The Assassin and His Mark

Part 1

My steps crunched softly beneath me as I dashed through the loamy forest.
I ran and ran, but couldn't seem to shake the heaviness that trailed me; whispering doubt and indecision.

I dared to close my eyes briefly as I continued on at a break neck pace and willed a calm I didn't have to come. Finally, breathing hard I slowed and found  myself pulling up onto a large rock overlooking the small, familiar lake. Lake Aramenta. I didn't have much time for stops but couldn't help myself.

Hands propping me up on the rough rock and legs stretched out before me, I finally allowed my mind to start processing what I'd done. The choice I made months ago but only now sunk in truly. I thought the reality of it would crack down on me, but it didn't.

Something I vowed to never do, I had done. Betray the King. Me, Jaith Harrow, kings assassin sworn to protect and obey, had turned his back. And I was never going to regret it. 

I had her in the crosshairs of my bow only once before, and I knew somehow then, that I'd never go through with it. Vitra was her name. Vitra with her fiery eyes and golden hair that flowed all around her. I followed and tracked her, and managed to fall for her. Even now I hadn't stopped tumbling down this foggy hole of entangled feelings.

Leaves fluttered softly to the ground and fall colors greeted me everywhere I looked.
I watched as the trees, and sinking sun reflected off the lakes glassy surface.
The whole earth seamed to be frozen with me and it would be entirely serene if not for the raging emotions that fought for dominance within.  

A light step filtered through my senses and I let my heart sink. Had I been tracked here?
I had already made up my mind though.  As long as she had gotten away as I intended, I'd go willingly. As long as she remained safe and alive, I could take whatever they put me through just to know.  Know she was still breathing, and that she was free from the death I was meant to carry out. 

So I hung my head and resolved to go easily with them. If only for her. And I pictured her all strong yet tiny, sweet but also teeming with ferocity behind those bright green eyes.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, sucked in a breath, and caught a whiff of the intoxicating combination of vanilla and saffron that was so unmistakably. Her.  Before I could manage an utterance of my surprise she was before me just as I'd pictured her moments ago, reaching out her hands with the sparkle of tears in her eyes. I sat forward and closed both of hers in mine.

Trees around us loomed large and enclosed us in their safety, the breeze gently caressing our faces as we gazed at one another. Each scared to break the moment of perfection, unable to end what that could be the last.

With her face aglow in the light of the sinking sun she spoke, and birds song and crickets chirps faded. "Jaith, I'm so glad you're okay." She rushed on "Thank you, I know that's not enough but thank you truly, from my heart." I hauled us both up to stand and removed my hands from hers. Reaching across the short distance I traced my hand gently down her cheek. " You have nothing to thank me for, my heart decided the moment I saw you, It just took a while for my mind to get the message." The shimmering tears seemed too close to spilling out as she opened her mouth to speak but I pulled her into my arms, her head buried in my chest. I whispered in her ear "I do love you, you know. But. I most certainly have the entire royal guard out hunting me an- " She pulled back abruptly cutting me off. "No. You don't have pursuers, I made sure of that." There was a confident air in the tilt of her chin. "But, how? I saw them, they have to be com-" "Trust me, I took care of it." I couldn't help but quirk a brow of disbelief, and let a small grin show on my face.
I knew if anyone could pull off such a feat it would be her. She regarded me with an amused expression. "I love you too actually. That's why I didn't- couldn't end you either you see. No matter what my orders were."

The relief that started to warm me at her declaration disappeared at "my orders". All the secrets and deceptions those two tiny words were laden with.  It was enough to make me step away, and nearly stumble as I went. I caught myself on the tree now resting at my back.

"Don't look at me that way." She said sharply. "I could explain but I thought you'd rather do that later, after we're farther. I mean, I did a fine job of sending them on a wild goose chase, but we're not quite upstanding citizens, now are we?"

I slid down the trunk to the grassy forest floor. "Whose orders, Vitra?" A long breath seeped out of me.

I thought the harsh tone that seemed to turn my words into a threat shook her resolve for a second, but if they did she hid it quickly and stepped forward, looking down at me.

"You're not- well you weren't the only one with a target Jaith. It's complicated and I think we should just wait-" "NO" I said. "I'm not moving an inch until you tell me. The truth this time."

"I..." Her lips trembled and her hands were clutched at her sides tightly. "I'm a mercenary of sorts, and you were my quarry and I..."

My fears were confirmed, and I didn't hear any more of her explanations. I let the coldness spread through my body, welcoming it. Wanting the numbness. To be rid of the feelings that felt torn and ragged.  

Before I knew, two small hands squeezed my shoulders and shook me out of the daze I fallen into.

"Jaith, oh Jaith..please, just look at me."
The pure anguish in her voice pulled at my heart. And like a tether, it lifted my head to look her in the eyes. I searched her face thoroughly for the deceit that would vindicate my anger, but found  that only pain and regret held her features taught.

"I'm sorry, sorry for not telling you, sorry for everything. But please believe me I would never hurt you."
I looked at her sadly. "Never purposely perhaps..."
She winced at the implication 
"Tell me. Everything please."
Looking resigned, she lowered down to sit beside me leaning against the tree, and began to speak as she stared out unseeingly into the wilderness. 

"As a mercenary I go after criminals most the time, well, until five months ago that's all I did...until the king ordered me to do something a little different for him." She turned and looked at me then. "He asked me to be his personal spy. I was to watch and gather information on you to test your loyalty. If you were proven to be disloyal to the crown, I was to make sure you disappeared for good."

My mouth would've dropped at this revelation if I hadn't considered it before. But I still asked "For what reason did he say?"

She looked taken aback at my cool response, but continued.
"He said that when someone is as skilled as you, they could either be the biggest asset or liability. And, that was before I knew who you really were."

"So the question is, why would he put me after you?"

She averted her eyes then. "The king thought what better way to test your loyalty himself, then by ordering you to kill me just to prove you'd do whatever he asked of you, and If you did not...he'd know everything he needed to be rid of you."

"So when you said "gather information on me" you meant take part in a test made for me, while your own life hung in the balance? "

She looked guilty at that, and said nothing.

"You didn't know, did you?"

Reluctantly shaking her head she breathed "No I did not. I only thought I was spying on a treasonous assassin, but the King had set me up to be killed by you if you were in fact devoted to him. I was never supposed to know.
I was never meant to know you." She glanced up at me for a brief second.

Her honestly washed away most of the hurt that coiled it's way around my thoughts, but the remaining anger towards the King - my father still burned in my chest.

"Would you..?"

"Vitra, I'll forgive you, if you'll forgive me. And...if while we run, you'll tell me how you led the guards astray on their false trail.

A small smile found my lips as I peered down at her and inked my fingers through hers. 

She half laughed, half sobbed "deal" and then we dashed off hand in hand into the unknown future that lied before us.

THE END