The Exile Son: Blood by the Fire

A moonless sky looked down on the city of Rhalane. Lenara scanned her surroundings from the rooftop she was laying on. She peered down below her. Being three stories in the air without anything between her and the ground made her head spin. Even still, she forced herself to look. Ever since her and Thomas’ encounter with Sidine, she didn’t feel safe anywhere. The pair had done as she asked and avoided her and the Pine Grove Tavern as she had asked. Lenara, Thomas, and Runnard agreed that this would only escalate the situation and make everything more difficult. Lenara thought back to the meeting after the encounter.

“We will have to accelerate,” Runnard said.

“Accelerate?” Lenara said.

Runnard nodded. “I thought we could keep things subtle, in the dark. Now we are left with one option.”

“Kill Lord Drestin,” Thomas said, finishing Runnard’s thought.

“It will raise questions. It will anger and outrage much of the nobility. They will want someone to blame and most likely, they will blame the Aegarnian Collective.”

“Wouldn’t that be a good thing?” Lenara said.

Thomas Rakeheart shook his head. “It only inflames the situation between the two kingdoms. Alcrine can’t win a war against Aegarn.”

“The nobles will want to spill Aegarnian blood, they won’t feel safe. While I can only boast only some small influence as things stand, I may be able to advise them to err on the side of caution and instead prepare the kingdom for the impending invasion rather than going on the attack when Rhalane is mine,” Runnard said.

“Then it’s settled,” Thomas said. “We stick a blade in the man’s heart.”

Lenara’s eyes settled on the large manor that sat just a few buildings away from her. She was positioned on the right side of the manor. There was regular movement on the walls of the manor and in parts of the garden and yard that she could see. The yard was large, it accommodated a large marble fountain at its center. At least 8 guards by her count. Turning her gaze to the manor itself she counted half a dozen windows. She spied a balcony on second floor at the back of the house. Six potential entrances. Then the doors at the front and the balcony at the back makes eight. Thomas, which entrance will you choose?

The was a ragged, pained gasp from the street below. “Lenara.”

Turning her gaze to the dark streets below her, Lenara spied Thomas leaning on the wall of the building. She descended the side of the tenement house, reaching from one window ledge to the next. It didn’t take the girl long to reach the ground. “What happened? Is everything alright? Did you kill him?”

Thomas shook his head. Between labored gasps, he said, “I couldn’t get in. Sidine ambushed me. Stuck a knife between my ribs.”

Lenara’s hand darted to her blade. “Is she still alive? Did she follow you?”

“No. Paid her back for the stabbing, and all the cuts she gave me. She’s as wounded as I am, if not worse.”

Relief washed over Lenara. “We need to get you back to Runnard’s manor.”

Thomas clutched his wound. “I can get myself there. It isn’t far.” A bitter chuckle from Thomas filled the street. “I guess I should be grateful that the rich and powerful live so close to one another, even when they’re at war with one another.”

“What about the assassination?”

“You’ll have to handle it.”

Lenara blinked. “You can’t be serious. This is my first assignment. I’m not ready to do something like this.”

“You’ve been trained in every skill you’ll need to finish this. I left the one person who could warn Drestin wounded in an alleyway. If she gets back to him then you won’t have a chance. In the best circumstance if this happens then his guards are on alert, and you’ll be found and killed. Worst case, he goes into hiding and his hired blade hunts the both of us down.”

Lenara was silent. The last thing I want is having to look over my shoulder every waking moment in case Sidine is waiting to stick her knives into me. Her eyes darted around the empty street. “If he dies, then she’ll leave us alone?”

“Without payment she won’t be a threat. If you want to remove her payment, you must kill Lord Drestin.”

Taking in a deep breath of the cool night air, Lenara steadied herself. “I’ll finish this tonight.”

Thomas smiled and nodded. “I know you will. Good luck.”

