A Fool's Blade

Chapter 42 - Betrayed

Two Penitus Oculatus Agents stood before her blocking her way. Jade pulled out her twin daggers and prepared to strike. This wasn't supposed to happen this place was supposed to be clear. Slow clapping grew louder behind her.

"That man was, by far, the most insufferable decoy the Emperor has ever employed. I'm glad he's dead. Ah, but I'm even happier you killed him."

She turned to face Maro, seeing the smirk that spread across his face.

"You, an assassin for the Dark Brotherhood, have just made an attempt on the Emperor's life. Would have succeeded, had it been the real man. Suprised? So was I, when a member of your 'Family' came to me with the plan. We worked out a deal, you see. An exchange. I get you, and the Dark Brotherhood get's to continue its existence. But you know what I've changed my mind. How about this? I kill you, and butcher each and every one of your miserable little friends? Your Sanctuary's being put to the sword right now. That's what I think of this 'deal'. You killed my son! All of you! And now you'll pay the price."

"You...you...!" Jade's knuckles were turning white.

"You should have stayed on the farm with your mother, Jade Ethereal. How far the apple has fallen from the tree. Your parents will be so disappointed to know that there little girl has become a merciless assassin."

"Shut up...shut up right now."

"Your father was a fisherman, wasn't he? He was a good man, or until my ship broke his. Then he became nothing more than a drunk, is that what he's doing now? Drinking away his misery while your poor mother works all alone on the farm?"

"You're the one who broke his ship...?You're the one who killed his crew...?You're the one who made him into the drunken mess that killed my mother?"

The tone in Maro's voice wavered,"She's...dead? Ganir killed Alva?"

"You're the one who made him into the drunken mess that killed my mother...you're the one who made him into the drunken mess that tried to kill me." Jade began to laugh darkly, all she could see was red. "You're the one who made me into this." She laughed more, as memories of her father's corpse lying in the river flooded back to her. Raven hair falling out , amber eyes deadened. "He killed my mother in front of me when I as ten." An image of a Nord woman was making it's way into her mind, golden hair shining in the sunlight, the life in her dark blue eyes fading when her throat was slit. "Then he tried to kill me, but I fought back and now he's gone too. I lost my blood family to you already, Maro." She spat bitterly, "I don't think it's fair that I only took your son away."

Maro's teeth ground against each other. "Kill her. And make sure there's nothing left to bury!"

The soldiers charged.