He took a deep breath, taking in the salt tainted air. Frowning he looked to the sky. The sun seemed to by at its peak. It must have been noontime, for people lined the dock cheering and eating and waving at the fish and ducks that swum up to them for food. The figure turned, walking to the fish mart. His nose wrinkled in disgust, fish lying open in the street, rotting under the heat of the sun, the smell nearly gagged the man. He froze in place and looked behind him. He shivered and drew his robes tighter. Lately it felt as if was never alone, that someone was always hanging over his shoulder. The faint image of the reaper comes to mind. With a gasp the man shook the image away violently. Now was not the time to be thinking of death, not his own anyway. He looked into the crowd, glaring at all the people who dared a glance at him. Sighing he silently berated himself foe being a paranoid fool.. but still... something was wrong. Shaking his head he continued to think, no one could know what he was doing.. hell.. he wasn't even that sure himself. Slipping into an alley he made his way through the darkness. A loud clatter echoed through the narrow street. Throwing caution to the wind the man ran. He ran till he could run no more, then collapsed at rotting doorway. The door swung open, the man fell back, his mouth open in a breathless scream. " Get up" rasped the figure in the doorway. The now trembling man climbed unsteadily to his feet. " Get inside... Hurry...You sniveling twit.." The man rushed inside, nearly barreling the silhouette over. Cursing, the figure slammed the door closed. Neither heard the window swing open....
In the dim light the man could make out the chiseled features of his lord. The man licked his lips nervously, eyes darting from one object to another. " You have done well" His lord spoke. " The trackers you sent out proved to be most helpful. It seems that the target is moving toward Mt. Polarous. Thank you for your assistance, you may go. The nervous man opened his mouth to speak, but his lord stopped him fast. " Of course, you want your payment." The figure drew out a pouch from his cloak and tossed it to the man. " There is your gold.. now go, slaughter children and murder families.. or whatever it is you do best. The man nodded and uttered a quick thanks.. then scrambled out the door, falling over a footstool and onto the cold, unforgiving street. The door slammed shut behind him.
Nasty old bugger.. the man thought to himself. " I should have never agreed to help him... I'm sure he cheated me." The man sat down, leaning against the wall of the building. " Bastard... he cheated me out of 20 gold!" I'll ring his neck I will... He paused, looking to see if anyone heard him. Wiping the sweat from his forehead he continued his complaints.. only much quieter. Finally he stood, after assuring himself that he was now missing 50 gold pieces he turned toward the door. Mustering up all his courage he began to stride forward. He stopped however, the world had suddenly grown very dark. A chill shot up his spine and he tore forward, hoping to rid himself of the darkness. The whisper of cold steel leaving it's leather holding stopped him. " Please! I beg of you! Don't kill me! I've done nothing wrong! I was only joking about the money! Really! I'll do anything! Please! Please! Don't kill me!!!!" A voice spoke into his ear, it was quiet, smooth, dangerous. It reminded him faintly of a snake before it struck. " I was given instructions to tell you hired me before I kill you. And so that is how it shall be. Your son.. yes your son Mr. Fletcher.. was the one who wished you dead." Questions flew through his mind.. why would his son want to kill him? What wrong had he committed? Who would run the family business? However all were silenced, as the blade slide smoothly across his throat...
The murderer looked to the corpse and chuckled to himself. He did not know what foolish deed he had committed... but it must have been great, for only those who truly wish death asked for him. He scanned his surroundings, satisfied no one had seen him he drug the body out and into a dilapidated building. Stepping back out and washing his hands off in the cool ocean water he began to think. A target hmm..... I wonder what sort of target they have in mind. Standing he scratched his chin in thought. If someone was tracking it.. chances are they are looking to capture.. or kill someone. Looking to the blades strapped to his side he smiled grimly. Just what I do best....