After much walking in the forbidden forest Leo finally arrived at the castle that served as the Order's base. The Night castle as its name implied was a large castle that had a perpetual dark mist that floated around it. The mist kept most outsiders out and only members of the Order of the Night knew the secret to getting past it. The castle's location as it turned wasn't secret but was strictly off grounds to all non-members even the other orders were forbidden from stepping on the castle and instead sought for instance by rune communication; a spell of fairy invention that allowed orders to communicate with each other and the other kingdoms. "Alexandre is not going to be glad that I killed that much men in what was supposed to be a stealth mission" Leo sighed putting his hands at the back of his head while he proceeded towards the mist. Placing his hands on the ground Leo began to mutter some spells after which the mist began to clear to reveal a massive gate as black as obsidian. Leo walked up to the gate that opened as soon as he got close enough. He was greeted by the sight of bright green grasses surrounding the black castle with dark cloaked children training in them as they struggled to keep up with their teacher. Leo smiled when he saw this as it brought memories of his own childhood in the order. A burly green eyed man in a black cloak walked out of the castle before he waved wildly at Leo. "Panther it is good to see you". "The feeling's mutual Bethran" Leo said with a smile as he and the dark cloaked man shook hands."Are the elders in? Leo asked while he nervously scratched his head. Bethran stared at Leo with his deep green eyes before he replied "They are and you have a lot of questions to answer" Bethran replied with a laugh as he escorted Leo into the castle itself. A group of bloodied women passed them greeting the two with a nod. "Celia how was the mission" Bethran whispered grabbing one of the women by her arm. Celia tossed back her hood and faced Bethran revealing her blonde hair and vermillion eyes "It went well". "Why the blood? Bethran asked again pointing at their hoods. Celia held out her cloak before she replied "The blood belongs to a monster we encountered on our way here". "Very well I hope we shall be seeing tonight" Bethran added flashing his teeth. "Poor man "Leo sighed knowing what was coming next. A loud crunch was heard moments before Bethran collapsed to the ground clutching his nether regions. The rest of the ladies left leaving the two at the castle's entrance."Don't worry she will one day fall" Bethran said out loud waving his fist in the air. "I seriously doubt that" Leo said in between short fits of laughter. The castle looked like every other normal human castle aside from the dark cloaked citizens that moved around and the absence of guards patrolling around. All the assassin's houses were located in the castle that was divided into many floors that were accessed by gigantic stone stairs. the castle was also bigger than it looked, a feat that was achieved through a series of ancient spells by the Midnight panther. The space for the hall in a regular castle was instead replaced with a weapons room while the first floor was populated by a massive library and alchemy lab. The elders house or rather rooms {yes for all the order's families occupied a massive apartment like room in the castle for houses} were also located in the first floor along with a sacred hall that contained the skeleton of Fang. The Fang clan was located in what one could call the second floor while the Claw clan was located in the third. A massive bath and kitchen was also located on the fourth floor while the fifth floor consisted of various training rooms and a blacksmith forge. Bethran and Leo passed through the forge and the training room before they continued upward to the fourth floor in order to get something to eat. After this Bethran and him proceeded to the bath for it was considered disrespect for one to meet an elder unclean. Leo stepped into the bath before he chanted the spell that was required to make the water flow forth from the ground. A hot satisfying sensation flooded his body as he relaxed into the hot water. Bethran on the other hand kept up observing his body before he asked a question that was supposed to be on the mind of every single assassin. "So Leo when do you intend to get married? Leo's eyes opened wide in shock as though Bethran had committed some grievous abomination "I am just eighteen". "Exactly, you know our lifestyle reduces our lifespan greatly wouldn't you like to have a little panther to call your own?"Maybe when I am twenty-five, for I still have a lot of things to do before I bear any responsibility. Bethran after thinking for some time laughed "You're right, after all we can just continue to have fun before the clan ties us down with a family". Leo simply shook his head "You really have to be careful, you know the Order's stand on fornication right?"Now you sound just like your father. I mean just try it out, I'm sure you won't regret it after all with your looks few women outside the annoying ones that populate this clan will resist your charms". Leo simply smiled when he remembered the time when Cassandra one of the midnights threatened to castrate Bethran when he and a mage from the Order of the sun got into a fight over a beautiful elf. "So what of you and Flowhyr? Leo asked while he muttered another spell to replace the water as he and Bethran stepped out. Bethran placed his hand against his lips before he whispered "Don't forget that you're not the only assassin with good hearing". "Anyways I still see her and to crown it all a certain bird told me that my insufferable rival was killed by a band of rogue elf mages". Leo listened with mixed emotions as he got out of the bath. Leo laughed before he dressed in a black fur coat and fitting trousers to match. His dark blue hair was tied at his back while he left his daggers in the scabbards at his side. Bethran remained in the bath wishing Leo good luck with the elders."Can you tell us why so many guards were killed when the mission was supposed to be a stealthy one? Vince a short stocky elder with a rather nasty scar on his face asked Leo while he tapped the glass on the table. Leo took in a deep breath before he replied "The Marquis knew of the mission before I arrived, an ambush was also prepared for me there". Cassandra on hearing this and finding out that he was generally unscathed smiled "That is fine after all you were still able to assassinate the duke though I would have loved to see if he would have taken the first option".Alexander's stoic face smiled a little "Good to see you that you are in good shape, anyways the Order has a mission for you". "While you are away, we shall also look into the elf that had tried to kill you". "Also in case of next time try to keep your unknown attacker's body in one piece" Magnus a red haired elder said before he filled Leo with the details of the mission.