Aaand I'm back =) Don't think this one took as long as the last, but I know it was still ages. Therefore….THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR PATIENCE! :) Let's hope that this is going to improve my updating, since my life is now much simpler lol.
Thanks times a million to everyone who reviewed, you rock and I hope yours, and every reader's, future is filled with extra smiles, laughs and lots of cookies :):):)!
Navigator101-Thankyouthankyouthankyou for the awesome beta work and your review! (I personally think everyone in their right mind should be scared of Goodwin, cause she's awesome lol)
DCI Keller-Glad you liked it, I hope you like this one as much, though I wasn't aiming for funny this time. And I think I've might've almost got the speech right…maybe…enjoy :)
Alyss Mainwaring-Thank you!
Mistyrious One-hehe, I know I'm sorry. This was quicker I think and hopefully the next will be quicker again.
Flare Ride-Thanks very much for your reviews, I really love getting feedback for you guys and picking up on where I can improve, hope you like it.
Kimicka-Here's more :P And for what she'll do you'll just have to wait and see ;)
Tishica-I'm getting there…slowly lol, thanks for your review.
Okay, now I've got my surprisingly long intro done, on with the story! Hope ya's all like it :)!
I walked briskly through the halls to the kitchen with Bravln close on my heels. He said naught but I could hear the eager bounce in his steps. The kitchen staff and cook bowed their heads to me as I entered. If they were surprised to see me they hide it well.
I smiled at the Cook, a middle aged heavy set woman with thick dark hair and kind eyes. "Thank you for the meal, it was lovely."
She smiled and tossed Bravln an apple. "My pleasure Mistress, tell the young un's that theirs will be ready soon?"
I nodded and glanced at the boy beside me, he'd dropped the apple into a pocket. "I will."
All the people working in this house are specially chosen, most I know are family to my assassins. You can be sure that they are trust worthy.
We stepped into the pantry and pulled back a large sack of potatoes to lift up a section of the floor, revealing a darkened tunnel entrance.
Bunching my skirts together I slid down and felt with my feet for the ladder then climbed down until I hit the solid tunnel floor. Bravln seemed to simply slide instead of climb and I chuckled as he dropped at my feet. He was agile and eager to learn, good traits.
"How long have you been here?" I asked as we continued towards the lockup.
"Four summers Mistress." He replied.
"I thought we didn't take any younger then twelve summers."
"My Da was one of your men, when Ma died I came to live with him here. I'd like 'ta stay."
I smiled sadly, he'd said was. I hoped that his father hadn't been killed while I was here. This wasn't the life for a child, or anyone really, but it gave options. I'd make sure that the assassin's life would only be taken up by choice. Force would not be used to gain members under my command. "Of course you can stay." I replied softly as we entered the Guards Quarters.
Lanterns lined the walls of the quarters that consisted of one large open space and narrower hallways branching off it. Along the narrow halls were the separate rooms. It felt almost like day in here and the air was fresh and clear. The men and women in the room quickly got to their feet and bowed in greeting.
I held up a hand and nodded back to them with a smile.
"Good to see you up, you off to see Gavlen Mistress?" One of the older veterans asked me with a knowing smirk.
"I am Curtis, would one of you send word to the trainers the Cook is about ready to feed the young ones please?"
A younger mot nodded and left to do so.
"Does Gavlen know sommat yet?" Curtis asked interestedly. News spread faster then the plague in this place.
"I'm about to find out, I hear there's a birdie that might sing." I gave my people a quick grin and they returned it with wolfish smiles.
Another of the veterans, a woman with a close shaved head and twin scars on the bottom of either cheek, clapped me on the shoulder. "We'll be ready when you get word Mistress." She ruffled Bravln's hair and nudged him towards the exit the younger mot had taken. "And you should go 'an eat."
He looked up at me questioningly.
"Off you go." I said with a chuckle. "Before it's all gone."
He nodded quickly and jogged off only to turn around and dart back to me, bowed, and took off again.
The rest of us laughed and I took my leave, walking faster to make up time to the lockup.
Guards on the door let me through and closed it behind me. Unlike the quarters this area was darker and the air in here was thicker and hit your lungs sharper. I walked up the middle hall, it wasn't that wide and the cells were directly connected without the extra halls like the barracks.
Just as I was wondering which of the many doors held Myra's second in command one opened and he stuck his head out.
Gavlen was rather short, shorter then me, but he was well muscled and formidable looking. He had narrow eyes and a sharp, straight nose and a mouth that rarely smiled. His face seemed to be constantly set to a serious, brooding expression. He was a hard cove, and had to be for his part.
"Mistress." He indicated his head for me to come.
Opening the door wider to let me inside, I fought not to show how the air inside the cell affected me but I may have grimaced. It was worse then the outside in here, it smelt like pain and death.
"You'll get used to it."
I looked up at the other guard standing in the opposite corner, he was friendlier looking. He was taller and leaner with softer features and bigger eyes. I nodded to him in acknowledgement as breathing became easier.
Gavlen grunted and gestured to the cove slumped against the far wall of the small cell, visibly shaking. He walked over and tucked his fingers under the cove's chin and tilted his head up so I could see his face. It was unmarked, no cuts, no bruises, no old scars. His hands, arms and shoulders were also free of scars. His eyes though, were wide and filled with fear. I knew why they had chosen him to pressure for information first, an unmarked face and body meant he was new, fresh and softer.
Scars meant survival and experience.
He was one of the ones who attempted to free Father from the kennel.
I didn't know the techniques of the lockup's guards, and from the look in this cove's eyes, I didn't want to, but I did know that they worked. So I swallowed my distaste for torture and raised an eyebrow, assuming my roll.
"This is our Mistress, the one you wanted to talk to." Gavlen said with a practised patience. "You're to tell her what you know about the traitor."
The wide eyes only then settled on me. I folded my arms and tilted my head slightly to the side then waited.
"I-I-I-I." The cove stuttered. He was not the man he once was, nor would he ever be again.
Gavlen sighed. "We don't have all day boy."
I took a step forward and knelt in front of him so we were nearly eye level. "If you tell me what I want to know, I'll see that your interrogations are stopped, as long as it's the truth."
He nodded understandingly.
"Good, now, what do you know about the one I want?"
He sucked in a breath and leant towards me. Gavlen and the guard's, hands went towards their weapons but I gestured for them to stay.
"The traitor…" He whispered in a hoarse voice, his fear stricken eyes locked with mine.
"Yes?" I urged, he was desperate for a way out.
"…I know where he was staying…" He leant closer and murmured the location in my ear.
I rose to my feet and smirked as the fire began in my stomach. "Thank you."
"What do you want done with him?" Gavlen asked as he let me out and walked me to the entrance.
"Wait and see if what he says is true. Then you may deal with him however you see fit. Be sure to check with Myra, no doubt she'll have an idea."
He smirked. "Very good my lady."
"Oh Gavlen?" I called before leaving the lockup. He looked back at me silently. "Make sure there's an empty cell by tomorrow." The fires danced and grew larger, I could almost feel their heat on my skin. For once, the feeling made me smile.
He raised two fingers in a salute. "Will do Mistress."
Sooo….what did you think? It's not as long as I originally hoped for but I wanted to end it there so yeah. I wanted it to have a bit more to do with the other fighters and open up more into that world instead of just the couple I had been working with.
Next chapter is fighting it's way out of my head and (hopefully-fingers crossed) won't be as long a wait.
Don't forget to tell me what you think! Til next time, xoxo.
xXAngelStormXx