Cassius watched as the procession passed through the crowded streets, the guards' spears glinting in the sunlight. A small window in the palanquin was open, revealing a slender hand dancing in the air. The glittering green jewel on the ring finger told Cassius she was his target. He had a clear shot from his vantage point on the workshop roof. Below, the carpenter's shouts at his pupil echoed up to him. But Cassius didn't take the shot. He waited, not because he doubted his aim, but because he enjoyed the hunt.
Cassius followed the earl's wife's procession, leaping from roof to roof. The weather was pleasant, with warm sunlight filtering through the cirrus clouds after days of heavy fog. It was a perfect day to hunt, and Cassius had a gut feeling that everything would go his way.
The procession stopped outside a mansion as the guards scattered, and the gatekeepers opened the gates to let the palanquin in. Cassius crouched on a building across the street, his eyes fixated on the palanquin, which halted just outside the main doors. A child, no more than eleven, bounded down the stairs and rushed towards the woman, who stepped out with her arms wide open to welcome the child.
"I was waiting for you," the child giggled, her voice carrying across the street.
"Oh, darling," the countess crooned. Cassius clicked his tongue in mockery at the woman's fake display of affection for her niece.
Cassius did his homework when he got the job to eliminate Countess Adhelina. She was the elder of two siblings and married to an earl fifteen years her senior. The earl was now bedridden, counting down the days until his last breath, leaving the countess to manage the estate. She ruled with an iron fist, showing ruthless efficiency, especially towards the agricultural staff. Cassius wasn't inclined to know who had hired him to remove her so the estate would pass to her only brother, Baron Petrus, who was a kind man.
While observing her routine, Cassius had overheard her malicious intent to eliminate her "weak" brother's family and use his land for her rise in status. If not for this revelation, he might have believed the affection she showed the young girl.
Baron Petrus emerged with his wife right behind him. Cassius sighed and took out his blowtube. It was time.
The bone needle sharpened to a point, and its mark was found at the nape of Countess Adhelina's neck. She gasped, her hand flying to the needle, but before she could comprehend what had happened, she collapsed. Chaos ensued, but Cassius didn't stay to see how things would unfold. His job was done; now it was time to collect his prize.
Despite it being midday, Wiscar's tavern was full to the brim. Countless men and women sought relief in drinks and companionship during their work breaks. And right under everyone's noses, Cassius found his work.
"Took you long enough," Wiscar called from behind the counter, a cleaning rag slung over his shoulder and beer foam clinging to his bushy brown beard. Cassius raised his hand in greeting, reaching the table tucked into the furthest corner beneath the window. That was his usual spot, the one Wiscar reserved for those seeking his particular services.
Cassius was a bounty hunter. It had taken him no more than five years to carve out a reputation for himself. Typically, he had a backlog of jobs, but lately, he lost interest in the mundane tasks assigned by common folk. He yearned for something more substantial, more challenging. While he could have sought recognition from those higher up in the social hierarchy, he understood the risks involved. Instead, he patiently waited as his renown spread and tales of his successes echoed in the shadows. Wiscar assured him that someone of greater stature would eventually seek his services, but Cassius remained skeptical. He knew things were seldom as straightforward as they seemed.
The strict social hierarchy of the Empire of Adaria had distinct tiers: royalty, nobility, knights, clergy, and commoners. However, what set Adaria apart was its status as a homeland for various other races—wizards, dwarves, elves, and the legendary Amazons. Despite his years as a bounty hunter, Cassius had rarely encountered individuals from these races. Most of his work involved the petty affairs of humans, providing just enough to scrape by.
A loud thud interrupted his thoughts, signaling the arrival of a leather pouch hitting the table surface. Cassius lifted his eyes, ensuring that most of his face remained concealed beneath the hood of his cloak.
