C H A P T E R - 3
Tashti used the silver pencil to scratch notes on the paper. The last of the light was dimming and she wanted to complete the chapter on Valdemaran history.
She was to start classes in the morning. A daunting prospect at her age. She already knew she would be facing an up hill battle. Her classes were in the company of young trainees who had been raised in Valdemar and had a step up on her.
Satisfied she had done all she could she set her books to the side and stretched.
The last few days had been confusing and chaotic. She had barely accustomed her self to having another creature poking about in her head when she found herself relocated from the Healer's to the Collegium in a small room on the second floor. Out of habit she first looked for escape routes. The window was large enough for her and there enough gap in the stone for her to find finger and toe holds.
Satisfied she wouldn't be trapped, she tried to settle in. Her meagre belongings had been collected from the rooms she had rented and her black suit was returned to her, with the gloves.
These she hid away. No sense inviting disaster. She hung her dresses in the wardrobe beside the grey uniforms she was supposed to wear. Her embroidery hoop was next to her bed and her small lantern she used to read by she suspended above her bed with a chain. It was of the expensive kind that had a globe of water to amplify the light.
There was still one small bundle she had to deal with. On the bed was a black leather roll. She locked the door before she unrolled it revealing the glittering vials made of thick hard glass carefully cushioned in small pouches. Some contained powders others had liquids. Not all were poisons and very few were lethal. She refused to use lethal poisons that prolonged suffering or caused serious damage if it didn't kill. Most brought sleep, paralysis, forgetfulness, weakness, and other temporary conditions. There were also a collection of small darts and a blowgun, a set of lock picks she had bought for the more complex locks, and several slender silk cords, these she used to secure people when she needed to threaten or question. All tools of her trade.
She had taken commissions after leaving her old master. Sometimes all that was required was to keep a target from being at a certain place and time. An assassin didn't always need to kill. The ones who she had killed simple never woke up but it was less than they deserved.
Monarchs had paid her handsomely to remove a threat to their crown that was too powerful to be confronted head on. One had been a lord and lady who kidnapped people off farms and streets and tortured them for thrills. They had too much power for the king to attack them directly and had paid Tashti a small fortune to make certain no other farmers would go missing. Tashti had complied. She darted both as they slept and in the middle of the night. When they were cold in their beds she positioned them so it appeared they were trying to flee, then lit the room on fire. Everyone but the lord and lady escaped. There were no rumours about the deaths being anything but tragic accidents.
Tashti carefully tested each of the corks to be certain they weren't leaking and secured them in their individual pockets.
Absently she wondered if they knew who they had in their palace.
~ * ~
Tashti didn't offer much in the Orientation class. The teacher, a Herald named Dirk, tried to get her included but she still held back.
When the class adjourned he gestured for her to hold back. Tashti gathered her books and stopped before him.
"You seemed shy." He said bluntly. "Are you having problems with the language?"
"No, I understand Valdemaran." Tashti felt her cheeks heat. "I have never heard any of what you were talking about. In case you haven't heard I thought I had lost my wits when I was Chosen. They have been taught from a young age what Heralds were and I only encountered one a few weeks ago."
Dirk smiled. "Do you want some help?"
Tashti brightened. "If you have time."
"Not a problem. We can now if you want. You have a candlemark before you have to be at your next class. We can catch some lunch and talk about it."
"That would be wonderful." Tashti felt a weight go off her shoulders. Perhaps she could catch up.
Later, after they had finished their meal and had covered some common knowledge of Valdemaran history she felt much more relaxed.
"Do you know what Gifts you have yet?" Dirk asked conversationally.
"Not really. I have never encountered anyone who could describe what they were."
"There are three main groups, Sight, Communication, and Fetching. Sight consist of Farsight and Foresight, those are rather self-explanatory. Communication Gifts are Mindspeech, Empathy, Farspeech and the like. Fetching, my area of expertise, are Gifts that affect the world around you, Firestarting and Fetching are the main ones. I spoke to the Healers since you are much older than the average Trainee to discover what gifts you have. They said you had Mindspeech, a touch of Foresight, a bit of Fetching, and Healing and Empathy."
"Sounds like a lot."
