Dawn was breaking. Sarenya had chased the messenger to an inn named ‘Nora’s inn’. The assassin had spent a night here almost two years ago, hidden in the stables (without the owner knowing that is). Sarenya was peeking through one of the windows. There the messenger sat, a tankard of beer in front of him. In midst of other sots, having a blank look on his face. How would she get rid of him? Entering the inn was out of question, the messenger was not to see her face, it was too risky. Sarenya guessed the messenger would surely take a room for the night here, so she could try to peek through the windows on the top floor. She could break in, kill him and vanish. Tempting, but that would hardly look like an accident now, would it? Sabotage the bridle on his horse? He would fall off and break his neck if the assassin was lucky. Curses! She punched the wall. The assassin did not want to return to the king without having completed her task. Failure was out of question. Sarenya, the personal guard of King Elsurion does not fail.

“Whatever the source of you anger is, that wall can hardly be it.”

Sarenya jumped! Caught off guard and ripped out of her thought process, she turned around and grabbed the speaker. Sarenya slammed him against the wall and pressed the dagger to his throat.

“Sarenya! Stop! For Solaria’s sake, what are you doing?”

It was Marius. The assassin stared at him, her eyes showed the readiness to kill him. Needing a moment to process who Sarenya was about to kill, a few seconds passed in complete silence. Then, the realization struck. The dagger was taken off Marius’ throat and she let him go.

“Never sneak up on me like that again.”, the assassin stated coldly. On the inside, she panicked. She had almost killed the king’s childhood friend! How was she going to explain this?

“Are you nuts Sarenya?”

She did not reply.

“What are you doing out here?”, Marius’ gaze was piercing her.

“I am on an assignment on the king’s personal behalf.”

Marius gave her a curious look, then asked: “You attacked the messenger’s escort, did you not?”

Sarenya’s eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.

Marius looked at the inn. He tilted his head to the side and said: “You let them get away. You followed them.”

Sarenya looked at him angrily.

“So, it is true then. A hot mess you got yourself in.”

“What are you doing here then?”, the assassin tried to change the subject.

“Me? Well, I am on an assignment on the king’s personal behalf.”

Marius using the exact same phrase for an answer did not pass by Sarenya unnoticed. Assumingly, he tried to mock her.

“Who is left of the escort?”

Sarenya hesitated to answer. She decided that lying was pointless as Marius had already guessed her assignment right.

“Only the messenger is left.”

“And you will kill him?”

“That is the king’s order.

“Dear Solaria, why?”

“This is none of my concern.”

Marius took a deep breath. Marius looked, as if an idea just struck him.

“Is he in the inn, still?”

“Presumably.”

“Don’t kill him just yet.”

“You are not to order me.”

Marius rolled his eyes. “Alright. Please don’t kill him just yet?”

“Why?”

“I think I have need of him first.”

“For?”

“I could sound him out.”

“About?”, Sarenya’s curiosity awoke.

“That is my assignment. I am to find out what is going on in Ayumir. This messenger is an excellent opportunity. Perhaps he knows something important.”

“Unacceptable. My task is clear, he has to die.”

“Think for a moment Sarenya. Or do you want me to tell the king that you failed your task and, additionally, hindered mine?”

Sarenya’s hand went to her dagger automatically.

“Are you threatening me, Marius?”

Marius thought for a moment.

“Maybe. Or perhaps I try to show an opportunity. Let me question him first. You can kill him later.”

Sarenya did not like what Marius was suggesting. He had a point however.

“Fine. But you will assist me to cover up his death as an accident afterwards.”

Marius nodded. “Deal.”

“What are you planning?”

“I’ll improvise.”, Marius replied snippily.

The assassin took a deep, annoyed breath.

“You have tonight. Every additional minute is a risk I’m not willing to take.”

Marius gave her an intense look, then went for the tavern without another word.