Scarred

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Last chapter: Keith Hyaru is an Assassin born to serve. He has no orders but to kill. One fateful night changes all this, when an ordinary brawl becomes something much more. There is a witness—a woman. So, the story continues.

Chapter 1: The Familiar Hunt

:::Flourin Forests:::

The moonlight had never seemed so dark to the Assassin. Keith was a bloodstained man, but never had he been forced to flee. But, he had had no choice. Keith Hyaru, along with the other Hyarus, had never killed a woman. The word escape lingered in his mind, as he dashed mindlessly through the forest.

He glanced franticly around, but all that was within his perception was the dark looming greenery around him. On any other night, the forests surrounding the capital town of Flourin would have been a sight of absolute beauty—but not this night. The nocturnal world seemed to faint, along with his shaken feelings.

Keith tore through the forest for half an hour, crashing madly. This ceased, when his mind calmed down, and he was quite distant from the hill. The Assassin fell lamely to the dirt floor with a loud THUMP! He tilted his head back against a slender oak.

Okay...the man thought to himself. Time to think this over...

:::The City of Flourin, next day:::

To the citizens of Flourin, children were not permitted. There was no explanation for this law, but it was there. The cause was the young Lord Narcia, but no villagers argued. Nobody ever defied his or her Lord.

"Quickly, my dear wife, hide!" A man was ushering his wife into a hidden trapdoor beneath his house floor. The sound of fist upon door rang. The woman sank beneath the floors, and the man hastily shut the trapdoor. He laid a carpet over it, and moved a chair for extra measure.

"Alert! Resident! We are Knights of the House, and have permission to enter. It has been rumored that there is a woman bearing a child in this residency. Please step out!"

The man opened the door slowly, and before him were three soldiers. They were Knights, heavily armored soldiers, and looked absolutely fearsome. Strapped upon their backs were heavy spears, the signature weapon of Flourin warriors.

Roughly, they tossed the man outside as if he were a rag doll. Outside the domicile, the man closed his eyes and prayed in silence. Rustling and shaking reverberated throughout the building, as the Knights searched it. In moments, they walked out.

The soldiers exited and snarled at the man—who in return, turned and entered his house. When he heard the footsteps cease into the horizon, he sighed with anxious relief. They had not removed the carpet, but the chair had toppled. Carefully, the man lifted the hatch, and pulled his frightened wife up to the surface.

"They're gone?" she asked slowly.

"Yes. Let us be thankful." They embraced quietly, as the burning sun sank. Night approached.

:::Flourin Castle:::

Lord Narcia was the present sitter of the Flourin Throne. He was a man of keen vigilance and great power. Ever since the mysterious death of his father, the Lordling had rose to the highest rank within the Flourin Empire. However his youth, Narcia was now a man of evil and hatred.

At the moment, it was night. The chilly breath of the dark wind blew through his open door. He glanced around his room—a colossal lodging flowing with grandeur. The heavyset man eyed his most treasured belongings, all placed neatly upon his writing desk. There was an exquisite gold necklace he had received from a friend of the east, a picture of him and his beloved wife framed in silver, and various pieces of jewelry. However, one item stood out from the rest—a baronial dagger embroidered with the Flourin emblem, the silver cardinal. The dagger's name was the Cardinal's Bane, and had been in the royal family for generations.

However, something drew his attention. The door behind him opened, and in stepped a General. Laid upon him were layers after layer of thick blue armor. Only a Knight of great caliber and strength possessed the power to don the legendary outfit, and wield the mighty spear of the Generals. The General's face was home of many years and experience. Needless to say, he was a warrior to be feared.

"Lord Narcia, sir. A child has been found," the General found himself speaking reluctantly.

Narcia turned around. "Very well, Cameron. Location?"

"Lower floor of the village. Second row, fourth house," Cameron stated dutifully. Though he was the loyal soldier of Narcia, he did not admire his ways. Like the Hyarus, the General was bound to the service of Flourin. Another cursed life born to the royal family.

"Excellent. You didn't seize her at the moment?"

"The Knights knew she was there, but did not wish to become violent. After all, we already have a man for that."

"Yes, Cameron. Send for the Cardinal," Narcia decided.

Cameron nodded and departed. Once the General was outside the castle grounds, he spoke to the wind, the wild, and nature. "Lord Narcia...there is a fine line between a loyal soldier and a fool."

:::Flourin Village Pub:::

The pub was a popular place for the fighters of Flourin and the surrounding countryside. It had a famed reputation as the birthplace of the best service, brew—and warriors. The Flourin pub was always overflowing with every type of fighter imaginable. Everything from Archers and Snipers to Cavaliers and Paladins could be found relaxing, betting, drinking...and fighting, of course. Also, with all the ordinary commotion, it was the perfect setting for a hidden conversation. Private public places of the heavily populated Flourin were rare.

Keith Hyaru was sitting quietly at the edge of a table. He was disguised as an ordinary man, with a simple earth colored robe. He was not even one bit conspicuous in the setting. The Assassin sat alone.

"Cardinal," a gruff voice spoke from behind him. "You're needed."

Without shifting his solid position, Keith replied. "Tell me when and where." The knowledge that a General was seated opposite the table behind him was apparent. The Hyaru's senses were keen as ever, even after his previous night, empty of sleep.

The Assassin felt a slip of paper drop into his hands, and the General left. Nobody else heard the conversation.

:::Flourin Village, an hour later.:::

The man ran through the woods. His legs fumbled as he ran for his life. His heavy panting covered the curses emitted from his mouth. Damn him, he thought. Despicable man...

Soft dirt scattered beneath the man's shoeless feet. In his haste to escape, he had forgot everything—and was unarmed. He kept running mindlessly through the woods. The swift firm footing of the Assassin could be heard from behind, but he did not take time to turn his head.

After a couple minutes, he stopped. The man's physical nature simply prevented any further dashing. He glanced around the area. The woods were surrounded him entirely, and he was open to any attack.

Suddenly, a man dropped from the trees straight in front of the terrified man. It was the Assassin! He stepped towards the quivering man and drew his knife. "Do not move."

An uncertain "...What?" was all the man could utter. "Dirty scum," he spoke defiantly. "Who would have thought you would sink so low as to kill a woman?"

Behind his long dark hair covering his face, Keith shut his eyes. This was not done in agony, but in grief. "Do not worry. Your wife is safe, along with your unborn child."

This shocked the man even more. All he did was eye the Assassin suspiciously.

"Come with me—and stay close. We're going somewhere."

Aznboy714: Yes, I know...that didn't reveal too much of the plot. Well, at least I actually wrote it, Okay, read and review please! After all, reviews keep me alive!

Next chapter: Keith's new intentions are revealed. Some explanations for events included. Tune in!