"Your Fetching, Healing and Foresight are comparatively weak. Your mindspeech gift is fairly strong, as is your Empathy. They also said you are some how blocking your Empathy."
Tashti shook her head. "I have no clue if I am or not."
"It is rare for a Herald to have Empathy and Healing. We are a little confused as to how a Healer became an assassin."
"By necessity." Tashti said simply. "I had no choice."
"Understandable. We haven't spread your history, or at least what we know of it, about. Few people have connected Brenna Kittiring with Tashti Hardren. It will come out eventually but when is up to you."
A bell rang warning her of her next class.
"You have weapons next, correct?"
Tashti nodded.
"Good luck." He smiled.
Tashti wondered what he meant as she changed into sparring clothes. She arrived in the salle before the teacher did and found a corner of a bench for herself. She debated hiding her abilities but decided not too. It would look bad latter.
The teacher, a middle-aged woman with blonde hair and the physique of a fighter, wore dark grey leathers. She had been told that all her teachers today would be Heralds so she was rather confused.
The teacher set them to stretching and left them alone for a few more moments. Tashti used the stretches she was used to and heard someone giggle. She looked up and saw the smallest student, a young girl, staring at her. She winked and smiled and returned to her stretches.
The girl tried to mimic her and almost succeeded.
Tashti's flexibility was hard won. She worked on it daily whenever she had time. Tashti was done when the teacher returned. She rejoined the students on the bench and waited for her turn. Most students were run through the drills they had previously learned and earned bruises when they made a mistake.
When Tashti's turn came about the teacher looked her over critically. "Have you ever held a sword?" She asked.
Tashti refrained from smiling. "Yes."
"Choose a practice blade then." She gestured to the rack of pot metal swords.
Tashti chose a long thin blade similar to what she preferred to work with. She had been forced to leave her sword behind when she entered Lady Onray's service. She made a mental note to collect soon.
She kept her grip relaxed as she faced the teacher. Tashti had faced many fighters and didn't underestimate her opponent. She probably had a sword in her hands since her early teen years and from her movement Tashti guessed she was a natural.
Excellent, a challenge.
Tashti let her world narrow to this fight and that was all. Her teacher made the first move. Tashti blocked it but allowed her movement to seem clumsy. When the next blow came however she stepped out of the way. She attacked before the third could come. The locked together blades flashing, neither landed a blow.
Tashti was still fresh where as her teacher had been working with students most of the morning. Tashti enjoyed the fight for several exchanges before she let a blow land on her side.
No sense in humiliating the teacher.
"Better than I hoped." She nodded.
Tashti accepted the praise and returned to her seat.
"You were good." The small trainee whispered.
"Thank you." Tashti smiled.
"I am Lyra."
"Tashti. Pleased to meet you."
"How long did you have to train to get that good?"
"Seventeen years."
"That's forever!" Lyra wailed.
"It seems that way sometimes. You're young, you can become very good if you hard work at it."
"Will you help me?"
Tashti considered it for a few moments. "I will."
"Thanks Tashti." Lyra smiled.
"Pair off and spar." The teacher finally ordered.
"I'll go with you." Lyra grabbed her arm and led her to a spot on the floor.
Tashti enjoyed blocking the blows from Lyra's much smaller sword and forcing Lyra to block hers. She didn't use the same speed she did with Kero to allow Lyra to meet them. She used the same move three times in a row to get at Lyra's open side so when she did strike fast, and Lyra blocked it.
"I did it!" Lyra squealed.
"You certainly have a lot of patience." The teacher commented.
"She is a fast learner."
"Lyra, your mother is looking for you." The teacher ruffled the girl's hair.
"Bye Kerowyn." Lyra ran off. "See you later Tashti."
"Thanks for working with her." Kerowyn said. "Where did you learn how to use a sword?"
"It was drilled into me when I was very young." Tashti shrugged.
"You're good. You don't look like you could lift a finger let alone a sword."
"I have heard that before. 'Ye don't wanna 'old that lass. Wot the 'ell?'"
Kerowyn laughed. "I can only imagine. Odd, I leave for a few weeks and I discover the Queen executed an assassin and the Companions chose a decent fighter. Perhaps I should leave more often."
