Alex would realize her mistake. "Junior agent, green team, first year." She of course left out the fact that she had started out on the green team. And that a good performance on this mission would get her a promotion to the blue team. Alex went next.
"Sir Alexandra V. Desjardins of Amelien, 31, senior agent, purple team, second-in-command, thirteenth year." Annabelle could have been impressed, if she really felt like it. Thirteen years of experience what quite commendable, as was being second-in-command of the purple team.
Of course, I'll be holding the same position by next year.
"Stephen T. Richardson, 34, senior agent, leader of the black team, Special Operative to Tyra and Tusaine, fourteenth year." This, of course, was information Annie already knew. Ethan nodded and said something that Annie didn't pay attention to, and they all left, presumably to go to the next portion of their briefing. As they walked down the hall in silence, Alex turned to her. Annie looked over at her older cousin.
"You like being an agent?" Alex questioned, trying to keep some semblance of kinship between the two.
"Yes. It's just.. indescribable," she said, her voice so saccharine sweet and innocent that Annie was amazed she didn't burst out laughing after she said it.
That was such bullshit. I should be an actress.
Alex replied with a laugh and something that made Stephen grunt behind her, but Annie was once again not listening. Rather, she was studying the stone door they were coming upon. It was the entrance to Hakim's office.
As the group entered, Annie saw Ethan's jaw drop.
"Cassie?" He said, his voice dangerously close to cracking. Annie couldn't help but smirk, and put her hand up to her face to hide it. She, of course, had known that Cassie was coming along on the mission. Annie choked back a laugh when Cassie turned around and smiled brightly at all of them. Behind her, Stephen and Alex were commiserating over their situation, while Annie waltzed easily over to one of the thickly cushioned chairs and took a seat, sending a friendly smile over to Cassie. Meanwhile, Ethan and Hakim were bickering over Cassie, she could tell by the angry blush on Cassie's cheek and the vein in Ethan's forehead that was threatening to burst. Annie studied her angry cousin with a vague interest.
I wonder if he has a tattoo...
Hakim's snapping voice called all of them, even Annie, back into the situation at hand.
"You are all here for a reason. I trust that Ethan has briefed you all on what you are to do. The suspect in question is Julian Manchester, Marquis of Montalban. He's the head of the Emperor's Council, and essentially the one that knows the most about the country other than Emperor Ashram himself. He's a despicable bastard, only out for power for himself." Hakim handed them each a sheet that held a short biography of Julian Manchester. Annie's eyes skimmed most of it with vague disinterest. After all, she'd probably never even see the man. Hakim paused, taking a long drink of a water from a glass on his desk, and then continued with the briefing. He nodded towards Cassie and then to Alex and Stephen, explaining their situations. Annie kept half an ear open, picking up the facts that Cassie would be training them in Carthaki court protocol, and Stephen and Alex would be Angelina and Christian of Meron, doting newlyweds. He ears perked up when Hakim said her name.
"Annabelle, you will be Annette Weston of Aili, Desjardins' younger sister. You will be there to find a mate, and are expected to go after Manchester sexually. It is said that he cannot resist a pretty face, and that is why you were recruited," he explained, and then turned to Cassie again. Annie could feel the heat of anger rising in her face.
I was recruited to fuck him for information?! How dare Hakim pick me! I did not join this agency to be some kind of sex kitten! This has to be his sick version of revenge because I wouldn't stay after hours with him.
"...eventually be integrated into a plan to take down Manchester. Annabelle, break him down emotionally. No matter how you do it, do it." Hakim told her. Annie resisted the urge to pull her dagger from it's concealed home against her ankle and cut his eyes out. "Cassandra, impart your knowledge on them. As it goes with all other missions, if you are killed in the line of duty, the Special Circumstances Bureau will deny ever employing you and will deny involvement in your plans. That's all. Your first lesson is tomorrow at dawn in the briefing room. Don't be late." With that, Hakim dismissed them. Annie stalked back to her room, still thinking that the only good king of Hakim was an eyeless Hakim.
Bastard.
She let herself into the apartment the King had rewarded her as a companion to the shield she had earned several months ago. She had to admit, it was nice having her own place away from her parent's stately townhouse. She had furnished the entire place in blues and browns, her two favourite colours. Kicking off her boots violently, Annie collapsed back onto her large brown couch and stared the ceiling, which had several daggers stuck into it from previous fits of violence and frustration. After several minutes of studying the jeweled hilts of her daggers and wondering if they were ever going to fall down, Annabelle decided that lying on her couch until tomorrow's classes was pointless and stood up, slipping sandals onto her feet.
