(A/N): I'm gonna stop w/ Kraveck's life for a while and follow up with klyxe's.

Yes. Klyxe. You know… The assassin from the first few chapters. Lolz!

Note: This happened after chapter seven. This was right after Zerran had recruited him.

Act XIX: Acceptance

He was now an official member of Cinder. The great guild mistress had recruited him herself. A lot of people might have gotten so proud of themselves but he wasn't… he couldn't care less, he got what he wanted, he got what he planned… all he wanted was to be part in the upcoming tournament.

They were heading back to their fortress; they were heading back to Castle Svanhilt. They were in Zerran's carriage, strolling quietly back to their castle when she suddenly broke the silence.

"By the way…"

Klyxe just stared at her with a puzzled look.

"How do we know you can be trusted?"

"Huh?"

"You're obviously a very skilled 'sin'. And 'sins' like that were surely trained from Backblade…"

Klyxe took a moment of silence. He seemed to be thinking deeply. Zerran just studied him and waited for his reply.

"That was long over…"

"So you were a Backblader then?"

"As I've said, that was long over…"

"Okay! So you obviously don't want to divulge your past with me. Fine! But about my first question… how do we know you can be trusted?"

Another few moments of silence have gone. The assassin was much deeper in his thoughts.

"As you know by now… I obviously planned this…"

Zerran nodded her head in concurrence.

"I did choose your guild because of your infamous 'great judge of character' reputation. You have been known to tell lies from truths..."

Hard to believe but this was true. Zerran was indeed (some call it woman's instincts, some say her father taught her how and some said she was just gifted) a good lie detector. At least it was easy for her to tell if a man is lying. That's why propaganda meetings between guilds were hard with her around. Sly propagandists always dreaded her; she could always tell if something was fishy.

"I am after the tournament. But you might as well have figured that out already… but I need you to believe that I am not a spy from Backblade. Yes, joining Cinder only for tournament invitation is quite… selfish. But I believe in myself and my capabilities. I believe I am stronger than most of your members and that I can represent your guild well."

This time, she studied and looked deeply into the assassin's eyes. Cold and emotionless as it was before, this time it was filled with passion and sincerity. Great assassins are known to wipe out every signs of emotions from their faces, but that's all they could ever do. Wipe out, take away and hide emotions… not produce. It wasn't possible for them to create very realistic, fake sincerity. This was even more convincing; Klyxe's eyes were filled with immense passion. It would seem he was desperate enough to make Zerran believe him.

One thing Klyxe could count on is, it was quite hard for any guildmasters to pass out a fighter who can win fights in the tournament. a guild which can produce skillful fighters for the tournament will heighten their status and up their recruitment status.

"Hmm… but you have to understand, you will be eyed day and night until I can be convinced of your trustworthiness."

"I won't cause any trouble…"

Silence had taken over again until they had reached their destination.

"Welcome to your new home!" Zerran announced with glee.

As usual, neither comment nor emotion came from the assassin.

"Cold again? You recoverfrom our 'dramatic ride' so quickly?" Zerran teased him. Klyxe did show passionate emotions during their ride.

The assassin looked at her coldly.

"Lighten up! I was just teasing you!" Zerran let out a few chuckles then led him inside.

Klyxe studied the great guild mistress in front of him. Indeed he was a bit astonished in their first meeting. He expected a roguish, scarred warrior woman but instead he found this beautiful, aristocratic-faced mistress. Yes, she was older than him, but when he studied her more, he found little features of her being just a woman desiring for a normal life. This couldn't be true could it? She showed lots of childish features during their short time of meeting and giggles every chance she gets. Why is that? He thought. He did hear rumors about Zerran taking over Cinder at such a young age. Maybe the rumors were true... Maybe she did not get to enjoy her childhood days much... Maybe she's just a child inside…. Maybe she just suppressed her childish actions due to her early responsibilities... Maybe… just maybe… her childish part was just craving to get out every chance it gets...

"Sister! You're back!"

Klyxe's train of thoughts was interrupted by this mystifying new voice.

"Fenall! Glad to see your okay."

"Sister! I've been cooped up in this castle! What could possibly happen to me!"

Zerran let out a laugh and mashed her sister's well combed hair a little.

"Yes that is true, sister dear. That is true…"

"Sister! You didn't have to crumple my hair! I've spent hours on this, you know!"

Zerran laughed again.

"And who would you be wanting to look good for, huh?"

"No one… it's just that. I've nothing else to do around here…"

Zerran looked at her sister with a sympathetic face.

"Don't worry, sister. You'll get your share of adventures soon enough. Everybody does…"

Zerran immediately strained her brain for a new topic rather than just dwell around her sister's solitude.

"Umm… Hey! By the way, this is Klyxe!" She pointed at the blank assassin just staring at them. "A new recruit of mine!"

It was there that Klyxe understood everything. Zerran's not worried about showing her emotions. Yes, she does show her childish features every now and then, but as the assassin had concluded, she can shift states of emotion dramatically. It was only a few moments ago when she was all being childish, teasing the assassin around, but her sister's sudden presence immediately caused her to change gears. She now instantly became an all caring, all dependable, older sister. She gingers all the time but when in an instant that calls her to be a guild mistress again, she immediately does become one, and a good one at it too.

But what they haven't noticed was that the assassin was having a harder time of keeping a blank face than usual. From when Zerran's younger sister, a priestess named Fenall, appeared in the room, Klyxe was instantly captivated by her beauty! Her younger sister was even more beautiful than she was. Hence, maybe it was because of the age factor. Where Fenall's skin was much more softer and smoother looking. Being at her young age, she was more cheerful and still has that young spirited aura that just lightens up the room. Her soft, straight, dark-brown hair was delicately lying against her shoulders and her ginger face had a 'no doubt' aristocratic outlook too. Her body, even though fully covered in a priestess outfit, was more than enough to make men drool. Her face conveyed the softest and smoothest skin Klyxe had ever seen. It was as if she was more delicate than a flower itself.

"Hello! Nice to meet you! Welcome to cinder! I do hope you'll enjoy it here!" Fenall cheerfully addressed Klyxe while stretching her skirt a little and doing the 'bowing' motion.

Klyxe just nodded.

"Oh! You must be an assassin. Assassins are usually cold..." Fenall innocently commented.

"Yes he is. Now please do me favor sister and escort him to a vacant room. I still have lots of work to do…" Zerran addressed her sister. "Oh by the way, you're right. Assassins are normally cold. So don't let his coldness bother you."

"Sure thing, sis! I won't." Fenall cheerfully replied.