Blood and Gold

First Blood

"Your first mission will be to assassinate him." Onyx explained.

"Wait like, The Wolf? From-"

"Yes." Dorian scanned the room. "Keep your voice down."

"Where is he?"

"Somewhere in the Market District of Rosewood, last we've heard." Onyx joined Dorian and Seph in searching the tavern for eavesdroppers. "Take the horse, go at first light... Or now, if you're up for it."

They were mid giving me a description when my brain stopped listening. Instead, I imagined scenarios where Claudia was with him, how I'd kill him, if he was the person that had killed my father. Dorian dismissed me, breaking me from my trance.

I nodded, grabbing my bag from the chair and leaving the tavern in a rush. The roads to Rosewood were marked, and fairly empty at this time of day. I sent the horse into a gallop for most of the ride. I arrived at first light. Setting my horse in a stable, I practically sprinted to the market district.

"Theron, slow down."

No, he could know where she is! I can't just slow down.

"If you kill the wrong person, you can kiss your chances of being a Bloodhood goodbye."  I looked up at the bird circling overhead. "Stay put, I'll scout out for him."

I waited for what seemed like hours, standing in the center of the street between the market district and the housing. A temple dedicated to the goddess of battle was in front of me, her statue stared me down.

Come on, Soros, find him.

"Climb up the temple, you can see him from there."

I took off, sprinting towards the giant temple at the center of the city. I'd always wanted to see Rosewood, it was a huge trading city, it had everything. The wealthiest city in all of Tapias. I never thought the first time I'd be here would be to kill a man. The temple was a weird climb, I was able to get my fingertips in small cracks and crevices in the pillars supporting the overhang in front of the entrance.

Soros was circling a few hundred meters southwest. I sprinted to the edge of the roof, coming to a halt at the edge. I'd jumped off plenty of things at camp, the tree stand, the tents, high boulders into water, but never something this high. I searched around for something to land in, water or maybe a softer material.

Soros' circle moved away as I stood still. Come on, Theron, get your shit together. I found a parked wagon, it was full of hay, that would work well enough. I climbed onto one of the smaller statues on the corner of the building before leaping off and landing on my back into the wagon. I tried to take a second to breathe, but Aston was just on the other side of the city. I vaulted the edge of the wagon, apologizing to the man before sprinting towards my bird.

It was midday when I found him. He had long, white hair, which was definitely dyed that color. His blue eyes and tan skin would've normally made him blend in with the people of Tapias. It was the wolf skull around his neck and battle axe on his back that made him stand out.

"Think about this Theron, how the hell are you going to find this guy alone?"

I don't know.

"If the guards catch you-"

Just give me a second!

I pondered my options as I attempted to discreetly follow him, an assassination was something I hadn't had any experience in. I watched him enter an Inn, The Honeyed Badger. I sat at the bar as he flirted with the woman working the front desk.