The park was empty when SJ arrived. The walk from District 11 had been enjoyable. SJ stopping several times, browsing a few of the traders' stalls on the street. She had found a small jewellery box she had liked the look of and purchased it for a silver, storing it in her inventory. She knew it had been over priced but she didn't complain. It would be a nice present for Cristy, she had always had one as a teenager where she stored her keep sakes.
'I still haven't discovered a pet trainer yet.'
"I think there was one in the inner city," Dave said.
'Why didn't you mention it?'
"I didn't think, sorry. I will remind you later when we go back. You also need to sell the items you have still. I thought you were going to visit the enchanters as well?"
'I am and I do need to. I could spend weeks here and not see everything.'
"It's a large city. Also, do you have to return when Zigferd and Cristy do?"
'I should do. Although I was considering letting them get the coach back and I could portal back to Farleck, giving me more time. It will really help in the future having the house when I reach level 20.'
"It will. It was a good idea."
'No further updates on the dungeon core?'
"No. I doubt there will be anything for a while. I didn't get the feeling that it would be prioritised."
'Thanks for asking, whatever the outcome.'
SJ almost had a heart attack when the being appeared from the bush to the side of where she was standing in the park. She had been standing near the bench and had been looking towards the street and the Black Griffin.
"Argh," SJ squealed.
The goblin raised his eyebrow at her response. "A little jumpy aren't you?" Carlito said.
"What do you expect? I didn't even see you coming."
"You have the skill now yourself," Carlito smiled.
"Shadow Step."
"Any shadow is a friend to my kind. We have a problem that needs attending to. It seems your friend from the tower has taken serious offence to your continuing existence. There is a new open contract for your head."
"What? My head."
"Yes. Literally your head. It is quite lucrative as well. The offer is 8 gold."
Feeling panic rise in her chest, SJ felt her palms dampen with sweat as she stared at Carlito.
"Malaki?"
"Yes. He hasn't even bothered about anonymity in his posting. He is quite happy for people to know."
"Isn't that dangerous for him?"
"Yes. Potentially, it depends on how we deal with it. If the contract can't be fulfilled, it will be nullified."
"How do we go about that?"
"Kill Malaki Fretun. The contract fee will be voided if he is not alive to pay it."
SJ's display triggered.
Class Quest - Defend your honour
Take action to eliminate Malaki Fretun and ensure his contract for your head cannot be fulfilled.
Reward: One class perk point.
Anger bubbled in SJ. The horrible man had not only tried to get her kicked off the council but had now taken his own failings and directed them at her. She had been stupid to think that such a man would disappear quietly. "I can't believe he has opened a contract against a council member. Would that not be questioned?"
"Who will question it? Eight gold is eight gold. Many an assassin would jump at the chance of the bounty."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Not specifically. I have some of my scouts searching the districts, but his whereabouts are unknown currently."
"You have scouts?"
"Everywhere," Carlito smiled, a wicked glint in his eye.
"How many contracts are open in the guild?"
"Many, there is always work available. Or rivals to dispose of, not that I have many personally."
The thought of having a being like Carlito hunting them made SJ shudder. Having experienced his abilities, she doubted many would survive against him.
"How long has the job been posted?"
"Five hours now."
"So long enough for others to be looking for me. Great, I thought I may have some peace for at least a day." SJ was supposed to have a day off tomorrow before the final council meeting the day after, and then they were scheduled to leave Asterfal again. At this rate, she would not have time to do anything. "Do you know any others that have taken it up?"
"At least two, I am aware of. I don't think you will have too much to worry about from them. They are low level."
"Low level guild members are still higher than me?!"
"You keep forgetting one element of being an assassin. Levels don't matter. I have dealt with much higher level targets than myself before. It is all about the execution, no pun intended. You can kill a much higher level with a surprise attack before they even know you are there."
"I wish I had looked at Shadow Discipline now as a branch. The Shadow Step skill is amazing."
"Shadow Discipline has its merits, but I wish I was skilled in Martial Arts and unfortunately am not. Each branch has its perks. You will discover in time as yours continues to grow."
SJ's senses suddenly went wild. Instinctively, she ducked and turned, looking around. The figure appeared from her left, slashing a blade down towards her head. Rolling off the bench where they had sat, SJ stood and faced her attacker. The being stood six feet tall, appearing muscular and had the poise of a fighter.
