-Wake up, Moris, said the harsh and quite manly voice of the maid.
-Two more minutes please… he said as he rolled in his sheets
-NOW! cried the maid as she swung open the curtains, letting the sunlight come inside the room.
Moris hated when she did that, but it was probably his mother that asked her to do so.
His days were all prepared at the beginning of the year, from the second he woke up to the second he sleep.
He hated that life, but he couldn't do much about it.
The only things that he liked was archery and riding horses, and only because he was good at It.
He hated everything he wasn't good at.
He either needed to be good at it from the beginning, or he would just simply give up.
He tried to run away many time, taking a horse, a bow and some arrows with him, to live a free life, alone and independant.
But he never made it further than the limits of his family's land.
Until he got a younger brother.
He was his polar opposite, he was hard working, and especially talented at almost everything.
The maid stopped waking him up.
Mostly because his little brother would be already awake at that time and fully dressed.
Then one night he tried to fly away again, but this time he met his brother on the way.
-Why aren't you sleeping? he asked, clearly surprised to see him.
-I just wanted to say goodbye bye to you, since this time you are obviously gonna succeed, it's your...he stopped talking for a second, like he was thinking.
-I lost count anyway, he said at last, and it's not like it matters, you're living, and no one will bring you back.
-What are you insinuating, little brother, said Moris, trying to look menacing.
-Oh please brother, you really think you can SCARE ME.
He was menacing.
Moris knew that if he tried to fight against his brother, it would just make more noise than he wanted to make.
He never won a fight against him.
-But anyway, he said like nothing happened, no one will come for you, father and mother have been waiting for you to try and leave one more time, because you see, they don't need you anymore.
Moris stood there, in shock.
What he was saying couldn't be true, and yet, he knew, somewhere inside him, he knew it was.
-Goodbye brother, don't die too soon.
Moris woke up to the sound of blades colliding.
-Oh my oh my, said the voice he was so familiar with, the one that gave him nightmares.
What an energetic child we got here, aren't those blades a bit too dangerous for you my dear ?
-Let me show you how dangerous he can get, snapped another voice, clearly angry, but why in the world would she be, and why was she here anyway.
Moris thinked for an instant, he knew this voice, but he couldn't get from where or when.
He didn't know how long he was here, there was no window, the only light he got was from the candles in the corridor, and she would turn them off when she would leave.
She was the only person he would see, she would come at random, sometimes bringing food with her.
The food was for him.
But sometimes she would eat some before giving it to him.
Sometimes she would step on it.
Sometimes she would force him to beg for it.
And sometimes she would feed him, softly, gently, like a lover take care of their wounded companion.
The sound of blades stopped.
The voices stopped.
Some candles were turned off.
Then the door open.
Someone run toward him.
He was on the floor, wrap on itself.
He was shaking.
-Moris ? Moris ! it's me, we are here to rescue you, come fast.
It was the voice again, not the one that was giving him nightmares.
It was the other voice, the one he couldn't tell to whom it belonged.
His memory was like a fog, he couldn't remember things correctly.
She wasn't touching him, her hand was a few centinmeters from his face, but she wasn't touching him.
-Come now, it's me Neila, come let's run before guards come, before we get caught.
Neila, he knew this name, he was close to this name before.
-It's a trap isn't it ? she's testing me right ? I will not fly away, I promised, I'll stay gently here, like a good boy.
-What are you saying Moris ? who is she ? said the voice, she seemed worried, are you talking about the women that was in front ? she left, she said something weird then she left, come now get up let's go.
Moris stood on his fragile leg, he didn't walk in weeks, or maybe months.
He totally lost track of time.
His hair grew so long they reached his knees, they were dirty, he was dirty.
He stank so much you could find him just by following his smell.
Neila helped him get up, putting his arm on her shoulder.
She was holding her urge to push him away.
She had to bear this.
He was family, and we do anything for family.
Their way out was surprisingly easy, they reached the point of meeting faster the she thought, and they haven't met a single guard on their path.
-MORIS ! HERE YOU ARE YOU MORON, screamed Scaf as he saw the coming.
As soon as they were close enough Neila threw him toward Scaf
-Now you hold him ! said Neila as if it was a heavy burden she was getting of her shoulders.
Heavy he clearly wasn't, he was like a stick, the fact that he was alive in itself was unbelievabe.
He was still confused.
He heard that voice before, that name.
But he still couldn't tell from where.
-We better get him out, he doesn't seem to be that fine, said Scaf as he put him on his shoulder as if he was a bag of feather.
As soon as they come out they understood why they hadn't met a single guard on their way.
They were waiting for them, outside.
They were thirtee, maybe more, with bows, all pointing at them.
-Well, well, well, said a men, he seemed old, and he also seemed in charge.
He had a grey mustache and grey hair, they were both perfectly smooth, he was wearing a uniform and had a long, fine sword pending from his belt.