Tashti smiled and let her misinformation stand.
"That's enough for today." Kerowyn turned to the class. "Stretch out and get off to your next class.
Tashti repeated her stretches and was one of the first to leave.
"Hey, wait up." A young man a year or two her junior haled her. "I have never seen anyone hold their own against the Captain." He grinned. "Where did you learn those moves?"
"I picked them up during my travels." Tashti shrugged.
"Where are you from?" The young man asked eagerly.
"OutKingdom. I used to travel a great deal before a horse decided to talk to me and turn my life upside down."
"Yeah, they certainly do that." He chuckled. "I didn't even have time to get a change of clothes when I was Chosen. Would you care to join me at supper?"
"I am meeting someone." Tashti demurred.
"Right, maybe another time?" He smiled and hurried to the Boy's Wing.
Tashti washed herself with a wet rag and changed into a fresh uniform. She gathered a set of books and hurried to her next class. She spent an hour repairing uniforms before supper. It was enjoyable, she didn't need to focus on what she was doing to create small even stitches, so she allowed her mind to drift.
:How are you enjoying yourself?: Cryni suddenly asked.
"Bloody horse!" Tashti yelped.
The others giggled.
:Relax. You seem to enjoy yourself in the Salle.:
"It is something I know." Tashti answered.
:Don't worry, you'll catch on. I am certain you'll catch on quick. You are a faster learner and don't need many of the basic courses that other trainees need, you could be done in four years, perhaps three.:
Tashti didn't answer. She really needed to learn how to answer with out speaking out loud.
Finally she headed to the Common room and supper. Aeric was waiting for her.
"So, how was it?" He asked as she sank onto the bench.
"Mixed. I enjoyed sparring with Captain Kerowyn and she was impressed with my abilities, which I am told is very rare, but I was completely ignorant in my other classes."
"I remember my first day. I was declared hopeless by Alberich." He smiled at the memory. "He has a way of deflating your ego with a glance."
"Cryni keeps popping into my head at the oddest moments. I can't wait until I can block her out."
"It is hard to block them out completely and I have never had any reason to."
"I am uncomfortable with the idea of anyone in my head, even if they are a gift from the Gods."
"It is part of the Companion bond. She will never share what she knows about you with the others unless she needs help. You can trust her."
Tashti gave him a 'don't be foolish' look.
"You have managed to bring yourself to trust me." Aeric pointed out.
"You are different. I feel like I have known you for years. Perhaps it's because you have been engaged in the same…trade, shall we say?"
"You didn't trust me until you were about to die." Aeric countered.
"Well, they say truth is found at the bottom of a bottle, trust must be found at the bottom a vial." Tashti teased.
"Don't even consider trying that stunt again. We barely managed to pull you back."
"I wouldn't repeat that experience unless absolutely necessary." Tashti grimaced. "It was far from pleasant for me. All those snoopy Healers."
"Only you would be more concerned with the Healers than the fact you came within a hair's breadth of dying."
"I had to deal with the Healers and their constant questions and prodding." She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Out of curiosity, am I allowed off the Palace grounds?"
"Of course, you aren't a prisoner."
"Good. I think I may go for a bit of a walk later."
"Over the rooftops?"
"Of course not." Tashti blinked innocently. "Well, maybe if there is a traffic jam, or if there are too many people about."
"Are you going out for something in particular?"
"To get my sword. It fits my hand perfectly and I am rather attached to it." She admitted. "Care to join me?"
"Why not. I can see if I can keep up with you."
"Probably."
"Did you want to leave before dark?
"There is no need for secrecy but I would prefer it, in case I need to use that persona again."
"Exactly how many persona's have you used in Haven."
"Four. You know about Brenna and Ella. There was also Cherry, a minstrel of middling talent, and Merry, a woe begotten thief."
"And where did you leave the sword?"
"In the rooms I used as Cherry. I am paid through to midwinter."
"How can you be certain it hasn't been discovered?"
"I padlocked the door from the inside and left through the window." Tashti admitted. "I also created a hollow board in the bed and hid it in there. Even knowing it is there you would be hard pressed to find it."