SJ equipped her claws, parrying as the blade swung at her again, triggering her shroud skill. Carlito sat calmly, watching the fight unfold. Grunting, SJ pushed the blade aside as she came to terms with her attacker. Her initiative gave her a significant advantage, and she moved swiftly inside her opponent's range, punching with her clawed fist. Her claws struck metal armour, not penetrating. This figure was either not an assassin or a high level one, knowing that you couldn't wear chain mail until level 40.
"Legs," Dave yelled.
As the figure brought his sword back across his body towards SJ, she dropped to a crouch under its swing, kicking out with her foot at its ankle. Her foot connected, and the figure staggered from the blow. SJ didn't give it time to regain its balance, slashing with her arm at its now leading leg. Her blades cut through the material drawing blood and her display triggered, activating her bleed effect.
The figure grunted in pain and stepped back gingerly this time, limping as it placed weight on its injured leg. She wasn't going to give them recovery time and would use the advantage of shroud while it still lasted, springing forwards with both her blades straight aimed for its legs. The figure again tried to move its sword down and SJ, at the last moment, used her left hand to deflect the blade as her claws on her right dug into its thigh.
It bellowed in pain, both its legs now injured, and as SJ withdrew her claws, it grunted. Stepping away again.
"Enough," Carlito said.
The figure immediately stepped further away, wincing as it moved. The look on in its eyes showing the pain. SJ was ready to pounce again, when Carlitos' voice stopped her in her tracks.
Cautiously, she stood, glancing at Carlito. "He works for you?"
"Yes. You may go now," Carlito said in a casual tone. "Please sit again."
"What the hell was that about?" SJ asked angrily, not sitting.
"I needed to make sure you were capable of defending yourself. If I am putting my faith in you, then I need to ensure you can." The goblin shrugged nonchalantly.
SJ was fuming at how Carlito had tested her. "Why would you get me attacked like that? He went for my head."
"Yes. If he had succeeded, I would have been eight gold wealthier. I did hope that he wouldn't, though."
"So, there is actually a bounty on my head? And if so, why have you accepted the contract?"
"It is an open contract. Anyone can complete it. There are no precursors or agreements to hold for a period before others attempt. You passed my test well. I was impressed with your speed. Your movements are very fast for someone of such a level as yourself. You must have a high Dexterity, and your senses are strong, realising the attack was coming before it did. Few would have moved so easily from a surprise attack."
"I am sure you could have found an easier way to test me," SJ fumed.
Ignoring SJ's remark, Carlito said. "Now you must complete your quest before others get on your trail. I wish you luck. I will know when or if you succeed, since the contract in the guild will either fail or be fulfilled. Hopefully, the prior." Smiling, the Goblin stood and walked off towards the street.
"Well, he is a bundle of fun," Dave sarcastically said as Carlito left.
'Thanks for the shout about their legs. That really helped.'
"Of course."
'I better find Malaki. Darren said he first met him in the Bugbears. I think it's time to find the bar.' Walking into the bushes, SJ shrunk before taking off, heading straight back to her home.
Landing she found Jay sat in the lounge with Lurtew, Yawnee, and Cristy.
"Hi SJ," Lurtew said as she entered.
"Hi."
"You don;t look happy," Jay frowned.
"No. I'm not. Jay, could I have a word, please?"
Standing, Jay followed SJ as she headed back upstairs to her room. Once she was inside and she shut the door, she turned to Jay and asked. "Do you know the Bugbears?"
"Yes. It's in District 5. Not a bad bar, not the best, but the music is good usually. Why?"
"I need to find someone."
"Who?"
SJ thought about her response before she spoke. "Malaki has raised a contract on me. I need to find him and stop him."
"You mean a contract, contract, don't you?" Jay said, surprised.
"Yes. There is a kill order open for my head."
"Hairy troll's feet. How did you find out?"
"I can't say. I have just been made aware, though. It's still new, so hopefully few are looking for me yet. I don't want to bring trouble here, though. Could you stay here and protect Cristy and the others while I search for him?"
"Anything to help. I can't believe that scum has raised a contract on you. Once the tower finds out, they will deal with him. You should report it."
"And how do I explain to the chancellor that I know that a kill order has been raised? I have no proof."
"Then how can you accept the word of someone who told you?"
SJ closed her eyes, clenching her lips. "Can I trust you Jay?" SJ knew his reputation status had risen to honoured, but that was not as high as revered and she really didn't know the levels of loyalty the reputation held.
Furrowing his brow, Jay said. "Of course. Why do you ask?"