She padded through the hallway and down a flight stairs to another floor of knights' apartments. Hunting down room 328, Annabelle entered without knocking and sat down on the bed. Her sister Charlotte was no where to be seen. Annie rolled onto her stomach.
"Chaaaaarlottttte.." she whined, hoping her sister would appear. A dark haired girl appeared in the room, her delicate eyebrows arched.
"Annabelle, what do you want?" She asked, sounding vaguely annoyed.
"You're the cool sister. I wanna talk," she replied. Charlotte laughed slightly and sat down on the bed.
"Then let's talk."
"They're sending me on a mission."
"Where to?"
"Carthak."
"To do what?"
"Kill a man." There was a beat. "But guess what my job is, Char." Charlotte arched her eyebrow again.
"What's that, dear?" She asked. Annie scowled deeply,
"They recruited me as a sex kitten!" She exclaimed, still thoroughly disgusted with the whole notion.
"Oh, Goddess, I feel sorry for the man you have to seduce," Charlotte replied, and started to braid Annie's hair. Charlotte was more than aware of the seemingly sweet and innocent 17-year-old's wicked temper. "Knee him, get him to treat you as you deserve," Charlotte advised. Annie rolled her eyes, knowing doing something like that in Carthak would not only blow her cover, it would get her a beating by Julian, no doubt. Annie sighed,
"It's not fair, Charlotte. I'm just as capable an agent as the other people on the team, and they're bringing me along solely because I'm pretty!" She received no response from Charlotte. "And he's 32 years old!" She added. Still no response. Her thoughts wandering for several moments, Annie craned her head, looking at her eldest sister.
"What if I have to sleep with him?" She asked, her tone vastly different than her previous whining. This tone was one of nervousness and uncertainty, two things Annabelle certainly was at the moment.
"I doubt that you will. What do you know about him?" Charlotte replied, trying to comfort her.
"I have a biography sitting at home," Annie replied, wondering if she had bothered to pick it up off of Hakim's desk or not. "But what if I have to?" She continued, still worried.
"Well, make sure you read the biography, retain as much information as you can from it. And if you have to sleep with him, pretend you're not there." She said, trying her best to help her younger sister.
Oh, yeah, just pretend I'm not there. That he's not actually on top of me, taking my virginity. Like that's gonna happen. Riight.
"Besides," Charlotte said, continuing. "This one might even be gentle and tender. He might care."
"I know.." Annabelle admitted. "But I'm a virgin, Char. I don't want my first time to be because of some stupid mission."
"I know. And it won't be. It'll be because you want it to happen. Trust your big sister, she's got a feeling," Charlotte said, making Annabelle smile slightly. Charlotte always seemed to be right about these kind of things.
"Okay," she replied, feeling pacified.
"And who knows," Charlotte added. "Maybe you'll like him." Annabelle snorted.
Yeah, right. And maybe I'll start speaking to Katherine again.
"And maybe I'll start speaking to Katherine. Stranger things have happened," Annie commented. Annabelle and Katherine were the antithesis of twin sisters. They hadn't spoken a single word to one another for almost 4 full years, since their 14th birthday where Annabelle had blown up and dumped Katherine's half of the cake over her head, and to get her revenge, Katherine had thrown Annabelle's gifts out the window.
"Kitty has nothing to do with this situation. We're talking about you and mysterious 32-year-old man," Charlotte reminded in a maternal tone.
"Julian," Annabelle said, supplying the mysterious man with a name.
"Julian," Charlotte repeated, accepting it. "What's he supposedly up to?"
"Oh, plotting to kill the Emperor, I think," Annabelle said with vague interest.
It's not even an original crime!
"Y'know, maybe he's not bad. I doubt that he'll force you to have sex with him," Charlotte said, musing. Annie snorted.
"Says the girl who isn't going." Charlotte ignored the comment.
"They never asked me. Besides, Alex and Cassie are going. They'll watch over you," She assured her younger sister. Annie raised a curious eyebrow,
"How do you know that Alex and Cassie are going?" It's not like her sister was a part of the agency!
"Daddy and Uncle Anth told me," she replied simply. There was a beat before Charlotte spoke again. "Besides, Alex is his age, he could fall for her instead." Annie scoffed, tossing her thick braid of hair over her shoulder haughtily.
"Alex isn't pretty as am I," she said, matter of factly.