"You'll have to show me."
"If you wish I can show you how to make the hiding spots." Tashti offered.
"Thank you."
Tashti pushed her plate away. "Are you ready to be off? I have to change and I can meet you outside."
"You should wear your uniform over you black suit. It will catch less notice when we ride out the gates."
"I will." Tashti slipped away.
It took only a few moments to change and grab her heavy cloak.
:We are waiting.: Cryni spoke suddenly.
Tashti jumped. "Bloody horse!"
She felt Cryni chuckle.
"I am on my way." She padded down the hall and outside. Aeric and both Companions waited for her. Both were saddled in the blue and silver tack that was used only by Heralds.
Tashti easily swung into the saddle without using the stirrups. "Lets be off then." She smiled. She thought Aeric looked dashing sitting casually in the saddle.
He led the way to the small side gate and out into Haven. Tashti was familiar with the area and took the lead. She stopped in a park surrounded by tall trees and thick brush. "I hope you two don't mind waiting here. You are rather conspicuous, especially with the bells."
Both Companions nodded.
Tashti shed her uniform and hid it under a bush. Aeric did the same revealing a suit much like hers.
Tashti nipped across the street where a lamp had been broken and darkness reigned. Her every sense was on high alert for any movement. In the darkness between two middle class houses she scaled the wall and gained the roof. Aeric kept close behind her using the same footholds in the worn stone.
:You're good.: His voice said inside her mind when she stood on the roof. She nearly jumped out of her skin.
:Sorry.:
Tashti pulled her hood up to cover her bright hair and pulled the mask over her face. It was fitted so tightly she didn't need any makeup to hide her eyes.
"Ready?" She asked softly.
Aeric nodded.
Together they used to rooftops to traverse the city until the finally reached the shabby boarding house Tashti had rented a room in. Tashti hung off the overhanging roof and used her feet to open the window. She swung herself in easily and landed quietly in the empty room. Nothing had been moved since she had last been here. She got out of the way so Aeric could enter.
She removed the straw mattress and used a knife to pry the board on the far side of the bed apart. Inside a sword was nestled in a hole that fit it exactly. Tashti slipped it into the sheath she wore on her back.
"It's beautiful." Aeric commented.
"Thank you. I am quite fond of it." She fitted the board back into place and replaced the mattress.
"That was quite fun. Don't you agree?" She sank onto the bed.
"Definitely." Aeric greed and sat down next to her. "How long did you live here?"
"Four months." She surveyed the four walls. "I told the landlord I was still going to travel about to go to fairs so my long absences wouldn't be suspicious."
"Do you play an instrument?"
"A harp and a flute. They make a great cover."
"I tried to learn an instrument but I have absolutely no talent." Aeric admitted.
"I am not very good. I can't practice as much as I want." She leaned against his broad shoulder. "I think we better get going. Before it grows too late."
"Is that silk?" He asked.
Tashti nodded. "I find it is less likely to rip and doesn't rustle as much as other fabrics."
"It suits you. Beautiful and dangerous."
Tashti laughed. "That is probably the sweetest compliment I have ever received. We should be off, I have classes tomorrow and you have duties."
Aeric stood and offered her his hand. Tashti accepted. She allowed Aeric to exit first and soon they were making their way back to the park and the Companions. It wasn't as late as she was accustomed to when she slipped between her sheets.
She had enjoyed her little expedition and a chance to exercise her skills. And of course Aeric's company. She knew he was drawn to her but wasn't sure what he felt. Was it friendship? Did he feel responsible for her? Thus far he had said she was beautiful, dangerous, and troublesome. She wasn't even certain how she felt towards him. He was attractive, intelligent, understanding, sensitive, and he made her heart pound when he entered the room. She sighed and folded her arms behind her head. Emotions could be so troublesome.
~ * ~
It was a week before Captain Kerowyn approached her again. Tashti was in the Salle practicing alone in the early morning when she heard footsteps. She recognized them as belonging to the Weaponsmaster.
She stopped and waited. Tashti had gotten permission to use the Salle when there were no classes and preferred that her true talent be discovered, yet.
