A/N: This chapter has undergone minor revisions since the release of the final chapter of this story. Keep in mind, revised chapters may be inconsistent with earlier reviews and the author's notes (A/N) of unrevised chapters.

Mid Year 1, 4E1

As I came around the grassy hill-side, I noticed the waterfront wasn't as well lit as the other parts of the city at night. In fact, if it wasn't for the glint of the moon shining on the surface of the lake water, I might not have been able to see where the land was if it were not for my minor knowledge of the school of Illusion magic.

I had changed into my assassin armor for the assignment, and now I could move with ease and blend with the shadows. Their company made me feel safe, like a protective father, as I prowled towards the slum.

Except for the crickets, the subtle pressing of my feet against the grass, and gentle batting of the water against the shores of the lake, it was quiet in the waterfront now.

As I passed the light house, and got a clear view of the island, I could see everyone was asleep. I was willing to bet that included the Captain. Soon my enemies and new friends alike would see what distinguished a Shadowscale. My years of training and special gift would bring fear to those who gave into the temptation of injustice here, too, starting this night.

Walking across the stone bridge, I couldn't help but smile to myself as I recalled my plan. I couldn't imagine anything going wrong with it. My mind was lucid, my veins filled with adrenaline, and my muscles felt strong enough to brave any challenge, all blending into a wonderful confidence. My enemies, on the other hand, weren't even conscious. That was the best advantage an assassin could ask for. Better yet, I would get paid for this beyond beds and meals.

The thrill grew as I came closer to the ship. I could feel an aura of excitement around the area it was docked. The words of Vincenti rang in my head:

"I am eager to see how you fare on your first assignment."

"Completion of a contract will be compensated in gold, which you may spend in whatever way you like."

"As a pirate, Gaston Tussaud has spilled his share of blood. Someone has hired us to enact revenge."

All these words contributed to the inner charge I could feel.

I approached the area where the crates he suggested I use had been. There were only a few left, most of them had been taken on board the ship. This time, I stepped off the paved, semi-circular path, and onto what little of the shore was eroded into sand. I hoisted myself onto a protruding rock.

Now came a real test. I had been trained to make long jumps for years, but I wasn't positive I could do this on my first try, and hardly wanted to fall into the supposed water that gave off such a foul smell here. Yet I found the petty fears easy to push aside given my enthusiasm. I prepared to close my mouth if I didn't make the jump.

I leaped from the rock, and managed to grab the edge of the balcony with my armored finger-tips. Quickly, with my will cutting through any other considerations like a hot knife through butter, I pulled myself up. Though my face trembled and warmed with additional blood-flow as I lifted the remainder my body, I did so quickly and in a single thrust.

Getting onto the balcony had been as quiet as the lapping of the waves against the shore. Opening the door would be a different story, but I knew I could fall back on the shadow's gift if I made enough noise to wake the Captain.

I gently and carefully wrapped my hand around the handle of the door to open it. I carefully pulled it towards me. The heavy door opened with little noise, though letting in the night air might provide some other stimulus. On its other side was the Captain's dining area, with his room straight ahead. The opened door hadn't woken him up yet, good.

I took my first step in the ships interior. The wooden floor creaked. Such a noise was ear-piercing to a Shadowscale. A man in the bedroom, no doubt the Captain, quickly drew in breath. I knew he had woken up. I could hear his bed shift as I gently drew my dagger. I knew what every noise indicated. I knew when he'd stood up, and activated my special power, commanding every fiber of my body to emanate the magical charge that made me invisible. I channeled extra magnitude to my hands to conceal the dagger I was holding.

The sleepy Captain, struggling to keep his eyes opened, stared right through me, something which was always satisfying. Unknown to him, I was advancing silently, with the care and precision in my moves that was the core of an assassin's skill; I didn't know if he could hear my seemingly disembodied footsteps, but I did this not only to stay silent, but to preserve the magical charge. I knew without any sudden, forceful movements, I could retain my invisibility for almost a minute, even while moving.

The Captain, keeping his eyes glued to the dining area, leaned in an odd way to reach for the sword he kept on a chest to his right. He was afraid: What he deserved to be. I kept my breaths shallow. Though he didn't know it, I was staring straight into his eyes. He was armed now, so I knew I had to make my stab kill.

I quickly thrust my dagger towards his heart, piercing the flesh as the magical charge on my body was thrown off and dissipated within a second. I withdrew the dagger, as he cried out, then closed his eyes and pressed his teeth together as if trying to push the pain out of his body. Noticeably weakening by the second, he fell to his knees, his head hitting the floor with a loud crack. Mission complete. I knew in those last 30 seconds, the world had inched closer to a just state, and would spark a fear which would help to keep that balance.

I decided to begin searching the cabin. His chest seemed to hold the most promise. I crouched down and inserted the metal pick into the key hole, but then I started to hear something from the lower decks. At first it sounded like it could have been any of the miscellaneous creaks a ship like this generated, but it was steady. Someone was walking in the deck below. At this hour, it seemed logical to assume I, or the Captain more directly, had woken them up. I knew it would soon be time to return to the shadows that remained at the sides of the dining area, and removed the pick from the keyhole. Though the sound was muffled through the door, I could now tell there were two others coming towards the Captain's quarters.

I crept back to the dining area, not sure if I was ready to leave the ship, but certainly had the intention to hide. I jerked involuntarily at the violent and abrupt knocking at the door.

"Captain, Captain Tussaud...are you alright sir?" A man spoke, waiting briefly for a response which would never come "We heard a clamor, Captain. We're...we're coming in."

The door was violently thrown open, hitting the wall it resided on with ample force. The two pirates surveyed the area in a state of shock. I was witnessing the justice and fear I lived to ensure.

The human knelt over the Captain to feel for a pulse as his friend held his sword primed to strike for an ambush that would probably never come. Though I was trained for over a decade to survive in hostile territory, I could gauge from experience that there would be a significant risk in taking on two sword-wielding pirates with a dagger.

I crept towards the door, taking each step with care.

"He's dead," the pirate said grimly, acknowledging my accomplishments. A victory in a war which knew no bounds in time or space. A victory that was somewhere between everything and nothing.

When I made it to the balcony, I leaped back to the rock with a grace that surprised even myself, and ran across the edges of the island to the row of hovels near the shores. I had sealed the success of my first contract.