"No, she isn't," Charlotte said, agreeing. "But she's closer in age." Annie rolled her eyes. "And," she continued, "she's not as nice as you, and I'd rather not have her as a sister." That made Annie smiled. Despite their age difference of seven years, Charlotte and Annie were best friends, closer to each other than any of their other sisters, or brother.
"Thank you, Charlotte." Annie was completely sincere. Charlotte returned the smile warmly,
"Anytime. You keep yourself safe, and write to me if you can. I'm not having the wedding until you come home." Annie grinned proudly, thinking about her sister finally getting married. Four years ago, she had met a Maren scholar named Benjamin Brookefield de Jenour. Jenour was a rather powerful fief in Maren, although Benjamin worked for the Tortallan Royal Library. Charlotte and Benjamin, called Benny by almost everyone, instantly clicked, and had become engaged several months ago. Charlotte promised Annabelle that she'd be the maid of honor, and Annie couldn't be happier for her sister. Benny was a slightly older, incredibly sweet and funny man that was perfect for Charlotte.
Charlotte ruffled Annie's hair free of the braid, bringing her away from her daydream.
"You're going to worry me. Be safe and kick Julian's ass, all right?" Annie laughed at her sister.
"I'll do my best," she told her, truthfully.
"That's all I ask for. You're the best little sister in the world. Now go home, so I can go see Benny," Charlotte said. Annie giggled, poking her in the stomach.
"Speaking of sex.." She began, grinned wickedly at Charlotte. "I bet Benny's coming over to have sex with you!" She accused, making her sister laugh again.
"Yes, he is. Why do you need to know?" Her eyebrow arched, and Annie smirked slightly.
"Just commenting."
"And I bet you're not going to have sex with Julian," Charlotte said, reassuring Annie yet again.
"I hope so," she said, agreeing.
"I know so. Have a good mission. I'll see you tomorrow when you wish everyone goodbye," Charlotte told her, and then paused, raising her eyebrow. She knew her sister too well. "You are going to do that, aren't you?" Annie looked up, slightly confused.
"Do what?"
"Go and wish everyone goodbye."
"Oh, yeah! 'Sides, Char, I don't leave for a week," Annie explained.
"Oh, well, geez. I'll drop by tomorrow then. See you then, Annabelle. And you know.. if you ever want to talk, I'll drop everything and talk with you." Annie grinned broadly.
She's the coolest sister I could ask for. Why couldn't I have been twins with her?
"Okay. Thanks, Char." Charlotte smiled back.
"Anytime," she replied, standing up and heading for the door. Annie suppressed a giggle.
"Um, Char?" Her sister turned around, peering at her quizzically.
"What?"
"This is your room.." Charlotte laughed and blushed lightly.
"Whoops. I think I'm just antsy to see Benny," she said with a grin. Annabelle giggled madly and stood up, giving her sister a quick hug goodbye.
"Later, Char," she said, and let herself out, heading back to her own apartment.
~*~
Upon entering her apartment, Annie kicked off her sandals, which hit her boots and clunked down next to them, and plopped back down on her couch. She picked up Julian Manchester's biography from the table and began to read.
Julian Felix Manchester, born May 6th 650 to parents Marquis Felix Manchester, knight of Carthak and member of the Emperor's Guard, and Marquesse Elizabeth Manchester, mother and housewife. Julian was childhood playmates with the Emperor Ashram and the Tortallan King Nathaniel.
From the ages 6 to 10, Julian was sent through the Carthaki public schooling system, and at the age of 10, entered the Carthaki knight program. Julian Manchester earned his shield at the age of 18. Three months after earning his shield, Julian's father died in a small battle in Carthak, leaving Julian to rule the fief. On June 10th, 672, at the age of 22, Julian married Isabelle Blakemore of Emperor's Pass, age 20. The following year, he enrolled in the Carthaki University for a degree in economics. On October 28, 674, wife Isabella gave birth to a son, Michael Julian Manchester. Eight months later, Julian Manchester's mother died due to unicorn fever, and Julian continues to run the fief.
September 15, 676 marks the day the Carthaki ship the Kaddar IV went down off the coast of the Copper Isles. Julian's wife and son were aboard the ship, and died in the wreck. Several months later, Julian earned his mastery in economics from the Carthaki University and becomes employed in the Emperial Treasury. This employment allows him to once again befriend the Emperor Ashram. Within two years, the position of Economic Advisor to the Emperor became open, and Julian was appointed, bringing him only closer to the Emperor. He is currently single and living alone, and still maintains said position.