-What do we got here ? he said while touching his mustache, three outlaws trynna save their friend, if this isn't beautiful.
-Oh for fuck's sake, shouted Scaf, can't we rest for just a minute.
-Well it's kinda you that came in here, so if you wanted to rest this isn't really the brightest idea you could've had, said the old men.
-He got a point, said Neila under her breath.
-But desperate not my friend, because i'm here to give you y'all an employnment, isn't this beautiful ?
-If you think we are going to work for the prime minister, you can take your offer and stick it up your…
-The prime minister ? interrupted the men, my dear friend you are absolutely wrong, I work against the prime minister, for i'm the leader of the revolutionary army.
-What, shouted a few guards at once, he's not with us ?
- SHOOT THEM ALL.
At that moment, Moris memory came back, all at once.
His head was gonna explode.
He felt dizzy, but now he remembered it all.
He knew who they were, what they were and why they were here.
But most importantly, he remembered who he was.
Some bows where pointed at the old men, some at the four outlaws, but before they where shot, the one pointed at them shot their arrows.
Most of the guards died, but some had the time to shoot.
Five arrows went flying toward the crew and two toward the old man, but none reached their target.
They got cut in mid air, but no one saw the sword that did it.
-Now, if you wanna leave, you better follow me, said the old men as he turned his back to them and went toward a small corridor.
They could tell he wasn't playing anymore.
And they could tell why he was the leader.
They all followed him instinctively.
He led them threw narrow paths and dark alleys, until they found themselves out of the castle, and into the night.
-Well now that we won't be disturbed, you have a choice, either you accept my offer or leave and continue you miserable lives.
-Hey our lives ain't that… said Scaf before getting stopped by Rosa's swift touch on his shoulder and her little nod of the head.
-Well, so, what do you choose gentleman, ladies ?
-Can you tell us what exactly you went us to do ? said Rosa
-Oh just what you already do, said the men in a cheerful tone, except it won't be at random, it will be for us, of course you can continue what you were doing, all we ask from you is to do what we ask when we ask you, you can keep the gold and all that if you want.
-So, you want us to become your assassin's, that's right ? said Neila, she didn't really like that idea, killing for the sake of others, but then she thought again, killing is killing, may it be for yourself or for others.
-Well, yes exactly, we want you to become our assassins.
-And why would the revolutionnary army, work with scumbags like us ? snapped Scaf, there was something wrong and he knew it, but he couldn't point it out yet.
-Well because you are scumbags, you don't care about the cause or about anything else other then money, so we don't really care if we lose you, and you aren't really the best friends of the prime minister so you are perfect for this job.
-Hum...it seems fair to me, said Scaf at last.
-Well then perfect, we will contact you, until then try not to die, he then bowed solemnly and disappeared into the night.
-We got fucking lucky, said Scaf after they found a good place to hide.
-Yes, but there's something weird, it was almost too easy, said Neila, her head on Rosa's lap.
-I felt that too, said Rosa while playing with Neila's hair.
Moris got up, and started to walk away.
He was still shacking.
-Buddy where you going ? Scaf stood up too.
-I...I can't do this anymore, said Moris at last, i wanna go home, I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.
He fell on the floor, tears going down from his cheeks.
He was shaking even harder.
Scaf reached out to him, but as soon as he tried to touch him, he pushed him away and stood up by himself.
It took him time, he didn't have much strength left.
-I...I'm sorry...you went threw all this trouble for me...but i can't do this anymore, i wanna go back home, i wanna go back to my family
-But we are your family, said Neila, she got up, and she was confused.
-YOU ARE NOT MY FAMILY ! he snapped, YOU ARE MERELY PERSONS, THE ONLY THING BOUNDING YOU TOGETHER IS THAT NO ONE WANTED OF YOU AND THAT YOU LIKE TO KILL PEOPLE, I HAVE A FAMILY, I HAVE PEOPLE THAT CARES ABOUT ME AND WAIT FOR ME AT HOME.
-So you're leaving huh ? said Scaf after a moment of silence, well good luck mate, here put this on, he threw him a coat, it would be sad if you died because it was too cold.
-Thanks...thank you all, goodbye brother…
-Moris wait, Neila stood up and went for him, but Scaf put his arm in front.
-Let him go, said Scaf, it's the best we can do for him.
And Moris, was gone, in the night, in the dark, leaving his family.
Again.
-It's been two weeks, and we didn't have any news of them.
Scaf was yawning, he just got up from a good nap.
Rosa was training with Neila, now that Moris was gone they had to adapt.
They were hidden in an abandoned barn, but it still had some hay, and most importantly, a roof.
-I think we gotta start doing what we used to do again, it should be good now.
The crew decided they would hide for some time after what happened with Moris, the empire got more guards on caravanes and doing patrol, it would be risky to be seen outside, so they just hid all day and would go out only to hunt or to change place.