"Seven silver coins, as promised," said a gruff voice belonging to the man who had commissioned Cassius to hunt down Countess Adhelina. Cassius grunted in acknowledgment, accepting the pouch and securing it under his cloak. The man huffed and turned to leave.
"Yeah, he's the one," Cassius heard the man's voice amidst the boisterous crowd. He didn't move, but his fingers instinctively found the dagger's hilt strapped to his belt beneath the cloak. Cassius had never fully trusted the man who had first approached him with the job, but he couldn't afford to be overly selective. He had never turned down work, regardless of its source. However, that didn't mean he let his guard down.
Cassius tensed as he heard deliberate footsteps approaching. Keeping his eyes fixed on the table, he wrapped his right hand around the beer mug that Wiscar had sent over with an errand boy. Slowly, he lifted the mug to his lips, all the while aware of a figure clad in fine leather sliding into his peripheral vision.
"May I sit?" asked a deep voice. Cassius's thoughts skidded to a halt, and he looked up. Standing before him was a man he had never seen before. Despite doubting that his presence had gone unnoticed, the man's attire and demeanor suggested he hailed from a higher social echelon. Cassius took a swig and slammed his mug on the table. Unfazed by his dramatic response, the man took the bench on the opposite side of the table.
"I want to hire you," he said without missing a beat. Cassius straightened, folding his arms on the table.
"That's not how one approaches me."
"Do they send you pigeons?" the man countered, mockery evident in his tone. Cassius laughed, masking the urge to embed the dagger in the man's chest.
"What do you want?" Cassius asked.
"I can't tell you about it," the man answered cryptically. Cassius raised an eyebrow inquisitively. That was a first.
"Listen, if you're concerned about the crowd, don't be," Cassius assured him. "They don't give a damn about what goes on here."
"You trust this crowd more than you should," the man remarked.
"I know everyone in this tavern," Cassius replied, his voice tinged with mock. "If someone leaks anything about me, they know I'd be coming for them."
"That's an awful lot of trust you place in your capabilities."
"You doubt it?"
The man sighed, clearly unhappy with the direction their conversation had taken. He leaned forward, intertwining his fingers on the table.
"I'm merely a messenger," he said hushedly. "I'm here to provide a clue. If you're deemed worthy, you'll get the job."
Now, Cassius was intrigued. This was a first... Without uttering another word, the man withdrew a small folded piece of paper from the fold of his tunic and slid it across the table toward Cassius. Then, he stood up and departed. Cassius eyed the small item in front of him, sparing a glance across the crowd to ensure no prying eyes were watching him before reaching for the paper.
A gasp escaped Cassius' lips as he unfolded it.
Imprinted on the piece of paper was the symbol of a secretive organization, The Axis of Seraphim, with a red cross at its center. That was all—yet Cassius knew there was more to it than met the eye.
The Axis of Seraphim bore a griffin as its insignia, its angelic wings spread wide with a halo above its head. To Cassius, the griffin always seemed more predator than savior—not that it had ever truly been a savior.
With solid proof in his hand, Cassius was finally approached by the organization that operated in the shadows of Adaria, maintaining the delicate balance between the supernatural and humans. They were the unseen force that kept conflicts at bay, the puppeteers behind every aspect of society. Their reaching out to him meant they deemed him worthy of tackling substantial tasks.
Grinning to himself, Cassius clenched the piece of paper in his fist. He was determined to find the location hinted at in the clue and learn what the job entailed. He vowed not to settle for a menial task that underestimated his abilities. Instead, he sought one that would cement his reputation as a formidable bounty hunter not to be trifled with.
Writer: Aymen_M - Fiverr.com/aymen_004
Editor: Celina Mike - Fiverr.com/Celinawrite
Artist: Sakhatokan - Instagram.com/Sakhatokan
Cover Design and Logo Creation: Nishi Tripathi - Fiverr.com/nishi_gfx_vfx
Created by Robert S.S. Gordon
Consultant: Rafaelosales - Fiverr.com/Rafaelo