Annabelle laid the parchment down on her stomach, thinking about what she had just read. He was an only child. He had parents, a job, a life..by all accounts, he was a normal, functioning person. This was not what Annabelle had been expecting. There was no mention of being repeatedly dropped on his head as a child, or any kind of abuse that would suggest a motive to go on a murderous rampage. He had no criminal record. He didn't even have late fees at the library. He was an upstanding, exemplary citizen of Carthak. Who just happened to be plotting to kill the Emperor.
"Y'know, it's strange that someone with no criminal record, or truly apparent motive, is plotting to kill the Emperor," she said to herself, getting up from the couch. "Oh well, whatever floats yours boat!" With that, Annie meandered into the kitchen to make herself some lunch.
Annabelle found the training she was put through as an agent not only harder and more demanding, but far more meaningful as well. Unlike the pointless, repetitive drills of the knight program that never truly taught anything about real life combat, the drills the agents participated in used several different scenarios, each with a different possible outcome. Annabelle found herself having to make split second decisions that, in a real life situation, would ultimately be the choice between life and death. Although she saw that many of the people who had started on the white team quit within the first few weeks because of this, Annie found the mental stimulation exciting, rather than deathly frightening.
She watched with pride as her movements became faster and more precise, her tactics more intricate and less open to mistakes and hazards. The leader of the green team, a mid-thirties man named Mason Alexander, was incredibly pleased with her work and told her so on a regular basis. All in all, Annabelle was very pleased with her line of work.
Annabelle had been working with the agency for only a few short months when she received a message from Hakim, calling her in for an urgent meeting.
Urgent meeting. Greaat. I bet I know what this is about..
Her mind on the earlier requests of Hakim, she tidied herself up slightly and knocked on his office door. A strange man opened the door. He was several inches taller than Annie, and strongly built, making her feel nervous. Light blond hair was neatly kept and tied back in a tight horsetail at the base of his neck. His eyes were darker than Hakim's and glittered with a wickedness that Annie wasn't sure if she liked. He was clothed all in black, only making him more intimidating. He nodded slightly, acknowledging her.
"Come on in, Annabelle," he said, his tone light and almost playful. Annie relaxed slightly. Annabelle nodded back and entered, taking a seat in front of Hakim's next. The stranger sat down next to her. Hakim gathered several papers that were strewed upon his desk, placing them in a neat pile in the center.
"Annabelle, you've been called in here because you are needed for a mission.." Hakim was still talking, but Annie wasn't listening.
A mission? A real, honest to Goddess mission? Yes! Yes! Yes! Ahh! Mithros bless, I never thought this would happen! I mean, sure, I've been on some team specific missions in the past few months, with Mason and everyone.. but a real mission! With people from other teams! And I might even be leaving the country! I might..I might.. I might even get a bscar! Wow.
"..kill him," Hakim was finishing. Again, Annabelle had missed the entire lecture, and again, this had been a particularly important one.
Crap.
The man sitting next to her didn't seem to notice that she hadn't been paying one bit of attention, and relayed nothing to Hakim. Hakim nodded approvingly.
"Alright then. Annabelle, I'd like to meet Stephen Richardson, leader of the black team. And Stephen, this is Annabelle Corganne, one of the newest recruits to the green team. You're aware of the circumstances of her case, I'm sure," Hakim said, looking to the man who was apparently named Stephen. Stephen nodded, and stood up.
"Thanks for the information, Hakim. I'll take Annabelle and get all that stuff out of the way now, all right?" Hakim nodded his approval once more, and Annabelle took that as her cue to stand up and leave. She walked out with Stephen in silence, waiting until they were out of Hakim's office to admit that she hadn't been listening to a single word of what he had said. He shut the door behind them, and Annabelle coughed, clearing her throat.
"So, Stephen," she began, still feeling uncomfortable next to this hulking man. A smirk danced on his lips as he looked down at her.
"So, Annabelle," he replied. She rolled her eyes. Why should she be nervous around someone who did nothing but play with words and joke?
"Okay, look. I got excited in there.. I'm prone to daydreaming.. I.. didn'thearasinglewordofwhatHakimsaid," she told him, rushing to get it all out before her voice cracked or something equally as embarrassing. His reply was more than enough to make her turn red as a tomato, though. He was laughing heartily, and it was her turn to scowl. He patted her back with one of his monstrous hands.
"It's all right, Annabelle. I'll fill you in on what you missed whilst you were daydreaming," Stephen told her, his tone friendly. She smiled at him, and he returned it.
