Decoy

𝓉𝒽𝓇ℯℯ

Ambroz 

"You're free to go bastard," The guard unlocking my prison door spat. I get up from the floor and watch him cautiously.

"What's the catch?" I had at least two more weeks to serve for my crimes, but I get freed within two days is suspicious. 

The guard shrugs, "Seems like you're needed for your skills." 

I follow him, my hand still in iron cuffs. He leads me into a dark room, although there was no light in the room I can feel a presence. The guard leaves us alone, I stay quiet waiting for the person to speak, staying cautious. 

"I've heard of your skills hunter," 

The voice was sickly, it sent chills down my spine. 

"How did you find me?" 

"My master has their way,"

I stay quiet, not feeling the need for small talk. This person broke me out of prison for something and if they don't start talking soon, I'm walking back on the cell myself. 

"My master has an assignment for you," 

"I'm not for sale." 

A bag of gold coin is thrown at my feet, I roll my eyes at the bribery, "This is just for meeting with me, there's more to come if you accept." 

"Your master must be desperate." 

"You are their top choice, they promise you endless riches for generation to come." 

"What do they want me to do?" 

"You must agree before I tell you." 

"That seems unfair,"

"That's my masters rule." 

"Can I sleep on it?" 

"No."

A sigh leaves my lips, I close my eyes and think about the strange request. I've worked for a lot of rich bigots in the past and none of them have been this secretive. A huge part of me wants to just walk around and act like this meeting never happened but another part of me knows this money will help me and the boys in the long run. 

And the tiniest smallest part of me, is curious at the what the big mystery is. 

"Fine, you've got yourself a deal." 

At my words, a scroll is rolled at my feet followed by a thud three seconds later. The guard comes in the room and turns on the light, on the floor a young boy, no older than 13 was on the floor foaming at the mouth and a vial in his hand. 

The boy looked sickly, I could see his bones and scabs on his body. He would've been dead in a month at most, but yet he still took the poison. 

"I didn't do it," The guard rolls his eyes, taking out his key and undoing the cuffs. 

"I see you made a deal with the devil, I thought you were better than that." 

I pick up the scroll and bag of coins, ignoring the judgment in the guards eyes, and leaving the prison. 

♔♔♔

What the hell did I get myself into?

Once I arrived in our tent, I read the scroll over and over again, the instructions engraved in my mind. Especially the bottom line. 

Failure to comply will result in mass execution. 

 "I brought you some food," My best friend, Aren, walks in the tent, a concern look on his face. "You've been holed up in your tent since the moment you came back from prison."