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Dave said.
'Yes,' SJ said.
"I was informed by Carlito."
"What the..." Jay's eyes were now as wide as saucers. "Why would Carlito inform you there is a kill order against you?"
"He is my sponsor."
Jay's eyes couldn't even go any wider; his eyebrows had already disappeared on top of his head, and he staggered backwards until he reached the edge of the bed. "I knew your fighting skills were good, from the minotaur fight, but an assassin? You're really an assassin."
"Yes. My class is an assassin."
Dumb-founded, Jay sat staring at SJ in shock for several moments. "Carlito, though. How on Amathera did Carlito become your sponsor? They were trying to kill you the other day."
"That's a little longer a story than I have time for now."
"Do the others know your class?"
"Cristy and Zigferd do. Lurtew and Yawnee don't, and I don't wish them to be caught up in my problems. From what I have been told, I am not a typical assassin!"
"I'm not sure what makes a typical assassin," Jay said frankly.
"Nor I, to be honest. I am sorry Jay. I never meant to cause any problems while in Asterfal. I just seem to have an uncanny knack for attracting the wrong type of attention."
"All I have seen is someone who cares for their friends. I would never have suspected anything else. You keep your true identity hidden well."
"I'm not sure if that is necessarily a good or a bad thing," SJ sighed. "So where in District 5 is the Bugbears?"
Jay spent the next ten minutes explaining exactly where the Bugbears was situated, trying to give SJ directions that she could see from the air, after she had stated she would be flying. SJ emptied the contents of her inventory on to the bed. Asking Jay to give the jewellery box to Cristy. Even though SJ knew she would be annoyed not being told what was going on, she still couldn't get past the fact that she was only five years old.
After SJ had been looking at her map as Jay spoke and had a rough idea of the direction but hadn't been through District 5 before, so most of it was covered in the fog of war still. Cursing inwardly at not spending the time opening the map up fully, she shrunk and flew from the balcony. She hoped no one was seeing her come and go by using the balcony. A six inch tall fae wasn't the easiest to see at the best of times. Not planning to return to the house until the matter was dealt with.
It was a couple of hours later that she managed to locate the Bugbears, it was further towards the outer wall than she had expected in District 5. The streets surrounding the bar were dark and foreboding, the tall buildings keeping the street level in darkness much of the time. It was early evening and the sound of music and laughter filtered up to where she was standing on the roof of the building opposite. This building was taller and there were no others overlooking its location. Remembering vague details from Darren, she had a rough idea about its interior. Several windows were open on the upper floors as she peered over the edge of the roof.
"So what's the plan?" Dave asked.
'For now, nothing. I am just going to watch who comes and goes.'
"Oh, a stakeout. Exciting, well hopefully more exciting than standing in alley in Killic watching traders. At least here there is more going on."
As Dave finished talking, a goblin came crashing out of the door to the Bugbears. A large orc following him. The goblin went to get to its feet as the orc kicked it in its side, send it sprawling further.
"CHEATING SCUM," the orc shouted.
The scene reminded SJ of when she had first met Gary and Setu in Killic. This occurrence didn't hold back on violence though as the orc went to attack the goblin again. It called a blade to its hand and slashed at the orc, catching it on its leg. The orc bellowed in rage, calling its own blade. A to and fro occurred them both, lunging to strike the other before a whistle could be heard down the street. Turning, SJ could see members of the guard running towards the fight. Both combatants hid their blades, the goblin taking the opportunity to bolt for an alleyway as the orc was distracted. The orc turned, seeing him flee and gave chase. The guards charged past the Bugbears and turned, following them down the alley.
"Already gets a 10/10 for entertainment purposes," Dave chuckled.
SJ shook her head, not replying. It was a couple of hours later, as darkness set in the skies and the chill of the night and SJ started to feel the cold of the night when the form of the man she recognised approached the bar. He was wearing his usual cloak she had seen hi in previously, with the telltale emblem of the Asterfal council on it.
'He is still pretending to be part of the inner city.'
"Are you surprised? He is a lowlife piece of troll dung."
'No. I'm not. After all the tricks he tried to play on Kerys and what he got Darren to do, nothing surprises me from that man. I still don't understand why nothing came of his attack on the inn. I never spoke to Zigferd or Alice about it.'
"So what now you have found him?"
'I think it will be best to wait for him to leave and follow him. I can't walk into the inn and attack him.' Settling on the roof, SJ sat watching the entrance to the Bugbears.