"So," she said as they continued to walk. "What's it like being the leader of the black team?" Stephen laughed, slinging an arm around her shoulder.
"I'll tell you all about it over lunch," he replied, and they headed off to find food.
~*~
Annie opened the large mahogany door that stood between her and her brother Ethan's office, where the briefing for her mission would take place. She already knew all the details via Hakim and Stephen, but they insisted she attend anyway. She opened the door, and walked in.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Annie heard an annoyed groan. "I'm not taking her anywhere!" Annie scowled and looked to see who was talking. Sitting in a chair in front of Ethan's desk was a woman almost twice Annie's age, clad in brown breeches and a blue shirt, her dark hair pulled back severely. This, of course, was Annabelle's cousin, Alexandra Desjardins. She scowled. She thought she was going to be working with interesting people, not family members. Remembering her orders, she looked over at Ethan, looking as innocent as possible.
"Eth, why am I here?" She asked, sounding every inch the naive teenager. She had been explicitly instructed not to let anyone know that she already knew about the plans, and although she didn't understand why, she felt no need to do otherwise.
"She's 16!" Alex protested, her face an angry shade of red.
I'm 17, you prat.
"Sit down, Ann," Ethan told her, not allowing her the chance to correct her cousin. "Ignore Desjardins. How are you, dear? Been treating yourself well?" He continued with the questions.
"I'm okay," she told him, not awake enough to go into the full details of her life. She glanced over at Alex, who was still scowling. "Good morning, Alex." Annabelle talked with Ethan for several more minutes, telling him about her adventures in purchasing a pet - a small white cat named Polly - and several other unimportant aspects of her life. One of Annabelle's stories about Polly was interrupted by the door opening again. Looking up, she saw a unhappy looking Stephen enter. Ethan grinned broadly,
"Stephen, finally! You're late," he said, trying to sound stern, although he was failing miserably. For some reason, Annabelle thought that people had a hard time reprimanding Stephen. Looking back over at him, he winked discreetly at her, making her smile. As she settled back against her seat, she noticed with a smirk that he had caught Alex's eye. Stephen replied to Ethan with something that elicited a chuckle from her brother, but Annabelle wasn't paying any particular attention to what he said. Annie continued to daydream as Ethan began to explain what was going to happen. She didn't feel the need to have what she already knew explained to her again.
Besides, none of it was even particularly interesting.
"...been picking up from the Carthaki court that one of the king's advisors is threatening to take over the Carthaki throne," Ethan was saying as Annie found she had nothing interesting to daydream about, and decided to zone back into the conversation.
"As the peace accord states, we are obligated to protect the Emperor of Carthak from harm. We're going to infiltrate through the Carthaki court. This has been cleared with both the Emperor and King. You will each receive a profile on the suspect when I take you up to the chief commander's office, as well as a fourth member of your team. I do not have any information on that fourth member; the chief commander will explain his decision upon your final briefing. Desjardins, Richardson, you'll act as newlyweds on your honeymoon. Corganne, you'll be Desjardins' little sister, along for the ride. You're also of marriageable age, and you're going to go at the advisor from the sexual angle." Annie scowled.
It's no fun being attractive and violent. I can tell, I'm not going be a part of the real mission.
"The fourth member will be there to train you all in actions of the Carthaki court, because they're very different from Tortall's. You'll be leaving for Carthak in four days after your crash-course in court etiquette, and the fourth member will be going with you. Desjardins, Richardson, you're co-commanders. The point of this mission is to stop the perpetrator. Remember that."
Stephen has to be co-commanders with her? Mithros bless him, he's in for a loong ride..
"Now, introduce yourselves. You will be partners until this mission ends. There will be absolutely no transfers. Corganne, you first." Annie rolled her eyes. She hated it when her brother called her by her last name. Straightening up in her chair, Annie introduced herself.
"Sir Annabelle E. Corganne of Trebond, 17," she said, emphasizing her age in hopes Alex would realize her mistake. "Junior agent, green team, first year." She of course left out the fact that she had started out on the green team. And that a good performance on this mission would get her a promotion to the blue team. Alex went next.
"Sir Alexandra V. Desjardins of Amelien, 31, senior agent, purple team, second-in-command, thirteenth year." Annabelle could have been impressed, if she really felt like it. Thirteen years of experience what quite commendable, as was being second-in-command of the purple team.
Of course, I'll be holding the same position by next year.
