Chapter 8 - Assassination initiated
When Oliver came around once more in the cave, his eyes looked dazed and foggy. His wound didn't seem to bother him at all anymore, because it had now been weeks since his last conscious period.
He immediately sat straight up without any problems and begun studying his surroundings. Spotting an individual who stood hidden amongst the shadows watching him, Oliver immediately jumped to his feet and placed himself in a defensive position.
"Who are you? I can see you're there. Show yourself!" he demanded.
The older man dressed in black emerged from the darkness.
"My name is Ra's al Ghul. Great to see your quick recovery. Do you remember what happened?" the man asked. Oliver stared at him but remained silent; deep in thoughts. "Does the word 'Arrow' mean anything to you?"
No recognition sparked in Oliver's eyes this time. Ra's al Ghul even tested if the younger man recognized his real name 'Oliver Queen', but his face still remained expressionless and nonresponsive
"I have a feeling I'm fond of arrows..." the youngling finally replied slowly, almost as if the words were pulled one by one out of his mouth. "But I have no memory of a person going by that name you said. Should I have?"
"No. I didn't expect you to, just wanted to check so I don't tell you things you already remember." Ra's al Ghul explained; feeling satisfied that the memory-serum seemed to have worked flawlessly this time. "Oliver Queen was a close friend of yours. You resembled each other so much that people often confound the two of you for one other. Unfortunately, he chose to betray the League and also tried to kill you. You had a fight on top of a mountain. Oliver was defeated and didn't make it. You managed to survive the battle, but suffered a nasty hit to your head as you fell from a ledge. I'm afraid it's not likely your memories will ever return." He laid a supportive hand on Oliver's shoulder. "There are only two things of importance that you need to remember. Your name is Rohe' Nool and you've always been a part of us; the League of Assassins."
As he finished the sentence, loads of people slowly walked into the cave-like room; all dressed entirely in black and with faces hidden. One by one they removed their disguises and took turns to come over and introduce themselves. Rohe' didn't recognize anyone except one man – who he guessed originated from somewhere in Asia – going by the name of Sarab. Why this individual seemed familiar when no one else did was beyond him. The two locked gazes for a minute, but didn't have a chance to interact further.
"Nothing pleases me more than to have our brother Rohe' Nool back amongst us." the Demon declared to the gathered crowd. "The betrayal and loss of Oliver Queen is still fresh in mind, but we have another matter which must be dealt with immediately."
A short break followed, just long enough for the listeners to inhale some of the respectful silence lingering in the air, but still not lose interest.
"Word has been sent from Nyssa, who headed back to Starling City a couple of weeks ago. She was to inform Oliver Queen's friends about his demise, but instead she overheard a conversation. It has come to her attention that Oliver Queen wasn't really the one who murdered Ta-er al-Sahfer. He took the blame for his sister's deed. Her father,Al Sa-Her, had drugged her into committing murder. Even if the girl claims to have no memory of it, she used the bow to commit the murder. Both father and daughter must pay the ultimate price – losing their lives."
Approving murmurs echoed throughout the chamber, before a quiet hush was ordered from the leader.
"Rohe' Nool – you and Sarab must go to Starling City. Converge with Nyssa and take out the Magician and his daughter. Only then will the soul of Ta-er al-Sahfer get peace."
Rohe' mirroring the Asian man across the room by bowing slightly. Sarab than turned to his partner, telling him to follow. The pair left the rest of the crowd behind and went to a nearby room to grab their gear. Then they took of.
Their mission: to murder two murderers.