"There you are." Kerowyn paused in the doorway. "I wanted to speak to you alone."
"Is something wrong?" Tashti felt a shiver run up her spine. This wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation.
"I understand you have a rather unorthodox background."
"That is one way to put it."
"The assassin the Council decided to execute is you." Kerowyn stated.
"Yes."
"Would you care to explain why you didn't mention that little fact earlier?"
Tashti bristled at the accusation in her voice. "I assume someone would mention the fact that the assassin was also pardoned, before I was Chosen. I truly didn't see what my past has to do with you."
Kerowyn stood in front of her, her arms folded across her chest. "I am responsible for the Queen's safety."
"And, I am a security problem? If I wanted to kill your queen there is little you could do to stand in my way." Tashti answered quietly.
"My Queen?"
"She has yet to forgive me." Selenay said from the door.
"She is alive, that should be enough."
"She feels I betrayed Aeric. She understands why I did what I did. Even if I did act unjustly towards her."
Tashti's face betrayed no emotions.
"Lyra would like you to join us for a ride, if you aren't busy." Selenay said to Tashti.
"It would be a pleasure." Tashti accepted gracefully. "If you'll excuse me Captain." She followed the Queen from the Salle and out into the fall dawn.
"You have made quite an impression on Lyra."
"She is delightful. You must be proud of her."
"I am." Selenay waved to Lyra and her brother who stood beside the waiting Companions.
"I am glad you could come." Lyra smiled at her.
"Wouldn't miss it for the Jewels of Feena."
"What are they?" The young boy asked.
"Several centuries ago a Queen named Feena gathered a large army and started invading her neighbours. For twenty years she conquered and looted countries. Her treasury was said to be so vast that it required a second Palace be built. When she died she was buried with so many jewels it is said that her grave glowed. When her son went to loot the grave he found that everything was gone. It is said she is forced to walk the earth laden with all the gold and gems she had stolen as punishment." Tashti explained. "People have been trying to catch her ghost to steal the jewels."
"She sounds rather nasty." Lyra wrinkled her nose. "Does she really walk around covered in jewellery?"
"I have met those who swear they have seen her." Tashti helped Lyra into the saddle of her sweet tempered mare as the Queen did the same for the young Prince.
Cryni had neither saddle nor bridle, which Tashti preferred.
"I imagine you have traveled a great deal." The queen commented.
"Mostly out of necessity." Tashti admitted. "My…teacher…traveled constantly. It would be foolish to stay in one place in his line of work."
"Was he a good teacher?"
"He taught me a great deal but I was property to him. He was planning to retire and live off what I earned."
"What happened?"
"I didn't cooperate. I refused the jobs he lined up and left him when I was about twelve."
"Was he the one who taught you to use a sword?" Lyra asked.
Tashti nodded. "He started my training."
"Are you as good as Kero?" The prince, Kris, asked sceptically.
"Better." Lyra answered for her.
"I would say we are evenly matched." Tashti compromised.
"Why are only girls good at fighting?" Kris asked his mother.
Tashti and Selenay laughed.
"There are many very talented males." Tashti pointed out. "Urren of White Creek for example."
"Who is he?"
"He is a General in Ceejay. You wouldn't want to face him, he is lightening with a blade." Selenay answered.
Tashti remembered the time she met him. She broke his nose when he pinched her bottom. The illustrious General was a tad bit slow when it came to social niceties.
"Do you think he could come here?" He asked hopefully.
"No. He is insufferable." Tashti answered. "There is Tagon from Kata'shin'a'in. He is pleasant and phenomenal." And absentminded, she added silently.
"I never heard of him." Selenay commented.
"He is a character. He never takes contracts because he forgets who he is working for. But he is incredibly fast with his blades. One time he started out for Rethwellan and ended up in the Black Empire."
"Are there any boy fighters who are good all round?" He persisted.
"Veren. He is magic with almost any weapon, he is also polite and intelligent." She didn't mention he gave up fighting to become a priest.
"Do you think he would come here?"
"No. He is very happy where he is." Tashti shook her head. "You are stuck with girl fighters."
"See, girls are better." Lyra poked Kris.
"Your father is a good fighter." Selenay pointed out trying to avoid a fight.
