Valkyrie's Judgment

Chapter 3

Aeliss pulled the hood tighter around her head. She didn’t particularly want anyone to recognize her right now.

After the disastrous meeting, she had fled into the town. She knew that her freedom wouldn’t last long. As soon as she returned to the Wryngarde estate, she would have to face her punishment. To not only go against her grandfather, but to go against him in front of others was unforgivable, and she knew that her punishment would be relentless.

But there was nothing she could do about it. That was the price for disobeying him, and she would just have to take it. The only other alternative was marrying a man she despised…

She looked around as she walked through the streets. It felt as if the people around her were living in a completely different world. A few feet away some men were working with loading a cart. Kids were running around, playing and laughing, and a couple of old ladies were gossiping at a food stand.

She would have given everything in the world to have such a simple life. They might have had to work hard, but in return they got a freedom she would never experience. The only thing she would ever know was the cold steel cage of the aristocracy.

She entered a local tavern, making sure to keep her head down. People would surely start wondering if they saw a noble woman in such a place. The tavern was not a place for a woman of her standing, and that might be why she loved it.

As long as she kept her hood on, she was merely Aeliss, not the daughter of the Wryngarde family. Not Kiann Wryngarde’s granddaughter. Even though she knew it was merely an illusion, she relished the feeling.

The barmaid, a sturdy, middle-aged woman, came and asked if she wanted anything. Ordering a glass of ale, she looked around the dingy room. About twelve or so men were scattered around the room. A couple of men sat in deep conversation at a table not far from her. In the corner, about five others sat, obviously well on their way to getting drunk. But the one that caught her eye was the man at the bar.

He sat all alone, others seeming to keep their distance from him. A half empty glass in his hand, and several empty ones before him. But even though he obviously had quite a lot to drink, he didn’t seem to be drunk at all.

On the contrary he seemed quite sober. Even from across the room, Aeliss could see a deeply thoughtful look in his eyes, as he stared into the air.

The barmaid approached her table and sat down the glass. Aeliss thanked her, but her eyes never left the man at the bar.

He had dark hair, pulled into a messy ponytail, and just as dark eyes. His face was rough and scarred. He looked like a man that had seen hell and gotten out alive.

He gave out a feel completely different from any other man Aeliss had ever met. Just by being in the same room, you could feel that this man was powerful. And dangerous…

The man picked up his glass and downed the contents in a single gulp. It was first now, that Aeliss noticed that the rowdy men in the corner had gone quiet. They were all watching the man at the bar with hostile looks on their faces.

One of the men emptied his glass, before getting up from his seat. He strode towards the dark-haired man, his friends following behind.

Everyone in the tavern had tensed up. Except for the man at the bar, who didn’t even look up, when he was approached.

“You’re Vo’ray Shaw, aren’t you?” The other asked. Several of the tavern’s other guests stiffened at the sound of the name. Aeliss’ eyes darted around the room curiously. Who was this man?

“And what if I am?” The man said sounding like he couldn’t care less about the other. His reply only served to infuriate the other man further.

“We don’t want scum like you here, assassin!” He said, trying to intimidate him. It obviously didn’t work, as the man he had called Vo’ray Shaw still didn’t bother looking up at him.

Aeliss watched the scene in shock. An assassin? Here?

She knew she should have been scared, but instead she felt a wave of excitement shoot through her. She had never encountered an assassin before, and somehow it was exhilarating being close to someone that dangerous.

The man that had approached him clearly didn’t share her enthusiasm. He was almost steaming with fury at the man ignoring him.

“Look at me, when I talk to you!” He shouted and grabbed the man’s collar.

Aeliss barely registered what happened, as the impetuous man was sent flying through the room and crashed into a table.

Vo’ray Shaw was standing calmly next to his chair, as if he hadn’t just thrown a man across the room.

The man’s friends finally understood what had happened and two of them ran towards Shaw with raised fists. However, their effort turned out to be in vain.

Faster than what Aeliss had ever seen a human move, Shaw avoided the incoming blows. With a swift kick to the jaw, he took out the first man.

The next one tried to get another hit in, but had barely swung his arm, before he was knocked to the ground, Sway leaning over him with a knee on his chest. Aeliss hadn’t even seen him pull out the knife he was now holding to the other man’s throat.

Every person in the room held their breath. Not even the remaining of the man’s friends dared to move.

“You should be more careful who you pick a fight with.” Shaw said calmly. He lowered his voice, but you could still hear every word. “You might find someone who will kill you.”

He slit the knife a little closer to the skin, drawing blood. All blood had drained from the other man’s face, a horrified expression in his eyes.

Shaw let out a sigh, before retracting the knife and rising from his position, kneeling on the other man’s chest. He didn’t even spare a look to anyone else, as he threw some coins on the bar counter and calmly walked towards the door.

Aeliss eyes followed him, until his back disappeared through the door. Everywhere people let out sighs of relief and started talking among themselves.

The barmaid passed by her, and she couldn’t resist asking.

“Who was that man?” The barmaid looked uncomfortable.

“Don’t you know?” She asked, her eyes darting around the room. “Vo’ray Shaw is one of the most notorious assassins there is… Some say he is the best at what he does…” She said quietly, so that no one would hear her.

“I see…” Aeliss nodded as a thank you to the barmaid and handed her the payment for her drink. She left the tavern, lost in her thoughts.