The beginning of the end / Isabella

[Xaviar Andre]

"So that is the situation, will you do it? Will you take the job?"

"First things first. Where is the money?"

So, the man was no fool. It had it advantages but also great quos, on the one hand he would do his job effectively and would be a true challenge to whoever opposed him, but, he could not be easily deceived and surely he was prone to avenge his honour. It was best to remain guarded with this one. The man grinned beneath his hood and tossed a great bag of gold coins as he replied, "Half now and the other half one you succeed, the master does not like losing so, my apologies, but though renown for your deeds, the master prefers to pay fully once everything is effective and no mistakes are being made. Just consider you do this for the wellbeing of the rebellion and that should be plenty of motivation, don't you think?"

Motivation? Xaviar did not work for motivation nor did he need any. He acted as he liked for his own reasons, whether these were right or wrong, Xaviar did not bother with considering such. He simply did as he saw fit. The assassin dressed in black leaned down to pick up the bag of coins and examined one of them to ensure he was not being fooled. The coins were real; he hid the back in one of his sachets and looked at the man coldly. Although his face was concealed by his black hood, the man could still feel the piercing eyes sent shivers down his spine, he knew this man was never to be underestimated for he was not only skilled and powerful, but he was also cunning and could turn his back on his benefactor if he pleased. Lucky for him, the man supported the rebellion for the time being... Later… well, time would tell.

"Give me twenty-four hours. And the job is as good as done."

The man was greatly surprised but he did not add any more dialogue to their meeting. He had granted the assassin all the information and indications the master had mentioned, he did not feel the need to delay this work nor the desire to be in Xaviar’s company. The man had a well-earned reputation after all.

He turned to leave and then added, “If this is successful the master has more important businesses to discuss with you, ensure to look for him when the time comes.” He then walked away slightly hesitant as to how this young man would suit his master’s designs, he only hoped everything would go according to plan, otherwise, either the assassin or his master would give him a hard time no doubt. The assassin smirked and then jumped to the top of a tree, he could sense movement.

A caravan was walking by, surely on its way to the prisons. It would be good camouflage… Once they were just above him, he jumped down and the man guiding the supplies did not even notice. The caravan moved on, and Xaviar’s mind was at work. The perfect plan came to enforcement.

[Isabella Black]

It was a cold and windy morning. It felt truly strange for Isabella to be travelling so early but her father insisted she accompanied him to meet one of his allies in an attempt to placate his dismay for his allegiance with the rebels. Not many knew of this, which was why he wished it remained a secret, at least for now. And so he thought a visit would be enough to prove the people ‘wrong’ and ensure he was devoted to the Lords of Etrias, although in reality he was not. It was a well-devised façade that enabled him to continue to work in the shadows and though it disgusted Isabella, what could she do? She loved her father and could not have anything terrible happen to him, but would that make her his accomplice? No, it could not be, her devotion toward her family was limiting her abilities to chose right from wrong, could anyone truly blame her? If she betrayed her family, she would have no one else in this cold world. No… one…

She looked up into her father’s eyes as their horses moved at a fast walk, “Isabella, ensure to please the Duchess and her marvellous daughters, I have important businesses to tend to with the Duke. Do not let me down beloved, or else all will be lost.” She looked back at the road they followed, it was cruel that her father used his children to ensure no one found out about his real conspiracy against the king, but could they betray a father who had been goo to them in their young years? She silently nodded and caressed the mane of her horse, she knew win her heart this was awfully wrong, but what could she truly do? Even if she exposed her father no one would believe her, they would dismiss her a mad woman and her family would disown her and she would then starve in the streets. Was that the life she wished to live? She sighed and shook her head. Women had no voice to be heard in this world, “I will do my best father.”

But alas, how she disliked these type of activities, being a feeble woman was the last thing she enjoyed, she wished she were young again and could go to the wilderness with her siblings and play in the sunlight, go hunting with her brothers or fight with wooden swords. Reality was far crueller than any book she had ever read before. Because it means she had no life of her own, unless she allowed the realm of dreams take her away whenever night called for her. She turned to look at her escort, their guards had protected the family for many generations and they would blindly follow her father’s leadership to whatever end. They loved and honoured him well, but then, were it fair to reduce their very lives to those of unconditional servitude? Was it fair to have them sacrifice their very lives for something her father wished to achieve? He was reach beyond measure and had great influence in neighbouring kingdoms, what could he possibly want with the rebels?

She noticed her father stiffened and she herself felt a nearby presence. She unconsciously reached for her boy and arrows but remembered her father had stopped her from taking anything of the sort, she sighed in exasperation and looked from left to right, what could be the meaning of this ill omen… what doom would befall her family? Her father frowned and said harshly, “Show yourself!”