Scaf hated that, he felt like he was suffocating.
He felt like when he was still a soldier.
-Sorry for the delay, it was kind of a mess those days.
Scaf jumped on his feet, his hand on his axe.
Rosa and Neila turned around, they were already armed.
The problem wasn't the voice, even tho the fact that they found them was quite impressing.
The problem was from where the voice came from.
It came from above.
But it was pitch black, they couldn't see anything.
Suddenly a little flame started hovering in the dark.
It was bright enough to illuminate it's close surrounding, and it went close enough to reveal a face.
The man was sitting on a timber.
He then lit a cigarette, took a puff, and let it slowly out, as if it was his first one in a long time.
-The fuck you want ? said Scaf after taking a good look at the man.
-Oh yes sorry i totally forgot.
He then let himself fall on his back, and right before hitting the floor he did a salto and fell on his feet.
His cigarette was in his mouth, he took another puff and then walked toward Scaf.
-I'm, he started before letting the vapes out on Scaf's face.
Scaf's would normally beat the man to death.
But this was no normal situation.
This man got in here without them even hearing him, and they had no idea for how long he was here.
Now that he was closer to him he could see him clearly.
The man was wearing a black suit, with black pants and classy shoes, he had a red tie and a small hat with a red ribbon on it.
His face was round, he had a three days beard, his eyes were yellow, but not like honey, it was almost like they were shining, like the eyes of a beast.
He had a square jaw and a long nose and apparent cheek bones.
He was shorter then Scaf but he had an aura that made him as intimidating.
-I'm the person who will be your contact for your missions, he said after a moment of looking at Scaf from head to bottom, and good news I have a mission for you.
He then got a pile of papers out of his pocket and looked around for a place to put them.
But the barn was abandoned, and therefore, empty.
-What the hell is this place, you guys really need to find better places to hide, but whatever. The man's voice was soft but firm, you could feel he wasn't messing around.
-Okey so you take this big boy, everything you need to know about the target is in here, also only one person can go, you are free to do it however you want, but don't forget, you are now assassins so being discreet would be great, oh and also the empire is really mad at you, so more of reasons to don't make too much noise, because if you get caught we ain't coming to help any of y'all.
-What do you mean only one can go ?
-Ye well we don't want to be seen so we can't afford to send you all at once, imagine if all of you get caught, you already lost a member so it kinda sucks you know, so we will tell you all how many of you can go on a mission at once.
-This is bullshit, we do things our way or we don't !
Scaf hated taking orders, especially from people he didn't consider as being worthy enough to give him orders.
-Calm down boi, should I remind you that without us you would all be either dead or with your dear friend Moris in a cell ? oh don't look so shocked, of course we know your names, you really thought we wouldn't do any investigations before hiring you ? you are perfect for the job because all of you lost everything, you don't have any attach, no one to avenge you or come after us when all of this will be over.
Scaf was getting madder, he was holding himself with all his might.
-And to be fair, y'all don't really look like much.
The man turned his back to them and waved.
-AM GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT WE CAN DO YOU SON OF A B…
-I'll do it, I'm an assassin after all, that's what i've always been.
Rosa's voice sounded determined.
-Wonderful then, said the man, finally someone with working neurons..oh I forgot you don't know what neurons are out here, or at least not yet. Everything you need is in those papers right here, the name of your target, it's habits, etc...
-And how do we contact you when the job is done ? asked Rosa as she was stepping toward them, her katana in her hand, unsheathe.
-You don't, we will know that the job is done and we will contact you, oh and you got two days, babaye.
The man throw his cigarette on the hay and left.
Scaf observed him as he walked out, he didn't hear his footstep, actually he realised he didn't hear him make any noise, except for when he was talking, no footsteps, no clothes rubbing against each other, nothing.
But what even more odd is that he didn't see him open the door of the barn, it was like he just vanished in the dark.
-Hum, i see.
Rosa's voice got him back to reality.
-What is it ? said Scaf as he looked at her.
And he realised he didn't feel it when she took the papers from him.
That was another thing he loved about her.
She was a really skilled thief, so skilled it was as natural for her to take something from someone's hand without them even realizing it as it was for a normal person to just pick something up.
It wasn't a second nature.
It was her only nature.
-The target, he's really well guarded, and he's really rich, it was a good thing I took the mission.
-Why is that ? asked Scaf as he tried to look into the papers.
Rosa showed him something with her finger.
It was written under the title "things he loves".
The first thing written was women.
-This reminds me of the old days.
She wasn't looking at the papers, she was looking at Scaf now.
She was also touching her arm.
It was one of the few things Scaf would realise and she wouldn't.
She would touch her arm each time she would think about the past.
Because under her clothes was the mark of her past, a mark that could never be erased, for it was marked onto her skin.