Creatures of the Darkness

Chapter 2 - Forged of a Favor

Immediately after I leave the presence of the Phoenix Lord, I head to my personal quarters in the far left wing of the palace and sit down with a heavy sigh.

I doubt I'll ever be able to get used to his eyes. The fiery look that makes me fear for my life with so much as a glimpse.

A quiet knock on my door rings through my head and I lift my face to it. They should know better. My hearing is way above average. The simplest of noises echo to the point where I can't hear anything else.

She enters with a stiff bow, food in hand, and smiles at me.

Oh, it's a new girl. That explains things.

"Just set it there. And for future reference, don't knock, just say something at the door." I half motion towards my desk in the corner before thinking otherwise. Too many sensitive documents lay for all to see.

"Never mind, I'll take it." She hands it to me before leaving and I place it on the bed.

And then I clean my desk.

With no idea how long I'll be gone for this job, I can't leave such things sitting around. It's not uncommon for a request to take me anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Assassinations in particular.

I shuffle the papers around and read through them like I always do when I clear this area.

Assassination, find a person, assassination, capture a certain group, assassination, stalk someone..

My favorite job was one where I had to gather information - by any means necessary. It was even better than all the killing, not that he didn't die in the end.

I habitually search through the pile for the details on the job, only to find it missing.

Quickly, I go through the rest, discovering more and more are gone.

I sigh and just put everything away. It's not like there's anything anyone can use against me.

Turning towards the food brought to me, just some soup and things as usual, I think otherwise and drop everything in the trash. I've had hired hands try to poison my food via new maids.

I am the most skilled huntress in our world, after all. Add on the fact that I hold one of the highest positions possible, and many people will go after me for the reward offered my many organizations.

I pull my knife from its sheathe and run my finger down the length of the blade. It's always so beautiful, no matter how long I have had it. It was worth trading in that favor.

Someone walks in on my secret admiration of the weapon. I quickly put it away.

This maid has been here a while and knows better to say anything other than her assigned script. "Our Lord has the details of the job ready for you when you are available."

"Thank you. I will be there momentarily."