Secrets of the Crown Assassins

18

PHOENIX

 I walked through the streets of Cressida. Not much had changed since I left years ago—assassins swarmed the streets, Streeter servants dressed in white with blue and gold cuffs scrambled back and forth, Assassin children stood in groups and bragged about the weapons they had or the new Tab they received for their birthday. The streets were familiar, their depths and coming back to me slowly, though the memories remained a distant dream.

The only difference was that all of the Assassins were dressed in black. They all wore a dark blue half cape in respect for the Queen Intellect, except for the Unassailables who also had golden stitching around the borders. The Streeter servants had Intellect blue scarfs wrapped around their necks despite what Assassin class they served. The funeral was today and we arrived just in time.

Fantastic. The first thing I needed on my great return home was a freaking funeral. Not that I was expecting a parade or anything.

Of course, this was a secret, but I was hoping to at least stir up some drama within the family, but I can't do that during Aunt Erilia's funeral as I had basic human morals and sensitivity. Stupid morals.

We passed through the crowd and walked to the edge of the glass path where six guards stood instead of the usual two. Arielle, who changed out of her Streeter clothes and wore her Crown Assassin uniform, approached the guards. They immediately recognized her face and were about to let her through when one's eyes fell on me.

"She with you?"

Arielle nodded.

"Who is she?"

"A new servant."

"We didn't receive any news of a new servant."

Arielle lifted her chin. "Now you have."

She turned on her heel and walked onto the glass path, not looking back. I followed her and none of the guards made a move to stop me or even ask for my name. In fact, most looked down or moved on to the next entree. Only one stared at me though she quickly turned away when she caught me looking.

I couldn't help the smile overtaking my face as I followed Arielle. I almost forgot what power was like. When I was young and foolish, I didn't know what I held in my hands, the puppet strings which I controlled. I only learned when I ran away and already threw it all away. It took a while to fully realize what I lost, a year for the world to show me what it meant to live without power. By then the damage was done. My younger sister already took my position and they forgot about me. There was no going back. All my power was lost.

But now, I had a taste, a mere sip, and like alcohol, it all came rushing back—the euphoria, the way people would never question you, the total control you held over each one as they knew there was nothing they could do in retaliation—it was intoxicating. I wanted more and there was one way to take it all.

I shook my head, clearing it. I would not let Arielle trap me into claiming the Crown without even trying.

We entered the palace and took a side hallway which I knew like the back of my hand. The windows showed the city below and the waterfalls cascading, the reflected sunlight forming shattered rainbows in the mist. In the distance, clouds formed. There was another storm coming.

Arielle entered a large hallway with its columns raising high to hold up the arched ceiling. The roof was glass cut into geometric shapes, the light reflecting through and beams crisscrossing in no particular order. The sides of the hall were filled with various weapons. These were the weapons of the old Crown Fortiers, their favorites hanging forever on the walls for generations to see their legacy. The marble floor was spotless. We were in the hall of the Fortiers.