"Stephen T. Richardson, 34, senior agent, leader of the black team, Special Operative to Tyra and Tusaine, fourteenth year." This, of course, was information Annie already knew. Ethan nodded and said something that Annie didn't pay attention to, and they all left, presumably to go to the next portion of their briefing. As they walked down the hall in silence, Alex turned to her. Annie looked over at her older cousin.
"You like being an agent?" Alex questioned, trying to keep some semblance of kinship between the two.
"Yes. It's just.. indescribable," she said, her voice so saccharine sweet and innocent that Annie was amazed she didn't burst out laughing after she said it.
That was such bullshit. I should be an actress.
Alex replied with a laugh and something that made Stephen grunt behind her, but Annie was once again not listening. Rather, she was studying the stone door they were coming upon. It was the entrance to Hakim's office.
As the group entered, Annie saw Ethan's jaw drop.
"Cassie?" He said, his voice dangerously close to cracking. Annie couldn't help but smirk, and put her hand up to her face to hide it. She, of course, had known that Cassie was coming along on the mission. Annie choked back a laugh when Cassie turned around and smiled brightly at all of them. Behind her, Stephen and Alex were commiserating over their situation, while Annie waltzed easily over to one of the thickly cushioned chairs and took a seat, sending a friendly smile over to Cassie. Meanwhile, Ethan and Hakim were bickering over Cassie, she could tell by the angry blush on Cassie's cheek and the vein in Ethan's forehead that was threatening to burst. Annie studied her angry cousin with a vague interest.
I wonder if he has a tattoo...
Hakim's snapping voice called all of them, even Annie, back into the situation at hand.
"You are all here for a reason. I trust that Ethan has briefed you all on what you are to do. The suspect in question is Julian Manchester, Marquis of Montalban. He's the head of the Emperor's Council, and essentially the one that knows the most about the country other than Emperor Ashram himself. He's a despicable bastard, only out for power for himself." Hakim handed them each a sheet that held a short biography of Julian Manchester. Annie's eyes skimmed most of it with vague disinterest. After all, she'd probably never even see the man. Hakim paused, taking a long drink of a water from a glass on his desk, and then continued with the briefing. He nodded towards Cassie and then to Alex and Stephen, explaining their situations. Annie kept half an ear open, picking up the facts that Cassie would be training them in Carthaki court protocol, and Stephen and Alex would be Angelina and Christian of Meron, doting newlyweds. He ears perked up when Hakim said her name.
"Annabelle, you will be Annette Weston of Aili, Desjardins' younger sister. You will be there to find a mate, and are expected to go after Manchester sexually. It is said that he cannot resist a pretty face, and that is why you were recruited," he explained, and then turned to Cassie again. Annie could feel the heat of anger rising in her face.
I was recruited to fuck him for information?! How dare Hakim pick me! I did not join this agency to be some kind of sex kitten! This has to be his sick version of revenge because I wouldn't stay after hours with him.
"...eventually be integrated into a plan to take down Manchester. Annabelle, break him down emotionally. No matter how you do it, do it." Hakim told her. Annie resisted the urge to pull her dagger from it's concealed home against her ankle and cut his eyes out. "Cassandra, impart your knowledge on them. As it goes with all other missions, if you are killed in the line of duty, the Special Circumstances Bureau will deny ever employing you and will deny involvement in your plans. That's all. Your first lesson is tomorrow at dawn in the briefing room. Don't be late." With that, Hakim dismissed them. Annie stalked back to her room, still thinking that the only good king of Hakim was an eyeless Hakim.
Bastard.
She let herself into the apartment the King had rewarded her as a companion to the shield she had earned several months ago. She had to admit, it was nice having her own place away from her parent's stately townhouse. She had furnished the entire place in blues and browns, her two favourite colours. Kicking off her boots violently, Annie collapsed back onto her large brown couch and stared the ceiling, which had several daggers stuck into it from previous fits of violence and frustration. After several minutes of studying the jeweled hilts of her daggers and wondering if they were ever going to fall down, Annabelle decided that lying on her couch until tomorrow's classes was pointless and stood up, slipping sandals onto her feet.
She padded through the hallway and down a flight stairs to another floor of knights' apartments. Hunting down room 328, Annabelle entered without knocking and sat down on the bed. Her sister Charlotte was no where to be seen. Annie rolled onto her stomach.
"Chaaaaarlottttte.." she whined, hoping her sister would appear. A dark haired girl appeared in the room, her delicate eyebrows arched.
"Annabelle, what do you want?" She asked, sounding vaguely annoyed.
"You're the cool sister. I wanna talk," she replied. Charlotte laughed slightly and sat down on the bed.
"Then let's talk."