"See, boys are just as good." He stuck out his tongue. "Right?" He turned to Tashti for confirmation.
"It depends on how much work someone is willing to put into training, it has little to do with gender."
Both twins were silent.
"Well done."
"I have also posed as a governess." Tashti explained.
"How are you settling into your classes?"
"I am enjoying most of them." Tashti confessed. "I still can't use to my horse talking to me."
Cryni crow hopped suddenly jarring Tashti.
"Not only does she talk to me she doesn't even have the good manners to agree with me. It always becomes an argument." Tashti continued.
Tashti slipped to the ground just as Cryni bucked.
Selenay and the twins laughed.
"I win this time." Tashti teased and swung back on to Cryni's back.
Cryni tossed her head but let her Chosen continue riding.
"You certainly aren't the tightest bonding I have seen." Selenay commented with worry in her voice.
:Its tight. Trust me.: Cryni suddenly said to Selenay who jumped but said nothing.
"I just tease her. She gives as good as she gets."
A bell rang from the Collegium. The other students would be waking now.
"I better be off. See you later Lyra." Tashti turned Cryni back to the stone building.
"Bye." The twins called in unison.
Tashti was helping in the kitchen this morning and she wanted a bath first.
:Is Valdemar worth the trouble?: Cryni asked as Tashti dismounted.
"Ask me in a year. It is still all too new."
:I doubt I will have to wait that long.:
"Enjoy your day horse." Tashti scratched between Cryni's eyes.
:Enjoy your day hairless one.: Cryni returned.
Tashti took the steps two at a time to the bathroom. After a quick bath she hurried to the kitchens with her wet hair braided tightly.
She was the first trainee to appear.
"That hungry already?" Mero teased her.
"I have been up and about for several hours now, of course I am hungry." She grinned. She loved his food.
"You can start with making the pancake dough. The ingredients are there." Mero knew she was fully capable of preparing dishes without supervision.
Tashti had the dough ready when the rest of the students filed in yawning and stretching. She grabbed an apple and drifted out of the way for the time being. When her apple was done it was time to mix another batch of batter.
After the third batch Mero sent her off to eat some of the fruits of her labour. With a stack of fresh pancakes she went up to the common room and snagged a seat at the end of a table. She smothered them in honey and butter, she had a weakness for sweets, and ate in silence. Around her students were in various stages of wakefulness. One had his head resting on his arm beside his plate snoring happily. One just down from her had to keep jerking himself back to wakefulness to keep his face from being buried in his meal.
Tashti had been surprised to discover that many of the full Heralds thought much like she did. It was rather comforting, even if they were rather nervous around her.
:Over developed sense of justice and honour and under developed sense of self preservation.: Cryni agreed.
"That says it all." Tashti laughed. "What did you think of our ride?"
:You were polite and almost friendly to the Queen.:
"I like Selenay, I distrust the Queen." Tashti took a bite of her pancakes.
:Aren't they just the same person?:
"No. Selenay is a mother, a Herald, a wife. The Queen is Queen, she must consider only what is best for her people."
:Like any good Queen should.:
"Aeric was torn between his love for his duty and his responsibility to me. The Queen failed him."
:What should she have done?:
"She could have listened to him rather than dismiss everything he said because I drugged him. That particular potion doesn't interfere with your mind. I think part of what upset him was the charge I was to be killed for was being an assassin, I had never killed anyone in Valdemar, well, except those two brigands."
:You seem to think about Aeric a great deal.: Cryni pointed out.
"Stuff it." She growled.
:You are right. You were a threat, she had no idea of who your next target would be.:
"I doubt there are many who could afford me."
:She doesn't know that. You know, I want to be there when Kero discovers who you are.:
"Ought to be interesting."
:Are you going to talk to her?:
"I should." Tashti stared at the last piece of her pancake dripping honey and melted butter on to her plate. "Her attitude really rubbed me the wrong way. I was a welcome addition until she found out about my past. Then she was ready to drive me out of the country or complete that execution order herself."
:She was shocked.:
Tashti popped the last bit of pancake into her mouth and licked the honey off her lips. "I will find a chance to talk to her later. For now, I will focus on learning the ins and outs of Valdemaran law."