The pair went their separate ways into the night. Thomas to heal and Lenara to end a life. Lenara navigated the dark corridors of the city as the walls to Drestin’s manor drew closer and closer. She peered around every corner for the wounded Sidine, searching for the faintest motion or gleam of a steel blade flashing in the dark. Neither came.

What if she’d already made it to the manor? What then? Should I flee or press on? Lenara considered the options and the implications of both as she pressed against the manor wall. No, I press forward, no matter what happens. Running her hands along the cold stones of the wall, Lenara found crevices to fit her fingers into and began her ascent up the wall. It would not be a long climb on the fifteen-foot-tall structure. As she neared the top, torch light and the sound of heavy footfalls approached from the left of the wall. Lenara halted and pulled herself closer to the wall. She turned her eyes up. A sleepy-eyed guard stood above her. Lenara held her breath as the man stayed put. He scanned the courtyard and yawned. Lenara felt the muscles in her body burn and ache. Each second was longer than the last. The man stretched, yawned again, then continued his patrol, continuing further down the length of the wall. Lenara took several deep breaths and hoisted herself up onto the wall. She took a short time to rest while the muscles in her arms and legs recovered.

From her new position she counted the guards and anyone else on the manor grounds. Twelve guards patrolling the walls and grounds, and at least five people inside. She eyed her possible entrances. Six windows on this side, but I’d likely be spotted from the inside if not from one of the guards. Without a doubt, the front door is guarded. That just leaves the balcony. Lenara gaged the distance to be a little over a hundred feet. The hedges in the garden would provide decent cover. Lenara chewed her lip. The last twenty feet or so would be open. Then there’s the climbing.

Exhaling, Lenara moved to the ledge of the wall and climbed down into the garden. Staying low, and keeping close to the hedges, Lenara hurried through the gardens along the stone walkways. The scent of different flowers filled the air. The subtle, sweet fragrance was alien to Lenara. This was the first time she had seen or smelled a garden. What she had known was what she had heard from older people and read in storybooks. Lenara stopped, looked at the flowerbed and took a step forward. The clank of armor caused her to recoil into the shadows. She watched in silence as a guard passed by. She chastised herself in silence, then moved towards the balcony.

The back of the manor had no stationary guardsmen. The only eyes she would have to worry about were on the wall. Lenara smiled and moved for the balcony. She shimmied up the support beam and hoisted herself onto the deck. The doors leading into the manor were open. Sitting in a fine chair in the dim lighting of the room with his back to her was Lord Drestin. A small fire crackled and popped its last gasps of life. Lenara could see two empty bottles of wine and a goblet resting on the wooden desk in front of Drestin. Lenara looked over her shoulder. No one had caught sight of her, yet she could feel someone’s gaze on her. She drew her dagger and steadied herself. Hiding in the shadows, Lenara crept forward. Her eyes scanned the room, it was empty, even the shadows. She came upon Drestin. A faint sniffle came from the man.

There was a letter on the desk. Lenara couldn’t make out its contents. It didn’t matter. She grasped the man’s long brown hair. There was a sharp gasp. Lenara drove her dagger into the side of the of man’s throat several times then she pulled back. Drestin struggled out of the chair and collapsed, knocking one of the wine bottles over. The man died with a thick gurgle.

“You’re good at killing drunkards,” Sidine said.

Lenara’s heart skipped a beat. She whirled around readying her weapon for a fight. Lenara sized the woman up. She looked to be as wounded as Thomas was, though Sidine held herself taller. “I may not be much of a combatant yet, but I don’t need to be after what Thomas put you through.”

“You’ve killed my employer, girl. I no longer have any quarrel with you.”

Lenara blinked in disbelief. “You’ve plenty of reason to kill me know.”

Sidine let out a ragged laugh. “Considering the pay you’ve cost me, yes, I would like to strangle you. But in truth that wouldn’t do me any good. Despite the pain killers I’ve taken and the salve I’ve applied to my wounds, you would likely take my life.”

“So, what’s stopping me from finishing you.”