"They're sending me on a mission."
"Where to?"
"Carthak."
"To do what?"
"Kill a man." There was a beat. "But guess what my job is, Char." Charlotte arched her eyebrow again.
"What's that, dear?" She asked. Annie scowled deeply,
"They recruited me as a sex kitten!" She exclaimed, still thoroughly disgusted with the whole notion.
"Oh, Goddess, I feel sorry for the man you have to seduce," Charlotte replied, and started to braid Annie's hair. Charlotte was more than aware of the seemingly sweet and innocent 17-year-old's wicked temper. "Knee him, get him to treat you as you deserve," Charlotte advised. Annie rolled her eyes, knowing doing something like that in Carthak would not only blow her cover, it would get her a beating by Julian, no doubt. Annie sighed,
"It's not fair, Charlotte. I'm just as capable an agent as the other people on the team, and they're bringing me along solely because I'm pretty!" She received no response from Charlotte. "And he's 32 years old!" She added. Still no response. Her thoughts wandering for several moments, Annie craned her head, looking at her eldest sister.
"What if I have to sleep with him?" She asked, her tone vastly different than her previous whining. This tone was one of nervousness and uncertainty, two things Annabelle certainly was at the moment.
"I doubt that you will. What do you know about him?" Charlotte replied, trying to comfort her.
"I have a biography sitting at home," Annie replied, wondering if she had bothered to pick it up off of Hakim's desk or not. "But what if I have to?" She continued, still worried.
"Well, make sure you read the biography, retain as much information as you can from it. And if you have to sleep with him, pretend you're not there." She said, trying her best to help her younger sister.
Oh, yeah, just pretend I'm not there. That he's not actually on top of me, taking my virginity. Like that's gonna happen. Riight.
"Besides," Charlotte said, continuing. "This one might even be gentle and tender. He might care."
"I know.." Annabelle admitted. "But I'm a virgin, Char. I don't want my first time to be because of some stupid mission."
"I know. And it won't be. It'll be because you want it to happen. Trust your big sister, she's got a feeling," Charlotte said, making Annabelle smile slightly. Charlotte always seemed to be right about these kind of things.
"Okay," she replied, feeling pacified.
"And who knows," Charlotte added. "Maybe you'll like him." Annabelle snorted.
Yeah, right. And maybe I'll start speaking to Katherine again.
"And maybe I'll start speaking to Katherine. Stranger things have happened," Annie commented. Annabelle and Katherine were the antithesis of twin sisters. They hadn't spoken a single word to one another for almost 4 full years, since their 14th birthday where Annabelle had blown up and dumped Katherine's half of the cake over her head, and to get her revenge, Katherine had thrown Annabelle's gifts out the window.
"Kitty has nothing to do with this situation. We're talking about you and mysterious 32-year-old man," Charlotte reminded in a maternal tone.
"Julian," Annabelle said, supplying the mysterious man with a name.
"Julian," Charlotte repeated, accepting it. "What's he supposedly up to?"
"Oh, plotting to kill the Emperor, I think," Annabelle said with vague interest.
It's not even an original crime!
"Y'know, maybe he's not bad. I doubt that he'll force you to have sex with him," Charlotte said, musing. Annie snorted.
"Says the girl who isn't going." Charlotte ignored the comment.
"They never asked me. Besides, Alex and Cassie are going. They'll watch over you," She assured her younger sister. Annie raised a curious eyebrow,
"How do you know that Alex and Cassie are going?" It's not like her sister was a part of the agency!
"Daddy and Uncle Anth told me," she replied simply. There was a beat before Charlotte spoke again. "Besides, Alex is his age, he could fall for her instead." Annie scoffed, tossing her thick braid of hair over her shoulder haughtily.
"Alex isn't pretty as am I," she said, matter of factly.
"No, she isn't," Charlotte said, agreeing. "But she's closer in age." Annie rolled her eyes. "And," she continued, "she's not as nice as you, and I'd rather not have her as a sister." That made Annie smiled. Despite their age difference of seven years, Charlotte and Annie were best friends, closer to each other than any of their other sisters, or brother.
"Thank you, Charlotte." Annie was completely sincere. Charlotte returned the smile warmly,
"Anytime. You keep yourself safe, and write to me if you can. I'm not having the wedding until you come home." Annie grinned proudly, thinking about her sister finally getting married. Four years ago, she had met a Maren scholar named Benjamin Brookefield de Jenour. Jenour was a rather powerful fief in Maren, although Benjamin worked for the Tortallan Royal Library. Charlotte and Benjamin, called Benny by almost everyone, instantly clicked, and had become engaged several months ago. Charlotte promised Annabelle that she'd be the maid of honor, and Annie couldn't be happier for her sister. Benny was a slightly older, incredibly sweet and funny man that was perfect for Charlotte.
