10
The sun rose like a glowing orb of liquid fire, painting the dawning sky in exquisite shades of vermillion. Lore swung his bag over one shoulder as he led the horse away from the stable. Trees hung over the path, their emerald leaves rustling in the light breeze. It was nearing the middle of summer, but any traveler passing by would surely mistake it for spring. Bright flowers grew like explosions of color on a deep green field, and the air held the scent of fresh and beautiful things.
"When are you coming back again?" Link stood alone in the grassy field at the town entrance, looking all the more miserable watching his only family leave.
Lore bit his lip. Seeing Link cry was a heartbreaking sight. I'm sorry. I'm never coming back.
His brother shot himself at him with a muffled sob, and wrapped his teensy arms around Lore's torso - argh, heavy "Link, I have to go."
"I know. I don't want you to leave again." Tiny drops of crystal tears escaped his doleful eyes. Lore sighed, his conscious heavy with what he was about to do.
"I'll come back, Link." I am a liar. "You just have to wait a few weeks or so." Lore smiled at him with watery eyes. It ripped his heart to tell such a blatant lie, especially when this might be the last time they meet.
Pulling his brother into one last, tight embrace, he buried his nose in the mess of golden brown hair. "Don't forget, I love you." He mumbled. At least my last words with him was honest. This is for your own good, Link.
Lore then reluctantly pulled away from the hug's warmth, and climbed onto the saddle. The townsfolk will care for him, they love him.
Spurring the horse into action, he looked over his shoulder. Link was on his knees, sniveling and staring after the horse longingly. Lore tore his gaze away from the sight. Too late now.
12
Link's bones felt like stretched rubber. Exhaustion radiated from his very being, released in waves of painful groans and agonized expressions.
"Alright. You're done for the day." The master said, gesturing for him to stop. Link slowed to a stop, and then collapsed onto the ground in a sweaty heap. We ran across half the county…. And yet the master hasn't sweated a drop. How is that even possible? Is he human? Link thought, before closing his eyes. I'm…..so… . . sleepy
14
Happy birthday to me… Link gazed blankly at the small custard pie he barely managed to pay for. Silent loneliness pervaded the room. It was etched into the very walls, locking the windows shut, barring the fourteen year old's heart shut with a frozen chill.
15
"Hey, girly!" A rough hand seized at his hair, yanking his head to the side. Link was surrounded. Again.
One of the boys shoved him to the ground. Link's cheap hair tie had loosened, splaying his slightly long hair everywhere. He elbowed one of his assailants, but the other still had a grip in his hair. It was wrenched backwards roughly, almost tearing off his scalp. Brutish faces leered down at him.
"Che. You have a prettier face than my sister." One of the boys, the one that Link liked to call 'Fatty', said.
Fatty leaned in, his sweet candy breath making Link cringe, "My sister is the prettiest, get it?" I don't care about your ugly ass sister, ugh. Link thought, writhing in the harsh grip.
Despite being like what, 15? 16 years old, he still had a frustrating small frame compared to these thuggish fools around him. A simple bro hug from these jerks felt like an iron punch. An actual punch from them must feel like an ox cart crash.
Masquerading as a village boy might've been a bad idea. He should've gone with crossdressing, the pretty girls don't get slapped around. But of course, he had his masculine pride.
One of the thugs struck his face. "Hey, ya sure he's actually a lad?" Link growled. Hit me one more time and I will tear off your testes and cook it in your mother's stew.
They hit him one more time.
Link thrashed out his booted feet, lashing out at the boy behind him, not even flinching as strands of his golden hair was torn out of his scalp. Jerking to the side to dodge a blow, he elbowed Fatty and struck the next in a well placed thrust.
Target spotted.
A young man in a tailored suit– probably silk -was casually leaning on one side of the open stall booth. He stuck out like a sore thumb among the rough clothing and filthy mud of the mundane farmfolk.
With trained eyes, Link spotted the documents peeking out of his emerald waistcoat, probably tucked in there hurriedly.
The idiots lying around the assassin were starting to stir, so Link stood up to pick up his fallen possessions. Ugh, thank god this place is somewhat secluded. The master would kill me if I caused a commotion.
As he left the alley, he made sure to step harshly on their heads, smiling cruelly when he heard a nose crack. Keeping an eye on the target, Link subtly followed him through the market crowd, stopping every so often to pretend to look at the fruits. The man was heading towards a well-known inn, one of the better ones in town.
He will have to wait it out for the perfect moment. Link reached into the leather bag strapped to his shoulder, pulling out a deep black cloak-scarf hybrid. It was woven with electric blue runes. Brother…
He pulled it up into a hood, and chose a high vantage point to await his target. Looking down from the tower the teeming mass of humanity seemed small, no more than ants crawling in organized chaos.
The target was most likely going in for a nice dinner before retiring for the night. Even though the sun had just begun to set, Link could already see the stars. The setting sunlight rippled from shocking pink to rich purple to navy blue, painting the sky in splashes of splendor. Below, the crowd has mostly dispersed, and the street candles were being lit. Up where Link was, the silence reigned like a cooling touch. The deceptive quietness blanketed the beating of his heart, his fingers tracing the fine design of the deadly bow.
It was always like this before a kill. There was always that heart thumping, terrifying moment of absolute stillness. His thick framed eyes lowered, trailing down the old brick buildings.
It was near the mid of night when the man again stepped out onto the cobbled pavement. Illuminated by the soft glow of candle streetlight, the target swayed slightly. Intoxicated. Link squinted; he could see a small dreamy smile curved on his face. A sleepy drunk?
Link could see the dark patches in the town where the streetcandles had not been lighted or had been blown by the wind. He waited for his target to enter those places, his body as tense as his bow.
Link notched his bow. The target stopped to rest near a lamppost.
He drew the arrow, aiming. The target stopped moving, as if he sensed the impending danger.
Link inhaled, aiming for the heart.
He released.
A/N: Hey! Sorry this update's a bit late :P I promise that it'll get more exciting soon. Also, please read and review! It would be the most perfect birthday present :)