"You mean to kill a High Lord? Surely you can't be serious!" The words flowed from me, any semblance of politeness forgotten at the implications of what the woman had said: She meant to kill a High Lord, and meant for me to help. A High Lord was one of thirteen members of the Royal Court of Ardus. They served both as judges for the crimes of the Ardosian peoples, and as leaders of the Church of Ardus.
She grabbed my shoulder. "Don't be insane," she reassured backhandedly, "We're going to kill him. Your help will be invaluable." I looked nervously at the channeler's gauntlets she wore, wondering if she would be able to kill me before I could escape from the mad woman. Determining she no doubt could, I instead attempted reason once again.
"Killing a High Lord is a thousand versions of wrong! Even if they don't kill you on the spot, you'll be hunted to the grave! No, both of us will be! Besides, even to think such a thing is a sin against the Church of Ardus!"
"I'm not a practicing Ardosian," She said with a loose shrug. My eyes twitched at this dismissal. It wasn't just her life she meant to toy with. Granted, I didn't practice the Ardosian faith myself either, but that was hardly the point. This woman had, in the short time I'd known her, ignored the teachings of two separate faiths. First she falsely claimed to be a seer, which I did happen to find holy, then she took strides against possibly the largest religion in the world. To not have faith was one thing, but this woman almost seemed to have contempt for faith itself!
I held my hands up defensively, insisting, "I'm grateful for your… shall we say help with my fellow warg, but I cannot aid you in whatever it is you mean to do, I'm sorry." The assassin looked me over, thinking before finally shrugging in defeat.
"I suppose if that's how you feel, you're free to go.." Fleur said, turning her back to me. I returned the action, removing the killer from my view before she'd call out to me from behind, "I do wonder what your plan is though… How you intend to survive after all this."
"How exactly is my life at risk?" I asked, stopping where I stood. I knew what this was: Just an attempt to sway me to her devious plots, but still I felt the urge to hear her out.
"Well… This isn't exactly a flattering picture," Fleur said, "Three slavers mysteriously die, and not one of their wargs share their fate? Sure, it could be said someone else did it but… the crown will want someone to hang for this, and I doubt I'll be an option. I've got a lucky streak with staying ahead. You on the other hand…"
"So I make my way back to warg territory, following the same path you sent the others on."
"I said they were fair traders, not that they were saints," Fleur said, closing the distance with a few steps until she loomed across my back, "I don't know if you've noticed, but you're a very pretty woman…"
"What are you implying?" I demanded, turning back to the assassin in astonishment. I'd never heard such an implication, even from an owner. Was this woman truly so dark minded as to imagine such a fate.
"I'm just looking out for you," She defended with another shrug, "I'm obviously open to helping you get to safety in a much fairer way, but I'm no saint either." "I'll ensure that you safely reach anywhere you like, but first, High Lord Turnbley must die. It may not be pretty, but I'm your only option right now," Fleur explained as she began to walk away, not even checking if I intended to follow.
"That's a rotten deal!" I said in protest, "I'm no better off with you than without! Surely you don't mean to tell me you're at peace with- Wait! Stop walking!" I began to jog to catch up, attempting to keep pace with the surprisingly long legged assassin.
The walk was long and hot. Not that that seemed to bother Fleur. The woman of orange hair walked with purpose, no matter how much time passed. It was as though each step was her first, unburdened by the one before. I, on the other hand, felt exhausted. I'd been walking for three days by that point, with barely a break, and each step seemed neither my first nor my last. The sun was beginning to set when Fleur would abruptly ask, "Are you alright?"
It was a simple question, but not one I was used to hearing. I stammered for a moment, finally muttering, "I'll be fine… Miss."
"Why am I 'Miss'?" Fleur would almost laugh, "There's no need to act like a servant right now, no one else is around." I had no idea how to respond to this. I'd never been called 'too polite', such a thing was impossible for a warg. Informality was a thing usually reserved for others when talking to us. Fleur studied my expression, seemingly picking up on something as she said, "I'm Fleur. Don't complicate it with any 'miss's or 'lady's. Keep it simple."
"I guess… I…" I searched for words that would appease the woman, but there didn't seem to be any. Anything I could say would be too casual for my liking, or two formal for hers. Finally, I could only say the truth, "...I'm getting tired, I suppose."
"Finally~"
To my confusion, Fleur gave a sigh, replying, "You've got some real stamina, you know that? I've been beat for a mile now."
"Why didn't you say as much?" I asked in confusion.
"Why didn't you?" Fleur rebutted softly, "This isn't going to work unless things are even between us. Either we're equal allies, or we aren't. Partners if you will."
I looked the strange assassin over once again. She was so many things all at once: A monster, a savior, a sacrilegious saint who could trick you or show you kindness with the same breath. I still wasn't sure about her desires to kill a High Lord, but something about her seemed deeper than being just a killer. I felt like there was more I hadn't yet seen, more I wanted to see.
"A partner you've coerced into working with you?" I asked sarcastically.
Fleur smiled a strangely genuine smile given my tone, replying, "Precisely!" By morning we'd be in Ardus, but that night I slept better than I had in years.