The second floor seemed quiet, and their progress was swift. Despite being an adult, and normally akin to a grumpy old merchant, Farsilden moved with terrifying speed and though she was close to him, she felt certain that if she lost sight of him for but a moment, he would have disappeared entirely. Not a single normal sign of presence was emanating from Farsilden. No excitement, no breath or hesitation. It was not a feeling, but the certain knowledge that murderous intent was about to choke her out.

“Stop.” His order froze her in her tracks.

“Tell me how many are up ahead.”

“Nobody?” She listened in again, and heard nothing out of the ordinary.

“Wrong.”

“How can you tell?”

“Good question. Your eagerness is commendable. Behind those doors is a child, and two adults. Children are very noisy creatures. The adults, are likely man and woman. They are watching their child play with toys. Listen close. Suppress your excitement, your concern and thoughts and just listen. Listen close. Many sounds are drowned out by merely the beating of your own heart.”

Putting her best efforts in, she listened close, and could after a little while make out a single wooden clacking sound.

“There’s one…”

“Yes, the child dropped a wooden block on the floor.”

“So, will we kill them?”

“A less desirable option. This is where you differ from a professional. Killing children, is abominable. Do not misunderstand. At times it will be necessary. At times, a child will in desperation take up arms against you, and you must slay without pause. But for the sake of killing, never.”

“So how will we get past them?”

“Your decision. Our objective is behind this room, one way or the other, we’ll pass.”

She nodded and readied herself. Four shots prepared. No other options. A deep breath. She confirmed the door was unlocked and opening inwards. She prepared her run and threw herself at the door.

With a loud crash, the door flew open. The two adults barely reacted. Only the child flinched. She took aim and fired a bolt at the child. It almost struck home, but was deflected at the last second.

Hidden from view by curtains, and shadows appeared seven armed guards whom all pointed a sword or a spear at her.

She jumped to her feet and drew her daggers.

“Well done… You murdered my servants… Guards. Kill her!” The woman shouted. The doors behind her suddenly slammed shut and the guards closed in on her. She seized the initiative and attacked the closest guard. Despite his skill at hiding, he was an average fighter at best and she elegantly parried his heavy sweeping attacks, before adding the sharp end of her dagger to his neck. The guard groaned, but no matter how hard she tried, she failed to pull her weapon free.

She pulled her head back just in time as a razor-sharp spear tip was thrust at her face, the sharp metal leaving a deep cut in her cheek and severing the cloth holding her mask in place. Clutching her cheek, she jumped back, blood seeping freely from the deep gash.

“… Evelyn?” A voice filled with shock. She looked up to meet the man’s stare, her face revealed.

It felt like time froze. Something within her stirred, but nothing surfaced, any other thought drowned out by sheer adrenaline.

“Evelyn… Damn you three times over husband! Didn’t you get rid of her!?” The illusion shattered, as the woman began to verbally attack the man. “You told me she was dead!”

“I… I thought she was!”

“It doesn’t matter, kill her! Kill her, kill her now!” The woman shouted hysterically while waving her free arm at her. The child on her other arm.

The guards threw themselves into a furious assault. Barely recovering from the surprise, she jumped clear of the two spears thrust at her, parrying a sword as she landed back on the floor. She raised her arm, and let loose the final bolt in chamber of her arm weapon, piercing her attacker right between the eyes. Before the guard could fall she jumped in behind him, the dying body receiving two jabs by spears in short succession. With the swords out of action, she used the opportunity to close the range. As the spearmen tried to pry their weapons loose she rushed the nearest one, thinking he was unarmed. It was just a glance, but she could not keep herself from it, looking at the man that had uttered the strange name. Her hesitation came due almost immediately.

A heavy metal glove struck the side of her head. The blow dazzled, her, but having been made in a panic had not the power behind it to knock her out. She staggered back as the nearest guard drew his sword and slashed, missing but followed up with a downwards strike with professional skill. Just in time she raised her arm, taking the blow on her mechanical vambrace, the edge breaking the precise machinery inside and only stopping at the metal backing. The guard kept pressing, while the other guard, whom had managed to pull his from his dead compatriot, thrust his spear at her. She deflected the sword pinning her, but failed to dodge the spear.

A moment later she felt the sharp spear tip bore into her thigh. She screamed, and fell to the floor as her leg gave way. Now firmly held in place, the sword-wielding guard raised his weapon for the finishing blow.