:That is all I can ask.:
~ * ~
Tashti didn't have a chance to speak to Kerowyn until the next morning. An assistant took over the class that afternoon since the Captain was at a Council session.
When Tashti got to the Salle before dawn it was still empty. She didn't light any of the lamps perfectly at home in the dark.
She had her sword in a sheath on her back and wore her black silk outfit since it had a greater range of movement. She started her routine with slow graceful movements. When every muscle was stretched properly she sped up. She was warming up with a series of punches and kicks that were only blurs when she heard Kerowyn's distinctive stride in the hall.
Tashti decided not to stop her practice, especially since it had been disturbed yesterday.
Kerowyn paused in the doorway for several moments to watch the shadow working in the centre of the room. There was now mistaking who the person was.
"Shouldn't there be some light." She called and lit a lantern beside the doorway.
Tashti didn't stop. Her body was covered in a fine sweat that glittered in the golden light.
"It isn't needed." She said shortly not pausing.
Kerowyn left the lantern and adjourned to her office. She left the door open so she could watch Tashti.
She had to admit, even if she was an assassin, Tashti was talented.
The room was filled with grey light of dawn when she finally was completed.
"How long have you been training?" Kero asked as Tashti got herself a dipper of water.
"Seventeen years."
"And you are how old?"
"About twenty I believe."
"So it is a family business."
Tashti shook her head. "I was sold when I was a toddler. I was his retirement plan. He chose me because I showed potential for beauty and knew that a pretty face is more likely to be trusted."
"What happened? I assume you aren't supporting him."
"No." Tashti considered how much to say. "I left when I was twelve."
"But you are still an assassin, surely you could have learned other skills to live off of or joined a Merc company."
Tashti sat on the bench. "When I was twelve I had no other skills so I lived as a pickpocket for a while and did a few jobs. When I was fourteen I looked old enough to join a company. When I did so a Lord approached me with a job. A highwayman was robbing and killing people on his estate and none of the guards he hired could find him. He hoped someone more familiar with shadows have better luck. I turned him down. The man he hired did find the highwayman and killed him, and his wife and four children. They knew nothing about his career, they thought him a merchant. If I had taken the job those five innocents would have lived. Most assassins like to kill and will be sloppy or go farther than necessary. I dislike killing and will only kill those who are my targets. And they don't suffer, no matter how horrible the crime, they don't suffer."
Kerowyn considered this silently.
"I never accept a job on hear say. All my targets could not be touched by any other way and all committed gruesome crimes."
"Like what?"
"Slavery, murder, torture. Lords who are above the law who use their lands as a hunting ground with human prey. Kings who abuse their station and their country. Priests who use their authority to warp children beyond recognition."
"What methods to you use?"
Tashti glanced down. "Poison mostly."
"You have to get close to their food for something like that."
Tashti clasped her hand about Kero's mouth. She slid to the ground after only a breath.
"No always." Tashti waited. The glove was losing its efficiency so Kero resumed motor control in a few moments.
"What is that stuff?" She demanded as Tashti helped her back onto the bench.
"The same stuff I used on Aeric."
Kerowyn looked torn between praise and anger. Praise won.
"Clever. I assume it doesn't absorb through the skin."
"No, other wise I would really look foolish."
"Have you ever had an accident with whatever it is?"
"Once, I had a cold and sneezed." Tashti blushed. "I knocked myself out when I covered my mouth."
Kerowyn laughed. "But no one has come to harm from it?"
"No. I just know when they would react badly and I use the other hand, which makes you sleep."
"Who else knows this?"
"Aeric and Cryni. She was the one who suggested I tell you."
"Do you have anymore of these potions?"
"A few." She hedged.
"I could use your talents. And you are already dressed for it." Kerowyn's eyes glittered. "I noticed that stuff also limits mind gifts, I couldn't call Sayvil. Does it work on all Gifts?"
"It is called Mage Bane, the only ones it doesn't effect are Healing and Empathy."
Kerowyn looked delighted. "One of my students has become a touch…cocky, shall we say."
Tashti nodded. "What do you want to do?"