“Because I’d make sure all the guards hear our commotion and I'm sure I don't need to tell you how that will end for you.”

Lenara was silent a moment. She allowed herself to relax and then, cleaned her blade on Drestin’s shirt. “So, what will you do now?”

Sidine shrugged. “Steal what I can from the recently departed and nurse myself back to health.”

“Feel free to take what you want. Except his ring. I need proof.”

“Deal.”

The two went about their work in an uncomfortable silence. Lenara slid the ring from Drestin’s finger and slipped it into one of her pockets. She watched as Sidine pilfered loose jewelry and coins from around the room. Lenara eyed the letter on the desk. She picked it up and read it. She felt herself turn white. She turned her gaze to the envelope the letter had arrived in. Three distinct locks of hair peaked out from within. The parchment fell from her grasp. Sidine noticed her.

“What is it?” Sidine said.

“Runnard had his wife and children murdered. He wanted that to be the last news Lord Drestin received.”

Sidine shook her head. “His family is far away from the city. How could he have known where they were?”

“I don’t know. Thomas and I have been here the entire time so we couldn't have known.”

“He must have hired others.” Sidine narrowed her eyes. “Why are you so shaken? You’re a killer for hire, death shouldn’t affect you like this.”

“Runnard had the children murdered.”

Sidine smiled. “So that’s where you draw the line.”

“I started doing this to save children from the cruelty of others, not damn them to it.”

Sidine produced a fine pearl necklace from a jewelry box and eyed it. “How noble. Well, I’m sure you’ve bought some time for Alcrine.” Sidine turned her gaze to the girl. “Take my advice, live for yourself, and use your skills to get ahead in life. There’s no winning whatever game you’re playing.”

Lenara’s eyes narrowed. “Like you?”

“Precisely.”

Sidine walked past Lenara to the balcony. “Think about it: and when you realize I’m right, come find me.” Sidine climbed down the support beam and disappeared into the night.

Lenara returned her dagger to its scabbard. She retrieved the letter from the blood-soaked rug and tucked it into her belt. Sidine’s words echoed in her mind. Lenara left the manor, though she did not return to Runnard’s home. Instead, she found an alleyway to hide away in. Do I kill Runnard? Tears filled her eyes. If he dies, then how many more suffer. If he lives how many more will he kill to protect his position? Lenara dug her nails into her palms. What would Thomas do if I tried? Stop me? Kill me? Lenara sighed. I suppose there is only one way to know.

The doors to Runnard’s manor were opened for her. The walls were covered by portraits of Runnard and his family from the many generations. Thomas waited for her in the main hall at the base of the grand staircase. With some difficulty, he rose from his spot on the stairs. It was clear to see that his wounds had been attended to.

“It’s good to see you alive,” he said. “Were you able to finish our task?”

Lenara nodded. She retrieved Lord Drestin’s ring and flicked it towards Thomas.

Thomas caught the trinket and smiled. “Excellent. I’m sure Runnard will want to hear of this immediately.” He turned and began a slow ascent up the stairs.

“Did you know?” Lenara said.

Thomas stopped and turned. “What?”

“Did you know Runnard had Lord Drestin’s family murdered? His wife. His children.”

Thomas blinked; his eyes darted around the room before approaching his pupil. “Lenara, even if he did, you can’t say such things so openly.”

Lenara took the letter from her belt and shoved it into Thomas’ hand. “Have yourself a read.”

Thomas read the stained parchment. Lenara watched his expression change from disappointed to tired. His eyes flicked up to regard her. “No, I didn’t know.”

“But you’re not surprised, are you?”

Thomas shook his head. “It is the way of things.”

“So, we just accept children being butchered?”

“If not them, then countless others suffer and die as you’ve seen. Besides, what business do murderers like us have arguing morality? Leave such things to priests and noble fools. Let’s forget this and tell Runnard our business is finished.”

Scowling, Lenara followed her mentor up the stairs. I won’t kill him tonight, but I will have his blood.