Chapter 36
Aria left that evening. It took her almost two days to ride to Leyawiin. To be safe, she stabled her horse outside the city and set up camp within sight of the city's northern gates.
It was three days before she made her move. In that time, Aria learned Phillida's schedule and saw that he did indeed have a bodyguard. A female Khajit went with him nearly everywhere. Aria would have to deal with her, too. But first, Phillida.
Phillida got up at sunrise every morning and went to a local inn for breakfast. From there, he went outside the city to the local Coast Guard station for several hours. After his midday meal, he returned to the city and went for a swim near the castle. Then he wandered the city for a few hours, before going to a local tavern for dinner. After that, he usually returned to the barracks.
Aria had to catch him at a time when he wasn't wearing his armor. So far, when he slept or swam seemed to be the only times he took it off. There were too many people around when he swam, and at night, he was surrounded by soldiers. She would just have to do better. The Brotherhood was counting on her.
On her fourth day in Leyawiin, Aria followed Phillida and his bodyguard to the Coast Guard station once again. Instead of staying inside with him, however, the bodyguard came out after a few moments, leaving the door open. She started to walk back to the city, but Phillida called after her.
"Sho-riah! Make sure you get oil, too! I swear, I don't know how these recruits keep their armor polished with such a..."
Aria ducked behind a tree as the Khajit walked by. Her mind was racing. Sho-riah, Mraaj-Dar's former lover, was her. This changed things. Aria peeked out from behind the tree and watched her walk toward the city, mentally adding another requirement to her contract.
But first, she had to deal with Phillida. He was completely alone for the first time in four days. It was the perfect time to strike.
Aria crept around the perimeter of the station. She wasn't wearing her armor. If Phillida happened to look out the window, he was just see a hunter spending the day in the swamp.
She got to the back of the station, where the open window provided her a clear view of Phillida. He had finally taken off his armor, preparing to clean and polish it. It would be a difficult shot, seeing as archery wasn't her strong suit. For a moment, she wished Telaendril had been sent on this contract.
She ducked behind a tree and leaned against it for a moment. She took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, then unslung Shadowhunt. She pulled the Rose of Sithis out of her quiver and stepped out. She aimed carefully.
"Night Mother, guide my arrow," she whispered. She let the arrow fly.
The Night Mother must have heard her prayer. Through the open window, Aria saw Phillida fall to the side, the Rose embedded in his neck. She breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to the building, climbing in through the window. A quick check confirmed that Phillida was dead.
Aria snatched the arrow and put it back in her quiver, then turned to his hand. It took a little more work than she was expecting, but a moment later, she had his ring finger wrapped in a cloth and stowed in her bag. It was time to leave. On her way out, she grabbed Phillida's Legion helmet.
She hid the helmet and her bag back at her campsite. Before leaving the city, she had one more thing to do. Even though it had happened before she arrived, Sho-riah had hurt Mraaj-Dar. It was time to pay.
She went to Five Claws, a rundown local tavern. The Argonian bartender got her a drink and continued wiping the counter. "Haven't seen you in town before," she said.
Aria shook her head. "I'm just passing through. But I heard a friend of mine is in town. Sho-riah?"
"Yeah, I know Sho-riah. Comes here just about every night with her boss, the old Legion captain." The bartender narrowed her eyes. "How do you know her?"
Aria shrugged. "She's more a friend of a friend. I don't know her personally. Can you tell me where she lives?"
"What's it to you?"
"I just want to stop in and tell her my friend said hello," Aria said, sliding some coins across the counter.
The Argonian cglanced down. With a swipe of her hand, the coins disappeared. "Down the street across from Dividing Line. Second house on the right."
Aria thanked her and paid for her drink. Sho-riah should be returning to the Coast Guard station about now. That would give her enough time to find her house and prepare a little surprise.