I stared at the town just a while longer, the street lamps lit up the roads. The houses were lined up neatly in rows. A well kept city, ran tightly and neatly. The mayor must have been a very strict one.
The sound of my footsteps hitting the ground make me think. Of what I was going to do. I thought that I could skip town, maybe go to a new city. But I needed answers. Answers I didn't have, or if I did I forgot.
By now I knew that I'd gotten amnesia, forgetting all my prior memories up to at least the past decade. I remembered my upbringing as a boy, I lived in the capital just north of here. A normal family, my father a merchant and my mother stayed at home. I had a brother, Viper. He was just a year older than me, his green hair stood out to my family.
Growing up he had always been the prized child, whether it was his standout appearance, unparalleled potential, or charismatic personality I couldn't say. My memories stopped on my tenth birthday, I remember waking up, but nothing more. I knew something happened that day, something I needed to remember.
And I knew Viper was deeply connected to me, perhaps finding him meant I could find the path to the answer.
But for now I need to go one step at a time, the blood of nobles are on my hands. In all likelihood, the mayor. Maybe in the past I was an evil serial killer, a bounty hunter, but this amnesia was a new opportunity. A future I could forge for myself. Starting over.
By the time I made it to the base of the stairs, and into the main ground, the town was awake. It was well past midnight, but everyone was out of their house and looking around. I remained hidden in shadows and the dark parts of the street.
I could hear loud chatter, screaming, and chanting. At least thirty guards were on this street, going house to house searching for the perpetrator.
If they found me, blood on my hands, gasping for air, I would have no chance of explaining my way out of this.
I needed to get rid of the blood first and foremost, the guards never caught a glimpse of my face. Just a silhouette.
While on the stairs I remembered my eyes catching a clearing of water on the east side of the town. Likely a pond where kids went to feed ducks, or other animals. But I needed to wash away my sins.
So I walked, and walked. For at least half an hour, I had to stay out of the light. Make sure I was hidden, something that came intrinsically to me. Like I had been doing it my entire life.
I thought of all the possibilities, I could have been framed. But no evidence indicated that in all honesty. Most likely, I suffered a traumatic fall while trying to escape. Busting my head, hence the amnesia, then waking up just a few hours later I forgot it all.
This side of the town was quieter, far less civilians out, it seemed like the noble region of the town. The houses were ornate, and intricate. Each one had several stories, and lush gardens.
I followed my route toward the pond, there was only one house near it, it was old. Vines encompassing the house, and dimly lit inside by lamps. I made it to the back of the house. Letting out a deep breath of relief.
I'd made it here unseen, without a person following.
"River..." a mans voice broke the silence. He was behind me, his voice broke my concentration. It was familiar.
I turned to him, his silhouette hidden, he was tall maybe half a foot taller than me. His stature was imposing, and for the second time since I woke I felt fear. True fear.
"Is it done?" He beckoned.
Done... Did he put me up to this? He has answers I need.
The words came out of me naturally, "All tasks complete, Sir." like I was used to saying it. I knew I was.
He stepped closer, his face becoming barely visible. It was scarred, his left eye was pure white. He had been through battle. And his energy was fierce, overwhelming. The grass seemed to bend to his will. His authority absolute.
He took one step closer, and reached his hand out as if to shake mine. Nervously I reached my hand out. I could tell he was not a man I could disrespect.
His hand was firm, as if it was made of iron. But it wasn't, he was human. Yet he felt like a machine. He shook it, and it felt as if he could tear my hand off with ease if he so wished.
He cleared his voice and lowered his tone, "Come in, the payment's waiting." He said. And reaching his other arm out toward the house, there was a backdoor for us to go in. It was rusted, and paint chipped off. The house wasn't kept well, but it was the largest I could see in the town. No doubt they were influential.
Prime targets for a hired assassin.
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Eight hours earlier.
The sun was out, it's light shone through the office. The desk was made of a dark oak, and on it was a pistol. It's metal reflected back into the man's white eye.
He was seated at the desk, with a woman across from him. She stood, she had on an intricate blouse, and a detailed coat. The shoulder of the coat had a crest on it, a three headed wolf. House Cerberus. The mayor of the town was the current head of house Cerberus, he had been known as the Fang of Faelrau, Faelrau being the name of this county.
He had worked his way through the ranks not through diplomacy nor nobility, but fierce power. He was known as the strongest man in the county, none could match his fierce strength.
The man had on a gray suit, with a coat hanging off the back of his chair, it was gray as well with a dark green lining. But stitched on the side of his coat was a serpent. House Ouroboros, one of the three great houses of Faelrau, along with Cerberus.
"I assure you my Lady, River is the most experienced assassin for this job. His exploits are known throughout Rulau. If anyone can do this job, it is him. Rest assured, I have a contingency plan if he fails." The man smirks, he slurs at the end of his sentences. Sitting on certain syllables as he speaks.
The woman's face eased a little, "I put my faith in you Gustang, do not make me regret it." In that moment a feeling of fear filled Gustang, like he was being hunted. Something he had been unaccustomed to.
The woman then vanished into thin air, leaving nothing but a note behind.
As it fell it captured Gustang's attention, the seal a crimson color, the official seal of House Cerberus.
He stood up from his chair, and went to grab it.
As he opened it he read, Dear Gustang, I am aware of your plans beyond the assassination. If they even so much as grace reality, I will not hesitate in dispatching the finest of Faelrau to dispose of you and your family. Signed Lady L.C.
His one working eye dilated, and his forehead began to sweat. She knew of his gambit, but didn't immediately kill him for it. He was shocked, and terrified. This could only mean the Lady of House Cerberus had more plans than assassinating her husband.
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Back to River.
As I stepped in the house I took in the living room. It was mostly bare, with various artifacts on the long sides of the walls. One in particular, the fangs of a viper, took my attention.
"River, I would like you to meet my associate." Gustang said, his voice came out sharp and reverent.
From the shadow of the room a woman stepped forward, her blouse was elegant. Similar to the one I had seen in the mansion, the one the dead woman had on.
I froze. Petrified, her blouse was ripped, and her stomach had scars, exactly where the body had been cut open.
It was her, but how?
"Oh wipe that look dear, I am not so easy to dispose of." Her voice came out relaxed. Confident.
I was at a loss of words. I took a step back, but in a fraction of a moment I felt like a pack of wolves surrounded me in all directions.
She waved her hand, and a chair from the corner of the room swished behind me.
"Sit, we have much to discuss."