Charlotte ruffled Annie's hair free of the braid, bringing her away from her daydream.
"You're going to worry me. Be safe and kick Julian's ass, all right?" Annie laughed at her sister.
"I'll do my best," she told her, truthfully.
"That's all I ask for. You're the best little sister in the world. Now go home, so I can go see Benny," Charlotte said. Annie giggled, poking her in the stomach.
"Speaking of sex.." She began, grinned wickedly at Charlotte. "I bet Benny's coming over to have sex with you!" She accused, making her sister laugh again.
"Yes, he is. Why do you need to know?" Her eyebrow arched, and Annie smirked slightly.
"Just commenting."
"And I bet you're not going to have sex with Julian," Charlotte said, reassuring Annie yet again.
"I hope so," she said, agreeing.
"I know so. Have a good mission. I'll see you tomorrow when you wish everyone goodbye," Charlotte told her, and then paused, raising her eyebrow. She knew her sister too well. "You are going to do that, aren't you?" Annie looked up, slightly confused.
"Do what?"
"Go and wish everyone goodbye."
"Oh, yeah! 'Sides, Char, I don't leave for a week," Annie explained.
"Oh, well, geez. I'll drop by tomorrow then. See you then, Annabelle. And you know.. if you ever want to talk, I'll drop everything and talk with you." Annie grinned broadly.
She's the coolest sister I could ask for. Why couldn't I have been twins with her?
"Okay. Thanks, Char." Charlotte smiled back.
"Anytime," she replied, standing up and heading for the door. Annie suppressed a giggle.
"Um, Char?" Her sister turned around, peering at her quizzically.
"What?"
"This is your room.." Charlotte laughed and blushed lightly.
"Whoops. I think I'm just antsy to see Benny," she said with a grin. Annabelle giggled madly and stood up, giving her sister a quick hug goodbye.
"Later, Char," she said, and let herself out, heading back to her own apartment.
~*~
Upon entering her apartment, Annie kicked off her sandals, which hit her boots and clunked down next to them, and plopped back down on her couch. She picked up Julian Manchester's biography from the table and began to read.
Julian Felix Manchester, born May 6th 650 to parents Marquis Felix Manchester, knight of Carthak and member of the Emperor's Guard, and Marquesse Elizabeth Manchester, mother and housewife. Julian was childhood playmates with the Emperor Ashram and the Tortallan King Nathaniel.
From the ages 6 to 10, Julian was sent through the Carthaki public schooling system, and at the age of 10, entered the Carthaki knight program. Julian Manchester earned his shield at the age of 18. Three months after earning his shield, Julian's father died in a small battle in Carthak, leaving Julian to rule the fief. On June 10th, 672, at the age of 22, Julian married Isabelle Blakemore of Emperor's Pass, age 20. The following year, he enrolled in the Carthaki University for a degree in economics. On October 28, 674, wife Isabella gave birth to a son, Michael Julian Manchester. Eight months later, Julian Manchester's mother died due to unicorn fever, and Julian continues to run the fief.
September 15, 676 marks the day the Carthaki ship the Kaddar IV went down off the coast of the Copper Isles. Julian's wife and son were aboard the ship, and died in the wreck. Several months later, Julian earned his mastery in economics from the Carthaki University and becomes employed in the Emperial Treasury. This employment allows him to once again befriend the Emperor Ashram. Within two years, the position of Economic Advisor to the Emperor became open, and Julian was appointed, bringing him only closer to the Emperor. He is currently single and living alone, and still maintains said position.
Annabelle laid the parchment down on her stomach, thinking about what she had just read. He was an only child. He had parents, a job, a life..by all accounts, he was a normal, functioning person. This was not what Annabelle had been expecting. There was no mention of being repeatedly dropped on his head as a child, or any kind of abuse that would suggest a motive to go on a murderous rampage. He had no criminal record. He didn't even have late fees at the library. He was an upstanding, exemplary citizen of Carthak. Who just happened to be plotting to kill the Emperor.
"Y'know, it's strange that someone with no criminal record, or truly apparent motive, is plotting to kill the Emperor," she said to herself, getting up from the couch. "Oh well, whatever floats yours boat!" With that, Annie meandered into the kitchen to make herself some lunch.